Activities
Most of our activities are not farm work but cooking at the cafe.
Volunteers work as chefs and staff at the restaurant.
We look at the ingredients in the kitchen and freely cook whatever we like.
Depending on the season, we also do activities other than cooking, such as:
- Helping out at nearby small-scale organic/pesticide-free farms
- Responding to requests and concerns from local residents
- Cleaning, carpentry, laundry, etc., to make the space comfortable for everyone
Daily Schedule
Harappa Cafe is open for both lunch and dinner.
Staff are divided into lunch and dinner shifts.
- Deciding Shifts: Shifts are decided through discussion and written on the schedule board in the kitchen. They are not fixed, so you can change them day by day.
- Number of Staff: Each shift typically has 3 to 6 members.
- Helping Out: If it’s exceptionally busy or there is a large group reservation, we may ask staff from the other shift to help out.
☀️ Morning / Lunch
| Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45 | Unlocking | The owner unlocks the cafe space. |
| 9:00 | Start of Activity | Lunch shift staff begin their work. Please finish your breakfast before this time. ・Cleaning (kitchen, dining area, floors, restrooms) ・Refilling water and tea pots for customers |
| 9:30 | Start Cooking | Begin cooking. You can remake leftovers from the previous day or place finished dishes on the buffet table as they are ready. |
| 11:50 | Open | The cafe opens even if not all dishes are ready. Regulars may arrive before opening and start eating what is available. |
| 14:00 | Close / Meal | Staff mealtime (in the dining area). ・Cleanup (washing dishes, wiping tables, cleaning counters and stoves) ・Rearranging dishes that can be served for dinner |
| 15:00 | End of Activity | Lunch shift ends. |
Please wash, dry, and put away any dishes or utensils you used for your own breakfast.
🌙 Evening / Dinner
| Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | Start of Activity | Dinner shift staff begin their work. ・Cleaning (kitchen, dining area, floors) ・Refilling water and tea pots ・Cooking (including checking/remaking lunch leftovers) |
| 18:00 | Open | The cafe opens even if not all dishes are ready. Regulars may arrive before opening and start eating what is available. |
| 20:00 | Close / Meal | Staff mealtime (in the dining area). ・Cleanup (washing dishes, wiping tables, cleaning counters and stoves) ・Store leftovers in containers, labeled with the date and the cook's name (if known), and place in the fridge. |
| 21:00 | End of Activity | Activity ends. Some nights we relax together, chatting or playing card games. |
| 22:30 | Locking | The owner locks the cafe space. |
- The second floor of the cafe is a private residence, so please avoid making loud noises.
- If you wish to continue chatting after 22:30, please move to the music room in the house.
Greeting Guests
When guests arrive or leave, please greet them with "Irasshaimase" (Welcome) or "Arigatou gozaimashita" (Thank you).
Meals Outside of Shift Hours
You will eat dishes made that day or leftovers from the previous day.
If you wish to eat dishes currently being served to guests, please wait until the following times:
- Lunch: After 1:00 PM
- Dinner: After 7:00 PM
Days Off
While WWOOF guidelines typically suggest one day off per week, Harappa Cafe provides two days off per week.
The days off are Tuesday and Wednesday, when the cafe is closed.
In return, we ask for your cooperation with the following even during your off-shift hours:
- Post-meal Cleanup: We appreciate active help with cleaning up the cafe after business hours.
- Helping During Busy Times: We may occasionally ask for urgent help if the cafe is extremely crowded or if there is a large reservation.
Birthday Month Party
On the last Tuesday of every month, we hold a birthday party for staff and local community members.
The party happens even if no one has a birthday that month.
Although Tuesday is a day off, we ask each staff member to prepare one dish or dessert.
The party starts around 6:00 PM, so please prepare accordingly.
Participation is optional.