Your Stay
Our accommodations are located right next to the cafe and are called the WWOOFer House. When you first arrive, we will guide you there.
If no one is available to guide you, please wait at the cafe.
About WWOOFer Houseโ
It is a retro, hideaway-like building.
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No Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the house.
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Rooms: Small private (or shared) rooms partitioned with handmade wooden boards, providing enough space for a bed and luggage. We use insulated tents in winter and mosquito nets in summer.
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Facilities: Please note the rooms have no insulation or soundproofing.
Be sure to turn off all lights and electrical appliances when leaving your room.
Especially in winter, kerosene heaters are a fire hazard. Please be extremely careful not to leave them on.
Futons and Sheetsโ
To keep the futons and pillows clean, please always use the three types of sheets provided:
- A cover for the top futon (Duvet cover)
- A sheet for the bottom futon
- A pillowcase
Note: If items are soiled due to carelessness, you may be asked to cover cleaning costs.
Extra blankets and electric blankets are available during winter.
Music Room (Common Space)โ
All staff members are welcome to use this space.
Please keep noise levels down after 21:00.
The room is not soundproof.
Toiletโ
Located just outside the house (shared with cafe customers).
- If you notice any dirt, please clean it.
- Please restock the toilet paper when it runs out.
- When the sanitary box is full, please put it in a bag and throw it in the kitchen trash bin.
Amenitiesโ
Please bring your own towels, toothbrush, soap, etc.
- Shampoo and body soap are provided at the hot spring.
Using the Hot Spring (Onsen)โ
There is no bath or shower in the house.
Instead, you can use the hot spring at the guesthouse run by the owner's family (a 10-minute walk away).
The shower is always available, though the water may sometimes be lukewarm.
Please bring your own towel and hair dryer.
| Type | Rules |
|---|---|
| Men's / Women's Bath | Available freely at any time. Please be polite to guesthouse guests. |
| Family Bath | Can be used privately. Please limit use to 30 minutes per person. โป Write your usage time on the board in the cafe kitchen. |
Winter temperatures in Yufuin can drop below freezing.
The extreme difference between the hot spring and the outside air can cause "heat shock." Please avoid sudden temperature changes when entering or exiting the bath.
House Rules (Laundry, Meals, Trash)โ
๐งบ Laundryโ
- There are two washing machines in the house (detergent provided).
- Do not leave laundry: Please avoid leaving clothes in the washing machine for long periods to prevent mold and allow others to use the machine.
- Hours: Please avoid doing laundry after 21:00.
๐ฑ Mealsโ
[Basic Rule] Refrigerator Food There are no time limits. You may eat food from the refrigerator at any time (the same applies on your days off).
[When Eating Cafe Buffet Dishes] Please eat in the dining area. Because customers take priority, your meal times will depend on your shift.
| Lunch Shift Staff | Dinner Shift Staff | |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | By 09:00 | Flexible |
| Lunch | Around 14:00 | After 13:00 |
| Dinner | After 19:00 | Around 20:00 |
All staff members from both shifts often eat together around 14:00 for lunch and 20:00 for dinner.
Always wash, dry, and return any dishes or utensils you used to their original place.
๐ฅค Drinksโ
- Tap water is drinkable, though it contains chlorine (if you prefer, bottled water is available nearby, or spring water is a 20-minute walk away).
- For cafe drinks (coffee, tea, etc.), please put 100 yen per cup into the fair-box.
๐๏ธ Trash Disposalโ
- Burnable Trash: Use the yellow bags designated by Yufu City.
- Other Trash: Separate "Non-burnables," "PET bottles (crushed)," and "Glass/Cans" into clear bags.
- Where to put it: Put the bags into the trash bag area at the house entrance. When full, move them to the trash bag holder behind the kitchen.
Seasonal Notesโ
| Season | Features and Precautions |
|---|---|
| ๐ธ Spring & โ๏ธ Winter | Temperatures can drop to -10ยฐC (14ยฐF). Water pipes may freeze, making the toilet temporarily unusable. |
| โ๏ธ Summer & ๐ Autumn | Very humid; only fans are available for cooling. Insects (cockroaches, centipedes, mosquitoes) are active. During the rainy season, using a coin laundry dryer (5 mins away, 200-300 yen) is recommended to prevent mold. |
Other Informationโ
๐พ About Catsโ
There's a pet cat here, along with some stray cats.
- Allergies: Please be cautious if you have cat allergies.
- Room Door: We strongly recommend keeping your room door closed at all times to keep cats out.
๐ฆก Wildlifeโ
Wild animals, believed to be masked palm civets (Hakubishin), live under the floor of the house.
- Noise: You may hear scratching sounds or cries from under the floor at night.
- Measures: We are currently working on blocking entry routes, but complete prevention is difficult.
To avoid attracting both cats and wildlife, do not leave food or trash out. Always store food in the refrigerator or airtight containers.
๐ข Sirenโ
A loud siren or music plays from the neighboring community center at 06:00, 12:00, 17:00, and 21:00.
๐๏ธ Our Stance on the Palestine Situationโ
As a community, Harappa Cafe values being a place where everyone can feel safe and comfortable.
We do not hold any specific political ideology, nor do we deny any.
However, the cafe owner, as an individual, has deep concern and strong feelings regarding the situation in Palestine, and people who share those views sometimes visit.
There is a poster supporting a ceasefire in the cafe.
We would appreciate it if you could keep this in mind.
๐ซ Before You Departโ
When you leave, please complete the following cleaning and laundry so the next volunteer can start their stay comfortably:
- Clean your room: Please clean every corner of your room.
- Laundry: All used sheets must be washed, dried, and returned to their original place.
- If you are leaving early and cannot finish drying, please consult with someone else in advance.
It would be wonderful if you could leave a brief note for the next WWOOFer!