Support Staff Opportunities
Make a Difference While Living Your Japan Adventure
Want to experience Japan beyond the tourist trail? Become part of our team in Hirakata and you’ll get to live like a local while helping run our international community house. You’ll be part of the daily operations while making friends from around the world and experiencing real Japanese life.
Everything you need to know
Enjoy comfortable private dorm-style rooms in our welcoming community house. Your accommodation includes all utilities, WiFi, and access to shared kitchen, living areas, and outdoor spaces.
OEH is perfectly located in Hirakata with excellent transportation connections. The nearest station is just a 10-minute walk away, with direct trains to Osaka (30 minutes), Kyoto (30 minutes), and Nara (45 minutes).
Your volunteer experience includes accommodation, orientation support, ongoing guidance, and access to all community activities, including Japanese classes. We also provide basic household items and kitchen facilities for shared meals.
Pack clothes appropriate for the season you'll be visiting (Japan has distinct seasons), comfortable walking shoes, personal toiletries, slippers for indoor use, a personal towel, and any electronics with appropriate adapters. We recommend bringing lightweight, versatile clothing as you'll likely want to shop for souvenirs!
The Working Holiday Visa is ideal for most volunteers, allowing extended stays and flexibility. Tourist visas work for shorter periods. We provide detailed guidance on visa requirements and can connect you with resources for paperwork assistance.
See Our Community in Action
Want to see what daily life is actually like here? Check out our Instagram – we post pretty much everything from cooking contests to weekend temple visits.
Come join OEH!
Do you want to be part of our community? Please, send your application via Worldpackers.
Role Types:
Support Staff
Minimum Stay:
30 Days
Requirement:
Working Holiday Visa
Are you looking for an authentic way to experience life in Japan while staying on a budget? We are looking for hardworking and friendly Support Staff to join our team in Hirakata. This is the perfect role for travelers who want to be part of a community, help us keep our home cozy, and have plenty of time to explore!
If you enjoy staying active, meeting people from all over the world, and want a “home away from home” located perfectly between Osaka and Kyoto, we would love to have you join the OEH family.
In exchange for your help, we provide a bed in our comfortable shared dorm, 2 days off per week, and free Japanese classes to help you connect with the local culture. You’ll have full access to our community kitchen, cozy lounge, and high-speed Wi-Fi. We are a supportive community and love helping our staff make the most of their time in Japan!
Details
- Commitment: 15 hours per week (Minimum stay of 1 to 3 months).
- Strongly encouraged: Ideally, hold a valid Working Holiday Visa
- Accommodation: Stay in our shared staff/guest dormitory.
- Tasks:
- General Housekeeping: Assist with daily cleaning of guest rooms and making beds.
- Common Area Care: Help keep the kitchen, lounge, and bathrooms tidy and welcoming.
- Laundry: Support the team with washing and folding linens and towels.
- Welcome Support: Help our Lead Coordinator prepare rooms for new arrivals.
- Community Spirit: Engage with guests and participate in our house activities!
If you’re interested in this role, please send your application on Worldpackers.
Do you have a passion for storytelling and digital media? We are looking for creative Residential Support Staff to help share the OEH story with the world. Whether you are a photographer at heart or a talented writer, this is your chance to develop your portfolio while living in the heart of the Kansai region!
In exchange for your creativity, we provide a bed in our comfortable shared dorm, 2 days off per week, and free Japanese classes to help you connect with the local culture. You’ll have full access to our community kitchen, cozy lounge, and high-speed Wi-Fi. We are a supportive community and love helping our staff make the most of their time in Japan!
- Commitment: 15 hours per week (Minimum stay of 1 month).
- Requirements: Ideally, hold a valid Working Holiday Visa
Option 1: Social Media Content Creator
Share OEH’s story with the world while developing your digital marketing skills. Create engaging content that showcases our community, cultural activities, and the beauty of life in Hirakata.
- Tasks:
- Content Creation: Create engaging posts and reels for Instagram and other social platforms.
- Photography: Capture daily life, cultural activities, and special community events.
- Collaboration: Work with other support staff to capture diverse perspectives of the OEH experience.
Option 2: Blog & Article Writer
We’ve got our content strategy all mapped out – we just need someone who can dive into research and turn it into great blog posts. Perfect for those who love writing and can take a topic and run with it.
- Tasks:
- Research & Writing: Dive into assigned topics and turn them into high-quality, engaging blog posts.
- Strategy Execution: Follow our existing content strategy and style guidelines to maintain our voice.
- Local Insights: Write about local attractions, cultural experiences, and practical tips for living in Japan.
If you’re interested in this role, please send your application on Worldpackers.
Are you looking for a meaningful way to stay in Japan long-term?
We are looking for a responsible, friendly, and organized Cleaning Manager to join our family-owned guesthouse in Hirakata. This is a leadership role where you’ll be the “heart” of our housekeeping team, ensuring our guests feel at home and our international volunteers stay motivated and organized.
If you love meeting new people and have a “good eye” for detail, this is the perfect home base between Osaka and Kyoto!
In exchange for your leadership, we provide a private room, 3 days off per week, and free Japanese classes to help you truly immerse yourself in the culture. You’ll have full access to our community kitchen, cozy lounge, and high-speed Wi-Fi. We are a supportive community and love helping our long-term volunteers figure out their next steps for staying in Japan!
Details
Commitment: Minimum stay of 3 months.
Requirements: Must hold a valid Working Holiday Visa
Tasks:
Assign daily cleaning tasks to the volunteer team.
Perform quality checks on rooms to ensure they are guest-ready.
Manage the weekly volunteer schedule (work days and days off).
Lead orientations for new volunteers and manage cleaning inventory.
Prepare volunteer rooms for new arrivals.
If you’re interested in this role, please send your application on Worldpackers.
Why Choose OEH for Your Experience?
Come to Hirakata, Japan’s best-kept secret for travelers
Local Vibe
You’re not staying in a hostel in Shibuya with other backpackers. You’re living in a real Japanese neighborhood where you’ll wave to the same people every morning.
Community
We’ve got support staff from all over the world – we’ve had people from Germany, Brazil, China, and Canada (just to name a few) all living together. It’s like having instant travel buddies.
Strategic Location
This might be the best part – you can literally wake up and decide “Kyoto, Nara or Osaka today?” All are within 20-40 minutes away by train. And so much more to explore around!
Flexible
Whether you can stay for 4 weeks or 3 months, we’ll find work that fits your schedule. Working remote in the meantime? No worries, you’ll have plenty of time for that too.