Drive-In Ichinomiya

Welcome to Drive-in Ichinomiya, nestled in Ichinomiya city, Japan.
We've got a laid-back lifestyle here, quite different from the hustle and bustle of other places in Japan.
Our connection with nature is a daily delight, and the friendly vibes of our small town community make it a welcoming place to be.

We're all about supporting each other, collaborating with local businesses, and keeping things easygoing.
Surfing and skating are part of the fabric of our culture, and it's kind of cool that we hosted the 2020 Olympics surfing competition right on our beach.

If you're into good food, drinks, and a mellow atmosphere, you'll fit right in. Swing by Drive-in Ichinomiya for a taste of our relaxed way of life – no drama, just good times and friendly faces.

***For August 2024, we only accept people who can stay from the end of July and the whole month of August.

Our team includes bilingual Japanese staff who are fluent in both English and Japanese. Additionally, we welcome helpers from diverse corners of the globe, with stays ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months. Embracing this international mix, we find joy in the exchange of cultures and languages. It's always a delight to host new individuals, giving us the opportunity to share our way of life and immerse them in the unique experiences of our community. We look forward to welcoming volunteers, eager to showcase our lifestyle and create lasting connections with those who choose to join us. ACCESS TO OUR HOSTEL Airport : Either Narita Airport or Haneda Airport is the closest. Train Station : JR Sotobo Line Kazusa-Ichinomiya Station is the closest. From Train Station to our Hostel : Grab a taxi. It will only take around ¥1,000.

Reviews

4.0
(33 reviews)33

Staff & Host

4.0

Hours & Tasks

4.0

Hostel

3.5

Learning & Fun

4.5

United States

4

I had a great time at drive in! I have made some of the best friends ever and some of my best memories. The house is in a great location super close to the beach and in the back yard there is a skate park, a pool, and two hot tubs. I loved always being surrounded by dogs and I will miss babychan and nuchan greatly. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is comfortable with being flexible and has a good work ethic.

15 days ago

Czech Republic

3

This experience was mostly positive thanks to the other volunteers. The place itself is great although some parts could use a good cleaning. As for the management itself, again - I learned everything from the other volunteers and it was slightly hectic.
I would recommend finding more permanent staff so that everything is not up to the volunteers. As for Shingo - there were good and bad moments including the bittersweet goodbye with half of us. It would be good to work on communication - in English and in general. Eri-san and Pika-san thanks, you were great!

about 1 month ago

Canada

1

This experience was not what I expected. There is no photos of the volunteer dorms on the listing, probably because they are awful and no one would stay if they saw it before they came.
The dogs are allowed to roam freely in the kitchen and it is disorganized and unsanitary.
There are no permanent staff and the volunteers are expected to pick up the extra workload, including cleaning the pool that turns green every other day because there is no chemicals used in it.
This experience got removed from Worldpackers the day before I was supposed to leave because of too many bad reviews.

about 1 month ago

Georgia

5

My time at Ichinomiya was calm, relaxed and I enjoyed it very much. Shingo-san was very respectful and friendly, tome spent with him and other volunteers was always interesting and fun. If you want to spend some time in a small town, you will like it there.

about 2 months ago

Mexico

2

The host is a good person without a doubt, but he needs to communicate with the volunteers .
Since I arrived at the hotel, it was the same volunteers who explained to me about the activities, showed me the place, etc.
There are too many hours of hard work and they do not comply with giving you 2 meals a day, only sometimes. They do not care about the experience of the volunteers, they only care about the work they can do and that they work the agreed hours. Mrs. Emi asks you for things in a very rude way. They need more empathy towards volunteers

2 months ago

Perfect for you if you're looking for

Contact with nature

Rural

Contact with animals

Beach

Party

Adventure Sports