Our accommodations are right next to the cafe and are called the WWOOFer House.
When you first arrive at Harappa Cafe, we will guide you to the house.
If no one is available, please wait at the cafe.
Table of Contents
About WWOOFer House
It’s a retro building like a hideaway.
Smoking is prohibited inside the house, so we appreciate your cooperation.
About the Room
With just enough space for a bed and your luggage, the rooms are on the small side.
The rooms are partitioned with wooden boards and, being handmade, have no insulation or soundproofing.
Nonetheless, they are cozy!
There are also rooms that can be used by multiple people.
When leaving the room, be sure to turn off the lights and other electrical appliances.
⚠️ Especially the kerosene heaters, as they are a fire hazard. Please be very careful not to forget to turn them off.
About Futons and Sheets
We will provide you with the following three types of sheets.
Please use all of these to keep the futons and pillows clean.
- A cover for the top futon
- A sheet to go over the bottom futon
- A pillowcase
If a futon becomes soiled due to carelessness, you may be asked to cover the cleaning cost, so please be careful.
We provide extra blankets, electric blankets, and anything else you need to have a warm sleep during the winter months.
Music Room
There is a music room (common space) in the house that all staff can use.
After 9 PM, we kindly ask everyone to keep noise levels down, as the room isn’t soundproof and sounds can carry easily.
Toilet
The toilet is located behind the cafe, a short walk from the house.
Feel free to use it anytime, even during cafe operations.
Please note: Since cafe customers also use it, we ask for your cooperation on the following points:
- If you notice any dirt, please clean it.
- If there is no toilet paper, please restock it.
- When the sanitary box is full, please put it in a bag and throw it in the trash can in the kitchen.
Amenities
Please bring your own towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Shampoo and body soap are available at the hot spring.
About Using the Hot Spring
There is no shower or bath in the WWOOFer House, but you can use the hot spring at the guesthouse run by the owner’s family.
It is a 10-minute walk from Harappa Cafe.
There are men’s, women’s, and family baths. The men’s and women’s baths can be used freely at any time.
Since guests staying at the guesthouse also use them, please be considerate, such as giving a light greeting, so everyone can enjoy their time comfortably.
The family bath has a lock and can be used privately, but please limit use to 30 minutes per person.
If you wish to use the family bath, please write your usage time on the board in the cafe’s kitchen.
About the Facilities
While bathwater may not be filled or may be lukewarm, the shower is always available.
Shampoo and body soap are provided, but towels are not.
Additionally, a hair dryer may not always be available.
⚠️ Be careful of heat shock in winter
Winter in Yufuin can see temperatures below freezing.
Because the large temperature difference from the bath to the outside air can cause heat shock, for your safety, please avoid sudden temperature changes when entering and exiting the bath.
Laundry
There are two washing machines in the house.
Detergent is provided.
To be considerate of other WWOOFers, please avoid leaving clothes in the washing machine for long periods.
This may cause mold, and items may be removed to allow others to do laundry.
Also, due to lack of soundproofing, please avoid using them after 9 PM.
About Meals
On business days, you will eat food made that day or earlier.
If you want to eat food made that day, please wait until 1:00 PM for lunch and 7:00 PM for dinner.
This is to ensure there is always enough for customers.
On days off, you can eat food from the refrigerator or cook for yourself.
Please wash, dry, and return any dishes, cooking utensils, etc., you use to their original place.
About Drinks
Tap water is drinkable but contains trace amounts of chlorine.
For those who are sensitive or feel unwell, we recommend commercially available mineral water.
We also recommend a spring water collection spot a 20-minute walk away.
Staff can drink the organic coffee, tea, milk, and other drinks served at the cafe.
When you do, please put 100 yen per cup into the payment box as actual cost.
About Room Trash
Please separate trash as follows:
- Burnable trash:
Please put it in the yellow vinyl bags designated by Yufu City. - Other trash:
Please put non-burnable trash, PET bottles (crush them yourself), and bottles/cans into separate clear bags.
Put the trash bags into the trash bag area at the entrance of the house.
When the trash bag area is full, please put the bags into the trash bag holder behind the kitchen.
Departure
When you depart, please be sure to clean the room thoroughly for the next staff.
Wash and dry the sheets and return them to their original place. (If departing early in the morning, please consult with other staff.)
It would be wonderful if you could leave a brief note for the next person using the room.
Seasonal Notes
Spring & Winter
Spring and winter are cold, with days as low as -10°C (14°F).
There are kerosene stoves for heating, but the rooms are not completely sealed and have gaps.
The water pipes may freeze, which can make the toilet unusable.
Summer & Autumn
Summer is very humid and hot.
The only cooling equipment is fans.
Cockroaches, centipedes, and winged ants become active (cockroaches operate year-round ♡).
Mosquitoes are plentiful from around May to November.
During the rainy season, humidity can cause mold, and laundry can develop odors, so using a coin laundry dryer is recommended.
The nearest coin laundries are within a 5-minute walk; there are two locations, and it costs about 200-300 yen to dry.
Autumn starts hot and suddenly turns cold, so be careful.
(The autumn leaves are beautiful)
Other Notes
Siren
Music and a siren sound from the neighboring community center at 6 AM, noon, 5 PM, and 9 PM.
It can be loud and might startle you.
About Cats
There are both pet cats and stray cats.
They may carry fleas, etc.
Those with cat allergies, please be especially careful.
Cats may eat things left in the kitchen, so please do not leave food out and always use lids.
They may also enter rooms to scavenge for food, so if you dislike that, we strongly recommend always keeping your room door closed.
Regarding The Cafe’s Stance on the Palestine Situation
As a community, this cafe values being a place where everyone can feel safe and comfortable.
We do not hold any specific political ideology.
Nor do we deny it.
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.