Read FAQs about our programs in Japan.

Tokyo has two large international airports: NARITA and HANEDA, which are served by many airlines. Haneda Airport is located closer to the city centre and is therefore our preferred option. If you find cheaper flights to Narita you can however also choose Narita.

You book a flight and inform us about your flight details. Please try to arrive on a Friday any time between 8am and 8pm. We will pick you up from the airport and will bring you to your accommodation in Tokyo by public transport. 

Many nationalities can participate in this program visa-exempted for up to 90 days. The visa exemption (Temporary Visitor Status) is granted free of charge upon entry at the airport in Japan. Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Mexico, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Switzerland can extend the temporary visitor status for another 90 days. For this, they need to visit a Regional Immigration Office before the first 90 days expire, which issues the extension on the same day. There is an official fee of 4000 JPY for the extension.

Citizens of the UAE are visa-exempted for 30 days.

If you have another visa (e.g., Working Holiday Visa), you can also participate in this program.

Sharehouses in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Shiohama Sharehouse, Tokyo

Exclusively for World Unite! participants, we operate our own sharehouse accommodation in Tokyo, located near the Kiba subway station. Spread over three floors, the sharehouse features nine dormitory rooms of various sizes, each accommodating 4-8 people, as well as five double rooms. We try to separate the rooms by gender; however, this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. There are two common areas with fully equipped kitchens, six showers, four toilets, and two bathrooms. We provide Wi-Fi on all floors at no extra cost. Modern air conditioning units ensure cooling and heating in all rooms. Additionally, for house residents, the City Hub premises of around 100 sqm on the ground floor are available as a communal area from the afternoon onwards, where you can use a foosball table, a big screen, and a music keyboard at no extra cost. The 140 sqm rooftop terrace, with an unobstructed view of Tokyo Skytree, features a covered seating area, hammocks, and greenery. House residents can also use a coin-operated washing machine, a dryer, and a free luggage storage room. Need a bicycle? You can rent one from us at affordable prices.

Warabi Sharehouse, Saitama

The Warabi sharehouse is situated in Saitama prefecture, within the Tokyo metropolitan area, and conveniently just a 15-minute walk from Warabi train station. This sharehouse offers 36 rooms, available for single, double, and 4-share occupancy, each equipped with air conditioning for cooling and heating, as well as a balcony. In the case of accommodation in twin or dorm rooms, we try to separate by gender; however, this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed.

You'll find a common lounging area with a TV and comfortable sofa, along with a fully equipped communal kitchen for your convenience. Each floor is equipped with toilets and sinks. A shower area separated for males and females with 6 shower booths is available on the ground floor. Wifi is accessible throughout the building, and the sharehouse also offers bicycle parking, 4 coin-operated washing machines, 2 coin-operated dryers, and a small ornamental Japanese garden. For added convenience, a supermarket, several convenience stores, and shopping malls are just a few minutes' walk away. Renting a bike is also possible at a reasonable price.

Our dedicated team members visit the Warabi Sharehouse at least three times a week to provide comprehensive support to our program participants.

Urayasu Sharehouse, Chiba

The Urayasu Sharehouse (available from August 29, 2025) is located in Chiba Prefecture, within the Tokyo metropolitan area, just a 3-minute walk from the Tokyogakka Mae bus stop (approximately 9 minutes by bus or 25 minutes on foot to Shin-Urayasu Station). It is situated in an attractive residential neighborhood with palm-lined streets. Tokyo Disneyland, scenic parks along the bay, and large shopping malls are within walking distance. The area is of a high standard, featuring hotels such as the Disney Resort Hotels and the Hyatt Regency.

We occupy two floors of the sharehouse building, which includes one 6-person dormitory, two triple rooms, and five twin rooms. The twin rooms can also be booked for single occupancy. Most rooms are furnished in a Western style with beds; however, one twin room is Japanese-style, with futons. Some rooms have balconies. In shared rooms, we try to separate occupants by gender, although this cannot be guaranteed.

Residents also have access to a lounge, a dining area with a shared kitchen, 3 showers, 2 toilets, 2 coin-operated washing machines, an elevator, and a small outdoor area on the ground floor.

Host Families

Staying with a Japanese host family provides you with the ultimate opportunity to fully immerse yourself in everyday Japanese culture. Typically located in the outskirts of Tokyo and neighboring prefectures like Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, host families choose these areas as central Tokyo apartments seldom offer sufficient space to accommodate foreign guests alongside their own family. Commuting by train to internship placements, jobs, or language schools usually takes no more than an hour, with a monthly commuter ticket costing around 15,000-20,000 yen.

Your host family will serve you two meals (breakfast and dinner) on weekdays and three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on weekends. You will have the option to sleep on a western-style bed or experience the traditional Japanese futon. Typically, there will be someone in the host family who speaks basic English, and they are well-acquainted with welcoming foreign guests.

Read more about Child protection in volunteer assignments.