こんいちは and welcome interested reader!
I'm happy that I can tell you something about my experiences!
But first of all, let me introduce myself. I'm a 25 years old German girl, left my hometown Düsseldorf in October with a working holiday visa to visit Japan, my dreamgoal and ended up as a part-time waitress in an Austrian restaurant and as a volunteer worker at the Yadoya Guesthouse.
The past four months in Tokyo were amazing, with a lot of ups and downs. When I first arrived, I struggled more with myself than with the country. I started taking Japanese lessons, met a lot of different people and got very sick because the place I was staying at was not the best but it was very cheap though.
That was a sign for me to leave everything behind, the people I met, the surroundings I already knew.
I'm happy that I can tell you something about my experiences!
But first of all, let me introduce myself. I'm a 25 years old German girl, left my hometown Düsseldorf in October with a working holiday visa to visit Japan, my dreamgoal and ended up as a part-time waitress in an Austrian restaurant and as a volunteer worker at the Yadoya Guesthouse.
The past four months in Tokyo were amazing, with a lot of ups and downs. When I first arrived, I struggled more with myself than with the country. I started taking Japanese lessons, met a lot of different people and got very sick because the place I was staying at was not the best but it was very cheap though.
That was a sign for me to leave everything behind, the people I met, the surroundings I already knew.
I visited different guesthouses and was couchsurfing in Nakano, too. When I arrived at the Yadoya I was suprised about the friendly and open environment and I was really happy about meeting other guests- mostly short-time visitors or tourists but great stories to share. 
I moved forward and started to think more about getting a job and wanted to be more linked to other people. When I started to work as a volunteer worker for a while, I felt like I made the right decision but the person I was working for sucked all my energy away and I end up working for her more than I should. I was stressed, I also asked others what to do and I finally left her. But what next?
I moved forward and started to think more about getting a job and wanted to be more linked to other people. When I started to work as a volunteer worker for a while, I felt like I made the right decision but the person I was working for sucked all my energy away and I end up working for her more than I should. I was stressed, I also asked others what to do and I finally left her. But what next?
The first step was done, I already had experience in housekeeping, cleaning and serving guests in Japan but I didn't wanted to work at the borders of Tokyo and I remembered Nakano which is in a good area and the guesthouse there. So I applied, started and got enough freetime to explore the city, meet new people and share stories with guests again. 
I'm feeling really comfortable now, the work is making fun, I can learn from other helpers and guests a lot and right know I'm feeling a little sad thinking about leaving to Kyoto later this month because it seems like I finally found a place to stay for longer.
Let me give you a few examples why for me Nakano is a nice place to stay:
Bluesbar "Bright Brown" in Nakano. Wonderful atmosphere to dream away and listen to really good blues!
First Japanese snow!
Having fun with the mirrors at Nakano broadway!
Hidden treasures if you know where to look…
…or while exploring!
And I tried origami. With a lot of "ganbatte" and interested guests I struggled really hard but in the end this little unicorn is hidden on the reception desk now. Sparkle!
I'm feeling really comfortable now, the work is making fun, I can learn from other helpers and guests a lot and right know I'm feeling a little sad thinking about leaving to Kyoto later this month because it seems like I finally found a place to stay for longer.
Let me give you a few examples why for me Nakano is a nice place to stay:
Bluesbar "Bright Brown" in Nakano. Wonderful atmosphere to dream away and listen to really good blues!
First Japanese snow!Having fun with the mirrors at Nakano broadway!
Hidden treasures if you know where to look……or while exploring!
And I tried origami. With a lot of "ganbatte" and interested guests I struggled really hard but in the end this little unicorn is hidden on the reception desk now. Sparkle!
Have a nice day!
See you next time!
Sandra 
YADOYA Guesthouse for Backpackers Tokyo:
http://www.cheap-hostel-tokyo.com/
*Dorm bed only 2300yen/night, Private 3700yen～, cheapest hostel in west Tokyo, Nakano.
ドミトリー２３００円、個室３７００円～、東京・中野の安宿・バックパッカー！
YADOYA Guesthouse Tokyo for long stay:
http://www.cheap-accommodation-tokyo.com/
*Dorm bed only 40,000yen/month(including utilities), private room from 45,000yen/month. It`s nice to live in Nakano, and we support your Tokyo life!
ドミトリー光熱費混み１ヶ月４０，０００円、プライベート４５，０００円～。中野は住むのにいいところですよ。ゲストハウスとしてみなさまの東京生活をサポートします！
http://www.cheap-hostel-tokyo.com/
*Dorm bed only 2300yen/night, Private 3700yen～, cheapest hostel in west Tokyo, Nakano.
ドミトリー２３００円、個室３７００円～、東京・中野の安宿・バックパッカー！
YADOYA Guesthouse Tokyo for long stay:
http://www.cheap-accommodation-tokyo.com/
*Dorm bed only 40,000yen/month(including utilities), private room from 45,000yen/month. It`s nice to live in Nakano, and we support your Tokyo life!
ドミトリー光熱費混み１ヶ月４０，０００円、プライベート４５，０００円～。中野は住むのにいいところですよ。ゲストハウスとしてみなさまの東京生活をサポートします！
