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Cat Shelter in Kyoto

Experience
Volunteer
Destination
Japan
Duration
2 to 8 weeks
Ages
18 to 70

$1,295

$495
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Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Ever dreamed of living in a Studio Ghibli film – with cats? Then volunteering at a cat shelter in Kyoto is the perfect trip for you. 

Kyoto – the imperial capital of Japan for over 1000 years – is like stepping into a movie set. 

The ancient architecture is preserved. Geishas glide through quiet streets. And the ultra-modern pace of contemporary Japan is dialed down a couple notches. 

Imagine being surrounded by traditional wooden townhouses, Zen gardens, and lantern-lit streets at night. Picture yourself weaving through artisan studios, traditional natural dye shops, and that wabi-sabi aesthetic brought to life. 

This is the charm of Kyoto – the modern day aesthetic capital of Japan. 

On this done-for-you volunteer trip, you’ll get everything you need to volunteer in Kyoto, Japan, including:  

  • Volunteer project placement – You’ll get placed in our pre-approved cat shelter with our partner in Kyoto, Japan. 
  • Comfortable accommodation – You get dormitory accommodation included for the duration of your stay. Or upgrade to a twin-room for extra privacy or a homestay for maximum cultural immersion. 
  • Airport arrival assistance – Once you arrive, one of our team members will help you navigate public transport to get to your included accommodation (fares included)
  • And much more!

This trip is all about taking care of shelter cats while exploring one of Japan’s favourite cities. It’s making a difference to a cause you care about and an adventure rolled into one! 

You’ll be volunteering at a cat shelter in the heart of Kyoto. You’ll be feeding cats, cleaning their enclosures, and you’ll even have a chance to observe some veterinarian procedures for more hands-on, practical experience. 

But since your main responsibilities take place in the morning, you’ll have the entire afternoon to explore this incredible city. 

And what an easy and rewarding city it is to explore. Kyoto is compact – which makes it easily walkable. The public transport system is efficient and widespread so you can explore any part of the city within an hour. 

Kyoto offers some contrast to the neon chaos of modern day Japan. In many respects it feels like an ancient imperial capital – with an undercurrent of contemporary arts and culture incorporating the old with the new. 

Even the foodie scene is unique. Seasonal dishes are steeped in tradition and served out of old coffee lounges, tiny eateries, or under the stars at a street market. You’ll discover hidden sake bars tucked into corners and hidden in plain sight all over this amazing city. 

If you love cats and want to explore a slower-paced, culturally rich side of Japan – this is the trip for you. 

When you go with Global, you get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. We offer the complete package for volunteering in Kyoto, Japan. 

Our team will help you with the essentials you need to start your new journey with a bang! Including, setting you up with our project partner, securing your accommodation, and a whole lot more. 

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Volunteer Project Placement
Airport Arrival Assistance
Welcome Orientation
Accommodation
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Personal Travel Concierge
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip Visa Guidance
Certificate of Completion
Ongoing Local Team Support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld Access
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace Deals

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-70 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mon-Fri.

Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old, speak fluent English and pass an online interview with the team on-ground - as long as you’re motivated, you should pass the interview easily.

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1,000+ inside

Find your travel tribe

Book & get early access to your group, start planning meet-ups, and make new friends before your journey begins.

Purpose & impact

The main purpose of this trip is to contribute to a stray cat shelter in Japan. Your main tasks will include feeding the cats and cleaning their enclosures in the mornings. 

There is a second optional volunteering session in the afternoon. This session involves observing cats undergoing veterinarian treatment or with behavioural issues and documenting their condition. 

The shelter you’ll be working with is a no-kill shelter that has been helping people and their cats for over 20 years. They prioritise the TNR (Trap – Neuter – Return) method of controlling stray and abandoned cats in Japan. This is one of the most humane ways of achieving this goal, with stray cats being trapped, neutered (or sterilised), and returned to their territory. 

The shelter also houses and rehabilitates strays and follows a stringent, multi-step adoption process to ensure the best forever homes for these adorable animals. 

During their 25 years in operation this shelter helped the victims of the tsunami in Northern Japan in 2011 evacuate and care for their pets and opened a shelter in Kyoto. 

Accommodation & meals

Your included accommodation is an 8-person dorm room in Kyoto. Everything you need is available, including: WiFi, shared kitchen, shared living room, shared outdoor area, bicycle rental, a coin washing machine, free luggage storage, and a support office in the same building. 

You may choose to upgrade at a low additional cost to a twin-share room for more privacy, or you can even upgrade to stay in a private room with a local Japanese host family. 

Trip itinerary

Arrival

Once you’ve arrived at the airport, a member from our project partner will be waiting for you. They will accompany you to the accommodation so you know how to use the public transport system. Your public transport ticket is included in the price.  You’ll get some time to settle in, sleep off some jet lag, or get to know your fellow volunteers.  Since you’ll arrive on a Friday, and your volunteering duties only start on Monday, you’ll have the whole weekend to explore your surroundings before getting stuck into your volunteering. 

Day 1

Your volunteering duties will begin the following Monday. You’ll take the public train and a short walk to get to the shelter (about 1 hour total).  Once there, you’ll volunteer from 9:30 – 12:30. Morning duties typically include feeding the cats and cleaning their enclosures.  There is another optional volunteering shift in the afternoon starting at 3pm. This usually includes observing cats that are under veterinary treatment or with behavioural issues and documenting their conditions.  If you choose to skip the afternoon session instead, you can spend your afternoons exploring Kyoto or relaxing. 

Ongoing

Your day-to-day responsibilities happen in the morning, which means you’ll have the whole afternoon to do as you please if you choose to not attend the afternoon volunteering session.  Kyoto is a beautiful city that is popular with tourists from all over the world, so you won’t be short of things to do. There are various temples and sake breweries nearby which are well worth a visit.  Your weekends are free to explore the incredible part of the world you’re in.  We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our 24 hours a day/5 days a week emergency support line will help with urgent matters.  Don’t go alone. Go with Global. 

Why choose us

Travelling with Global means travelling with the best. We take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in Japan totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way. 

Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. 

You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 100,000+ travellers – giving us 10000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true. 

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in Japan, don’t delay. 

With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Japan. 

This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in Japan, complete with everything you need and 24/7 support.

Click the red button to check dates & prices.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Absolutely! For most of our trips, we can help arrange for you and your friends to be together - so you can live, work, play, and explore the world side by side. But that’s not all! You can also earn extra travel funds just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. It’s super simple, and you’ll find all the details about our referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you’ve joined. Flying solo? No worries. We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with other Global Travellers heading to the same region through Social. Just like any social platform, you’ll be able to chat, share, and meet others doing similar trips - so you’re never really travelling alone.

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

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Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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Cat Shelter in Kyoto