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Hello! 

My name is Anil, and I was a staff member at Waya for two years. My time at Waya was such an instrumental experience for me, that I often think of my life as split into two parts: everything before and after Waya.

My name is Anil.I was a Waya staff member for two years. My time at Waya was such an important experience for me that I sometimes think of my life in two parts, before and after Waya.

From the first time I walked in there as a solo traveler who was crossing Japan on foot, I instant sensed that there was a certain magic to the place. I only spent two nights there, but it left such an indelible impression on me that, after I made it to the other end of Japan 3 months later, I ended up asking to go back there and work as a helper for the remainder of my visa. 

Feeling such a strong connection to the place and the people there, I eventually caved in to what my instinct was telling me and signed on as a full time employee.

I stayed at Waya when I was traveling alone in Japan on foot. From the first time I entered waya, I intuitively felt that the place had some kind of magic.
I only stayed for two nights, but the place left a very strong impression on me. After three months, after going to the edge of the Japanese archipelago, I told him that I wanted to work again as a helper until my visa expired. It left an impression on me.

I felt a strong connection with waya's people and place, and eventually followed my instincts to work as a full-time employee.

So, what made Waya so special for me? Of course it always starts with the people. You will spend one night there and feel as if you've known everyone your entire life. magic to the place — just about every guest I had in my two years there said the same thing; somehow, even though it is their first time there, it feels like coming home. 

So what was so special about Waya to me?
Of course, the first important thing is the "people" there. Just by spending one night at waya, you can feel the life of the people you spend with, and how long they've been friends."
When I say "magical place" I'm not exaggerating.In the two years I spent there, most of the guests who stayed at waya said the same thing.
Even though it's my first time there, I somehow feel like I've come home.

I discovered myself as an artist there (through the encouragement of my coworkers), learned two new languages ​​there (shout out to all the amazing Korean guests — they are the best karaoke partners), and even met my wife there (duplicate results not guaranteed lol). 

I discovered my own artistic side there (thanks to the encouragement of the members I worked with) and learned two new languages ​​(thanks to our wonderful Korean guests – they are the best karaoke partners! ).

And I met my wife there (I can't guarantee the same result lol)

I often find myself missing Waya, and Sapporo in general, especially the food (best ramen AND sushi in Japan — believe me, I've tried it all). As you do with places you love and miss, I've frequently gone back to visit. Every time I've gone back, the world, Japan, Sapporo, and Waya itself have all gone through significant change. I've noticed that there is one thing that never changes though — that Waya magic that turns two night stays into two week stays, one time guests into people with a preferred bunk bed on their next visit, and travelers just passing through into family.

I often have fond memories of Waya and Sapporo.I especially miss the 'food' (Best ramen and sushi in Japan - I've been to many places and had different types of ramen lol).

I have been back in Sapporo to remember my beloved place.

When I came back, I realized that the world, Japan, Sapporo, and Waya itself had changed a lot.

But I also realized that one thing remained the same.

That's the magic of -Waya.

What was originally planned to be only two nights turned into a two-week stay, where you can meet a home you can come back to.

On my most recent visit, I sat in the bar area having a morning coffee, and watched as a guest approached the reception in his pajamas, saying “hey, I think I'll extend for just one more night here, there is just something about this place.” I couldn't help but smile, having heard that same sentiment hundreds of times before, and knowing that it's almost never “just one more night.”

On my recent trip back to Sapporo, I was sitting in the bar area having my morning coffee.

Then, a guest approached the reception in pajamas and said,

"There's something special about this place, so I'm thinking of staying an extra night," he said.

I've heard similar words many times before, so I couldn't help but laugh.

And because we know it won't be "just one night".

I hope many people will experience the magic of waya.