‘Good listener’ Japanese man travels for 5 years, stays in 500 strangers’ homes for free

TOKYO: A Japanese man has become an online sensation after couch-surfing in 500 homes of strangers, offering emotional support as a “good listener” to his hosts in exchange for free accommodation.

The 33-year-old, named Shuraf Ishida, conceived this idea five years ago after quitting his job. He set out on a journey across the country with only his essential belongings in a rucksack, relying on his savings to fund his adventure.

Ishida shared that he used to be introverted. However, during a trip to Taiwan as a university student, his perspective shifted as he made friends, savoured delicious cuisines, and discovered his passion for travel and connecting with others.

While the exact details of his cross-country travel routes and expenses remain undisclosed, Ishida found an ingenious way to minimise his largest expense – accommodation.

He often spends hours at train stations or busy streets, holding a sign that reads: “I have a sleeping bag. Please let me stay at your place tonight,” and “I’ve stayed in over 300 homes. Please search for Shuraf Ishida.”

Although most passers-by tend to ignore him, some are touched by his message and invite him to stay for the night. Occasionally, Ishida reconnects with people who have previously hosted him, spending several days with them again.

He described the waiting process as exhilarating, saying: “You cast the bait and wait for a fish to bite.”

Ishida noted that his hosts are often lonely individuals, with 90 per cent being single men, seeking someone to talk to and share the secrets and hardships they have kept to themselves for a long time.

However, he never offers sympathy or encouragement; instead, he listens quietly or asks direct questions, which resonates well with his hosts who appreciate his straightforwardness and sincerity.

“I think this is the intensity of life,” Ishida remarked. “I love hearing their stories. It’s like reading a different novel every night – it’s never boring.”

One host, a woman in her 20s, shared her experience hosting Ishida: “On nights when I felt like I could not go on, I often spent money recklessly or drank until I threw up, and it never helped. But when I was hosting him, he listened to my frustrations, and all he needed in return was to stay in my flat. Honestly, I thought that was a pretty good deal.”

Over the past five years, Ishida has stayed in about 500 homes. Although his savings have gradually depleted from his travels, he has no plans to return to traditional work.

While his story went viral in Japan, making him an overnight sensation, he stated that he intends to continue couch-surfing and maintain this lifestyle.

However, his approach has drawn criticism from some Japanese netizens, who feel he is exploiting others’ kindness and generosity.

“I’m not that shameless. I think this is quite bizarre,” said one Japanese commenter.

The discussion has even spread to Chinese social media, where public opinion is divided.

“Fun fact: only men can pull this off,” one viewer commented.

“At first, I thought his behaviour and the hosts’ agreement were strange, but it seems like the hosts view him as a casual confidant. All I can say is that being a man is really safe,” added another. – South China Morning Post