Experience at Karma Kitchen

In June, I volunteered at “Karma Kitchen-Tokyo”, an experimental restaurant running “pay-it-forward” system.

http://www.karmakitchen.org/

My role there was to serve food and explain the Karma Kitchen concept.

Karma Kitchen started back in San Francisco in 2007 (Currently temporarily closed). It is a restaurant based upon a pay-it-forward system which connects people’s kindness. It allows people to dine with the money someone paid before.

‘Karma Kitchen Tokyo’ started in 2011. It opens occasionally throughout the year. When I volunteered, it was their 23^rdtime.

At Karma Kitchen, their system allows you (customer) to eat without any cost. If you decide to pay, the money will be used for the next customer. You can also pay for your meal by other means such as singing or performing magic tricks.

Karma Kitchen has a philosophy which is ‘You can quit at any time; Don’t push yourself too hard; and Do what you can do.’ There is no target or goal.  I think that’s why they’ve been able to continue the great work for such a long time.