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5 Jun 2026
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Description
We are a small, owner-operated luxury short-term rental business in Nozawa Onsen — a traditional onsen village in the Japanese Alps, about two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Our properties sleep between 2 and 10 guests and are designed to offer a genuine village experience alongside high hospitality standards. We run a tight, hands-on operation and take pride in the details — from the welcome packages we put together for every arrival to the way we maintain our properties between seasons.
Winter is our main season, running from 1st of December until the end of March, and requires a full-season commitment for this entire period. It is a busy and fast-paced time. Nozawa Onsen is known for its powder snow and attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world, while still maintaining its traditional village character.
Everything in Nozawa is within walking distance — cafés, bars, restaurants, onsens, and the ski resort — creating a lively, social atmosphere with an international community during winter.
We run five luxury lodges and operate at a high standard. The work is hands-on, with a strong focus on housekeeping, laundry management, snow clearing, and guest support. It’s a team environment where reliability, flexibility, and attention to detail are key.
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Music
Languages
Photography
Cooking & food
Architecture
Animals
Cycling
Fitness
Mountain
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Camping
Winter sports
Outdoor activities
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Nozawa Onsen is a mountain village with deep roots but a living, evolving community. Alongside long-standing traditions — public onsen baths, local festivals, and a tight-knit village structure — winter brings a unique energy, with visitors and seasonal workers from all over the world.
Living here during the winter, you’ll experience a mix of traditional Japanese culture and an international community. The village is lively yet authentic, with daily life centered around the mountains, onsens, and shared routines.
It’s also a great place even if you’re not focused on skiing — many people come to enjoy the winter atmosphere, with activities like snowshoeing, nature walks, and relaxing in the onsens.
We’ll help you settle in and connect you with the community. You’ll also gain practical insight into how a small, high-standard hospitality business operates during peak season in Japan.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
The core of the work is keeping our lodges at a consistently high standard throughout the winter season. This includes housekeeping, laundry and linen management, general upkeep of all spaces, snow clearing in the mornings, and more. Our operation is dynamic, and the day-to-day can vary depending on guest needs and the situation in the lodges.
We place a strong emphasis not only on the condition of the properties, but also on the overall guest experience. If guests request something, we do our best to make it happen — this can include more spontaneous tasks, such as picking up food in the evening or assisting with special requests.
Our goal is to create a seamless, high-quality stay where guests can fully relax and enjoy their time. Attention to detail, flexibility, and a proactive, service-oriented mindset are essential.
As we are operating in Japan and regularly communicate with local suppliers, contractors, and guests, we are looking for people who can speak Japanese.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Malay: Fluent
Accommodation
Private or shared room in a shared house
What else ...
Nozawa Onsen is an easy place to fill your free time in winter. The 13 free public onsen baths are a highlight in themselves, especially after a day outside. The ski resort is directly accessible from the village, and there are also quieter activities like snowshoeing and winter walks in the surrounding nature.
Everything in the village is within walking distance: cafés, restaurants, bars, onsens, and the lifts — creating a lively and social atmosphere throughout the season. There’s a good mix of traditional local spots and newer places run by the international community, including a small climbing gym with a café and a very relaxed atmosphere, where we also like to spend time during winter.
The village is well connected: Iiyama Station is about 25 minutes by bus, with Shinkansen access to Nagano and Tokyo, making it easy to travel on your days off.
You don’t need Japanese to get by — many people speak English and the community is welcoming — but a few basic phrases go a long way, and we’re happy to help with that.
We pay an hourly wage in accordance with Japanese law. Please only apply if you hold a valid Working Holiday visa or other work visa that allows employment in Japan.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Photos
