Help at our guesthouse on the ski slopes of Iiyama City, Japan

  • Last activity : 30 Jul 2025

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Sam from the United States and Lianne from the United Kingdom initially moved to Japan as English teachers, but they love skiing and snowboarding and longed to live in snow country.

    There aren’t many places in the world where an average person can afford to live right at a ski resort and have a plot of land, also with convenient high-speed links to an international airport via Shinkansen. The couple realised that life in iiyama City would be a dream come true for them, and bought the small rundown cottage at Togari Onsen Ski Resort that would eventually become their first rental.

    As time went on, Sam and Lianne were able to create good connections with their neighbours and enjoyed participating in local events. They were confused as to why the Togari village that they loved so much seemed overlooked by international tourists. So when approached by a neighbour to buy his family’s old ryokan, they realised they had a chance to help in the regeneration of this pretty little ski town, and share the charms of Togari and iiyama with people from around the world, and so began their accommodation and tours business.

    ホスト紹介:サムとリアンの物語

    を運営するのは、アメリカ出身のサムとイギリス出身のリアン。英語教師として来日したふたりはスキーやスノーボードが大好きで、雪国に住むことに憧れていました。そして、自給自足のライフスタイルを実践するために、長野県飯山市に移住してきました。 スキーリゾートのすぐ近くに住み、自給自足のための土地を確保でき、しかも新幹線を利用すれば国際空港まで短時間でアクセスできる…。大金持ちでなくてもそのような条件で暮らせる場所は、世界中を探してもそう多くはありませんが、ふたりは飯山市がそれらの条件を備えていて、自分たちの夢を叶えられる! と気付いたのです。

    戸狩温泉スキー場の近くにあった小さな家を手に入れ、畑で野菜を育て、ヤギやニワトリを飼うという自給自足の生活を始めました。ふたりが暮らしながらリノベーションしていった家、これが現在のTogari Cottageです。

    地域のイベントに参加したりしながら、地域に住む人たちと良い関係を築いていったサムとリアンに次の転機が訪れます。いつも親切にしてくれるご近所さんから「家族が経営していた古い旅館を買わないか?」 と声をかけられました。 自分たちが暮らしている大好きな戸狩が、なぜ外国人観光客に知られていないのか…と、もやもやとした気持ちを抱えていたふたりにとって、これは大きなチャンスでした! ふたりは古い旅館を手に入れてリノベーションし、一棟貸しの宿泊施設、に生まれ変わらせたのです。

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Interests

    Interests

    Hiking
    Beach
    Fitness
    DIY & crafts
    Plant care
    Farming
    Technology
    Sustainability
    Pets
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Carpentry
    Animals
    Winter sports
    Water sports
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Mountain
    Cycling
    Adventure sports
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Living deep in the Japanese countryside, there are many opportunities to meet local people and become part of the community. We work closely with our neighbours and you will be invited to participate in local events. Our permanent staff are international, with staff from UK, America, Australia, Philippines, and Japan.

    日本の田舎の奥深くに住んでいるので、地元の人々と出会い、地域社会の一員となる機会がたくさんあります。 私たちは近所の人たちと緊密に協力しており、地元のイベントに招待されます。 私たちのスタッフは国際的で、英国、アメリカ、オーストラリア、フィリピン、そして日本人からのスタッフがいます。

  • Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    This host offers accommodation and payment.

  • Help

    Help

    ****Please note, that we can only host workawayers that hold a Japanese passport, or are eligible for a working holiday visa or hold a student visa. Volunteering in exchange for accommodation and food on a tourist visa is illegal in Japan.***

    SUMMER 2025: Now hiring part-time cleaning and gardening staff for mid-July through September 2025.

    Preference will be given to candidates with cleaning experience, gardening experience especially with machines like lawn mowers and tractors, and a valid driver's license in Japan. Real hands-on carpentry experience is also a huge bonus (sorry but we don't have time to teach people how to use power tools)

    All positions are Part-time: 2-5 days a week, 3-6 hours per day

    Hourly pay ¥1000 (Gasoline allowance paid if using your own vehicle)

    Shared accommodation is provided. Meals are not provided because we pay an hourly wage.

    WINTER (December 2025-March 2026): Particularly seeking candidates with skills and experience in :

    -ISIA or SAJ certified Ski and Snowboard instructors (Ask us about our perks for instructors!)
    -Hotel/bnb Housekeepers
    -Baker or Chef
    -Driving and snow clearing or using snow clearing equipment
    - Cafe/Barista/Bartenders.

    The positions would last from mid-late December until mid-late March, and we will need you to be available for the whole 3 months. The work is will be mainly room cleaning and snow shoveling,with some shifts in the cafe. Ski and snowboard instructors can also do the above work. We are a small team so we all do a bit of everything. There are always at least 2 days off per week. Beds are available in our dormitory rooms. We offer a ski pass reimbursement at the end of the season.

    冬のスタッフ募集中 :

    ホテルの清掃、飲食店、スキー インストラクター 、除雪、雪上での運転経験または除雪機の使用経験のあるドライバー

    冬期間は 12 月中旬から 3 月中旬まで続き、3 か月間勤務できる必要があります

    スタッフ住み込み可能 。

    時給1000円(交通費はガソリン代として支給)
    パートタイム:週2-5日、1日3-6時間
    フルタイム:週5日(週末と休日を含む)1日6-8時間
    スタッフ住み込み可能
    一年中働き続けたいスタッフも大歓迎です!

    夏のスタッフ募集中
    7月から9月にかけて、フルタイムおよびパートタイムの清掃スタッフを募集しています。
    戸狩温泉(野沢から車で10分)にあります。
    仕事:コテージやバーベキューエリアの掃除。ホテルの部屋の掃除。

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Japanese: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    There is a share house, workawayers can use a japanese -style room. There is shared kitchen, living room and bathroom.

    シェアハウスがあり、ワークアウェイの方は和室をご利用いただけます。 共有キッチン、リビングルーム、バスルームがあります。

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are lucky to get a very high volume of applications. During busy times we don't have time to click through to everyone's profiles so it will greatly improve your chances if you answer these questions in your initial message:

    1) Your full name, age and nationality
    2) Your intended visa status (volunteers on tourist visas are NOT ACCEPTED), and how far along you are in the application process
    3) Which position you are applying for
    4) Your preferred start date and finish date (Winter staff must be available for work start -15 December for at least 3 months)
    5) Your relevant skills and experience
    6) Your Japanese language ability if any
    7) Whether you have a driving license
    8) Your reason for wanting to experience rural Japanese village life

    Looking forward to hearing from you!

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    There is high speed WIFI at the share house. We have 2 cats and would love a cat sitter from time to time.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 198329854835

Website Safety

Feedback (4)



Photos

The image depicts a snow-covered building with a sign reading \"Togari Inn\" and a large garage door, surrounded by snowbanks and trees.
The image depicts a serene snowy landscape with a mountain range in the background, featuring skiers and snowboarders on the slopes, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky.
A brown dog stands on a path, overlooking a serene landscape with a pond, trees, and mountains in the background on a sunny day.
The image shows a group of people standing behind a table, with a large bowl of food in the center. The scene appears to be a community event or gathering.
The image shows a man and woman smiling at the camera, wearing hats, with trees and a building in the background. The image is cropped.
The image depicts a large white building with a dark roof, featuring a sign that reads \"Togari Inn\" and a balcony with string lights, set against a blue sky at dusk.

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.8)

Communication:
(5.0)






Enjoy countryside life with my energetic kids in Fukui, Japan
Welcome to our family of five, living on the stunning island of Okinawa, Japan