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

Details

• 

  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 inn, 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. They now operate four vacation rentals, a guesthouse, cafe, and ski school.
  
  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

  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

  

  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

  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

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

• 

  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.***
  
  Spring-Fall Positions:
  
  Now hiring maintenance and gardening staff for late-April through early-December 2026. This position could carry on through March 2027.
  
  Preference will be given to candidates with Real hands-on DIY or carpentry experience (sorry but we don't have time to teach people how to use power tools), gardening experience especially with machines like lawn mowers and tractors, painting skills and a valid driver's license in Japan. Cleaning the accommodations will also be part of the work load.
  
  Hourly pay Starting from ¥1061 (Gasoline allowance paid if using your own vehicle). Higher wages will be considered after a 1-month trial period for candidates with relevant certifications, qualifications, and licenses, or three years or more of relevant experience.
  
  Shared accommodation is provided. Meals are not provided because we pay an hourly wage.
  
  WINTER: December 2026-March 2027
  Particularly seeking candidates with skills and experience in :
  
  - Housekeeping
  Clean the vacation rentals, guest rooms, bathhouse, and cafe seating area
  Make beds and stage the spaces for incoming guests
  Make sure rubbish is properly separated and take to collection area
  Shovel snow
  
  -Ski and Snowboard instructors (ISIA or SAJ certified )
  Teach beginner to intermediate lessons
  
  -Head Chef
  Control food cost & supplier ordering
  Lead evening service & kitchen standards
  Ensure menu is scalable and prep-efficient
  
  -Front of House Manager:
  Trained, qualified, and experienced barista
  Lead floor service & guest experience
  Maintain coffee standards & train staff
  Manage Google, reviews & social presence
  
  -Breakfast Chef
  Consistent breakfast service
  Maintain hot cabinet
  Support evenings
  
  -House Assistant Manager:
  Barista experience
  Cover for FOH manager
  More breakfast focused
  
  -Driver and Maintenance Manager
  Do customer pick ups and drop offs
  Use machines to clear snow.
  Perform basic vehicle and machine maintenance
  Go shopping for supplies
  Must be licensed to drive manual transmission cars
  Ideal candidates would be licensed to drive a vehicles over 3,500 kgs with over 8 seat (10 seats) including the driver. This licenses would be 準中型 in Japan or having stamps B,C, & D on an international driving permit; have over 300 hours operating experience of agricultural machinery, tractors, fork lifts, or heavy machinery.
  
  -Assistant Cook
  Cover for Head Chef and Breakfast Chef on days off, assist in bulk prep, assist on peak days,
  
  -Baker
  Produce cakes and bread of consistent high quality

• 

  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

  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 ...

  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 to start mid-December and stay 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, ski or snowboard license, or other qualifications
  8) Your reason for wanting to experience rural Japanese village life
  
  Looking forward to hearing from you!

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  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?

  More than two

• 

  My animals / pets

  Bonky

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback (5)