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Host rating
85 %
Last replied
4 Jun 2026
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Details
Description
Hi everyone, Hayden & Saki here, Hayden is originally from New Zealand and Saki from Japan and we are living in and operating a ski lodge in Japan! We have 3 kids aged 2, 4, & 6yo.
We live in the lodge all year round at Madarao mountain in North Nagano, close to Lake Nojiri, Myoko and Nozawa onsen.
~UPDATE SUMMER ~
We nee help NOW！
Who : Couple or friends
Role : House renovations and farm jobs (Valid work/working holiday visa holder required)
Condition : Free accommodation, car and pay
Free accommodation, car, food ingredients and lots of freedom time for exchange
Environment : Lake and mountains in quiet environment
Term : One month to 6 month
~~~~~~~
Winter
The winter season is definitely our favorite as we love winter sports We are located in Nagano prefecture, Japan. just a few minutes walk from a chair lift to Tangram ski resort at Madarao mountain, one of the best powder snow destinations in Japan!
Our lodge has 7 rooms with a variety of Western and Japanese style, We also have a private log house next to the main lodge. In total we sleep up to 30 guests. All rooms have ensuites and a private family bath on the first floor. We also have a Bar & restaurant, Rental delivery and Ski and Snowboard school.
During the winter season we host a variety of guests from couples, families and large groups. It's a very cozy and friendly environment with a lot of like-minded guests all here for the same reason, The powder snow! We have a lot of English speaking guests during winter so it's a great opportunity if you would like to speak more English with native speakers.
This is a great opportunity for someone who loves to Ski/snowboard as we try our best to prioritize there is enough time to ride. There is a variety of terrain ranging from beginner level to back country expert levels, and if this is your first time to try skiing or snowboarding no worries, we are more than happy to teach you how! We love sharing this amazing winter wonderland with everyone.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
Hayden & Saki
Types of help and learning opportunities
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Interests
Movies & TV
Cooking & food
Gardening
Camping
Hiking
Winter sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There will be many opportunities for sightseeing and traveling to historical Japanese destinations. We can share our love for cooking traditional Japanese meals and using local ingredients. You will be able to meet people from all over the world and make many new friend's.
There is also a fun seasonal staff community which is great to get involved in and make lifelong friends.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
•• ( We are only looking for people to stay from early December to mid March ) ••
•We are looking for 1 or 2 people who don't mind sharing a living space to help my wife and I with general duties around the lodge. Couple can have a private room.
【Position】
All round lodge staff
Kitchen hand or sous chef
Ski rental technician
Full time Ski / Snowboard instructor
Part time Ski / Snowboard instructor
Admin
【What we offer】
•Japans Minimum hourly wage, depends on experience and skills. Ex Ski instructors are over 2,500yen.
•Free accommodation and shared cars.
•Free mountain season pass for Tangram ski resort.
【Type of work you will be doing】
(Lodge staff)
•Snow clearing with machine and shovels.
•Helping with Breakfast & dinner (serving meals, dishwashing, taking orders)
•Room cleaning (must have attention to detail, be efficient, be able to work alone, self motivated)
•Driving guests to and from ski resorts/restaurants (must have international drivers license)
(Kitchen staff)
Cooking breakfast for 20-30 people
Dinner pre / Japanese cuisine
Cooking Japanese dinner
Stock management
(Ski rental technician)
Delivery gears and get customers fitted
Pick up gears
Wax and maintenance
Flexible work time however mainly working in the evening, plenty of ski time.
(Ski / Snowboard instructor)
Full time busy term 40hours a week, average 25 hours
Part time max 40 hours a week, average 15 hours
(Admin)
Book management of rental, school and lodge
Prepare for rental deliveries
book keep
(Requirements)
Must hold a valid Japanese working holiday visa or be legally able to work in Japan.
Hospitality experience is a bonus however we are happy to train on the job.
Be friendly and confident with our western and Japanese guests.
Be able to work and live in a team/shared environment.
Must speak fluent English (A bit of Japanese is a bonus)
Must be friendly with children ( we have 2 small boys and a girl who are full of energy!
Must enjoy the cold and snowy conditions (If you don't like to be in a cold/snowy environment this is not the job for you)
Must bring your own gears. We DO NOT have rental skis for staff.
Having a international driver's license is optional (will not be driving without license)
Be punctual and honest ( this is Japanese way.)
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Beginner
Accommodation
2-4 people share a room
some of the rooms 5mins drive down village.
one room in the lodge
some rooms 5mins walk to the lodge
Showers, kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, sharing cars are provided.
What else ...
Immerse yourself in the amazing Japanese winter season, it really is a winter wonderland. I'd love to teach you how to ski or snowboard and for the more experienced people we can explore amazing Backcountry runs together!
You'll have opportunities to use our work vehicle (must have license) to check out this rounding ski resorts and sightseeing.
We can not supply winter gear such as jackets pants skis,boards. Please organise these things yourself.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
