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Description
Hey! We're Emily, Mike, Jason & Kikko.
Together we run Hakuba Valley's only 'ski-thru, slope-side' cafes at Hakuba Cortina Norikura Resorts.
We’re looking for incredible people to help us deliver a next-level cafe experience. If you’re positive, capable, and thrive in fast-paced, team environments — this might be the best winter of your life.
What It’s Like:
Our cafe is not your typical cafe. We serve specialty espresso, handmade sourdough toasted sandwiches, croissants, pies, and cakes to skiers from around the world, with a takeaway-only concept.
This isn’t just a café job — it’s a full-blown winter experience. You’ll work hard, play hard, and spend your days surrounded by snow. If you thrive under pressure, love being part of a high-vibe team, and want to spend the season doing something real, you’ll fit right in.
We operate from December - March, and we're looking for people with relevant cafe experience to join our team for the whole winter.
You'll earn an hourly wage that’s above Japan’s minimum.
ONLY APPLY IF YOU MEET THE FOLLOWING:
Must be available from 1 December 2025 to 31 March 2026
Must be eligible for a Japanese Working Holiday Visa
Must have real café or kitchen experience (barista, service, or baking)
Must be ready to work hard, support your team, and bring positive energy every day
Must be excited to fully immerse yourself in snow life, café life, and everything in between
Bilingual in English-Japanese language (preferred, but not essential)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Interests
Nature
Winter sports
Mountain
Hiking
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You’ll live on the snow, working at a takeaway café surrounded by epic terrain.
The cafés are busy, loud, and buzzing — music playing, skis stacked outside, people from all over the world lining up for toasties and coffee.
You’ll work with a tight crew, rotating roles, supporting each other, and learning to run things like a real café team.
On your days off, you’ll be skiing, boarding, or napping in a bean bag somewhere with great coffee.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
Real café experience — barista, service, or kitchen
A positive, proactive attitude — no whingers, no egos
Team players who communicate, help out, and keep the vibe high
People who care — about the job, the food, the team, and the guests
Those who love the snow, understand winter life, and can handle the cold
ROLES AVALIABLE:
Each team member has a defined core role — barista, server, sandwich maker, or baker — but we also work as a team. That means from time to time, you may be rostered into other tasks to help the café run smoothly.
BARISTA
Your focus is on delivering consistently great coffee in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. You should be confident running the machine solo, dialing in, managing workflow, and keeping cool under pressure. You’ll also jump in to serve customers, help assemble sandwiches during busy rushes, and support your team however needed.
SANDWICH MAKER
You’ll be prepping and assembling 100+ sourdough toasties per day. This role is hands-on, fast, and requires an organised approach. Previous café kitchen experience is a plus. You’ll also rotate into service roles, operate the POS, and help with general café duties as needed.
SERVER
You’re the face at the front — taking orders, managing POS, and keeping the flow moving with a big smile and great energy. Communication is key, this is where Japanese language is essential. You’ll also help assemble food, clear snow, and support your team
BAKER
You’ll be responsible for baking sourdough bread, croissants, pastries, pies, brownies, and more. This role is independent and best suited to someone with previous baking or kitchen experience. You’ll follow our systems for proofing, prep, and timing, and report directly to Mike. Organisation, consistency, and strong communication are essential.
All positions offer an hourly wage that’s above Japan’s minimum.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Intermediate
Accommodation
Ski-in/ski-out staff house right on Hakuba Norikura Ski Resort.
Shared Room with 1-2 other people.
Shared bathroom, toilet, kitchen, lounge, ski storage areas.
You'll live with the rest of the café team (baker included).
Bakers work and live in the same building.
Staff car available for work use only.
Buses available for local transport.
What else ...
The Hakuba Valley consists of 10 ski resorts. It's an incredible place. Only a 4 hour trip from Tokyo.
Hakuba's winter is relatively short compared to other areas in the northern hemisphere.
People that join our winter project tend to arrive to thrive in the winter, and the winter sports - then travel off to see Japan's other famous sites in the spring.
This opportunity will provide you with long lasting memories, forever skills, and new friends.
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
