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Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
75 %
Last replied
4 Jul 2025
Reply rate
92.5 %
Usually responds within 46 days
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Host offers payment
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Description
Help in summer / autumn and winter
This is a cosy family-run lodge (Jules - UK, 30 years in Japan, Tomoko - Japanese national) set in the forests of the Hakuba Valley in Nagano, Japan. We have 6 guest rooms and can accommodate a max of 22 guests. We also look after rental chalets across the valley for their non-resident owners.
It is a truly ski-in and ski-out lodge to both the Norikura and (the powder mecca of Asia) Cortina resorts. Both summer winter here provides a healthy and invigorating environment conducive to hard work and play.Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There is no necessity to speak Japanese although Workawayers will have the opportunity to learn and/or improve their spoken Japanese as well as helping our Japanese staff practise their English.
You will get to eat great Japanese food and experience the very quaint unspoilt village that is Hakuba where you can meet like minded travellers and engage the locals for language and cultural exchange.
We provide a car for you so you can explore the valley and surrounding areas. Hiking and exploring in the summer / autumn or a trip to see the snow monkeys or partake in the Nozawa Fire Festival are recommended in winter!Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
We are looking for assistance during both the summer and the wInter snow sports season, both in our lodge and in the chalets.
THESE ARE ALL PAID POSITIONS
We offer shared accommodation, a wage, meals when on duty, use of a staff car and free lift tickets.
***You will need either Japanese nationality or a (working holiday) visa. Please do not apply if you aren't eligible to apply***
***We are looking for workawayers that can join from beginning December through to late February/early March***
SUMMER / AUTUMN
We are looking for workawayers for summer / autumn for at least a two week stay. Ideal for a couple or friends. Singles also welcome! You will be helping in the garden, doing general maintenance tasks and assisting in the lodge. You will have free accommodation and use of a car. Some days there will be nothing or little to do, sometimes a little busy. It's a pretty laid-back job, therefore there is no pay, just exchange for accommodation and car ( you pay for your own petrol) and food on work days. There's plenty to see and do around the area - hiking, onsens, etc..
***You will need either Japanese nationality or a (working holiday) visa. Please do not apply if you do not have a visa***
WINTER
Positions:
Chef - opportunity to learn Japanese cooking techniques as well as serving your own style of dishes. Alternating with Tomoko cooking dinner and occasionally breakfasts. Sometimes front of house, talking and explaining dishes to guests. Stocktake, order and shop. Will need to muck-in when busy with other hotel and chalet related tasks.
Assistant Chef - assist chef in the kitchen in the evenings and cook English breakfasts in the morning. Sometimes front of house, talking and serving guests. Stocktake, order and shop. Will need to muck-in when busy with other hotel related tasks.
Front of house/kitchen hand - learning kitchen routines, washing-up, cleaning, serving food and drinks in the restaurant and bar. Stocktake, order and shop. Drive when short-handed, help with cleaning and snow-clearing and general hotel related tasks. Cleaning of the chalets.
Driver - driving our guests to bus stops, ski lifts, grocery/ATM runs. Help with cleaning and snow-clearing and general hotel-related tasks. Cleaning of the chalets.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: FluentAccommodation
Summer / Autumn - You will have your own accommodation in the lodge.
Winter - In general, Workawayer's accommodation is shared.What else ...
For winter only - We understand that a big part of coming to a snow resort to to spend time on the mountain, so we try to restrict hours to one shift per day with meal and breaks, 5 days a week. Shifts are rotated and would generally start either morning or evening.
A valid international driving licence is an necessity. Please do not apply if you cannot drive. You will be driving in snow and icy conditions.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
Feedback (2)
We wanted to thank you for the way you treat your employees. It's very hard to… read more
Tomoko and Julian are great and really make sure you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive.
I was part of a team of 5 young international workawayers and we were… read more
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:
(4.5)
Communication:
(5.0)
We wanted to thank you for the way you treat your employees. It's very hard to… read more
Tomoko and Julian are great and really make sure you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive.
I was part of a team of 5 young international workawayers and we were… read more