The image depicts a house with a snow-covered roof, surrounded by snowbanks and trees, set against a blue sky. The house is dark-colored with white trim.
updated   Last minute

Join us and enjoy the seasons at a lodge and chalet in the Hakuba Valley, Japan

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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Details

  • Description

    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

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    DIY and building projects
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    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

    Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    This host offers accommodation and payment.

  • Help

    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: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Summer / Autumn - You will have your own accommodation in the lodge.

    Winter - In general, Workawayer's accommodation is shared.

  • What else ...

    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

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 753741514278

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The image depicts a house with a snow-covered roof, surrounded by snowbanks and trees, set against a blue sky. The house is dark-colored with white trim.

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