Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
30 Jul 2026
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Reply rate
96.2 %
Usually responds within 16 days
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Feedback
11
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Email verified
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Host offers payment
Badges (3)
Find your perfect host
Min stay requested: 1 month or more
Details
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Description
Winter Season Staff – Nozawa Onsen, Japan (2026–2027)
Important Information – Please Read Before Applying
Applications for the 2026–2027 winter season are now open!
To be considered, please:
* Answer all 12 questions listed in the facility profile before applying.
* Meet the following requirements:
* Be at least 23 years old at the start of employment.
* Hold a valid Working Holiday Visa.
* Speak English at a business level.
* Have a strong sense of hospitality.
* Understand and respect Japan’s high standards of cleanliness and attention to detail.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking seasonal staff from mid-December to mid-March.
We are committed to building a balanced and diverse team. At the moment, we are particularly interested in applications from male candidates to help maintain a balanced gender mix within our current staff. However, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender.
Previous hospitality experience is highly valued, and barista experience is an additional advantage.
Responsibilities
Your duties may include:
* Guest relations and customer service
* Housekeeping and cleaning
* Snow shovelling
* Driving and general assistance
* Supporting daily guesthouse and café operations
You will work closely with guests from around the world as part of a friendly international team.
About Us
Based in Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture, we operate a traditional Japanese guesthouse and a small café in one of Japan’s most renowned ski destinations. With a history that rivals Japan’s most famous resorts, Nozawa Onsen attracts visitors from around the world for its exceptional powder snow, authentic atmosphere, and rich cultural heritage.
Why Nozawa Onsen?
This is an opportunity to experience world-class powder snow, traditional Japanese culture, natural hot springs, and outstanding local cuisine—all while living and working in one of Japan’s most iconic mountain villages.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, we look forward to hearing from you during the recruitment period. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Teaching
Creative DIY projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Life in Nozawa Onsen
Working in Nozawa Onsen offers a unique cultural and international experience. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with both local residents and visitors from around the world. While English is the primary language used at work, you’ll also be exposed to a variety of cultures and languages throughout the season.
Outside of work, you can fully enjoy Nozawa Onsen’s renowned hot spring culture and access some of Japan’s finest skiing and snowboarding. The resort offers a wide range of terrain suitable for all ability levels, from beginners to advanced riders.
Living in Nozawa Onsen means experiencing world-class powder snow, natural hot springs, traditional Japanese culture, and outstanding local cuisine—all in one place. -
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
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Help
Position Details
Work Period: Mid-December to Mid-March
Main Responsibilities
* Guest relations and customer service
* Housekeeping, cleaning, and bed making
* Snow shovelling
* Café service and barista duties
* Driving and general support tasks
Working Schedule
Staff typically work around 30 hours per week, spread across the week according to operational needs. Team members usually enjoy two days off per week, with additional free time each day to relax in the village or enjoy the mountain.
Compensation
Wages are paid at the statutory hourly rate for all hours worked.
Please note that Japanese income tax (20.42%) will be deducted from your salary in accordance with local regulations.
Requirements
* Business-level English
* Valid Working Holiday Visa or Student Visa
* Availability from mid-December to mid-March preferred
For more information about the role, salary, accommodation, and working conditions, please contact us during the recruitment period. -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
We hope to learn different languages and make more friends through encounters here. -
Accommodation
Accommodation & Benefits
Staff accommodation is provided within our traditional Japanese guesthouse. Team members will stay in shared staff rooms.
Please note that most facilities are shared with guests, including:
* Showers and toilets
* Guest kitchen
* Dining and living areas
* Drying room
As these spaces are shared, all staff are expected to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and respect for other guests and team members.
Staff can enjoy free access to the public hot springs located throughout the village.
Lift passes are available and shared among staff members throughout the season.
Meals are not provided. -
What else ...
Nozawa is easily accessible from Tokyo. (Highway bus or Shinkansen)
Nozawa is a great base for other activities and attractions in the Nagano area, and is just a short bus ride from Iiyama Shinkansen Station.
There are many attractions in the area. Snow monkeys are especially famous.
Skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and fishing are just some of the activities available in the area. We will be happy to guide you through everything.
Fortunately, we often receive a large number of applications, and it is difficult to respond to all of them perfectly.
Your chances increase significantly if you answer the following questions in your initial message:
1) Your full name, age, and nationality
2) What is your visa status? (In order to receive wages, you need a visa that allows you to work)
3) Work start date and work end date (Winter staff will be evaluated if they can work from mid-December to early March)
4) Is it possible to adjust the schedule? (Is it possible to make it longer or shorter?)
5) How long do you want to work in a day?
6) Which position are you applying for? Details of relevant skills and experience
7) Details if you have Japanese language ability
8) Do you have an international driving license?
9) Are you interested in skiing or snowboarding?
How many hours a day or week do you want to ski or snowboard?
10) Do you agree that you cannot work concurrently with other companies?
（You may not work for another company while staying at our accommodation.）
The following questions will not affect your acceptance or rejection. We would appreciate it if you could answer them for reference.
11) Do you want to move to Japan and work after your working holiday ends?
12)Are you interested in running or owning a hospitality business in the future?
We are looking forward to hearing from you! -
A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Can host digital nomads
We have a high speed internet and you will have your own work space.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
Overall it was a very pleasant experience, the village is cute and beautiful when covered in snow, the hotel itself is very clean and good in shape, the staff rooms were warm and beds very comfy. The managers Hugo and Nina did a very good job and are two beautiful people in general. … read more
As a couple we had a private room to share. It was bunkbeds but there a bit space, a little desk. The work was not complicated yet very methodic. Only 4hours a day and 2 days off a week. We had 3 different shifts and we rolled with the 2 other staffs. It may change in the future but just for info how … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
Overall it was a very pleasant experience, the village is cute and beautiful when covered in snow, the hotel itself is very clean and good in shape, the staff rooms were warm and beds very comfy. The managers Hugo and Nina did a very good job and are two beautiful people in general. … read more
As a couple we had a private room to share. It was bunkbeds but there a bit space, a little desk. The work was not complicated yet very methodic. Only 4hours a day and 2 days off a week. We had 3 different shifts and we rolled with the 2 other staffs. It may change in the future but just for info how … read more
We’re truly happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Nozawaonsen and that the experience at our hotel was a meaningful one for you. We are very touched by your kind words.
It’s great to know that you found a good balance between work and skiing, and that you were able to enjoy the onsen and local … read more
Tetsuro-san and Yu-san are welcoming hosts who try to accommodate your needs where possible. Tetsuro is always keen to learn about you and where you're from and is very kind and generous when sharing Japanese food and culture. … read more
You were incredibly reliable, proactive, and always ready to help with a great attitude. No matter the task — whether it was early-morning snow shoveling, cleaning, or assisting with guests — you handled everything with care, responsibility, and a … read more
The tasks were varied, which made each day different and interesting. We got to experience everything … read more
The hosts Yu-san and Tetsuro-san are friendly, understanding and open. During our conversations they told us about their lives and we learned about Japanese culture.
The hotel is beautiful, conveniently located across the skii rental, just a 3 minutes … read more
I came with very little knowledge of the country and culture and now feel like I have a second home, and few new favourite foods!
The work can be tough as the standards of the hotel are high, although once you’ve learned the techniques to various things, … read more
The job was what they described: a new hotel with Japanese style rooms. You still have time to visit around before or after work!
I learned a lot and they where really open about the cultural exchange !
A wonderful experience that I would gladly do again ! 😊
