Help at a boutique ski lodge in the heart of the Japanese Alps in Nagano, Japan

Details

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  Description

  Our charming cedar wood ski chalet and restaurant are nestled in the heart of Madarao village in the Japanese Alps of Nagano. The Chalet has 7 beautifully appointed rooms, we're just 100 meters away from the ski slopes, making it an ideal location for snow lovers. On the bullet train, we're an easy 2 hours from Tokyo and less than 15 minutes from Nagano city - the home of the 1998 Olympics and the centre of a region rich in activities, culture, nature, temples and wonderful cuisine.
  
  Our cosy chalet has been lovingly restored over recent years with a new dining room, designer fireplace, Japanese ofuro bathtubs, comfy lounges, plush carpet, new bathrooms, drying room for ski gear, quality furnishings and lovely Japanese art, crafts & photography - adding a cultural richness to the overall ambiance.
  
  We value dedicated and caring staff who are committed to providing exceptional service to our guests. We strive for perfection in everything we do, and are seeking individuals who share this passion and genuine care for visitors. As you'll be part of a close-knit team in a relatively small mountain village, we welcome people with a collaborative, kind, adventurous spirit. We value and celebrate diversity and have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harm.
  
  We take great care of our staff, offering full training and orientation, excellent accommodation, a season lift pass for full time staff who stay for the entire ski season, and numerous other benefits. Our bilingual Japanese staff members contribute significantly to your cultural immersion and learning experience during your time in Japan.
  
  Join us and become part of something truly special amidst the breathtaking mountains of Japan.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  With our bilingual Japanese staff and friends, you will have the opportunity to learn about the culture and language of Japan. You will also share a staff lodge with many people from around the world. This is a unique opportunity for a truly enjoyable, adventurous, rich, multi-cultural working holiday experience where lifelong friends will be made.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  We have filled all our roles for season 2024-25.
  We will be hiring again next year.
  
  The roles are...
  
  Chef - A passionate and skilled chef with a strong foundation in culinary arts, dedicated to creating exceptional dining experiences. Proficient in menu planning and team leadership, with a commitment to innovation, quality, and guest satisfaction.
  
  Housekeepers - Detail oriented housekeepers with a commitment to maintaining gorgeous, clean, organized, and welcoming spaces. Our housekeepers need to love attention to detail ensuring a high standard of comfort and satisfaction.
  
  Guest services - Friendly guest services people with a passion for winter sports and Japanese culture. Dedicated to enhancing guest experiences with personalized assistance, local recommendations, and seamless service to ensure an unforgettable stay at our ski lodge. We need people who love going above and beyond to make sure every guest has a perfect experience.
  
  Please don't apply if you aren't eligible for a Working Holiday Visa in Japan. We don't accept any candidates without one.
  Please check here for eligibility before applying...
  
  To be considered for a role, let us know why you want to come to Japan and work in a ski lodge and what makes you perfect for the role. If you have a CV, share a link to it as well.
  We may not have time to respond before April 2025 because our busy season is starting from November 2024.
  
  We will definitely review all applications and be in touch if you get through to the next stage.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Japanese: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  A big part of learning culture is learning language. With bilingual Japanese English speakers it is a great place to learn and improve on language skills
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  Accommodation

  You will enjoy lovely, clean, communal staff living spaces. Bedrooms are twin or triple share and double rooms for couples. You will enjoy a communal kitchen, lounge area, WiFi, laundry, heating/cooling, linen, towels, utilities and supplies such as shampoo, toilet paper, etc. Some food/staples are provided but mostly you will be responsible for shopping and cooking.

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  What else ...

  In your time off you will be able to ski, snowboard, eat incredible food, see the famous snow monkeys, enjoy the warm local onsens, explore the region and so much more. You should have enough time to visit cities like Tokyo, Kanazawa, Nagano, Matsumoto or even Osaka and Kyoto. Some of the smaller towns in the region are the real drawcard though! Nozawa Onsen, Obuse, Yudanaka Onsen, Myoko, Shiga Kogen, Suzaka and many others.

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  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

  Our dining room is our office in the summer and many of our guests are digital nomads. We have fast internet and even have a fax machine if you need it :)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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