The following are some of our most frequently asked questions.

Many resorts have strict age requirements. if you are aged  18-19 your placement opportunities increase if you speak some Japanese and can show current or prior work experience (working casually on weekends or school holidays).  

Working Holiday Makers who have resided in Japan for less than 12 months have to pay 20% tax. This is the ‘non-resident tax rate’ and cnanot be claimed back at the end of your stay.

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You will need to be available to start in either November or early December. Most work starts from mid November until around the first week of December. Ski resorts do not hire for a January start date.

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We place in many winter resort areas of Japan. You are welcome to nominate an area where you would like to work however unfortunately we are unable to guarantee that locaiton.

* Kitchen Assistant

* Dishwasher

* Reception and Bellperson - (some conversational Japanese is required)

*  Housekeeping and room cleaning

* Skiing/snowboarding instructor for children (children will be grouped in ages 3 - 6 and 7-13)

* Ryokan - a traditional Japanese hotel with hot spring  (some conversational Japanese is required)

Most jobs will require you to work evening and weekends. Hospitality workers are normally rostered on 5-6 times a week at 8 hours per shift. Work hours can vary and can start as early as 5:30am. Evening shifts may run until 23:00.

A ski instructor for children will generally work between 8am to 5pm, including weekends and public holidays. In total you should expect 6-8 days off per month with no days off during peak season (Christmas/New Year).

Flexibility is required when it comes to working hours and shifts. Some smaller resorts may relocate you to other areas of the work to work during quieter days or weeks. Overtime is common in Japan.

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In order to apply for Winter Work Japan you must meet the following criteria:

* Be aged 18 before October 15 of the year you depart

* 18-30 when you apply for the visa (you can apply up until you turn 31)

* Meet the requirements under the Japanese Working Holiday Visa

* High School graduate or equivalent

* no tattoos in areas that are not easily coverable with clothes, such as face or hands (if you have tattoos, please let us know).

You will be paid the minimum wage which varies by prefecture. In Nagano it is ¥908, ¥854 in Iwate, ¥920 in Hokkaido). Hourly rates can increase up to ¥1500 depending on experience.

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Yes, staff housing is included for duration of your contract. You will be required to pay the costs of your housing. Monthly rent is deducted from the salary and ranges between 5000-35,000 JPY. Accommodation is normally in a share house and you can expect to share a room with 1-2 other people. Japanese bedding may either be a western style bed or a Japanese 'futon' on the floor. WIFI is normally in all accommodation although at the start of the season it may be 1-2 weeks before it is active.

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The jobs that are offered as part of Winter Work Japan are primarily filled by travellers just like you! They are travelling alone and will be wanting to find friends as well. You will find that you will naturally find friends among those with whom you work and live.

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