Timing and Hiring Season

The winter season typically begins in November and ends in March/early April. The usual start date for jobs will be late November or early December, allowing you time to settle in before the busy ski season starts.

The minimum contract period for most jobs is usually around 3-4 months. After finishing your contract, you can travel around Japan (before your visa expires).

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Job Requirements and Tips

Worried about your Japanese skills? While basic Japanese language skills are generally preferred, fluent Japanese isn’t essential for roles targeting foreign guests. Since people from all over the world come to ski in Japan, English is a valuable skill to many employers.

Here are a few other tips:

• International Driving Permit: Sometimes required.
• First Aid Certification: This can give you a leg up if you have it.
• Resume: A Japanese-style resume is usually NOT required. A Western-style CV is OK.
  (You can submit a Japanese resume to stand out.)

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How to Find Jobs

Here’s a quick list of ways to find ski resort jobs:

• Online Job Boards: Ex. GaijinPot, Ski Jobs, and SkiJapan.com.
• Specialty Services: Ex. Stepabroad, the Working Holiday Club, and Boobooski.
  They offer visa support, job placement, and Japanese lessons (depending on the travel agency).
• Direct Applications: Contact resorts directly from their website.

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Where Will You Work in Japan?

Some of the top ski destinations in Japan include:

For a list of all the ski areas in Japan, check out this site.

⚠️While you’ll find that the resorts cater to foreign visitors, areas outside of the resorts are quite rural. In the countryside, very few people speak English, so you might run into trouble if you’re not fluent in Japanese.

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Setting Up Essentials: Your Phone and Bank Account

One of the first steps to working in Japan is setting up a bank account— and for that, you’ll need a Japanese phone number. But here’s the catch: for most of Japan’s major mobile carriers, you might struggle with the language barrier because the entire process will be in Japanese.

⚠️While most foreign credit cards are accepted in Japan, some mobile carriers only accept Japanese credit cards or payment via bank transfer (from a Japanese bank).

Let’s say you’re paid in cash and don’t want to open a Japanese bank account – you’ll still need a reliable data plan to stay connected with family back home or just to play on your phone during your breaks.
This is where Sakura Mobile makes all the difference.

If you’re staying in Japan for more than 90 days, we recommend our Long-Term Products!

Skip the setup headaches and focus on why you came to Japan — the adventure of a lifetime on the slopes!

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Benefits and Perks of Ski Resort Jobs

While the pay may be modest, there are plenty of perks to working at a Japanese ski resort.
Of course, your experience will vary depending on the resort, but many offer great perks such as:

• Seasonal lift passes
• Free or subsidized meals
• Subsidized dormitory housing or nearby accommodations

Working at a ski resort in Japan is also a great chance to make connections with people from around the world and improve your Japanese.

Note that the pay may be lower than expected, so don’t plan to leave Japan with a huge amount of savings. Wages are usually around 1,000–1,400 yen per hour.

For ski/snowboard instructors, your work hours may vary depending on the weather conditions. In that case, some people pick up other part-time work or take on shifts for other jobs at the resort.

⚠️It’s also important to note that your pay will be taxed at a rate of 20%. So keeping your expenses low is key!

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Final Tips for Landing a Job on a WHV

• Be prepared: Start your visa application ASAP and prepare documents early. Factor in possible visits/appointments at your local Japanese embassy.
• Research your ideal resort: Consider the location, job roles available, and language requirements. *It’s best to secure a job BEFORE coming to Japan on a WHV.
• Stay flexible and embrace rural life: English signage may be limited, and you’ll likely encounter fewer English speakers in rural areas, which might bring some culture shock at first. (Emphasize how flexible you are in the interview!)

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Conclusion

A winter working holiday at Japan’s ski resorts is your chance to make memories beyond the 9-to-5. Whether it’s the thrill of the slopes, the warmth of an onsen after a long day, or the friendships you’ll form along the way, your winter in Japan promises to be unforgettable.

As you navigate life in Japan, don’t forget to stay connected!

With flexible long-term SIM and home Wi-Fi options, we make it easier than ever to share your journey and stay in touch with loved ones back home.🌸

On your working holiday, you’ll probably stay in Japan for at least 3 to 4 months, so we recommend our long-term products! No annual contract is required, and you can cancel at any time.

Check out what makes our services so great below! ⬇️

Sakura Mobile Long-Term Plans

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