Have some questions?

To join Winter Work Japan, you must:

• Be 18+ before 15th October of the year you travel
• Be 18–30 when applying for your Japanese Working Holiday Visa
• Meet the Japanese Working Holiday Visa requirements
• Available to start late November or by 7th December (contracts usually run until March/April)
• Available for at least 7 months for your intended travel period on the Working Holiday Visa (visa up to 12 months)
• Have no tattoos in areas that are not easily coverable with clothes, such as face or hands (if you have tattoos, please let us know) 

Please note: Japan is still a relatively traditional and conservative culture. Resorts often expect staff to present themselves professionally, so extreme hairstyles, visible piercings, or bold fashion choices may limit the roles available to you.

Most placements begin from mid-November to early December.

You’ll need to be available to start before 7th December and be available until at least 15th March (some resorts stay open in April too). There are no January start dates for ski resorts.

Most resorts will hire staff aged 20+, but we can also place 18–19 year old's. If you’re under 20, you’ll typically be considered for housekeeping or kitchenhand positions. Having previous work experience (even part-time) can open up more options.

Please note: the legal drinking age in Japan is 20, so Food & Beverage roles are usually only available to applicants aged 20 and over.

There’s a mix of hospitality and resort-based roles. Common jobs include:

• Housekeeping and Room Cleaning
• Kitchenhand
• Dishwashers
• Restaurant Staff
• Chefs
• Reception and Drivers (some Japanese preferred)

Roles are usually offered based on previous experience. Sorry we can't guarantee any certain job roles when applying. 

Expect full-time work: usually 5–6 days a week, around 8 hours per day (not including breaks): 

• Shifts often include evenings and weekends, and start times can be as early as 5:30am.

• Peak season (Christmas and New Year) can be especially busy, and you may be expected to work overtime. Most people receive 6–8 days off per month during this period.

• Flexibility is key. Resorts may ask you to help out in different areas/departments of the resort during quieter weeks.

Please note: you may have limited time to get to the slopes on working days as hours are usually full-time, so you may need to wait for days off. 

You’ll be paid the minimum wage which varies by prefecture. Wages depend on your resort’s region and your experience. You could earn between ¥900-¥1,500 per hour (around £4–£8 per hour) , depending on your role and hours. These minimum wages are a guide for you:

• Nagano: ¥908/hour (around £4.30)
  
  
• Iwate: ¥854/hour (around £4.10)
  
  
• Hokkaido: ¥920/hour (around £4.50)
  
  

Pay is monthly, so bring enough to cover your costs until your first pay day (remember this might be a month or so later). You may also need to pay a small bond for your lift pass or bedding.

Anyone working in Japan for under 12 months pays around a 21% non-resident tax. This is standard for Working Holiday Makers and can’t be claimed back at the end of your stay.

We can't guarantee anyone a specific resort or location. You can let us know on your application where you’d like to go, but final placements depend on availability and the resorts needs. We’ll always try to match you somewhere that fits your vibe and skills.

Accommodation is typically subsidised and deducted monthly from your pay, costing around ¥5,000–¥35,000 per month (roughly £25–£185/month), depending on the resort.

Expect shared dorm-style housing with 2–6 people per room, shared bathroom and either a Western style bunk bed or a Japanese futon. This could be hostel-style dormitory or homestay living with a local family, dependent on resort. Generally you'll have a microwave and kettle, perfect for those ramen nights.

You’ll need to show proof of savings, and possibly proof of flight ticket, when applying for your Japanese Working Holiday Visa. This is usually done by providing a recent bank statement in your name that meets the minimum requirement set by the embassy. We’ll guide you on exactly what’s needed and when, so you’re not guessing.

UK participants applying in London; either:

• £2,500 in cleared funds; or
• £1,500 in cleared funds, plus evidence that you hold a return ticket (round-trip) from UK to Japan.

UK participants applying in Edinburgh; either:

• £2,500 in cleared funds; or
• £1,500 in cleared funds, plus evidence that you hold a return or onward journey ticket to and from Japan. If your intention is to stay in Japan for 12 months, then a one-way ticket plus additional letter from a parent confirming financial support may be sufficient, however up to discretion of embassy.

Irish participants applying in Dublin; either:

• €3,200 in cleared funds; or
• €1,600 in cleared funds, plus a return or onward journey ticket to Japan

Depending on where you reside and what passport you hold will depend on the embassy you need to go to for your Working Holiday Visa.

• London: For UK participants (including those residing in Northern Ireland) but not those areas listed in Edinburgh jurisdictions below. 

• Edinburgh: For UK participants residing in Scotland or the following council districts in the north of England: County Durham, Cumberland, Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Westmorland and Furness.

• Dublin: For Irish participants or Irish passport holders residing in Northern Ireland.

You must apply for your visa in your home country.

The Japanese Working Holiday Visa is designed for cultural exploration and travel first, with work as a way to fund those travels; and gives travellers the flexibility to travel, experience daily life in Japan and take up short-term employment to support their stay in Japan.

Here is a list of requirements:

• Valid UK or Irish passport
• Application Form download here
• ID photo - 35mm x 45mm taken within last 6 months, plain background, passport style
• Outline of Intended Activities and Travel Plan – An itinerary outlining your tourism and travel plans only for each month of your proposed stay in Japan. This should be realistic, show why you’ve chosen specific places, and cover more than 7 months (and no longer than 12 months) of intended travel during your entire stay in Japan. This section should focus on travel and cultural experiences, not only focused on work, and should complement (not repeat) your motivational statement.
• Motivational Statement Letter – An A4-length letter explaining why you wish to travel to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, what you are interested in and what you want to see in Japan. You should not repeat your Outline of Intended Activities Plan here, but show what you hope to get out of the experience and personal reasons why you have chosen to travel in Japan.
• Proof of funds - A UK or Ireland bank statement covering 3 months to either show:
  • £2,500 for UK/€3,200 for Irish participants in cleared funds, or
  • £1,500 for UK/€1,600 for Irish participants in cleared funds along with appropriate evidence participants are in possession of flight ticket (see FAQs for more info on each Embassy's flight ticket requirements)
  • The statement must show the account holder’s name and UK or Ireland address.
  • Traveler's cheques, credit cards, loans and overdrafts are not acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds.
  • If you have received gift money from your parent(s), please include a signed statement from them.
  • In the case of a married couple who are applying together for two Working Holiday Visas, the minimum amounts are £4,500 for UK/€2,300 for Irish participants.
  • Further information regarding source of funds maybe requested

• Proof of travel insurance (ususally Dublin Embassy only) - Evidence of travel insurance that covers you for the full duration of your stay (minimum of 7 months). Your policy must include cover for winter sports and personal liability, we'll walk you through some options.

See more about the specifics from each embassy here according to where you will apply below:

Embassy of Japan in the UK (London) website

Consolate General of Japan in Edinburgh website

Embassy of Japan in Ireland website

Yes. You are responsible for your own travel insurance - this must include snow sports cover and personal liability, and cover you for your entire intended stay in Japan (at least 7 months and up to 12 months). We'll advise you of an appropriate coverage or you can find your own.

Note: if you are an Irish passport holder, you will need to show proof of insurance at your appointment in Dublin that covers you for your entire stay in Japan. 

Absolutely.

Most people head to Japan solo, which means everyone’s in the same boat from day one. You’ll meet people from all over the world at work, in staff accommodation and during your arrival orientation.

If you apply with a friend, we’ll do our best to place you at the same resort, but it can’t be guaranteed.

By the end of the season, you’ll have a solid crew - and a group chat that definitely outlives winter.

This is dependent on the resort you are placed at. Some resorts offer staff discounted lift passes - you should expect to pay for the pass up front and potentially a security deposit also. The discounted pass may only be for certain hills so you should confirm this with your resort. 

Keep in mind that ski and snowboard equipment hire is often an out of pocket expense. There are also places during your Arrival Orientation that you can purchase second hand equiptment from, or even think about bringing your own ski or snowboard!

Japan’s ski season typically runs from mid-December to late March. In higher-altitude and northern resorts (like Hokkaido), skiing can start in late November and sometimes continue into April, dependant on the snowfall.

Reosrts usually start contracts between mid-November and mid-December, and often end around mid-March (sometimes into April).

Peak snow conditions are usually January and February - prime powder season.