Ski Japan, Working at a Resort – Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re thinking of working at a ski resort in Japan this year, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are the answers to the most common questions you may have!
How much is it going to cost me?
To participate in ski jobs in Japan, you must pay your own airfare and travel insurance. The cost varies: expect to pay between USD $1,500 and $2,000 for everything.
Do I need to pay a registration fee for ski jobs in Japan?
No, as long as you complete your contract, you will not pay any fees.
Will I really need $4,000 for the VISA application?
The actual amount depends on your country, but at the time you apply for your working holiday visa you must show that you have a few thousand dollars available in your bank account. The visa office needs to know that you have sufficient funds to pay for your airfare and support yourself while living in Japan. You will need to submit a bank statement as proof.
How will I get to the Resort?
Once you arrive in Japan, you will be met at the airport, taken to your Resort by bus, and the experience of a lifetime will begin!
How will they pay me?
Once you arrive, you will be shown how to open a Japanese bank account, into which your salary will be paid monthly. Banks are located near the resorts, so withdrawing money will not be a problem.
Will I be paying taxes?
According to Japanese law, all foreigners must pay 20% income tax. All figures quoted on this site are after income tax.
You can only file a Japanese tax return, to try to recover part of your taxes, if you stay in Japan for more than 12 months. Otherwise you can’t. Also, filing a tax return is a complicated process: for help/information, you can contact the “Japan Vacation Workers Association”.
Will I have to work overtime?
Yes. During busy holiday periods (Christmas/New Years holidays, summer holidays from July to August), your resort will ask you to work overtime as they tend to be short-staffed at this time. During this period, accept that you may not have much free time (in some cases, staff have to work up to 50-60 hours a week!). However, after the busy period, things calm down a lot and you will have around 6-7 days off per month, working a standard 44-48 hour week.
*NOTE: Work hours depend on snow conditions; if there is no snow yet, you will work less (because the resort will not be occupied yet).
I am a vegetarian/diabetic/allergic to dairy, will that be a problem?
Unfortunately, the Resorts cannot accommodate specific dietary needs (vegetarians, diabetics, etc.). If you are picky about your diet, you will need to buy your own food every day (as staff cannot use the dormitory kitchen facilities to prepare their own food).
PLEASE NOTE: Japanese food is high in fish and meat. In the past, there were vegetarian staff who could only eat the (very small) salad that accompanies the regular menu and as a result they started complaining of lack of energy/got sick etc. Please understand that the kitchen staff prepare food in bulk, for hundreds of staff dishes every day, so you cannot expect them to go out of their way to prepare something especially for you. If you have particular dietary needs, please give some serious thought to whether you would mind taking a trip to the nearest supermarket/convenience store each day to purchase food (as there will be no kitchen facilities for your use). Thanks for your understanding.
Will I have internet access?
Ski jobs in Japan give you a taste of rural life – you won’t be living in the big city. The air will be fresh, the nature vast and the scenery spectacular. On the other hand, you may have to walk 20 minutes to the nearest convenience store and use a pay phone because there is no internet access nearby. You’ll never have to go too far (more than, say, 30 minutes), but in some resorts, you may have to travel or pay a little to access the internet.
There are a number of free wireless networks to access near many of the resorts, so if you’re an email addict it might be a good idea to bring your laptop with you. However, if you can give up your daily emails for a few months and immerse yourself in the Japanese way of life, it will be a much more rewarding experience and the best way to improve your Japanese.
What happens if I am unable to complete my contract at the resort?
Any staff member who breaks their contract with the resort must vacate the staff dormitory within two days of their last day of work. Staff leaving early inconveniences the resort by leaving them without staff, and future foreign staff may not be able to work there.
What happens if I have an accident?
All ski and summer work staff must have valid travel insurance for the entire period of their contracts, so in the event of an accident, you are fully covered by your insurance policy for the costs. You will also be covered by Japanese “rousai” labor insurance while you are at work. In the event of an accident, you will be taken to a local hospital for treatment.
In the event of an accident that prevents you from doing your job, unfortunately your resort will be forced to lay you off. For this reason, we cannot stress enough how careful you need to be: be responsible!
Will I have to buy my own ski equipment or can I rent it from the resort?
We recommend that you rent ski equipment as it is convenient, and if you are lucky you will get a nice discount for your resort staff! Buying and bringing your own board/skis on the plane can be expensive if you exceed your baggage allowance and can be troublesome to carry. Also, there is no way to ship items larger than 150cm home from Japan, so if you decide to bring your own gear, make sure you don’t exceed the airline’s baggage allowance, as you’ll need to bring it with you on the plane.
We recommend that you first check the rental offers at your Resort after your arrival. Then, if you’re not satisfied, you can take a trip to the nearest city and get some great deals on gear. Here are some approximate prices you can expect to pay for average quality equipment in Japan:
Set of boards/bindings/boots or ski/boots/poles = 30~40,000 yen.
Jacket/Pants = 20,000 yen for a set.
Gloves/Glasses = up to 10,000 yen each.
What kind of protective gear will I need to ski/board?
Unfortunately, each year some staff members are injured as a result of a snowboarding or skiing accident, and are forced to leave their skiing jobs in Japan. The most common injuries are to the head and wrists. Fortunately, these injuries can be easily prevented with two simple pieces of safety gear: a helmet and wrist straps. Don’t be stingy with security, it will cost you!
How long is a Japanese work and holiday visa valid for?
A Japanese Working Holiday Visa is initially valid for 6 months, but can be extended up to a total of 12 months (18 months for Australians!). To extend your visa, you will need to visit the nearest immigration office, complete the appropriate paperwork, and pay a processing fee of ¥4,000 (USD$35). Processing takes a few weeks, so make sure you do it before your current visa expires.
Can I get another Japanese work and holiday visa in the future?
No, you can only get a Japanese work and holiday visa once. However, if you wish to return to Japan to work/live in the future, you may do so. Like many foreigners, you can enter Japan on a 3-month tourist visa and then get sponsored by a Japanese company (for example, an English school), at which point you will receive a 1- or 3-month work visa. years.
Can the Resort sponsor me for a Visa?
No, unfortunately, they cannot offer Visa sponsorship. A company has to guarantee you a job for 12 continuous months, in order to offer sponsorship. Since ski jobs in Japan are only seasonal, this is not possible.
Can I travel before or after my contract?
Of course! As long as you can be at the airport when everyone else arrives, you can travel wherever you want. After your contract, you can also travel alone!