LachyD 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hey guys, I'm finishing up my law degree at the end of the year and looking at taking a working holiday in the Japanese skifields (thinking Niseko) and would love some advice... is this the place to discuss this? I couldn't find any topics which seemed appropriate, I can't see a whole lot of talk on this topic! Anyway, as mentioned I'm a law student, and I'm currently living in Australia. I don't think getting a visa will be a problem, but actually getting a job/place to live/making it all work financially will probably be a challenge. So I'm just scoping out the situation for work and accommodation now. I speak a little Japanese but I'm far from fluent, but I'm fine with doing the shittiest jobs which no one else wants to do if it means getting an hour or two of powder every couple of days. Has anyone done this sort of thing or have any advice or comments or ramblings? Would greatly appreciate it, peace. Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Just turn up with enough money for a few weeks and hopefully find something. With a work visa you've got a good chance. (Not that I've ever been to Niseko but people did it at Hakuba.) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 if you mean this season then I'd imagine most jobs in Niseko will have been fixed by now, so I'd get yer finger out and start emailing anywhere and everywhere up there Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Have fun and great times in Japan. I say stuff working in Niseko and go Honshu, OR stay in Sapporo and take a few days a week in Niseko. Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Ok, why is that Jynxx? Easier to get work or just better slopes? Link to post Share on other sites
acpowman 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 What others have said - start emailing companies now but if you don't get something lined up don't fret, just rock over there with a visa and some cash and you'll line something up (i've had roomies do it every year), worst case scenario there are always snow clearing and babysitting jobs on offer. A lot of seasonal accommodation can only be found once your there & asking around, just be prepared to stay in a backpackers for a little while until you sort yourself out. Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Cool, thanks for all the comments guys. Will email around and see if I can line anything up. Not too fussed with Niseko at the moment (just seems like a really beautiful place with not too much congestion on the slopes) so if anyone has any other recommendations I'd love to hear them, especially if its easier for a predominantly english speaking guy to land a job in those places. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 start looking into getting a working holiday visa as if you haven't got a degree, there's not much chance of getting a full on visa due to a completed degree being a prerequisite. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Niseko is a pretty good choice if you're looking for work. No other Japanese ski area hires more foreign staff than Niseko. As advised above I would email all the big companies here right away and even make a few calls. Although most positions will have been filled there's almost always one or two people who drop out at the last minute. Get the visa organised as soon as possible. As others have said if you're unable to organise something prior to arrival just rock up, stay at a backpackers and then walk around all the companies to see if there's any work they can give you. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Thanks so much for the help guys. Yeah don't think visa will be a problem. Has anyone got the contacts for some of the bigger companies in Niseko I might wanna get in contact with? Once again, thanks heaps for the help everyone. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 8, 2009 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 8, 2009 Take a look at some of the listings/banners on this page: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/index.html Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Only issue with the visa, in regards to Working holiday visas, is that there a finite number per year. Well for the UK at least they are. But for both countries, think you can only use that system once. Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Update: On everyone's advice, I have sent off a bunch of emails with my resume and a covering letter, and have gotten a couple of leads (fingers crossed!) On the accommodation side of things, how easy is it to get relatively cheap seasonal accommodation in a place like Niseko? I know on the Australian ski fields rooms are expensive and generally pretty shitty. Do most companies provide staff accommodation, or is it really hard to get a place to stay for the season, and do I have to start organising something now? Had a look at the hostel prices and they seem fairly reasonable (about $80 AU per night including 2 meals) but probably not sustainable for a whole season. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Most companies do provide staff accomm. The quality and price can vary considerably. Expect to pay anything from Y40,000-Y80,000 per month. Lower end probably sharing a room, upper end in pretty nice private room. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 There's about a 1000 or so pages of descriptions about the slopes/snow at Hakuba to be found on past threads. Big mountains and great snow. You're from Australia so just about any resort in Japan will get far more and better quality snow than you've ever experienced before. Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Haha, I have been to ski fields in Europe before... but you're right, Australian resorts are pretty horrible. Yeah realised the topic of "How is Hakuba?" had probably been covered before now about 2 seconds after I hit 'post'... sorry for going over old territory! Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 I thought I would give an update on my progress (in case anyone cares ) I have organised a working holiday visa, as well as accomodation in Niseko for the season (for which I got very lucky - accomodation in exchange for 30 hours per month work). I also have tickets booked for Tokyo in early December. Which leaves: Getting from Tokyo to Niseko! I'm thinking I might book a plane to Sapporo and catch a train to Kutchan (and then I understand shuttle busses run to Niseko?). I also have to organise a snowboard on the way there (I've only rented gear in the past), and I think Sapporo might be a likely candidate to stop over and buy a board at. How much would I be looking at for a semi-decent board, boots and bindings from Sapporo? Or would I be better off trying for second hand gear on the slopes? And finally... a job! Hoping to also work this out in advance, but I feel fairly confident that with accomodation organised and enough money to last me a couple of months it should fall into place. I noticed though that conditions of the working holiday visa exclude working in bars/nightclubs. This seems a bit strange, and I hadn't heard of it before... does this include restaurants serving alcohol as well? Looking forward to seeing many of you in Niseko for what's starting to look like a great season! Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 We only care if you promise to upload tons of pics to this site/forums during the season. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Well Done Mate. It brings back fond memories. There is heaps of cheap stuff on EBAY. Link to post Share on other sites
SantaCruz 0 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Nic! Congrats on getting stuff organized LachyD. Originally Posted By: LachyD I have organised a working holiday visa If you don't mind em asking, how hard was it to get the Visa? I'd be interested in knowing what the process is to apply. Who knows, maybe next season I'll try and do the same Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Americans can't get Working Holiday Visas Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 true for Japan Link to post Share on other sites
SantaCruz 0 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver Americans can't get Working Holiday Visas Noooooooooooooooooooooo. Oh wells. Link to post Share on other sites
LachyD 0 Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Originally Posted By: fukdane We only care if you promise to upload tons of pics to this site/forums during the season. Will do! Visa was quite easy to organize, no fees involved and no huge wait times. For Australians, the Consulate-General in your particular State are the people to talk to (there is info on the Japanese embassy to Australia site but it doesn't have all the forms etc). So for Queenslanders, head over to http://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/Services/visa.htm for info. Link to post Share on other sites
SantaCruz 0 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 LachyD, nice sounds like you'll have a good time. I'll let ya know when I'm in Niseko, we should grab a pint. (I'm traveling solo, so def looking for people to ride with). Link to post Share on other sites
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