miyahara 0 Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 Apologies if this has already been discussed in a forum elsewhere (I've searched, but no joy), I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for a monolingual ski bum seeking work near a Japanese resort next winter. Currently I'm commuting to Hakuba every weekend by bus/train/bicycle from Saitama Prefecture, and as much as I love my white weekends, the 14-hour round-trip commute is draining my budget and patience. Next winter I'm dead keen to work at or near a resort, doing English teaching/bar work/cleaning/whatever, but my Japanese is at a painfully basic level. I've seen plenty of foreigners working around Hakuba, but their Japanese is pretty good. Is there any hope for a monolingual? Cheers Caroline Link to post Share on other sites
jared 0 Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 you could start going to japanese lessons now and have some better japanese for next season. On my first trip to japan with almost 0 japanese (but desperately trying to learn) I worked in Niseko at the dog sled / snow rafting thing they have there. Also teaching people from Hong Kong to ski (that was before there were many aussies there) now it prob even easier. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 how good are you on the hill? what do you want to be paid? the english teaching jobs are full up but I know a place in matsumoto that needs a teacher now! Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 I bet there are more people who can speak Japanese now though so they might go for those people first. Link to post Share on other sites
miyahara 0 Posted April 6, 2006 Author Share Posted April 6, 2006 Thanks for the advice! I already speak some Japanese but not a huge amount, now's the time to turn that into "nihongo dekiru" before winter. I'll check out Niseko too. Fattwins, why do you ask how I am on the hill? (I'm an advanced rider, by the way.) That job in Matsumoto sounds awesome but I'm already contracted for my current job for another month or so... Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 if you are good enough to teach snowboarding then some other doors open up. Link to post Share on other sites
Kumapix 0 Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 that's true. back in the day my buddy got a job teaching boarding and his japanese ability wasn't very good. If any gaijins want lessons then you'd be the go-to instructor Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Most of the jobs in resort towns have crap wages that will also "drain your budget", but if you don't mind that, it shouldn't be too hard to find something. Be sure to establish how much time off you get in advance. Some people get very little. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 dont expect time off around xmas and new years in japan expect to work right through Link to post Share on other sites
brody 0 Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Good luck with it, that's what I say! I spend a winter in Zermatt about 10 years ago and had the time of my life. Link to post Share on other sites
slimeypete 0 Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 brody - did you do any work or was it all play? Play over there is quite expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
jgraves 0 Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Look into pensions in the area as well. Those catering to int'l travellers often hire non-Japanese staff. Anyway you slice it, you're going to make the most $ to support your habit(s) teaching english. Check out .coms like gaijinpot and jobsinjapan that list english teacher jobs. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 just to add to Tohoku Bum, ohayosensei.com is also a good link for job hunting. Hope you get what youre looking for. Link to post Share on other sites
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