Niseko volunteer exchange in Japan

This opportunity, shared by both email and in our Facebook group, comes from Scott and Sanae Walker, hosts based in Kutchan Town, at the foot of Mount Yotei, the “Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido.” They are welcoming volunteers to help them prepare for the winter season in this stunning part of northern Japan, where summers are cooler and nature remains unspoiled.

Volunteers are invited to assist with outdoor tasks like cutting grass, trimming tree branches, and working on small building renovations for winter accommodation. No special skills are required—just a willingness to help and enjoy the rhythm of local life.

Work is light and flexible: just four mornings a week from 8 am to 1 pm, leaving afternoons and three full days a week completely free to explore. Volunteers are offered free accommodation in one of the hosts’ houses, with the possibility of a private room if arranged in advance. Seasonal vegetables are also provided, along with use of a company car, ideal for discovering hidden parts of Hokkaido that most tourists never see.

The area offers simple but enjoyable leisure: a nearby river for swimming, free public tennis courts, and local sports facilities like a gym, basketball, and table tennis (available for a symbolic fee of 100–200 yen).

Kutchan is a peaceful mountain town, famous for winter sports but equally charming in the green seasons. Having an international driving license is recommended, as it allows you to use the vehicle both for the occasional errands and for your personal adventures.

The help exchange is open to friendly, curious people who want to immerse themselves in authentic Japan while giving a hand to a local project. It’s a great match for those who appreciate outdoor work, quiet living, and the chance to explore a lesser-known side of Japan.

Original message:

Help exchange – NISEKO HOKKAIDO JAPAN

Introduction

We are based in Niseko Kutchan Town. At the base of Mount Yotei the Mt Fuji of Hokkaido. Japan.
Hokkaido is the northern most island of Japan. So much cooler summer, than the rest of Japan.

Volunteering activities

We need a hand getting ready for the winter season. Such as

• utting grass and tree branches
• Building renovations for winter season staff accommodation in Kutchan.

Capacity

Up to 8 or so people normally we have 2 – 4 people

Weekly commitment:

Help is 4 mornings a week 8am-1pm, every day afternoons off & 3 full days off a week.

Volunteer benefits

• Free accommodation,
• Seasonal vegetables supplied.
• Use of a car
• Close by river for swimming
• Free tennis courts.

100-200 yen public gym, table tennis, basket ball

Accommodation type

Accommodation is in one of our houses in Kutchan.

A private room may be possible if requested before arrival.

Leisure activities:

Please bring your international driving licence.

You’ll have use of a company vehicle for work days and your time off. This means you can explore parts of the island other tourists would find difficult to get to.

Communication

English and/or Japanese

Contact

Please send an email to Scottwalker10@gmail.com
With details of your country passport
Age
Sex
An international driver’s licence or translation, depending on your country.
Manual and/automatic driving experience
From when to when you can stay.
Scott & Sanae Walker – your hosts.

What we offer:

• – usually a private room
• – Free tea and coffee
• – Pick up if necessary;
• – Equipped kitchen with some basic ingredients (such as seasonal vegetables, maybe some pasta and rice.
• – only help in mornings maximum 5 days a week

Requirements:

Minimum stay of at least

• 2 weeks – Spring, Summer & Autumn
• 2.5 months Winter – December to mid/end of February.
• (use of share or own ski lift pass included) in turn the help hours are more than summer and autumn.

Help description

• During spring-summer & autumn

2024 we are moving from one lodge to another. So help us move.
International driver’s licence or translation depending on your country.

• During winter

We mostly need help with cleaning up after breakfast time and housekeeping. That includes vacuum cleaning and mopping the floors, changing the bed linens, cleaning the bathrooms etc.
We hope to hear from you!

• Sports gear (tennis, swimming, cycling)
• Bicycles for you to use

If you have a lot of experience in one of the following, we urge you to apply:

• House renovations
• Painting
• Fixing things
• Writing skills
• IT skills
• Snow clearing
• Design (Illustrator, Photoshop or WordPress)
• You have an international driver’s licence and will be okay with other tasks such as
• cooking and house cooking.

– Niseko volunteer exchange

Depending on your timing we can take Helpers at any time of the year except May and June, winter ski mountains are open until May 6th and there is still a lot of snow.

We are located only 100m from the main ski lifts.
Depending on the policies set by the ski resort committee, we may have some shared ski passes that you can use for free.

They may not be available every day.

If you would like to use lifts first thing in the morning every day of the season, we recommend getting your own season pass.

Come to the best place in Japan because no matter what season, nature, sports, onsens and food are the best here!!

Languages

Helpers who can speak both Japanese and English will be especially welcome.

CONTACT DETAILS🔍📧

 

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– Niseko volunteer exchange

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