Article by Adam Claydon-Platt

Traditionally, the only jobs foreigners could do in Japan were English-teaching jobs, or bar work. Rarely, there are positions working for Japanese companies in Tokyo, but most of the time you need to be able to speak a good level of Japanese to be eligible. Recently however, there’s a new trend for foreigners in Japan – working in Resorts. Resort work is a fun, natural side of the Japanese lifestyle that not many foreigners get to witness working in the big cities. While staff are expected to work hard, the fringe benefits in their free time, such as Skiing / Hiking / Playing on the beach every day-off, meeting lots of young Japanese people, and getting paid for it, are well worth it!

BEACH – Work in a Tropical Beach Resort in Okinawa – Japan’s own Hawaii! Soak up the Tropical wonders of the land the locals call “Ryukyu” – anytime you’re not on the job, you’ll be able to swim, snorkel, and have fun in the sun as much as you like! Culturally rich, and the most popular beach Resort area in Japan, Okinawa’s 5-star Resort facilities and tropical beaches will leave you speechless.

GOLF / MOUNTAIN – Refresh yourself in the pristine wilderness of the Japanese countryside, working in Golf / Mountain Resorts in Nagano / Hokkaido – perfect for outdoor enthusiasts! A combination of pristine wilderness, quality resorts, and a temperate climate make the Japanese highlands the preferred destination for Japanese to escape the sweltering Summer in the city. Most Resorts in Japan open all year-round, offering Skiing in Winter, and activities such as Hiking, Birdwatching, Mountain biking, and Rafting in the Summer. If you love the great outdoors, these programs are for you!

Summer Job Descriptions

If you’re interested in working in Summer resorts in Japan, you’ll need to speak at least a little Japanese. The positions you’ll be eligible for depend on your Japanese speaking ability. The positions listed below are in ascending order (easiest to hardest) of Japanese ability required:

1. Restaurant

Regular Duties: Serving drinks and dishes to customers at their tables, clearing them away after customers have finished, and wiping down tables in preparation for the next customers. Some of the ski resorts have self-serve facilities, whereby customers serve themselves (leaving only the clearing of tables for restaurant staff). Showing customers to tables and taking orders. Restaurant work may sometimes includes the serving of food onto dishes for customers, and even simple food preparation duties, such as making hotdogs, sandwiches or pizzas. A good job for beginners to learn Japanese.

2. Beach Equipment Rental

Regular Duties: Helping customers with any queries and offering recommendations about Beach Equipment (eg. kayaks, jet-skis etc). Briefing customers on the safety and handling of equipment. Taking customer details (name, address, contact numbers) when organizing rental equipment. Ringing up customer rental charges on the cash register and controlling cash inflows-outflows (great care needs to be taken in giving the correct change to customers). Helping customers choose appropriate sized equipment (according to body weight and height, etc.). Collecting rental gear from customers at the end of each work day and checking stock levels to make sure all rental equipment has been returned. Closing and balancing cash registers at the end of the work day. A good job for beginner-intermediates to learn Japanese.

3. Beach / Pool Attendant

Regular Duties: Monitoring beach and pool areas for customer safety (assisting customers who are in trouble or injured). Keeping a look out for unattended or lost children. Warning any customers who break resort rules or jeopardize others through dangerous actions. Attending to injured customers until medical services arrive (Cuts, Grazes, Stings etc. – First Aid qualification not required). Policing the no-swim zones. Helping customers with any queries. A good job for beginner-intermediates to learn Japanese.

4. Gift Shop

Regular Duties: Helping customers with any queries, and offering recommendations about gifts and cakes. Ringing up customer purchases on the cash register and controlling cash inflows-outflows (great care needs to be taken in giving the correct change to customers). In limited cases, gift-wrapping may be required. Closing and balancing cash registers at the end of the work day. A good job for beginner-intermediates to learn Japanese.

5. Bellhop

Regular Duties: Taking care of customers’ baggage and delivering baggage to rooms (no tipping in Japan). Guiding customers to the front desk for check-in and helping with any other queries. A good job for intermediate-advanced speakers to learn Japanese.

6. Information/Concierge

Regular Duties: Taking care of customers’ enquiries and offering recommendations about events / restaurants / sights / facilities etc. A good job for intermediate-advanced speakers to learn Japanese.

7. Hotel Front Desk

Regular Duties: Helping customers check-in and check-out. Taking the occasional reservation and answering the telephone (putting telephone calls through to other departments). Helping customers with any queries about hotel facilities etc. and offering recommendations about services. Ringing up customer bills on the cash register and controlling cash inflows-outflows (great care needs to be taken in giving the correct change to customers). A good job for intermediate-advanced speakers to learn Japanese.

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If you’re looking for Summer Jobs Japan, try something different and work in a Resort this year; make a little effort to learn Japanese, and you’ll never regret it.

http://www.boobooski.com/howtoapply.html

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About the Author

I love Japan. I’m writing these articles because I want to give everyone a better idea about Japan. The Japanese people, the Japanese language, the culture – I want to show you all how to enjoy them the most! I hope you enjoy my articles!

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