Last year's staff
2025 staff recruitment
Sounkyo Hostel is a guesthouse located at the foot of Mount Daisetsu,
which sits right in the middle of Hokkaido, and is a base for mountain hikes.
2025 will be the 8th season for Sounkyo Hostel.
Over the past 7 years, the situation in the world has been constantly changing,
so “the usual” doesn’t always work out well.
Regardless of how many years will pass, we will continue to go through trial and error,
and all of our staff have worked together to get to this point today.
(Thank you so much, everyone!)
In June 2024, our sister lodging [ANSHINDO] opened in the heart of the small town.
By connecting the mountains and the town, our daily life becomes a part of tourism.
People will meet and new values will be created.
To spread the new values this way, and for us to live a fun and fulfilling life at the foot of the mountains, we are looking for new staff who can work hard with us!
Aiming for such an inn.
Hokkaido is vast, but Mt. Daisetsuzan boasts a majestic scale.
If you take the ropeway and walk up the mountain, you will arrive at a view that overlooks dozens of kilometers.
Many people walk up the mountain using this hostel as their starting point.
We love the nature of Hokkaido and Daisetsuzan, and we want to make the locals proud.
When it comes to staying in the mountains, “the hurdles are high”
Some people may feel that way.
The walk at the foot of the mountain is also wonderful.
We value enjoying nature wherever we are. We think it's best.
We gain a lot of information by enjoying nature.
We will send out information to those who came to stay overnight and those who want to start mountaineering.
We hope that nature and mountains will become more familiar to people.
Kamikawa, a town with inn.
The mountains are fun,But the town of Kamikawa is also interesting.
A traditional hot springs, Izakaya and Ramen shops.
There is also a sake brewery using the water of Daisetsuzan,a playground for children with a cafe.
The people who moved to Kamikawa-cho is thinking about the connection with nature, food, and the community.
It is often difficult to live such a town, But we are trying to move the town forward a little. We think about the area unconsciously while working.
A small town with a population of less than 4,000, that's why it's worth doing,It is fun to do above all.
Work of the inn.
"Guests feel comfortable "
We value this more than anything else.
First, clean it carefully, We will welcome guests relaxedly.
Supporting people's travel and mountain climbing, Cook a meal, talk, And drink together.
We also climb mountains on holidays. Take a nap, read a book, and take a hot spring bath. A simple lifestyle will heal your body and mind.
This is a job that will help you develop your ability to live while working and make you love the mountains even more.
Not only are the guests important, but so are the workers.
Please tell me what you want to do.
Then, try your hand at Sounkyo Hostel. We welcome your motivation and curiosity.
(The owner is enjoying it too!)
Let's work together at the foot of the mountains in Hokkaido.
We look forward to working with you.
Asking the other staff
.png)
"Once it starts, it's over."
These are the words the owner said when the season started. At the time, I thought, "There are still about four months left," but I soon came to understand the true meaning of those words.
My biggest worry was living with my coworkers, but it was both fun and difficult. My coworkers were considerate and supportive, so I no longer felt nervous. I was inspired by the "hello" and "goodbye" I exchanged with other guests every day. On my days off, I would go for walks in the mountains or go out, and the time passed by in a flash
It's all I can do to keep up with the pace, and I do regret that I didn't try harder. But that means there are plenty of opportunities to try new things.
If you have the courage to take on new challenges, I think it's a place where you'll have more and more fun.
I had never been to Hokkaido, and it was also my first time working in a guesthouse, but I thought, "Working here would be meaningful for me."
You can try anything here.
I made ice cream and served it to the guests, and it was well received.
I enjoy conversations with the guests, and on my days off I go for drives in the great outdoors. Of course, I also went mountain climbing. I also had a lot of fun going to hot springs and eating with my work colleagues.
Of course, there will be hard times. If there's anything that's bothering you, sharing even the smallest details will surely make your time here better.
I hope you'll cherish the time you spend with others and the time you spend facing yourself.
My days at Sounkyo Hostel were filled with fun and happiness. Through these various experiences, I felt that "this is how humans should be!"
"I want to experience the unknown and broaden my world!" With these hopes in mind, I left Okinawa for Sounkyo. I was nervous about working and communal living in Hokkaido for the first time, but everyone's support made it easy.
I went right when the leaves were changing color, so the hostel was often fully booked and I was often busy cleaning. There were tough days, but soaking in the hot springs after a tired body was the best!
I learned a lot and made many memories, chatting with guests around the wood stove, sharing a single donut with all the staff, and enjoying mountain climbing with the other staff on my days off.
I worked as a helper. The owner supported me in "gaining something new." For me, Sounkyo Hostel became "a wonderful place, my home in Hokkaido, a place I want to take my loved ones."
●Job details
- General guest house management (including but not limited to housekeeping, reception, reservation management, cooking)
●Hours
- 4 to 5 days/week (shift work), 8 to 9 hours/day
(including 2 to 3 hours break)
- There are early shifts and late shifts. Please consult with us regarding which days you would like to work.
●Employment Period
- At least 2 months between early June and mid-October
‐ Applicants who can work long-term are preferred, but short-term positions are also available.
Please feel free to contact us.
●Salary and benefits
・9,000 yen/day (start from 8,500 yen/day during the first 1 month trial period, salary increase available)
・Rent, utilities, food (3 meals), and internet fees are deducted from your salary, so there will be no additional charge on living expenses.
・Transportation expenses to Sounkyo will be partially subsidized.
・Special discounts for the Kurodake Ropeway as well as nearby onsen are available!
※We will discuss personally with each staff the number of workdays, hours, and social insurance. Let's work together to create a work environment that is comfortable for everyone!
1. Full time job
Our focus is not on those who seek quick earning in a short time, like a resort job. We are looking for individuals who value personal growth, want to experience living in the natural beauty of Hokkaido, have a passion for hiking, and are interested in gaining experience in hospitality industries.
●Job details
- Guest house management assistance (including, but not limited to, cleaning, simple office work, interaction with guests)
●Hours
- 4-5 days a week, approximately 4 hours/day (10:00-15:00, including a 1-hour break)
●Employment Period
- At least 7 days from early June to mid-October
- Long-term stays are available. Please feel free to contact us.
●Salary and benefits
・Live-in rent, utilities, and food expenses are all included.
・The wage payment for the hours worked is offset by the live-in rent, utilities, and food expenses.
・Special discounts for the Kurodake Ropeway as well as nearby onsen are available!
2. A helper / an intern
Your shift will be shorter than full-time staff, so you can secure your personal time. If you are someone who wants to explore nature, gain some experience in the hospitality industry, go hiking while enjoying shared life with coworkers , or want to make the most of your university life, please feel free to apply. A wonderful experience waits for you.
[We are looking for someone …]
・likes to make others happy
・is interested in the mountains and the nature
・enjoys having meals with others and engage in the conversation
・is up for a challenge at Sounkyo Hostel
・is between the age 18 to 45 (students are welcome)
＊If you are interested in travel and guesthouse, that would be absolutely a plus.
＊Additionally, If you speak a language other than Japanese, it would be greatly appreciated since we often have guests from overseas. If you are looking to improve your Japanese, there will be plenty of opportunities through interactions with our guests and other staff.
Please send us the below information via the e-mail. sounkyo.hostel@gmail.com
① Name ② Date of birth ③ Current address (only the municipal name is OK)
④ Phone number ⑤ Email address ⑥ Desired Hours (Full-time or a helper)
⑦ Desired employment period ⑧ Special skills and favorite things ⑨ Reason to apply
We will get back to you shortly after considering your application to discuss what works best for both of us.Thank you!Shimizu (the owner)