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Experiencing Niseko: Working at Setsu Niseko
Today, we had the opportunity to chat with various staff members from different departments at Setsu Niseko. Through our conversations, we discovered their passion and profound affection for Niseko—a destination that delights not only during winter but offers year-round wonders to enjoy and experience. Moreover, they generously shared insights into their work experience at Setsu Niseko, highlighting the joy of being part of a fun and cohesive team.
Can you introduce yourself?
Eliza: I am Eliza from the Philippines and if I were to introduce and describe myself in one word, that would be ‘creative.’ I love turning my ideas into reality mostly by making my own clothes and accessories.
Sam: I am Sam from the UK but have been living in Japan for almost 2 years. In my free time I love camping, hiking, SUPing, canoeing and trying all the amazing food Hokkaido has to offer. In winter I love to ski and snowshoe and visit lots of onsen.
Chisa: My name is Chisa from Sapporo, which is around a 1.5-2-hour drive from Niseko. I like cycling and driving around Hokkaido as it is always a nice drive where I can enjoy the nature in Hokkaido. I also go back to my parents' house on my days off whenever I get a chance.
Dan: I am Dan, originally from Canada, but after doing winter seasons in BC and New Zealand, I have come to live year-round in Niseko! I mostly cycle and hike in the summer, and snowboard as much as possible in the winter.
Akiko: My name is Akiko from Argentina, graduated in 2021, and started to travel ever since. In my free time, I like to wander around the area walking through different roads and immerse myself in the relaxing and outstanding nature of Niseko. I also enjoy going to events held around the area and savoring a good meal. During winter, I enjoyed learning to snowboard the most; luckily, we had a free pass, so I could spend a good amount of time on the mountain, trying and trying until I could get on my feet! Oh, and I also loved a good onsen bath after a long week or sharing good meal with my friends at the staff lodge.
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How did you come to know of Setsu Niseko?
Eliza: I learned about Setsu through my former manager in the Philippines who also works here in Niseko. I am very thankful to him because moving to Niseko and working for Setsu is one of my best life decisions.
Sam: I found out about Setsu online while travelling Japan and searching for jobs in Niseko and was impressed by the buildings architecture.
Chisa: I participated in an internship program for a month last summer and have decided to join a full-time role from April 2023 after my graduation. It has been a fantastic place to work.
Dan: I knew many of the staff and saw the construction of the hotel in Hirafu and decided to enquire!
Akiko: A friend of mine is a ski instructor and came to Niseko for a couple of seasons and recommended me to come here. Since I’ve never heard of Niseko I googled the town and Setsu was one of the first hotels that came up.
How long have you worked at Setsu Niseko and what department are you from?
Eliza: I have been working at Setsu for 5 months now with the Housekeeping team.
Sam: Just over 1 year in the maintenance team.
Chisa: I am working for Front Office team, and It has been 3 months for me.
Dan: Bell team! I started in December of 2022.
Akiko: I started working in November 2022, soon it will be 9 months. I am working in the housekeeping department as a room inspector.
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What do you enjoy most about working at Setsu Niseko?
Eliza: What I relish most about working in Setsu is our multicultural environment. Specifically in the housekeeping team, we are from diverse cultures, namely Japanese, French, Argentinian, and Filipino. I love that not only do I grow as a hotelier, but also I grow as a person by learning my colleagues' way of life. For me, this opportunity is rare to find!
Sam: I like that everyday is different for the maintenance team and that all Setsu staff are from a variety of countries and all very friendly.
Chisa: I'm excited to talk to many people both guests and staff from abroad.
Dan: I enjoy working with like-minded people, and the work location is great.
Akiko: I enjoy many things about working at Setsu, but if I have to name only one, I will stick with the friendly and respectful work environment. Japan is world-renowned for its excellence, which, for me, means a high level of expectation and competition. It is also known for a population that can be rather cold and distant, rather than warm and social. But at Setsu, I found a perfect fusion of warm and welcoming co-workers and the aspiration to always be better. Setsu is a place where not only your job is valued but also your well-being is prioritised for everyone. Having someone who asks if you’re doing well, is there to help if you need any assistance, and thanks you for your everyday work may seem like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference to me.
What advice would you give to someone coming to Niseko for a winter season?
Eliza: The best advice that I could give is to prepare yourself not only for the cold weather but also for the busy season since winter is the peak of Niseko's tourism. But no worries! Because winter is also the most beautiful and most enjoyable so the hard work will definitely pay off!
Sam: Obviously the skiing is amazing so I would say make sure you try as much Japanese food as possible, it’s all delicious. And also the best way to recover after a day of riding is an onsen and a beer!
Chisa: Go outside! Even if you are not winter sports fans, it will still be nice day to go out and enjoy beautiful snow in Niseko wonderland.
Dan: Make the effort to wake up for first lifts! Those are the best runs of the day.
Akiko: Be ready to work during the day, hang out at night, and hit the snow during your off time, or relax in the onsen, unless you are shy to go naked.
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Interested in Working with Us?
If you're looking for a fulfilling career in hospitality, explore the hiring possibilities at Setsu Niseko and experience the charm of working in this picturesque destination.