Since 2005, boobooSKI has helped thousands of Japan-lovers from around the globe work in Resorts in Japan.
In 2025 we introduced a Participation Fee for many applicants – although it’s waived for many people also. Please read below for full details.

Fully-Refundable Security Deposit

(For those who we don’t collect a Participation Fee from)

Amount:  Security Deposit: 70,000yen ($465USD)

Participation Fee vs Security Deposit

For most applicants, a 70,000yen ($465) Participation Fee is collected.

In some cases the Participation Fee is not charged (see below), in which case this Security Deposit will be collected before you arrive and is refunded at the end of your contract.

We collect a Security Deposit (instead of the non-refundable Participation Fee) from the following people 

• Anyone that’s worked with us before
• Participants of the Working Holiday Club, Torii Travels, SIA Austria or Year Abroad
• Anyone who has done (or is currently doing) a Minor or Major in Japanese at University and speaks fluent Japanese.

When Do I Pay?

• Winter Ski Resort Applicants: When your position is confirmed.

• Okinawa Applicants: After accepting the Tentative Job Offer.

Paying the security deposit before arrival shows your commitment, ensuring priority over other applicants.

If you’re not serious about coming, we need to offer the jobs to those people who are. The security deposit shows us who is serious and who isn’t – which, assuming you are, ensures we can lock-in YOUR position.

Why 70,000yen ($465USD)?

Unlike other companies that charge non-refundable placement fees of everyone between $1200 and $1800, we are only asking for a refundable 70,000yen ($465USD) security deposit.

70,000yen ($465USD) is an amount that offers us & the resort protection for costs that may arise due to damage and last-minute cancellations, without burdening you too much up-front.

One season a dorm room was damaged so much, the cleaning bill was over $3000, nearly ten times the security deposit. Hopefully you’ll agree what we’re asking for is not a lot – and remember, you’ll get it all back at the end of your contract!

• For Ski Instructors the security deposit is a little higher, at 85,000yen. 

Unlike other positions where the vacancy left by someone quitting early can be covered by other staff while a replacement staff member is sourced, when Ski Instructors leave early, the resort has to cancel scheduled lessons – resulting in lost income. Finding a ski instructor mid-season also requires more resources than non-qualified positions which are easier to fill. 

When Will it be Refunded?

What if something happens last-minute and I can’t come?

If you cancel at short notice (within 3 months of the start date), the security deposit is non-refundable. 

However, you can defer to another season without paying the deposit again. If deferring to another season, we’ll give you TOP priority for jobs that next season, and if for some reason we couldn’t place you, you would be refunded then.

Refund Method: Refunds will be carried out by PayPal. If you don’t have a PayPal account, the refund will be credited back to your credit card by PayPal.
Currency Fluctuations: The amount refunded will be the same Japanese yen value you paid. Based on currency fluctuations, there may be small differences in the dollar amount you see credited back to your account – either slightly less, or slightly more, depending on the currency change between the time you paid and your refund. 

When Will it NOT be Refunded?

Damage

If you cause damage to the property that extends beyond wear-and-tear and for which the resort decides to bill you for. Minor damage caused accidentally is not billed, so you don’t have to worry too much. Examples of cases where the resort did bill participants are:

• A broken dormitory bed – the person pulled the railings off with force, snapping them completely.
• A hole punched through a wall
• Stickers/marks on walls and furniture that can’t be removed without causing damage

•  If the damage is minor and doesn’t exceed the 70,000yen ($465USD), only the portion needed to cover the damage will be withheld, with the remainder of the security deposit returned at the end of your contract.

Quitting / Leaving Early

When people leave their job early because they found another opportunity or the role didn’t meet their expectations, it hurts our relationship with the resorts, leading to fewer placements in the future. 

After a few incidents at one resort in 2009, a resort in Hakuba stopped taking our staff, resulting in 30 fewer positions per season for the past 15 years. (That’s 450 people who have missed out!) 

Resorts hire staff based on a range of factors – but contract dates are a big one. If everyone left a day or two early to travel with friends/family before going home, there wouldn’t be anyone to fully operate the resort – hurting them financially during their busiest time of the year.. 

This is why it’s crucial to fully commit to the job and your contract dates. If the dates aren’t suitable, please let us know so we can try to arrange different dates.

If you must leave early due to unavoidable circumstances like a family emergency or a job offer back home you can’t refuse, we completely understand and will assist with your departure however we can. But please understand we can only refund your security deposit if you complete your contract.

Refund Upon Contract Completion

After the completion of your contract, we’ll put through your refund within 5-10 days.

How will I be refunded?

PayPal or Japanese post office bank account transfer.

Shortly before the end of your contract we’ll send you this link, asking you to let us know how you prefer it to be refunded, and confirm your last date of work. Refund Request Link

Transfer fees & Currency Conversion

The Security Deposit is 70,000yen ($465USD), and we will refund/send you 70,000yen ($465USD) after completing your contract. Due to currency fluctuations, the amount you receive in your local currency may vary slightly, but any difference will be minimal.

When you pay your 70,000yen ($465USD) security deposit, a 7% transfer fee will be charged on our end. The same 7% fee will be charged on your end when we refund your 70,000yen ($465USD) via PayPal. If you ask us to refund your deposit to your Japanese post office bank account, the fee will be a flat 450 yen. Unfortunately these fees are unavoidable – Thank you for understanding.

Conclusion

The security deposit is fully refunded if we can’t secure you a position, if you change your mind more than 3 months in advance, or once you’ve completed your contract without causing damage.