Recruiting winter interns [November - March] (Application deadline: end of August)

Itoshiro Yohinten is recruiting winter interns (November to March) for the first time.
(Application deadline: End of August)

Snow falls steadily from late December. In January and February, life is set against a pure white landscape. When snow piles up, it becomes quiet, and you feel a strange sensation of gentle warmth.

Making and eating local pickles to warm both body and soul.

Even in winter, we engage in plenty of physical activity, such as snow removal and shoveling.

However, winter in Itoshiro is cold and harsh. It can reach around -10 degrees Celsius at its coldest (January to early February). Those who are sensitive to cold should refrain from applying.

Winter interns will support the apparel business and also undertake a wide range of tasks such as cleaning and maintaining "Sukeshichi," an inn that will open in autumn.

Also, during your stay, you'll have the opportunity to tailor one piece of clothing for yourself, so look forward to it!

If you are interested, please read the following guidelines carefully and apply using this application form.

• Period: Minimum 3 weeks, from November 2025 to the end of March.
• Job duties: Various apparel-related tasks, natural dyeing, inn cleaning and management, pickling, field clearing, snow removal (optional), etc.
• Work days/hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (Monday - Friday). 2 days off per week.
  
• Accommodation: Shared house on the 2nd floor of the Itoshiro Yohinten office (accommodation and utility costs will be covered by us. Kitchen, toilet, and bath are shared, and one room will be private.)
  
• Meals: Interns are responsible for their own meals (please cover your own food expenses)
• Salary: Unpaid
  
• Decision process: A decision will be made after an in-person or online interview in Itoshiro.
  
• Capacity: 1 to 2 people per period (we may not be able to accommodate your preferred period)
  
• We are looking for individuals who: Are in good physical and mental health and are proactive in communication. Are diligent in cleaning and dedicated to their work. Are not bothered by the cold.
• Examples of past interns:
  ・Students participating during their breaks
  ・Individuals participating between career changes
  ・Those who wanted to experience life in nature, in Itoshiro
  ・Those who wanted to experience a manufacturing site
  ・Those hoping to work in the apparel industry in the future
  ・Those looking to re-evaluate their way of life
  
  
• Rough winter schedule
  • November: Botanical dyeing (chestnut dyeing)
    
  • December: Pickling preparation
  • January - February: Snow removal, operating clothing-making workshops
  • March: Operating clothing-making workshops

*Recruitment for summer interns is scheduled for around January.
The summer intern schedule is as follows:

April: Indigo vat preparation, planting indigo and marigold seeds
May: Full-scale indigo dyeing begins, indigo field preparation
June: Indigo transplanting, indigo dyeing
July: Indigo dyeing
Early August: First indigo harvest and drying
Early September: Second indigo harvest and drying
Late September: Indigo dyeing ends
Early to late October: Indigo vat cleaning, sukumo preparation, botanical dyeing

●Example of a daily schedule

9:00 Office/shared house cleaning
9:30 Morning meeting
10:00- Work begins
12:00 Lunch break
13:00- Snow removal, etc.
16:00- Inspection, etc.
17:00 End