Japanese Kitchen Knives Store Staff (Kyoto/Tokyo)

About Us ICHIGO Inc. is a Tokyo-based startup operating 30+ F&B retail shops across Japan and running multiple global e-commerce brands, including Sakuraco and TokyoTreat. Our mission is to share the joy of Japanese products and culture with the world. Our team is 80% international, and we work in both English and Japanese across a fast-paced, creative, and hands-on environment. We stay scrappy, move quickly, and build things that excite customers around the world. Our growth and unique approach have been featured widely in media inside and outside Japan—including Forbes, The New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, NHK, TV Tokyo, and more. We are now expanding a new Japanese knife business, ZAKU Knives, to bring the depth of Japanese craftsmanship to customers everywhere. Role Overview We are seeking energetic and thoughtful team members who can help customers discover the beauty of Japanese knives and deliver a memorable shopping experience at our new store in Kyoto&Tokyo. Key Responsibilities - Provide customer service and guide customers throughout their shopping experience - Assist customers in English (and other languages, if applicable) - Maintain store cleanliness, product displays, and restocking - Support tax-free procedures - Manage inventory and perform restock tasks Working Conditions - Location: Kyoto or Tokyo - Shifts: Flexible scheduling, minimum 4 hours per shift - Breaks: 45 min (6+ hour shift) / 60 min (8+hour shift) - International, multilingual team environment - Start Date: End of September Compensation & Benefits - ¥1,150–¥2,000 per hour, based on skill and contribution - Transportation allowance (up to ¥20,000/month) - Performance bonuses and growth opportunities - Visa sponsorship available after six months, based on performance - Path to full-time employment Qualifications - Conversational to fluent English - Currently residing in Japan - Flexible with scheduling, including some weekends, evenings, and holidays - Strong communication skills and customer-first mindset Pluses - Retail or sales experience, knowledge of Japanese knives, or a culinary background - Additional languages (French, Spanish, German, Chinese, etc.) Who Thrives Here - People who enjoy engaging with customers - A love for Japanese culture and craftsmanship - Team players comfortable in a fast-paced, multicultural setting - Individuals eager to grow with a rapidly expanding brand *If you have any questions about the position, please contact us via GaijinPot and refrain from sending inquiries through our corporate website.