The “Otetsutabi” service, which allows you to travel while working during Silver Week, is attracting attention.

This year's Silver Week is a five-day weekend from the 19th to the 23rd. This is the first time in 11 years that there will be a holiday of this magnitude. Even if you think it's time to go on a trip, there are people who are trying to enjoy themselves in creative ways due to high prices and the fact that it's just before payday.

Kenji Ogino (58) and Aki (50), who live in Gifu Prefecture, are planning to visit the hot spring facility ``Yaho no Yu'' in Koumi Town in eastern Nagano Prefecture during this five-day weekend. Accommodation is free of charge; in fact, they receive compensation.

What does that mean?

Happo-no-Yu has been suffering from a labor shortage for over a decade, and has struggled to find enough people to serve customers, serve food, and clean up during the holidays.

That's why I registered "Otetsutabi." This service, provided by a corporation of the same name in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, connects businesses such as farmers and lodging facilities who want to secure labor with travelers who want to enjoy traveling while working.

“You can get paid while traveling.”

This summer, Happo-no-Yu accepted two tourists through this system, and had them work mainly during busy times such as meal times. You can spend your free time freely, such as taking a hot spring bath. Manager Satoshi Koyama (58) says, ``I was able to prevent a breakdown in my work.''

Travelers are entered into short-term employment contracts. There were several applicants for this Silver Week, and we chose Mr. and Mrs. Ogino based on their backgrounds and other factors.

Mr. and Mrs. Ogino travel frequently with their children, but they are worried about money. He hopes that by using this service, ``you will be able to get paid and have a place to stay while traveling to different destinations.''

A person in charge of Otetsutabi believes that long weekends allow travelers to spend more time interacting with local people, making the destination a special place for travelers.

What are the new values of travel?

The form of travel that involves ``working and staying'' is expanding.

“SAGOJO” (Tokyo, Tokyo…