Work in Japan
Jobs
Our Work Japan program supports you with finding work in Tokyo for the whole year, with the option for a pre-arranged ski season job over the winter. Why explore as a tourist, when you can live and earn like a local?
Taking care of business
On the job
Typical working holiday Japan jobs without speaking Japanese include teaching English or English-language childcare; waiting staff in Western restaurants, cafés and bars; room attendants, front desk staff or instructors in hotels, ryokans (traditional Japanese guesthouses) and ski resorts.
How we help BUNAC job support
Our Work Japan program supports you with finding work in Tokyo for the whole year, with the option for a pre-arranged ski season job over the winter. Our Essential and Ultimate options include the below job support.
What we include
- 3-4 month pre-arranged ski season job with our tried-and-trusted employers in Niseko, Rusutsu or Furano with subsidised accommodation. (Ultimate customers only).
- 90-120 minute in-depth job counselling session with practice interviews when you arrive in Tokyo to prepare you for working in Japan.
- Translation of your CV into Japanese, access to our English-speaking jobs portal, and accompanied appointment to the employment centre.
- Help setting up your tax number registration, national health insurance, Japanese bank account and other work formalities.
- 12 months’ access to our partner’s office in Tokyo with 1-on-1 support finding a job. They’ll help to browse online job boards and identify suitable roles, as well as help with application letters and Japanese communication, including the legal stuff such as checking work contracts.
For the accommodation and full inclusions, click below.
Why you need it
Finding a job in a foreign country can be virtually impossible without international support. Our Work Japan program has two options – the Essential and Ultimate. Both start in Tokyo, where our partners will personally accompany you to sort your residence permit and other formalities. The Essential includes five weeks’ Tokyo accommodation plus job support for the whole of your visa. The Ultimate has the same Essential job support inclusions, but with three nights’ hostel accommodation in Tokyo (enough time to get the formalities sorted) and a pre-arranged ski season job. The team are then on hand for the rest of your visa to help you find work in or around Tokyo.
Where to work
Tokyo
What’s new pussy cat? Crazier than a cup of coffee at a cat café, Tokyo is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Home to sky-high sashimi restaurants, outrageous manga costumes and neon neighbourhoods – it's every bit the forward-thinking metropolis for foodies and fashionistas. But in the way that Japanese culture invites calm within the chaos, at its heart Tokyo has an old soul – with traditional hospitality, uber polite locals and safe streets that make it a once-in-a-lifetime place to experience living and working abroad.
Niseko, Hokkaido
With over 15 metres of snow each season, Niseko is Japan’s undisputed powder playground. Famous for its off-piste terrain, backcountry activities and 100+ runs – it’s heaven on a half-pipe. With the world’s best champagne powder also comes luxury resort life and legendary nightlife for riders and working holidaymakers, with everything from high-end restaurants to alpine bars and clubs packed to the rafters with seasonnaires. The most popular and westernised of the resorts, English is spoken everywhere.
Rusutsu, Hokkaido
Approximately 45 minutes from Niseko and covering three mountains (West Mountain, East Mountain and Mount Isola), Rusutsu is one of the largest ski areas in Hokkaido and has over 35 runs and 21 lifts. As a more family-friendly resort, the nightlife is much quieter than Niseko – with plenty of restaurants but just a handful of bars. However, with 14 metres of snow each season and fewer crowds, there’s more untracked snow to play in on days off. Plus, hot springs nearby after a run on the slopes.
Furano, Hokkaido
Furano is located in central Hokkaido, approximately 2.5 hours from Chitose Airport. The resort itself is divided into two zones, the Kitanomine Zone and Furano Zone, and is suitable for all levels – with day trips to the nearby backcountry areas of Furanodake and Tokachidake for advanced skiers and boarders. Like Rusutsu, Furano is family-friendly, but has more nightlife on offer – with several bars and izakayas (traditional bars with casual food), plus a karaoke bar to belt out some power ballads after a day of powder.
Ski season jobs
