What is Japan's Working Holiday Program? Detailed explanation of visa, housing, how to find a job, etc!
This article summarizes the following information regarding working holidays in Japan. Japanese Wa
- What you can do on a working holiday in Japan
- Who we recommend for a working holiday in Japan
- How to obtain a working holiday visa
It also explains recommended part-time jobs (work) in Japan for foreigners and how to obtain a working holiday visa.
If you are interested in visiting Japan under the Working Holiday Program or would like to know what jobs are recommended for foreigners to work in Japan, please refer to this page.
▼Goandup Picks Click here for recommended articles!
- Required before studying abroad! Goandup Nihongo+, an online Japanese language learning service
- This page introduces services for foreigners who wish to study in Japan or improve their Japanese language skills to learn Japanese online.
- Goandup Salon" community for foreigners living in Japan
- We introduce an online community where foreigners living in Japan can exchange information and interact with each other to support their life in Japan.
- Goandup Study" supports foreigners who want to study in Japan.
- This section introduces study abroad support services that provide comprehensive support to foreigners who wish to study in Japan, from preparation for study abroad to living in Japan.
- Where can I buy a prepaid SIM in Japan? Recommended SIM cards for foreigners are also introduced.
- How to purchase a prepaid SIM and suitable SIM cards for foreigners.
- The Complete Guide to Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan for Foreigners!
- We introduce how to select and recommend pocket Wi-Fi products that can be used conveniently in Japan.
- The Complete Guide to Finding a Job in Japan! Finding a job, changing jobs, and part-time work for foreigners
- This site provides foreigners who want to work in Japan with comprehensive information on how to find a job, recommended job sites, and other information necessary to find a job.
What is a Working Holiday in Japan?
What is a working holiday?A special program that allows you to live in a foreign country for a certain period of timerefers to.
Normally, in order to work in a foreign country, a special visa (status of residence) must be issued to enter the country. However, with a working holiday, you can also work in the foreign country you visit.
To use the working holiday system, countries must have an arrangement (agreement) with each other.
Japan first concluded a working holiday program agreement with Australia in 1980. Currently, Japan has working holiday agreements with 29 countries and regions, including New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. (As of August 1, 2023)
Reference:Working Holiday Program｜Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
What you can do on a working holiday in Japan
By visiting Japan under the Working Holiday Program, you can
- Working (Employment)
- Attending school (commuting)
As we mentioned earlier, usually, when working in a foreign country, you need a visa (status of residence) that allows you to work.
In addition, students must obtain a visa for studying in Japan even when commuting to school.
However, if you enter the country through the working holiday program, you can implement working and going to school to the extent that you are able.
Incidentally, as a general rule, the period of stay for a working holiday is 6 months or 1 year.
Working holiday in Japan is recommended for the following people!
Visiting Japan under the Working Holiday program is recommended for those who
- People who want to learn about and experience Japanese culture.
- People who want to work in Japan in the future
- People who want to gain life experience
By visiting Japan through the working holiday program, you can learn about Japanese culture.
If you are interested in working in Japan in the future, visiting Japan on a working holiday will be a good point of appeal when you come back to Japan to find a job.
In addition, Japan is an island country with a unique culture and lifestyle. A working holiday in Japan is also recommended for those who wish to gain life experience through spending their days on their own in such a country.
Part-time jobs in Japan for foreigners and how to find them
This section describes the main part-time jobs and jobs recommended for foreigners when working in Japan and how to find such jobs.
Part-time jobs in Japan recommended for foreigners
When working in Japan, the main part-time jobs (work) recommended for foreigners are as follows
| Recommended Work | Contents |
| Convenience stores and supermarkets | Cashiering, backyard product set-up, etc. If you are taking out products, there is a high possibility that you can handle it even if you are not confident in your Japanese language skills. In recent years, many high-performance cash registers have been introduced, making cashiering relatively easy. |
| restaurant | Cafes, restaurants, izakaya (Japanese style pubs), etc. In addition to a certain level of language and communication skills, an understanding of Japanese culture is likely to be required. |
| language school | Can make use of native language. May not be very cost-effective considering the time required to prepare for classes and the hourly rate. |
| hotel staff | Reception, bed making, etc. May be useful in dealing with foreign visitors. There is an aspect of physical work. |
| Work in factories and warehouses | Since many of the tasks are simple, there is a good chance that you can handle them even if you are not confident in your language skills. There is also an aspect of physical work. |
| garbage collector | Cleaning work in buildings, hotels, shopping malls, etc. Since many of the tasks are steady, one-person jobs, you are likely to be able to handle them even if you are not confident in your language skills. |
If you come to Japan on a working holiday, there are no restrictions (such as time limits) on working, so you can look for work with a high degree of freedom.
How to find a job in Japan
The following are possible ways for a foreigner to find a suitable job in Japan.
- Ask your friends and seniors in Japan to introduce you.
- If you are a student, get a referral from your school.
- Check the job site
- Use a recruiting agent
If you are attending school in Japan, you should consult with the student affairs office, as many schools offer part-time jobs.
In addition, in recent years, it has become easier to find a job by searching the Internet for "foreigners working part-time in Japan" to check for jobs for foreigners.
How to obtain a working holiday visa
A visa (status of residence) under the working holiday system must be obtained by applying to the nearest Japanese embassy or other appropriate organization in the country or region of your nationality.
Requirements for obtaining a visa (status of residence) under the working holiday system vary from country to country, so please check with the Japanese embassy or other appropriate authorities.
For reference, the requirements to be met when traveling from Japan to a foreign country under the Working Holiday Program are listed below.
| Working Holiday Visa RequirementsReside in the partner country/regionMust be a national or resident of the counterpart country/region. In the partner country/region for a certain period of timeThe intention is to spend the vacation mainly byThe applicant must be of age at the time of visa application. Age at the time of visa application is18 to 30 years old(with Australia, Canada, and Korea).18 to 25 years oldHowever, if the respective government authorities allow it, the applicant can apply up to 30 years of age or younger. In addition, the Icelandic government has a18 to 26 years oldare eligible to apply). . Not be accompanied by a child or dependent. Possess a valid passport and return ticket (or funds to purchase a ticket). To maintain their livelihood during the initial period of their stay.Required FundsMust be in possession of a Be in good health.Never been issued a working holiday visa beforeThings to do. |
Basically, if you are visiting a foreign country as a vacation, meet age restrictions, do not go with children or a partner, and have the necessary funds, you can use the working holiday program.
In addition,Once you have visited a country under the Working Holiday Program, you cannot visit it again under the Working Holiday Program.The Working Holiday Program is available only once per country.
If you visit Japan on a working holiday
If you are coming to Japan on a working holiday, your main concerns will be where to work and where to live.
As for work, as we mentioned earlier, we recommend that you look for a job that suits you through the Internet or through people you know.
As for where to live,share-houseis recommended for use in the following areas
A share house is a residence where there is a shared space other than one's own room, and where several people can live together.
In recent years, the number of share houses in Japan has been increasing. There are many share houses that accept foreigners or welcome them, so please be sure to look for one.
The following are some of the advantages of using a shared house
- Reduce the initial cost of moving in and day-to-day living expenses.
- Meet more people and expand your friendships
- Likely to have access to well-equipped housing
- Security and peace of mind
The following websites are recommended for finding a share house that accepts and welcomes foreigners.
| Site Name | feature | Web site |
|---|---|---|
| cross house | Low initial cost One of the largest number of properties in Japan Short-term contract available Multilingual support available | Shared Apartment |
| share place | Common area like a café Workspace suitable for home work Stylish furniture and spacious kitchen No guarantor required | share place |
| oak house | Initial cost of less than 100,000 yen No guarantor required Gym, theater room, and other facilities International exchange available | oak house |
Serious employment support to help you realize your dream of working in Japan!
Do you want to work in Japan?
Let us "Goandup" make that dream a reality!
【 Program Features 】
✅ JLPT N3 level Japanese language acquisition
✅ Thorough preparation for the specific skills test
✅ Full support for job hunting in Japan
Business-focused one-on-one lessons will help you find a job in Japan in the shortest possible time.
【 Program Menu 】
- Individual Japanese language lessons
- Intensive curriculum to obtain N3, especially specialized lessons for business Japanese that can be used at work.
- Intensive curriculum to obtain N3, especially specialized lessons for business Japanese that can be used at work.
- Preparation for the Specific Skills Test
- Customized materials for specific skill tests will be used to focus on frequently asked questions and learning to pass the test.
- Customized materials for specific skill tests will be used to focus on frequently asked questions and learning to pass the test.
- Resume and CV support
- To create resumes and CVs tailored to Japanese corporate culture, and to brush up on self-promotion and motivation for application.
- To create resumes and CVs tailored to Japanese corporate culture, and to brush up on self-promotion and motivation for application.
- Interview Preparation
- Guidance on areas for improvement through mock interviews and feedback based on corporate interview scenarios. Learn interview etiquette and behavior unique to Japan.
- Guidance on areas for improvement through mock interviews and feedback based on corporate interview scenarios. Learn interview etiquette and behavior unique to Japan.
- career consulting
- Provide introductions to companies that match the participant's career goals, select companies to apply to, and provide advice on the level of knowledge required by the companies to which the participant is applying.
- Provide introductions to companies that match the participant's career goals, select companies to apply to, and provide advice on the level of knowledge required by the companies to which the participant is applying.
- Chat Support
- In addition to one-on-one individual lessons, we also accept casual questions via DM (visa application, living support, assistance in finding a room, etc.).
If you are serious about your career in Japan, join us now!
▶︎ for more informationclick here.
We will do our best to support your success in Japan!
summary
So far, we have explained and introduced what you can do on a working holiday in Japan, who we recommend to take a working holiday in Japan, and how to obtain a working holiday visa.
We hope you will take advantage of the Working Holiday Program and enjoy a fulfilling life in Japan.
Also, if you are considering working in Japan, please refer to the following article.
▶︎ I cannot work with a tourist visa! When is it possible to work in Japan?
Your support will help us!
Thank you for visiting Goandup Picks. Our mission is to provide you with more useful information to show the world what Japan has to offer.
Your support will help us to further enhance our activities, so please support us!
