We can certainly help you out there! Whether you choose our Ski Resort Program (which comes with a guaranteed job offer) or one of our other packages, Stepabroad’s resources will give you the tools you need to secure a role! Just like here in Canada, finding a job in Japan requires patience, from crafting the best resume possible to applying for jobs online and in person. Our resources will help you determine where to start looking for jobs, and we will recommend the best places to look for roles as an English speaker.
Sep. 12, 2024
Posted in Japan
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORK IN JAPAN FOR ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Japan – the land of the rising sun – home of technology, sushi, ramen, bullet trains, anime and amazing fashion, who wouldn’t want to visit? Better yet, why not live there? Embarking on the adventure of a lifetime can seem a bit scary – even more so when you don’t speak the language. While Japanese is an absolutely beautiful language, it can be quite tricky to learn. Without speaking Japanese, it can be hard to find a job. However, there is work in Japan for English speakers available, and we’ll help you find the opportunities you are looking for!
HOW TO GET A JOB IN JAPAN
The first step of your adventure is to get a Japan Working Holiday Visa. Without this, you will not be able to work in Japan.
In order to qualify for the working holiday visa, you must meet certain requirements, for example as a Canadian you need to:
- Be a Canadian citizen currently residing in Canada
- Hold a valid Canadian passport
- Be between 18 and 30 years old
- Have never previously held a Japan Working Holiday Visa
- And a few extras. If dealing with all the paperwork isn’t your favourite, leave it to us!
It’s important to note that the working holiday visa in Japan is geared towards casual work. For any serious professional career-type jobs, you’ll need a different type of visa which requires the company to hire you and sponsor you. With the crazy hours office-workers have to put up with in Japan, a casual gig is the best option for avid travellers looking to explore!
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM JOBS IN JAPAN
This is a common working holiday gig whatever country you end up choosing. Plenty of hotels that cater to mostly foreigners will hire English-speaking employees. Likewise for certain tour companies.
Working at the front desk, the restaurant or housekeeping are a few of your options in the hospitality industry for English speakers. If you have previous work experience related to the area you want to work in this will be helpful.
SKI RESORT JOBS
Picture this…you have a day off and you can spend it on the best slopes in the whole of Japan – and once you’re done, you head inside for a steaming bowl of ramen.
Stepabroad’s Ski Resort Working Holiday Program can help make your ski dreams come true.
There are many different types of jobs for English speakers at Japanese ski resorts, such as: ski instructors, shuttle bus drivers, property maintenance, housekeeping, guest services, spa therapists, chef, servers and baristas. It is best to have previous work experience in the area you want to work. If not, housekeeping is usually an option.
Working in a ski resort in Japan is unlike any other experience. Lucky for you, we can take care of everything so you have a worry-free working holiday. We help with all the pesky paperwork, setting up interviews, a guaranteed job, and a place to stay – score!
Check out this video from one of Stepabroad’s Japan Ski Report Working Holiday Program participants to learn about their experience.
BECOME A CAMP COUNSELLOR
If you’ve got enough enthusiasm to share, working as a camp counsellor in Japan might just be the perfect opportunity for you.
Camps often hire foreigners to introduce children to different cultures and the English language.
A bit less structured than a traditional teaching environment, working in a kids’ camp is just good fun all around. The one downfall is that since Japanese students have very short school breaks, you will only work for a couple of months.
TEACH ENGLISH IN JAPAN
Teaching English is the number one job for foreigners in Japan. Most other working holiday-ers you’ll meet will likely be English teachers.
There are, however, different types of teaching jobs. You can be a private one-on-one tutor, a normal class-teacher, a teaching assistant or even work in childcare or as a nanny.
Most teaching jobs in Japan have specific requirements like having completed a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course or any other equivalent and holding a completed Bachelor’s degree. It’s a very competitive line of work as it’s the most advertised job in Japan for English speakers.
We’re happy to help you navigate the world of Japanese job hunting. Plenty of resources, a resume review (super important for securing job interviews) and visa assistance are all included in our Japan Send-Off Package.
ADOPTING THE DIGITAL NOMAD LIFESTYLE
Working from home, but making a home somewhere else makes things a little more exciting.
Nowadays, you can create your own schedule and make your office anywhere thanks to the many jobs that accept remote work. Fiverr or UpWork are great ways to sell your skills. Is there something you’re really good at and want to share it with the world, why not create and sell a course on Thinkific? The possibilities are endless!
If teaching interests you but you don’t meet the Japanese requirements, there are plenty of online classrooms, like this one – I’ve personally used it while travelling and found it to be super flexible.
Being a digital nomad in Japan does not require you to speak any Japanese so it’s a great job option for English speakers.
MY EXPERIENCE WORKING IN JAPAN
When I lived in Japan, I worked as an English teacher in Yokohama, Japan. Having previously taught English in China without speaking a lick of Mandarin, the prospect of working in Japan as an English speaker seemed like a natural transition.
I spent my weekdays teaching away. I taught adults, teenagers and children in one-on-one lessons which really allowed me to focus on my students. The schedule was a little wild, but I still managed to make plenty of lifelong friends, eat far too much delicious food and visit beautiful places.
Amongst my favourites were day trips from Tokyo: Enoshima Island for its caves, Kamakura for its giant Buddha, Kawagoe for its traditional architecture and of course Hakone for its hot spring baths, locally known as onsens.
Japanese people are some of the nicest I’ve ever met – they might even beat Canadians in the politeness department! So don’t worry too much about your lack of Japanese skills. If I managed for a year, so can you! The only thing I remember how to say in Japanese nowadays involves ordering a beer…
LEARN JAPANESE TO LAND A JOB FASTER
Conversational Japanese skills, while not absolutely necessary, are definitely an asset. It will significantly increase the number of jobs you can apply to. Plus, you’ll be able to speak with locals and learn even more about Japanese culture!
The Kickstart Program includes all of the perks of the Send-Off Program with the added bonus of a month of Japanese lessons in either Tokyo, Kyoto or Fukuoka. With field trips, karaoke nights, festival outings, game nights and plenty more, the program is a great way to learn and meet people!
There are plenty of ways to learn a new language, even if it’s just a few words. It’s the perfect time to watch a Studio Ghibli movie, listen to J-pop or get into anime!
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Want to learn more about how we can help you get a job in Japan through our Japan Working Holiday Programs?
Fill in the form and one of our travel experts will be in touch to answer all your questions!
WORK IN JAPAN FOR ENGLISH SPEAKERS FAQ
I don’t speak any Japanese. Will I be able to get a job in my field?
Depending on what your field is, you may or may not be able to get a job in your field. For example, if you are a doctor, chances are that you will have to obtain the correct certifications and/or qualifications to legally become a doctor in Japan! However, if you work in IT for example, there are some Japanese companies that hire English speakers as the role doesn’t require them to speak Japanese. It completely depends on your industry and skills!
What’s the best way to find a job in Japan?
The best way is to make sure you have your resume reviewed and your visa approved before you start job hunting! Other than that, we recommend you to be open-minded and flexible in the beginning, so that you can get casual or part-time jobs in the beginning of your journey to help supplement your funds.
I want to become an English teacher in Japan. Do I need a Bachelor’s degree or a certificate?
Having a bachelor’s degree or a TEFL/TESOL certificate is certainly very useful in finding English-teaching jobs in Japan. If you do not have a degree, we would recommend you to obtain a TEFL/TESOL certificate. Some employers are stricter than others, meaning that they may (or may not) require you to have these qualifications.
Can I work full time with this visa?
Although the main purpose of the visa is to travel around Japan and supplement your travel funds, you can currently work full time under the Working Holiday agreement. The main thing to be aware of, is that work should not be the primary reason for your visit to Japan. For those looking to work long term in Japan, we recommend speaking with an immigration lawyer to review alternative visa types.
What jobs are available in Japan for English speakers?
Canadians often find work teaching English, leading camps, or working in tourism and hospitality, with winter resort jobs being one of the most popular choices. Each season, ski resorts across Japan hire international staff for roles such as guest services, instructors, and hotel or restaurant support.
Just imagine finishing your shift and heading straight to the slopes, with staff housing included.
With Stepabroad’s Japan Ski Resort Program, Canadians (18–30) are guaranteed a job before leaving Canada, along with housing and pre-departure support, including visa application, making it easy to start your professional journey in Japan stress-free.
Which industries are in high demand for English speakers in Japan?
If you’re heading to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, you’ll find plenty of exciting opportunities. Teaching English is one of the most popular choices and a great way to meet locals. Ski resorts are another big draw, with international staff hired every winter and housing often included.
Canadians also land jobs in hospitality and tourism, whether it’s working at a hotel front desk or helping run tours. Some seasonal camps also hire foreign counsellors, while others choose the digital nomad route, freelancing online while soaking up Japan’s culture.
No matter which path you choose, Stepabroad makes it simple to start your adventure in Japan. From our straightforward Japan Send-Off Program, to the Kick-Start Program, where you can begin your journey learning Japanese with locals, to our Ski Resort Program with guaranteed housing and job placement, you get to choose the experience that’s right for you.
What’s Japanese work culture like for Working Holiday participants?
Japan’s traditional office jobs are known for long hours, but Working Holiday participants usually experience a much more relaxed side of Japanese work culture. Employers in hospitality, tourism, ski resorts, and teaching expect professionalism, but they also understand you’re there for cultural exchange and international experience.
For Canadians, adapting to Japanese workplace norms builds confidence and makes you a stronger candidate when you return home. Our participants always have the best experiences in Japan, so make sure to embrace the differences and learn as much as you can while on your working holiday in Japan!
Can working in Japan help my career back in Canada?
Absolutely! It’s one of the biggest benefits of going abroad. Canadian employers value international work experience because it demonstrates adaptability, independence, and resilience, all qualities that support long-term career growth.
Working in Japan also broadens your cultural horizons. You’ll gain firsthand experience with workplace etiquette, communication styles, and problem-solving approaches that are highly transferable to any career in Canada.
And remember, if you can navigate challenges in a new country with limited language skills, imagine how much more confident and resourceful you’ll be back home. Don’t underestimate the value of your skills, use your time in Japan as a springboard for your career in Canada!
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