Working Part-Time during a Working Holiday in Japan

Typical Working Holiday Jobs in Japan

As stated above the Working Holiday Visa for Japan equally earns you a work permit for the validity period of your visa. However, you are not obligated to work during your mobility if you can afford the mobility without any additional income.

Neither should pursuing a career be your primary goal for your Working Holiday in Japan. The visa is designed to enable young people to engage with the culture of the foreign culture, so if you state in your application letter, that it is your priority to work in Japan, your visa application is likely going to be rejected.

Typical jobs that you can do during your Working Holiday in Japan are:

• Waitress/waiter, kitchen staff, barista or barkeeper in a café, restaurant, izakaya, or bar (as long as the business classifies as a food service establishment)
• Receptionist, concierge, room attendant/cleaning staff in hotels, hostels, guest houses and traditional Japanese ryokans or ski resorts/beach resorts in Japan
• Retail jobs in apparel, bakeries, markets and other shops, including storekeeping, customer service etc.
• Factory Work and logistics in a Japanese factory or distribution center or warehouse, food/product manufacturing, laundry, product shipping etc.
• Moving company staff, activities include packing up belongings, carrying boxes, delivery, and unpacking at the new address
• English teaching jobs, or foreign language teaching jobs in general, including early childhood education, language teaching for kids, private tutoring in foreign languages for students of all ages, adult language education, either one-on-one or in a classroom setting (prior experience can be of advantage but not required)
• Teacher in a daycare-center, kindergarten or pre-school, both Japanese and international childcare facilities
• Nanny/Babysitting jobs, for Japanese or international families, children are often bilingual so Japanese skills might not be required
• Translation and interpreting jobs, should be fluent in the languages you want to translate
• Copywriting, Social Media Management, SEO-specialists often freelance or one-off jobs, work from home scenarios and contractors outside Japan
• Web design, web development, programming jobs prior professional experience recommended, often freelance and project-based work
• Commercial modeling, fashion modeling, hair modeling, freelance or after signing with a local / international agency, performer on Japanese television

Caution:

Pursuant to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act for a holder of the Working Holiday Visa it is illegal to work in the adult entertainment industry and establishments that compromise the Japanese public moral, including bars, night clubs, love hotels, gambling halls, sex work or the like.

If you violate this provision you might face deportation, and may be denied entry to Japan in the future. You’re employer can also be held accountable for promoting illegal work or human trafficking.

How much does a part-time job in Japan pay?

A part-time job in Japan usually pays between ¥951 – ¥3,000 per hour. The hourly wage is strongly dependent on the kind of employment and the minimum wage on the prefecture where you exercise your job.

In the major cities the minimum wage and average remuneration for part-time jobs can be considerably higher compared to more rural areas. However, the cost of living is equally less expensive in the Japanese countryside. This means your salary will get you a long way.

The minimum hourly wage in Tokyo is the highest in Japan at ¥1,163 or 7,50 € at the current exchange rate (Feb 2025). The lowest rate can be found in Akita prefecture at ¥951, which is around 6 €. The rates are scheduled to rise at a 3,3 % rate yearly.

See the table below to compare the minimum wage with effect from October 1, 2024 of popular destinations for a Working Holiday in Japan (sorted by location from north to south):

To give you an idea of what the average pay for different jobs is, let’s look at some examples:

• A job as a waitress/waiter in a restaurant in Tokyo is remunerated with ¥1.300 – ¥1.900/hour, some places have a tier system that attributes a salary to you based on your Japanese skills, work experience in the hospitality sector and your performance at work. So it pays off to keep improving! Izakayas and restaurants pay you more if you work late at night.

• You can work in daycare-centers without any further qualifications, but since you’ll only be asked to help with easy tasks your pay is usually at ¥1.300 – ¥1.700/hour. With babysitting jobs you can expect higher wages between ¥1.500 – ¥2.500/hour but you will bear more responsibility, and work shorter hours occasionally to complement the parents’ schedule

• The rates for English teachers in language schools in Japan range from ¥1.300-¥2.500 depending on your location, responsibilities and teaching experience, on language exchange apps you can offer language classes at your own desired rate, but you usually work shorter hours occasionally

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• Translation jobs are usually not paid hourly but according to the volume of translated content, rates from English to your native language can be between 0.06 to 0.12ct/word, depending on the field of application, text density etc., interpreting jobs without professional training should pay between ¥1.500-¥2.500 but we only recommend it if your Japanese is fluent

• You can work in an IT Company in Japan if you have the professional qualifications, however the rates and working conditions might be more favourable on the international market for time-flexible and remote work

Do I need to speak Japanese to find work in Japan?

You do not need to speak Japanese to find work in Japan. As long as you go with the part-time opportunities outlined above you should be fine. You should, however, speak good enough English to communicate with your manager. Some employers do expect you to make an effort to learn and improve your Japanese skills overtime.

Say, you work in a restaurant, your boss might forgive you during the first month if you are not used to greet customers in Japanese. But after the second or third month they might become a little more impatient with you, if they do not see you trying at least. Sometimes employers might reward you with better pay to acknowledge your progress.

For other jobs like English teaching and foreign language child-care you might even be discouraged from speaking Japanese to the children, so they get used to being exposed to the foreign language only in a certain environment.

As a conclusion you can say that it isn’t necessarily required to speak Japanese in order to work in Japan. However, basic knowledge in Japanese drastically increases your chances on the job market, guarantees you better pay, makes your everyday life a lot easier and contributes to a rich cultural experience.

Can I work a corporate job in Japan without Japanese skills?

Things are different if you aim to exercise a profession with a higher qualification. For example if you have a degree in business and want to work in sales in a Japanese company. Your job will require you to communicate with your co-workers and higher-ups and therefore advanced knowledge of Japanese is indispensable.

The job application process for Japanese companies is comparatively rigid and lasts for several months every year starting in April, if you consider working full-time in Japan in the future have a look at our Japan Expat Program section where we explain the process of finding employment in Japan and the language requirements in detail.

Cost of Living in Japan

Will working part-time cover my basic living expenses in Japan?

A working holiday in Japan is an exciting opportunity to experience Japanese culture while working to support yourself. But how realistic is it to cover your living costs with a part-time job? The answer is yes, absolutely – as long as you make cost-efficient choices.

Of course, your income and expenses both depend on various factors, the most important of which are your location, the type of job you are working, and your lifestyle choices. Let’s break these factors down to help you make ends meet and even save some extra money for your travel piggy-bank.

What is my monthly budget during my Working Holiday?

First let’s have a look at your potential budget to see what we can work with. In our calculation we will assume you live in Tokyo or one of the other major cities in Japan, as most Working Holiday participants do. The hourly wage should be somewhere between ¥1.200 – ¥1.800.

The diagram below shows the estimated monthly income based on the hours worked per week. The blue graph depicts an income close to minimum wage, while the orange graph represents higher paying jobs:

This tells us that our budget will be roughly ¥96.000 – ¥180.000, if we commit to working 20 – 25 hours per week.

What is the cost of living in Tokyo?

1. Accommodation

Budget Tip: Sharehouses are a great way to meet new people while keeping rent affordable.

2. Groceries and Eating out

Home cooked meals are the most affordable and can be a great way to discover Japanese food culture through their culinary ingredients. Budget grocery stores like 100-Yen Lawson, Seiyu or Gyomu Super and even Don Quijote can save you some extra money.

Now, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself from time to time, but if you want to save money try keeping it reasonable.

3. Transportation

When living and working in Japan, transportation is a key expense, especially in Tokyo and other major cities where public transport is the main way to get around. While commuter passes (定期券, teikiken) can significantly reduce costs, they only cover a fixed route between your home and workplace. Any trips outside this route require additional payment, which can quickly add up if you’re exploring the city frequently.

You can also consider purchasing a bicycle at the beginning of your stay, to make shorter trips by bike to save some money.

4. Other Expenses

Living in Japan isn’t just about covering the basics—it’s also about making the most of your experience. From weekend trips to trying local delicacies, your shopping expenses can add up if you’re not mindful about your spendings.

Japan offers endless opportunities for entertainment, from karaoke nights and themed cafés to onsen trips and seasonal festivals. Shopping in Japan is also incredibly tempting, with everything from high-tech gadgets to unique fashion and character goods.

However, it’s important to budget wisely—not just for financial reasons, but also because at the end of your stay, you’ll have limited luggage space. Many travelers overbuy souvenirs and clothes, only to realize they can’t take everything home. A good strategy is to prioritize experiences over material things and set aside a small budget for special purchases.

Bonus: How to Maximize Your Budget in Japan

• Jobs with Benefits – Some employers provide free accommodation/meals
• 100-Yen Shops – Buy groceries and household items at budget stores.
• Discounts – Supermarkets reduce prices by 50% in the evening!
• Transport Hacks – Biking or monthly passes can reduce daily expenses.
• Join Local Communities – Many language exchange events and cultural activities are free!

Conclusion

Living in Japan on a working holiday is not only manageable but offers a lot of flexibility for those who plan ahead.

Let’s compare average earnings and expected expenses:

The comparison of our budget of ¥96,000 to ¥180,000 to the detailed expense breakdown of ¥96,000 to ¥189,000 shows that if you work consistently (20-25 hours per week), and make budget-friendly choices you should be able to cover your living expenses and might even find yourself with extra funds that you can set aside for traveling and experiencing Japan’s hidden gems later on.

However, if you have a considerably higher living standard plan to travel frequently, eat out often, or live in a private apartment in Tokyo, you might need extra savings or a higher-paying job. Keep in mind that unexpected expenses may arise, so arriving with savings of at least ¥200,000 – ¥300,000 is highly recommended.

For Further Information…

Working Holiday

Get informed about the requirements for the Working Holiday Visa

Learn more

Travel in Japan

Discover the numerous sights Japan has to offer and plan your trip

Learn more

How to Apply

Find out how to apply for the Working Holiday Visa and more…

Learn more