Working Holiday Japan

Not for certain English-speaking opportunities, especially in tourism, hospitality, food service and ski resorts in winter. Summer ski resort jobs always require basic Japanese, and some pre-arranged jobs require a minimum level.

Only once. The Working Holiday visa is granted only once and lasts up to 12 months.

The first ski resort offer usually lasts 3 to 4 months, between December and March. After that you can keep looking for work for the rest of your visa, up to 12 months in total.

If you are not hired after 3 interviews, you can withdraw and the add-on fee is refunded. Ski or snowboard instructors need a license, and 18 and 19-year-olds can apply for winter if they have a lot of hospitality experience.

A 90 to 120-minute group session, your CV adapted to the Japanese market and translated, a job center appointment or a one-on-one session, job listings and use of a computer and printer. For 1 year you can reach us by phone, WhatsApp, LINE, email or at the Tokyo and Kyoto offices.

During the ski season, accommodation may be included, subsidized or offered at a reduced cost depending on the offer. On arrival, accommodation in Tokyo or Kyoto is booked separately: sharehouses (shared, double or single room, 4-week minimum) or host families with meals. Sharehouses take a cash deposit of ¥40,000 (or USD 250), refunded when you leave if there is no damage.

They can be added to any package: farms and ryokan (basic Japanese, guaranteed placement), English or French assistant in public schools for 6 or 12 months starting in April or September (native speakers, no Japanese or teaching experience needed), babysitter for families looking for an English-speaking nanny and daycare centers in Tokyo (6-month minimum).

Yes, as an add-on. In Tokyo there is a group conversation course for complete beginners (1 to 8 weeks, monthly start) and the Kudan Institute, for all levels up to upper intermediate. In Kyoto, JaLS, also up to upper intermediate. Farm jobs require 4 weeks of classes and hospitality jobs (except ski resorts) 8 weeks for those who don't speak Japanese.

Conditions depend on the services booked. Accommodation: free with 60 or more days’ notice; 75% with 31–59 days; 100% with 30 days or less.

Tokyo classes: free with more than two months’ notice; after that, registration and materials are non-refundable and two weeks of classes plus 40% of each subsequent week are charged. At JaLS Kyoto, registration is non-refundable; 40% of the week is charged with 30–8 days’ notice and 100% with 7 days or less or for no-show.

The support package and each pre-arranged job have their own conditions, which must be confirmed in writing before booking. No cancellation fee applies if the visa is refused after your documents were approved by the local partner.

Reception and transfer arrangements depend on the city, airport, arrival date and time. Before booking, we confirm in writing which transfer is included and which extras apply. Accommodation itself is arranged separately.

Farms and ryokan: basic conversational Japanese is needed; a CV is prepared and interviews are arranged. If you are not selected after four interviews, you can continue interviewing or withdraw and receive a refund of the extra charge. Missing interviews or ignoring instructions does not qualify for a refund.

Babysitting: families choose participants by interview and determine hours; no number of hours is guaranteed. If no family selects you, the full extra charge is refunded.

Tokyo childcare centres: a minimum of six months, an English CV and interview preparation. If you are not selected after three interviews, you can withdraw and receive a refund of the extra charge.

Tokyo: the beginner conversation course lasts one to eight weeks, starts monthly and has four 45-minute lessons Monday to Friday. Kudan Institute offers 20 weekly 50-minute lessons, with a two-week minimum, up to upper-intermediate level. JaLS in Kyoto accepts bookings from one week and up to upper-intermediate level. Courses, registration and materials are optional extras.

Sharehouses in Tokyo, Kyoto and Chatan (Okinawa), with shared, twin or single rooms and a four-week minimum. A refundable deposit is required on arrival. Host families are also available in Tokyo and Kyoto with no minimum stay: breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday, and three meals on Saturdays and Sundays. Host-family arrangements have a one-off booking charge. Availability and conditions are confirmed before booking.