Japan is made up of over 3000 islands and is highly advanced technologically. In many ways Japan has become westernised, yet simultaneously it retains a strong sense of traditional culture. Expect history, wonderful temples and beautiful, mountainous countryside and everything is incredibly clean and organised.
Paid Work, Teaching Jobs, Language Courses, Tours in Japan
Ski Instructor Course + Job in Niseko
• 3 months
• Price from £4,145
TEFL TESOL Course in Tokyo
• 4 weeks
• Price from $2390
Teach English in Japan (Online TEFL)
• 12 months
• Price from £1,295
Teach English in Japan (Nagoya)
• 1-12 months
• Price from £2,445
Study Japanese in Kyoto
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,495
Study Japanese in Tokyo
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,595
Study Japanese in Fukuoka
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £965
Japan in a Week Tour
• 8 days
• Price from £1,565
Japan Express Tour: Osaka to Tokyo
• 9 days
• Price from £2,463
Legend of Japan Tour
• 12 days
• Price from £TBC
Beijing to Tokyo Tour
• 16 days
• Price from £3,749
Travelling and Backpacking in Japan
Are you looking for a cultural experience like no other? Plan a gap year to Asia and visit Japan! Whether you want to work, volunteer, teach, intern or travel – there are so many programs and trips available.
A basic knowledge of the Japanese language (or a willingness to learn!) is beneficial for these types of placements. Plan ahead.
These are some of the most popular programs for spending a gap year in Japan:
• Teach English
• Work a winter ski season
• Study Japanese
• Book a small group tour to explore the country
Japan Tours
The Land of the Rising Sun is a diverse country and there are so many places you should try to add to your itinerary. From huge modern cities to smaller beauty spots, Japan will leave you spellbound.
There are thousands of islands which make up Japan of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest. These are some places you shouldn’t miss: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama, Hakone, Kanazawa, Nikko, Koya-San and Tsumago.
There is a fast and efficient transport network if you want to go backpacking and discover the highlights. Due to the language barrier we highly recommend booking organised tours with local and international travel operators. These trips will allow you to travel with other internationals, see the top rated tourist attractions, visit local restaurants and also enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Work in Japan
When looking for gap year jobs a lot of people don’t even realise that working in Japan is a real possibility. Yet there are lots of opportunities to get paid to live here, and thousands of people from around the world apply every year. Popular gap year work programs for foreigners and English speakers include working at a ski resort or teaching.
Teach in Japan
The most popular position is working as an English language teacher. Lots of schools, universities and language schools hire TEFL teachers to help Japanese students learn and improve their English skills. Students are every respectful, salaries are high and you can enjoy a great quality of living whilst travelling to see new places in your spare time.
There are many so benefits of working as a teacher with Japanese children and adults. The most obvious is of course the sheer satisfaction that comes from this type of work.
The students are always very welcoming and excited to have a native speaker in their classrooms and teachers can expect to learn a lot about their students, the culture, and gain valuable insight into the local traditions and customs.
ESL teachers can truly say that they have made a difference in their students’ lives at the end of their teaching tours.
Teaching English in Japan is also a great resume booster, especially for recent graduates. The job market has never been as tough as it is now and teaching ESL overseas provides valuable work experience. It also demonstrates to future employers that the candidate is a self starter, not afraid of challenges, and is willing to venture out of his or her comfort zone. It is a great way to stand out from the crowd and is also relevant to many future careers outside of teaching.
The travel opportunities that come with the job are also a huge bonus for ESL teachers in Japan. Imagine being able to visit and explore this amazing country on the weekends? It is not uncommon for employers to pay for an ESL teacher’s living expenses and provide a salary, which means that there is usually always spending money for things like travel.
Spending a whole year or more in a foreign country offers so much more than just a quick visit to that country. Throughout the year, teachers will experience the different seasons, public holidays, and festivals, such as the Japanese Lantern Floating Festival.
There are many employment opportunities available to prospective ESL teachers and the demand for English speakers overseas has never been higher. Now is the time to take the plunge.
Volunteer in Japan
Volunteering in Japan can be a really unique and special experience where you can help good causes and meet inspirational local people. Some companies offer projects to foreigners where you can do something. beneficial whilst learning more about the country and culture. Some programs include helping animals, people or nature.
Study in Japan
Do you have an interest in Japan or Japanese culture? Consider going to study abroad in Japan! There are lots of universities which accept international students onto courses, for short and long academic courses. You can also book Japanese language courses throughout the country in places like Tokyo. What better way to actually learn Japanese than in Japan!
