How to find a job in Japan on a working holiday without speaking Japanese?

Working holidays in Japan are more popular than ever, and after my own experience there, I often get asked: “How did you find a job without speaking the language?” Here’s my answer, or at least the best one I can give.

I went to Japan on a working holiday visa in 2023. No plan, barely any preparation - I figured I’d just find a job when I got there. But as soon as I arrived, I got distracted by all the fun things Japan had to offer: hiking, exploring cities, eating my way through convenience stores, and sampling every type of vegan onigiri I could find.

Working wasn’t my top priority at first. Eventually, I ended up working two jobs and volunteering in several places. I could probably have worked more, but with my budget, a few months of work and the rest of the time travelling suited me perfectly. Still, I learned a lot about finding work in Japan as a foreigner.

My level of the Japanese language

Before arriving I spoke a tiny bit of Japanese. I’d taken some courses years ago, but I definitely couldn’t hold a proper conservation or confidently ask customers what kind of onigiri they wanted and what they wanted inside it. 

So if you’re worried about not speaking Japanese: I get it, I was in the same boat. And while speaking the language helps, the good news is that there are jobs you can do without speaking much Japanese. The bad news is that Japan is generally not a country where you’ll make a lot of money on a working holiday - a bit of a sidetrack of this blog, but I wanted to briefly touch on the topic. 

Don’t expect to get rich in Japan on a working holiday

So firstly, an important reality check. Japan is an amazing place for a working holiday, but it’s usually not the place where people save money. Minimum wage is relatively low compared to many Western countries, and living costs can be quite high depending on where you are. In many places the minimum wage is around 900–1100 yen per hour. That’s roughly €6–7 per hour. Accommodation and food can easily eat up a big part of that. For most working holiday travellers Japan ends up being more of a break-even experience: you work enough to support your travels, but you probably won’t go home with a huge savings account. 

Of course there are exceptions (for example jobs that include accommodation), but generally speaking you go to Japan for the experience, not the money. So, now that that’s been cleared up, what about jobs?

What kind of work is available in Japan for non-Japanese speakers?

I’ve found and heard about several jobs suitable for foreigners who don’t speak (much) Japanese: 

• Working in a ski resort 
• Working at outdoor camps 
• Working as an English tutor 
• Working in hostels and guesthouses 
• Farmwork 
• Bars/cafes and restaurants
• Tourism-focused roles 

Work in a ski resort (winter) 

One of the easiest to get jobs for foreigners are jobs in ski resorts during winter. Resorts in places like Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano hire many international staff every season. Common jobs include: 

• Hotel staff 
• Ski rental shops 
• Lift operators 
• Housekeeping 
• Restaurants and bars 

One thing I loved about ski resort jobs (besides the obvious snow and mountains) was meeting international staff and guests from all over the world. Even with minimal Japanese, you could get by just fine, especially when you worked somewhere with mostly tourists. And yes, some resorts provide staff accommodation and a ski pass, so that’s perfect if you want to actually hit the slopes. 

Beware volunteer-only roles: some places expect 8-hour days, 5 days a week, without pay. Not worth it if your goal is to fund your travels — there are plenty of paid jobs out there.

Outdoor camps and seasonal camps (summer) 

At the camp I worked at, all the kids came from other countries, so English was the main language. The days were long and busy, but at the end of the week, seeing kids grow more confident being outdoors and having them run up to you with a big smile made it completely worth it. Plus, you’ll meet other international staff, some of whom can become lifelong friends and travel buddies. 

Jobs at these camps include: 

• Camp leader 
• Camp counselor 
• Activity instructor 
• Kitchen staff 
• General camp helper

These jobs are often quite fun if you enjoy being outdoors and working with kids, but they can also be hard work. The days are long, there are often few breaks, and when the kids finally go to sleep you usually still have some cleaning, planning or preparation to do.

That said, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Spending whole days outside, teaching kids new skills, going hiking, canoeing or climbing, and seeing them grow more confident during the week is pretty special. And camps are also great places to meet other international staff, which often leads to friendships, travel buddies, and sometimes even new job opportunities later on.

Working as an English tutor in Japan

Another common job for working holiday travelers is working as an English tutor. Japan has a big demand for English learning, and sometimes people are simply looking for someone to practice conversation with.

You don’t always need formal teaching qualifications for casual tutoring. Sometimes you’re simply helping students practice speaking English, helping them prepare for exams, or teaching kids basic conversation skills.

These jobs can sometimes be found through:

• Language exchange websites
• Notice boards in cafés or hostel
• Facebook groups
• Word of mouth

Pay for tutoring can actually be higher than many other working holiday jobs, especially for private lessons.

Hostels and guesthouses

Hostels and guesthouses are another classic working holiday job. Many travelers start by volunteering in hostels and sometimes later move into paid roles.

Typical tasks include:

• reception
• cleaning
• organizing social activities
• helping guests
• sometimes running a small bar or café

Often these jobs are offered as work exchange: you work a few hours per day in exchange for accommodation. While this doesn’t earn you money, it can significantly reduce your travel costs.

I also found that hostels are great places to hear about other job opportunities. Travelers talk, staff talk, and before you know it someone knows someone who is looking for help somewhere else.

Farm work in Japan

Farm work is another option, especially in rural areas. Japan has many small farms and seasonal harvests.

Typical work includes:

• Fruit picking
• Vegetable farms
• Rice fields
• Tea plantations

The language barrier can sometimes be bigger here, but communication usually finds a way. Google Translate, hand gestures, and a lot of smiling go a long way.

Some farms also offer accommodation and meals, which again helps reduce living costs.

Bars, cafés and restaurants

In bigger cities or tourist areas you might also find work in bars, cafés or restaurants. This can be a bit more challenging without Japanese because you often need to interact with customers. However, in more international areas or places that receive many foreign tourists it can still be possible.

Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka sometimes have cafés or bars where English-speaking staff are welcome.

I personally found that a few basic Japanese phrases can go a long way in these situations.

Tourism-related jobs in Japan

Tourism-focused roles are growing, especially in popular destinations. You might find work as a tour guide for international visitors, at tourist information centers, or as a guide for hiking, cycling, or cultural tours. A bit of Japanese goes a long way, and it’s a fun way to explore Japan while earning a little money.

Examples include:

• Tour guides for international tourists
• Staff in tourist information centers
• Outdoor activity guides
• Guesthouse or ryokan helpers

When you enjoy being outdoors, some companies also hire foreign staff for hiking tours, cycling tours or cultural tours aimed at international visitors.

Volunteering in Japan

Volunteering was a game-changer for me. It helped me meet people, learn about the culture, practice my very basic Japanese, and hear about job opportunities I wouldn’t have found online. Honestly, some jobs come through being in the right place and talking to the right people more than sending resumes. For example that one time I talked to a nice green tea farmer at an organic market and asked if she sometimes needed help. One month later I was volunteering at the farm, having the time of my life.

Final thoughts regarding a working holiday in Japan

So, let me reassure you - you definitely don’t need to speak fluent Japanese to find work on a working holiday in Japan. A few words help, Google Translate helps even more, and being flexible helps the most.

Looking back, I probably could have worked more while I was there, but I’m glad I didn’t spend all my time working. Some of my best memories came from wandering small towns, hiking mountains, or discovering yet another new onigiri flavor in a convenience store.

In my opinion, a working holiday in Japan is less about earning money and more about the experience. If you ask me, that’s a pretty great trade.