The working holiday visa scheme in Japan allows young people between the ages of 18 – 30 to work in order to supplement their travel funds. The purpose of the working holiday visa is to promote understanding between citizens of the participating countries.
A working holiday in Japan is a fantastic way to really get to know the country and its people, while earning enough money to move on to the next adventure.
Why A Working Holiday In Japan?
Japan has a truly different culture. Much more challenging than a working holiday in Australia or the UK but that’s all the more reason to try. For me the whole point of travel is to get out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences.
Immerse yourself in a new language and four different writing systems. Get a taste for fresh sushi, natto and steaming bowls of ramen. Drink sake, shochu and green tea. Stroll through ancient Zen gardens, hike in the Japanese Alps, get lost in the ultra modern neon caverns of Tokyo or relax in the natural hot springs of a remote onsen. An intoxicating blend of old, new, east and west, Japan has everything you could ever want in a travel destination.
Then there are the hospitable Japanese people, always willing to go out of their way to help you and each other. There’s still a politeness, a sense of community and social harmony long since forgotten in the west.
Is Japan Expensive?
Yes, but not nearly as expensive as you might imagine. It’s no more expensive than travel in Europe or Australia. The major expenses are accommodation especially in the larger cities and travel. If you find somewhere to stay within your budget for a few months, the general cost of living can be surprisingly cheap.
Cost obviously depends on what you do. If you want to party in Tokyo every night it will cost you a fortune and your money will disappear very fast. Like any other country, prices outside the capital are lower.
You can find inexpensive noodle or rice bowl shops everywhere. Food is reasonably priced in supermarkets and will often sell fresh food at half price near closing time. Alcohol can be expensive in bars and restaurants but very cheap elsewhere.
Accommodation
Most apartments Japan are difficult to rent, many landlords don’t accept foreigners and if they do it’s usually for a two year minimum lease with large bonds to pay upfront.
Fortunately in larger cities there are companies that specialise in renting to foreigners for shorter term leases. Typical rental prices vary wildly depending on location and in Tokyo on distance away from metro stations. Shop around for the best deal.
If you are looking for a shorter stay a “Gaijin House” (foreigner house) is a good cheap option or try the unforgettable experience of a few nights in a capsule hotel.
Language
Learning a little Japanese before you arrive in Japan will help you enormously. Not many Japanese people speak English and very few signs are written in English or Romanji especially outside Tokyo. A good guide book and a few phrases should be enough for you to survive but I strongly recommend learning a bit of the language.
The good news is spoken Japanese is not that difficult to learn! The spoken language only has 112 sounds that are consistent, not stressed and follow simple rules. Compare that to English that has over 8000 sounds, strange pronunciation, silent letters and inconsistent rules.
However, written Japanese is a different story, the borrowed Chinese Kanji picture characters take time and persistence to learn.
Click the link for a great Japanese learning resource. JapanesePod101.com – Learn Japanese with Free Daily Podcasts
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