Home to ancient Shinto shrines, serene snow-covered peaks and off-the-wall cities – Japan is like nowhere else on Earth. With no language or downhill skills required, if you're looking to experience a culture completely different to your own – but with the security of an English-speaking job – Japan is the working holiday to do it. Home to ancient Shinto shrines, serene snow-covered peaks and off-the-wall cities – Japan is like nowhere else on Earth. With no language or downhill skills required, if you're looking to experience a culture completely different to your own – but with the security of an English-speaking job – Japan is the working holiday to do it. Ride the world's best powder with a pre-arranged ski season job in winter (Nov-Mar), with the option to stay and work in hospitality, retail and teaching jobs in Tokyo for the rest of your visa.
Roadtested experiences
Hear from travellers who’ve been there and worn the ‘Hello Kitty’ tee. Our roadtesters trial every JENZA experience to ensure it serves our travel community first.
Pre-arranged job
We include a 3-4 month English-speaking ski season job in either Niseko, Rusutsu or Furano – with subsidised staff accommodation and free or discounted lift passes.
In-country support
From Japanese etiquette training to one-on-one support getting your residence permit, tax number and Japanese bank account – we help work out all the details.
You shaped travel
What our Japan roadtester had to say
Before you’re even let loose on one of our JENZA experiences, it’s trialled by either a JENZA roadtester or member of our Youth Advisory Panel. Because if it didn’t fly with them, it’s sure as heck not going to fly with you.
Meet Betsy. And her advice on moving to Japan without getting lost in translation.
Cool runnings
We provide the visa help, pre-arranged ski season job and arrival support to live and work in Japan for up to a year.
Japan can feel intimidatingly unfamiliar to travellers, especially when it comes to workplace etiquette. We help to both embrace the differences with online intercultural training and optional Japanese lessons; and navigate the hurdles with extensive support when you land.
Starting in Tokyo for the first six days, our in-country partners will personally meet you at the airport and accompany you to sort out all your work and tax formalities. After that, if you’re arriving in winter, you’re free to head straight out on the piste – flying to Hokkaido to start your ski season job. Or if you’re arriving at another time of year, the team will support you with finding a job in Tokyo until winter comes.
About the visa
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Who and for how long
Japan's working holiday visa allows you to work for 12 months, doing most jobs other than working in nightclubs, dancehalls and gambling venues.
Every April, a new annual quota of visas is allocated to eligible countries. Since the pandemic, these quotas haven’t always been met, but we still advise applying as early as possible to secure your visa.
The application consists of an online visa application and in-person appointment at the Embassy of Japan in your home country. Applications can take 2-3 months, and once approved, you have 12 months to enter the country. You’re only allowed one working holiday visa per lifetime.
Confused? Our JENZA Support Squad are here to guide you through it.
Make it work
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What you can do
Typical working holiday jobs in Japan include working as waiting staff, front of house, room attendants, housekeepers and instructors in Western hotels, restaurants and ski resorts. Or working as an English teacher or nanny.
Your visa doesn't require you to have a job before you go, but if you're arriving in winter (Nov/Dec) we can help you to secure a 3-4 month ski season job. You’ll typically earn between 1,000-1,400 Yen per hour, with discounted staff accommodation.
You don’t need to be able to speak Japanese to work for our ski season employers, but it will improve your experience and be met with beaming smiles if you learn the basics.
Some of our travellers opt to do online courses before they go, or arrive a few weeks early to do a classroom course. We’ve partnered with the Kudan Institute of Japanese Language and Culture in Tokyo to offer 4-12 week courses. Ask us about dates and pricing.
On the piste
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Where you can do it
Our ski season partners own hotels and lodges across the world-renowned ski resorts of Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano, and look for seasonal staff each year to do a range of hospitality jobs.
Niseko
Bouji resort life and backpacker nightlife
Rusutsu
Nearby hot springs after a day on the run
Furano
Departure dates
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Starts Tokyo
While numbers are not guaranteed (especially outside of the ski season), we suggest timing your flights with our group arrival dates for the best chance of meeting other working holidaymakers.
What's included
What's not included
Support funds for Japan (£) You must have support funds of £1,500 and proof of a return/onward flight, or £2,500 if entering Japan on a one-way ticket.
Flights We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved.
Japan visa fee (UK passport holders) This is paid in cash to the Embassy of Japan and currently costs £21.
Travel insurance To cover against cancellation, we recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book.
Meet the employers
Why do a ski season in Japan?
Ski seasons for non-skiers can feel like a scary place – full of ski run rules and confusing lingo that may as well be Japanese. But ski seasons aren’t just for seasonnaires. They’re a great way to meet other travellers, add international work experience to your resume, and ease your way into Japanese life. All our ski season jobs are English-speaking, usually don’t require previous experience, and you don’t need to be able to ski or board.
Meet one of Japan employers for the rundown on life working in Japan.
Get hired or get the intel
Full-time student? Spend your uni summer holidays (Jun-Sep) earning $$ and exploring America with JENZA Work USA 4 months. We'll provide your sponsorship, hook you up with a 3-4 month seasonal job, and help you sort your J1 visa. Find out everything you need to know in this online travel talk.
Meet Camp Directors face-to-face, connect with others heading to camp, and (fingers crossed) get hired on the day. To register your interest, apply for Summer Camp USA over on our BUNAC camp page and let us know which city you'd like to attend. We can't wait to see your face, but don't worry if you can't make an in-person event - the quickest way to get hired is in our hiring pool.
View all events
JENZA Travel International Ltd, trading as JENZA, is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.
