The Working Holiday Program in Japan offers young people the opportunity to explore the country while also receiving financial support through work. It's important to emphasize that the Working Holiday Visa is not solely for work purposes but also for cultural exchange and travel. Even for internships in Japan, this visa is required, and depending on the nature of the stay or internship circumstances, a different visa may be necessary.
Short Overview
Requirements for the Working Holiday Visa in Japan (German citizens):
1. German citizenship
2. Personal application at the Japanese Embassy in Berlin or one of the consulates (Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich)
3. Primary purpose of the stay is tourism in Japan with the opportunity to work
4. Age between 18 and 30 years old
5. Adequate financial means (minimum of 2000 euros)
6. Valid passport and at least one-way flight ticket; additional 1200 euros if the return flight ticket is not available
7. Initial application for the visa (only one-time issuance allowed)
8. Proof of overseas health insurance
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Required documents for applying for the Working Holiday Visa for Japan:
1. Valid passport
2. Application form from the website of the Japanese Embassy
3. Recent passport photo
4. Bank statement as proof of financial means (2000 euros or 3200 euros without a return flight ticket)
5. Certificate of overseas health insurance valid in Japan
6. Travel plan form from the Japanese Embassy specifying the planned travel route
7. Resume in English or Japanese
8. Motivation letter in English or Japanese
Work and Travel - Procedure
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Procuring the documents
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Applying for the visa
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Waiting
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Pickup
Step 1: Obtaining the Documents
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The first step is to gather all the necessary documents for applying for the Working Holiday Visa for Japan. The forms available for download from the website of the Japanese Embassy are relatively straightforward to compile. You may need to apply for your passport and insurance documents, which can take some time. It's advisable to take care of this early on.
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Step 2: Visa Application
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Once you have all the required documents, you can schedule an appointment to apply for your visa at the Japanese Embassy in Berlin or one of the consulates in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, or Frankfurt. Simply choose the consulate or embassy closest to you.
On the day of your appointment, arrive early to avoid delays. Upon arrival at the consulate or embassy, check in at reception. After a short wait, a staff member will accept your application documents. You may also be asked for a brief interview regarding your reasons for the trip and other topics related to your stay in Japan.
After all your documents have been processed, you can return home. Note: The Working Holiday Visa is stamped into your passport. Therefore, you will need to leave your passport at the embassy and will receive it back when collecting the visa.
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Step 3: Waiting
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Although the processing time for the visa is usually about two weeks, there may be delays for various reasons. Therefore, you should not apply for the visa too close to your departure date, as you will not be able to enter Japan as a Work and Traveler without the visa. In the meantime, you can take care of other important things before your departure. Check out my Work and Travel Japan Checklist, where you'll find all the steps to prepare for your Japan trip, as well as things you shouldn't forget.
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Step 4: Pickup
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To collect your visa, you must again go in person to the embassy or consulate. There, you will receive your passport back with the Working Holiday Visa valid for one year. From this point on, you have one year to travel to Japan as a Work and Traveler. The duration of stay begins from the day of your entry into Japan.
Preparation for your trip
1. Interactive Planning Checklist
2. Shortly Before Departure
3. On-site in Japan
4. Return to Germany
Before you embark on your journey, it's important to address important matters such as visa, other relevant documents, and vaccinations in a timely manner. If you own an apartment or a car, consider what will happen to them during your absence. They could potentially be sublet, and there are contracts that can be terminated or paused, such as mobile phone contracts, club memberships, as well as subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. Depending on the contract, these memberships can be canceled or put on hold if your place of residence changes. Also, think about your bank account and mail. Do you want to take care of them yourself during your time abroad? Then online banking and the mail forwarding service of Deutsche Post could be useful. Alternatively, you could also entrust a trusted person back home in Germany to take care of these matters and manage your mail. Regarding insurance, you should find out which ones can be suspended while you are abroad.
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Interactive Planning Checklist
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Do you want to organize your Work & Travel stay in Japan yourself to be independent? With the planning checklist from Auslandsjob, you can keep track of your progress. All the important points for organizing Work and Travel in Japan can be found here; the list guides you through the individual steps. Your personal progress can be saved at any time, so you can come back later to continue planning at the same point!
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Shortly Before Departure
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As your trip to Japan approaches, regularly check the website of the Federal Foreign Office for Japan for possible changes to safety advisories and travel regulations. This page also provides information on visas, vaccinations, and other relevant topics. Also, consider who in Germany can handle certain things for you. A contact person on-site can also be helpful, for example, to keep a copy of your passport and to assist you in case of loss. Don't forget packing, and decide whether a suitcase or a backpack is better suited to your needs.
For more information and a comprehensive checklist, visit "Checklist - Shortly Before Departure".
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On-site in Japan
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Even when you're already in Japan, there are still a few things to take care of. For example, you must apply for an Alien Registration Card from the city within the first three months of your stay if you enter with a Working Holiday Visa. Additionally, purchasing a prepaid phone is advisable as contracts in Japan are often expensive. It's also recommended to acquire some basic Japanese language skills to navigate daily life. Don't forget to explore the area and familiarize yourself with the local conditions.
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Return to Germany
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The return to Germany also requires some preparations. Remember to book your return flight in advance and consider whether you might want to re-enter with the Working Holiday Visa if you leave before it expires. If so, indicate this upon departure.
For more tips and a complete checklist, visit "Checklist - Before Return".
Important documents for Work & Travel Japan
1. Documents for Entry into Japan
2. Documents to Obtain On-site
1. Documents for Entry into Japan
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As a German citizen, for tourist entry into Japan, you only need your valid passport. Ensure that your passport remains valid even after your planned departure from Japan. If you don't have a passport yet, apply for one at least 3 or 4 weeks before your trip at your local citizen's office or city administration.
For further information on passports and how to apply, visit our passport page.
Documents for Applying for the Working Holiday Visa
To apply for the Working Holiday Visa, you must submit some documents in person at the Japanese Embassy or one of the consulates. These documents include:
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A valid passport
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The application form, available on the website of the Japanese Embassy
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A passport photo
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Round-trip flight ticket
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Bank statement as proof of financial means of at least 2000 euros (if the return flight ticket is not booked yet, at least 3200 euros are required)
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Proof of worldwide health insurance
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The travel plan form, also available on the website of the Japanese Embassy
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A resume in English or Japanese
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A one-page motivation letter in English or Japanese
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2. Documents to Obtain On-site
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Alien Registration Card
If you are doing Work and Travel in Japan and enter with a Working Holiday Visa, you will receive the "Alien Registration Card". Within the first three months of your arrival in Japan, you must register with the local city hall. For registration, you will need your visa and proof of your new address, such as a letter or confirmation from the language school if you are staying there. After filling out some forms, you will be registered and can access local services, such as the library or participation in special events.
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Documents Important to Have On-site in Japan:
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Passport (always carry with you as German citizens are required to have a passport in Japan)
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Copy of your passport (in case you lose your passport)
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If applicable, Alien Registration Card
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Proof of your current address (letter, etc.)
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Address and telephone list with important contacts from Germany, your language school, or a contact person in Japan, as well as the contact information of the German Embassy or German Consulate in Japan.
Accomoation in Japan
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Work and Travel Japan - Accommodation
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Travel Destination Japan - Accommodation
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How to Find Accommodation in Japan?
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What to Consider When Searching?
Work and Travel Japan - Accommodations
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If you're looking for accommodation in Japan, there are various options depending on the type of stay you're planning. If you're taking a language course before your Work & Travel trip, you can usually book accommodation directly through your language school. There's often a selection of different options available. Living in a shared apartment with other language students, a shared apartment with Japanese locals, or staying with a host family are likely the most common types of accommodations chosen. However, there are also other options available. For example, you can live in a hostel for an extended period.
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Work and Travel Japan – Accommodations
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As a Work and Traveler or backpacker, hostels are usually the go-to accommodation option. However, in Japan, there's also Couchsurfing and people who rent out rooms in their apartments for a few days.
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Language Trip to Japan – Accommodations
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As mentioned above, the commonly chosen accommodations for a language trip are either a shared apartment with other language students or Japanese locals, or a room with a host family.
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Travel Destination Japan – Accommodations
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In addition to regular standardized hotels, Japan also offers traditional Japanese accommodation. A "Ryokan" provides the opportunity for travelers to stay in a traditionally Japanese furnished room. This typically means staying in a room with sliding doors, tatami flooring, and a futon for sleeping. Additionally, traditional Japanese meals are provided, and there might even be an in-house bathhouse where you can relax. Staying in a "Ryokan" is a unique experience and highly recommended if you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
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How to Find Accommodation in Japan?
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You can book your accommodation through your organizer or language school if you've booked a language course or internship through a tour operator or language school. Often, a complete travel package is booked, including the costs for the language course and accommodation. In most cases, you can choose whether you'd like to live with other language students and/or Japanese locals in a shared apartment or rent a room in a host family's house and become part of their daily life. If you're a Work and Traveler without a connection to an organizer or language school, hostels or Couchsurfing are suitable accommodation options. It's best to search the internet for hostels, hotels, and rooms rented to travelers. You might also be able to book a room through a language school without taking a language course. Inquire about this with the respective language school; you might be lucky. Additionally, there are various companies in Japan that rent rooms to foreign students or travelers. Again, it's a good idea to search the internet for options depending on your desired location. Freshroom in Tokyo offers particularly good value for money. This is based on my personal experience and not sponsored by the company.
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What to Consider When Searching for Suitable Accommodation?
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When searching for accommodation in Japan, especially if you're looking online, make sure that the landlord is reputable. Since a deposit is often required for your rent, only book accommodations through reputable websites and not through individuals. If you're unsure if the provider is reputable, it's best not to make a deposit and arrange payment upon arrival. This way, you can meet the landlord and inspect the accommodation before moving in. You should also consider what type of accommodation would be right for you. If you want to live in Japan for an extended period, a room in a shared apartment might be suitable for you. For short stays, a hostel could be the right choice, especially since a bed in a dormitory in hostels is often very affordable. If you're interested in living in Japan and experiencing Japanese culture firsthand, you could book a room in a Japanese host family. Here, you're usually integrated into the family's life and participate in various activities with them. However, keep in mind that living with a host family comes with certain responsibilities, such as being home at certain times for dinner, etc. Therefore, think carefully about what you expect from your stay in Japan. Do you want to be independent? Look for accommodation where you can live independently. Or would you prefer to be integrated into a family routine? Then living with a host family might be more suitable for you.
Tips for
Tokio
Here you'll find my personal favorites for accommodation, language school, shopping options, and other things I used during my Working Holiday Visa in Tokyo. All recommendations are purely objective and not sponsored.
My Language School: GenkiJACS in Shinjuku
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GenkiJACS in Tokyo Shinjuku is a renowned language school offering Japanese courses. Located in the lively district of Shinjuku, the school provides a dynamic learning environment with experienced teachers. The courses emphasize interactive teaching and cultural activities to help students improve their language skills and familiarize themselves with Japanese culture. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, at GenkiJACS, you'll find tailored courses to achieve your learning goals. The school's location couldn't be better. Situated within a 5-10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, it's easily accessible from almost any direction via the JR Line or the metro.
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My Accommodation: Freshroom Tokyo
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Freshroom provides accommodations in Tokyo for people who enjoy living in shared houses and meeting new people. Each resident has their own room, while the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms are shared. The accommodations are ideal for foreign language students as well as young locals living in Tokyo. Despite being centrally located, the prices are relatively affordable for Tokyo.
I myself lived in a Freshroom accommodation in Senkawa, 3 metro stations away from Ikebukuro. Although the accommodation was a bit older, it offered convenient access to both Ikebukuro and Shinjuku. Additionally, there was a gym nearby and a sports hall where you could train or participate in group sports activities affordably. Also, all essential shops for daily needs were just around the corner. Supermarkets, convenience stores, Japanese fast food restaurants, hairdressers, and much more.
In less than 30 minutes, you can also reach the GenkiJACS language school from there. To this day, I'm still close friends with my Japanese housemates.
For Tokyo standards, the private rooms in the shared houses are really affordable, and I can't think of a cheaper alternative for stays over 2 months.
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Going Out and Other Experiences in Tokyo
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Of course, besides work or your studies, leisure time should not be neglected.
Tokyo is known for its vibrant nightlife, which includes a variety of bars, clubs, arcades, and karaoke bars. Whether you're looking for a trendy cocktail bar, a lively club with electronic music, or a cozy pub, Tokyo has something to offer for every taste and budget.
In addition to bars and clubs, there's also an abundance of arcades where you can enjoy arcade games and other entertainment, as well as karaoke bars where you can sing your favorite hits. If you prefer something quieter, the numerous parks in Tokyo offer a relaxing way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature.
For more information on the best bars, clubs, arcades, karaoke bars, and parks in Tokyo, check out my other articles. There you'll find detailed descriptions, recommendations, and insider tips for an unforgettable nightlife and leisure experience in Tokyo.
I also highly recommend the large fitness studio right at Ikebukuro Station, with a publicly accessible swimming pool on the 13th floor. A day pass there is very affordable.