Table of contents

Fields in demand

High-demand jobs in general

If you’re fully fluent in Japanese and have the right work experience and education, the following are some skilled jobs that are in high demand.

IT
Engineering
Business and trade
Research and development
Translation and interpreting
Teaching
Finance and accounting
Customer service
Unskilled jobs popular among WHVers

Here’s a list more suited to working holiday makers. These jobs usually don’t require fluent Japanese or specific qualifications:

English tutor (freelance, under the table, or at a private language school)
Conversation café employee (“chat host”)
Street flyer distributor
Waiter at a western/touristy restaurant
Dishwasher/kitchen assistant
Wine industry jobs
Cleaner, hotel housekeeping staff
Tour guide
Babysitter/au pair
Seasonal work in ski resorts or beach resorts
Model
Convenience store staff
Miscellaneous/odd jobs (fake boyfriend, host, Halloween events, TV extra…)

The baito: part-time jobs

From the German Arbeit, the Japanese word baito (short for arubaito) means part-time job.
Baito are typically hourly jobs. Originally, these positions were mainly held by students. Nowadays, workers include stay-at-home mothers, retirees, and foreigners.

Advantages of baito jobs for WHVers

High flexibility: You usually indicate the days you can work, and managers make the schedule accordingly. This allows you to arrange your own timetable and choose when to travel.

Simple hiring process: These jobs have high turnover, so employers are always hiring. Interviews almost always end with an agreement for a paid trial day. It’s often possible to get hired without speaking Japanese.

Reduced admin: Usually no formal contract, so you can leave when you want (although it’s more respectful to give a month’s notice).

Often paid in cash: In a cash-heavy country like Japan, this is handy, especially if you don’t plan to open a bank account.

Drawbacks of baito jobs

Low pay: between ¥800 and ¥1,100/hour

Can be physically demanding: e.g., cleaning, dishwashing

Strange job posts to cautious of

Watch out for overly attractive offers on certain websites targeting “foreigners who aren’t shy.” These are often linked to the adult industry. Japan’s local adult entertainment sector openly recruits on Craigslist Tokyo, sometimes in obvious ways, sometimes less so (and you’ll need to read between the lines).

Similarly, you may see ads for paid girlfriend (“sugar baby”) roles or late-night “chat host” gigs. These often overlap with hostess bar work (which is prohibited under the WHV) and prostitution (technically illegal in Japan).

Other unusual offers aimed at foreigners include clinical trials. These can promise high pay in exchange for testing products at home or staying briefly in a hospital for research. Recently, demand has grown for young men of specific ethnicities and ages. As with anywhere, these trials carry risks, and your legal recourse in Japan would be minimal.

In short, be wary of offers promising “easy money in a few hours”. Just like anywhere else, you should use your common sense in Japan!

What about freelancing?

The Japan WHV authorizes you to freelance in Japan and take on Japanese clients. You can declare yourself as a self-employed worker in Japan.

If you want to work for clients from your home country, check the tax rules for that country.