How to find a job in Japan

Sushi, sumo, hot springs, anime, futuristic cities - it is not surprising that Japan is a popular countries for people to visit or for young people looking to work in Asia for a year or two.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways for getting your ticket to Japan is finding a job in your home country that sponsors your working visa and pays for moving costs and accommodation. 

A number of Japanese English schools recruit teachers abroad in countries where English is the native language: the United States. Canada, Australia and the U.K.

Since companies are looking for "conversation teachers" you do not have to have teaching qualifications to get a job, but sometimes a TEFL certificate can help. 

To get a working visa in Japan you need a degree in any discipline. If you apply and get an interview in your home country, make sure you are presentable, can explain why you want to live in Japan and have some knowledge of English grammar.

Some schools will also ask you to prepare a sample lesson.  There are many websites on the Internet that can help you make a sample lesson.  It is important to make your lesson fun and educational at the same time.  Many Japanese study English for a hobby rather than for business, so many schools like to place emphasis on making lessons fun and interesting.

It is possible to go to Japan on a tourist visa and then look for your own job.  Competition however is pretty tough right now and it might take some time before you find a company willing to sponsor you.  You will also need to find your own place to stay.  The advantage however, is that you can choose to work wherever you want in Japan.  You will need to have savings of a few thousand dollars to get you through to the first pay check.

If you get a job in your home country, you could be placed in a school in a small country town, where there are few entertainment options.