Japan

Welcome To 'The Land of The Rising Sun'.

Immerse yourself in futuristic cityscapes and serene rural traditions in Japan.

Japan Overview

Travel level

Medium to Experienced

Visa required

Yes

Cost of living

High

Currency

Japanese Yen

Work Abroad in Japan 

For travellers with an adventurous spirit who want to experience a culture like no other, then Japan is high on the list. An intriguing and interesting history has been combined with a modern and forward thinking lifestyle, both of which drives millions of people to the country.

With sprawling cities, activities such as skiing aplenty, and opportunities to explore ancient areas, Japan has boomed as a work and travel destination. Thanks to the availability of their Working Holiday Visa, as well as a demand for English speaking workers, opportunities such as teaching in Japan are widespread.

Immerse yourself over 12 months as you teach English to Japanese students, with no experience necessary. You'll not only contribute to a local Japanese community, but you'll have an incredible opportunity to sample the unique everyday life in the country, one which you won't find anywhere else.

Learn more about Japan.

Consisting of four main islands (Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku) and many other smaller islands, Japan is a vast country that is rich in culture and technological advancements. Its intriguing history and culture have been matched with beautiful modern cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, giving the country a wonderful contrast with something for everyone. It's no surprise Japan's food and pop culture have become so popular in the West, as the country offers some of the best cuisine and most fascinating sources of entertainment the world has to offer.

Key Facts

  • Population: 1.229 mn
  • Number of Regions: 9
  • Number of Prefectures: 47
  • Capital: Tokyo
  • Currency: Japanese Yen
  • Area: 377,973 km²
  • Yearly Tourists (approx): 32m

Major Cities

  • Tokyo
  • Yokohama
  • Osaka
  • Nagoya
  • Sapporo
  • Fukuoka
  • Kawasaki
  • Kobe
  • Kyoto
  • Saitama

Culture

While being a technological and pop culture marvel, tradition still remains at the heart of Japan's culture. Manners including bowing and removing footwear when entering certain buildings are an essential aspect of Japans culture. Religion in Japan is multifaceted, as the people practice various beliefs such as Shintoism, Buddhism and Christianity among other religions.

Sports

Japan's national sport is Sumo, which is a full-contact form of wrestling that involves forcing an opponent outside of a ring or making them touch the ground. Other martial arts are also enjoyed in Japan, including judo, karate and kendō. Baseball is Japan's most popular sport, and attending a baseball game is a must for anyone looking to visit the country. It was introduced to Japan in 1872 by an American called Horace Wilson.

Music

Music is a massive industry Japan, with many of the music genres originating from there taking influence from Western genres. These hybrid genres include everything from J-pop and J-rock, to Japanese reggae and Japanoise. Artists to check out include ONE OK ROCK and LiSA. While music in Japan today might take a lot of inspiration from the West, music of the past is both unique and varied. Traditional music includes Gagaku and Hōgaku.

Environment

Japan has a diverse climate with four seasons, ranging from humid subtropical in the south to subarctic in the north. The mountainous terrain, covering 73% of the country, features over 100 active volcanoes and hot springs. As Japan is made up of 6,852 islands, it is numerous in coastal areas.