Part-Time Jobs in Japan for foreigners

If you are studying in Japan, on a working holiday, or living in Japan under another status of residence that allows you to work, a part-time job can be a great way to earn money, improve your Japanese, and experience everyday life in Japan.

In Japanese, a part-time job is commonly called arubaito (アルバイト) or simply baito (バイト).

However, foreign residents are not always free to work without restrictions. Whether you are allowed to work, how many hours you can work, and whether you need special permission depend on your status of residence.

This guide covers the rules for working part-time in Japan, typical wages, jobs suited to different levels of Japanese proficiency, how to find a job, and what international students and working holiday participants should know before applying.

Contents

• Part-Time Work Rules by Status of Residence
• How Much Do Part-Time Jobs Pay in Japan?
• Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners
• Popular Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners
  
  • The Service Industry: Restaurants and Cafés
  • Convenience Stores and Supermarkets
  • Hotels and Tourism
  • Warehouse, Factory, and Light Work
  • Short-Term and Seasonal Jobs
  • Remote Work and Freelancing
• How to Find a Part-Time Job in Japan?
• Working Holiday Jobs in Japan

Part-Time Work Rules by Status of Residence

The rules below are a general guide. The exact conditions depend on your individual status of residence and any permissions you have been granted.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan – Official Website (English)

International Students: The 28-Hour Rule

International students who have obtained permission to engage in activities outside the scope of their status of residence can generally work up to 28 hours per week.
If you have more than one part-time job, the 28-hour limit applies to your combined working hours across all jobs, not separately to each employer.
During long school holidays designated by your educational institution, you may generally work up to eight hours per day.
Working more than the permitted hours may have consequences for future immigration procedures, including applications to extend your period of stay.

Jobs International Students Cannot Do

Even with permission to work part-time, international students are not allowed to work at certain adult entertainment businesses prohibited under Japan's immigration rules.
This restriction applies even if your duties are not directly related to adult entertainment. For example, you may not be permitted to work as a cleaner or kitchen staff member at a prohibited establishment.
If you are unsure whether a particular workplace is permitted, check before accepting the job.

How Much Do Part-Time Jobs Pay in Japan?

Hourly wages vary considerably depending on the prefecture, type of job, working hours, Japanese proficiency, and level of experience.
Japan has a regional minimum wage system, so employers generally cannot pay less than the applicable minimum wage.
According to job-market data published in 2026, the average advertised hourly wage for part-time work nationwide is around ¥1,300, although wages tend to be higher in major urban areas such as Tokyo.
Official information for international students indicates that privately financed international students who work part-time earn approximately ¥59,000 per month on average.
These figures are only averages and do not guarantee how much you will earn. Your actual income will depend on factors such as your hourly wage, the number of hours you are legally permitted to work, and the type of job you find.

Check the Minimum Wage

Minimum wages vary by prefecture and are revised periodically. For example, Tokyo's minimum wage is higher than the minimum wage in many other prefectures. Before accepting a job, check the current minimum wage that applies in the prefecture where you will be working.
Do not assume that a lower wage is acceptable simply because you are a foreign worker or international student. Japan's minimum wage laws generally apply to foreign workers in the same way as they do to Japanese workers.

Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners

When looking for a part-time job, read the job description carefully to ensure it suits your language level and skills. Below are some popular options and an example of a typical job listing.

The easiest jobs to find will depend largely on your level of Japanese proficiency.
You do not need to speak fluent Japanese for every part-time job, but stronger Japanese skills can significantly increase the number of opportunities available to you.

Jobs for People With Little or No Japanese

If your Japanese is still limited, look for jobs that involve little direct communication with customers. Common options include warehouse work, sorting, factory work, food preparation, cleaning, hotel housekeeping, and other back-of-house roles. Some employers actively recruit foreign workers and may provide instructions in simple Japanese or, in some cases, another language. However, 日本語不要 “no Japanese required” does not always mean that you can work without any Japanese at all. You may still need to understand basic workplace instructions, safety procedures, and simple communication from supervisors or coworkers.

Jobs for Conversational Japanese Speakers

Once you can communicate comfortably in everyday Japanese, a much wider range of part-time jobs becomes available. Restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, convenience stores, retail stores, hotels, and tourist facilities often hire part-time staff.
Customer-facing jobs can also be a great way to improve your Japanese, as you will regularly communicate with customers and coworkers.

Jobs for People With Strong Japanese Skills

If you have Japanese proficiency roughly equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher, you may also be able to apply for office jobs, customer support roles, interpretation-related work, sales support, administrative positions, and jobs that require both Japanese and another language.
However, your actual communication skills are often more important than your JLPT score, and each employer sets its own language requirements.
If you are particularly interested in using English at work, see our guide to English-speaking jobs for foreigners in Japan.

Popular Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners

The Service Industry: Restaurants and Cafés

Restaurants are among the most common places for international students to find part-time work in Japan. Jobs are generally divided into front-of-house positions, which involve serving customers, and kitchen positions, which focus mainly on food preparation and other behind-the-scenes tasks. Kitchen jobs may require less Japanese than customer-facing roles, while front-of-house positions can be a good way to improve your spoken Japanese and learn useful customer-service expressions. Some restaurants also offer free or discounted staff meals, which can help reduce your daily food expenses.

Convenience Stores and Supermarkets

Convenience stores and supermarkets offer a wide range of part-time job opportunities throughout Japan. Typical duties may include operating the cash register, stocking shelves, cleaning, receiving deliveries, and assisting customers. Because convenience store employees are often expected to handle a variety of services and interact directly with customers, these jobs generally require stronger Japanese communication skills than warehouse or kitchen work.

Hotels and Tourism

Hotels, guesthouses, souvenir shops, tourist attractions, and other businesses that serve international visitors may value employees who can speak English, Chinese, Korean, or other languages.Foreign language skills can therefore be a valuable asset, even if your Japanese is not yet fluent.
Tourist destinations and resort areas may also offer seasonal job opportunities, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Warehouse, Factory, and Light Work

Warehouse and factory jobs can be a good option for people who prefer work with limited customer interaction.
Typical duties may include sorting, packing, inspecting products, food production, and other simple manufacturing tasks. Some positions may require physical strength or involve late-night shifts, so be sure to check the job description carefully before applying.

Language Teaching and Tutoring

Native or fluent speakers of English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages may be able to find part-time work as language instructors or private tutors. These jobs can offer relatively high hourly pay, but some schools and employers may require teaching experience, relevant qualifications, or a certain level of Japanese proficiency.

Short-Term and Seasonal Jobs

Short-term jobs can range from one-day assignments to positions lasting several weeks or even a few months. Common examples include event staff, seasonal retail work, resort jobs, warehouse work, and jobs available during busy periods such as the year-end and holiday seasons. These jobs can be a good option for working holiday participants or students who want to earn extra income during periods when they have more free time.

Remote Work and Freelancing

Remote work opportunities in areas such as translation, writing, programming, design, online teaching, and data entry may be available through crowdsourcing and freelance platforms. However, foreign residents should be particularly careful about immigration rules when taking on freelance, self-employed, or contract-based work. For international students, individual permission may be required for freelance, self-employed, delivery, or contract-based work if the number of hours worked cannot be objectively verified. If working hours can be clearly confirmed, some types of such work may be covered by the general permission to engage in activities outside the scope of your status of residence. Do not assume that remote or freelance work is automatically permitted simply because it can be done from home or online.

How to Find a Part-Time Job in Japan

The basic process for finding a part-time job in Japan is fairly straightforward. First, check whether your status of residence allows you to work and obtain any necessary permission before applying.
Next, decide what type of job best suits your Japanese proficiency, location, schedule, and preferred hourly wage. Use job websites and apps to search for positions with criteria such as 「外国人歓迎」“foreign applicants welcome,” 「留学生歓迎」“international students welcome,” and 「未経験OK」“no experience required.” Once you find a suitable job, check the working hours, hourly wage, transportation allowance, employment conditions, and language requirements carefully before applying. Finally, prepare your resume and get ready for the interview. If an employer asks you to submit a Japanese-style resume, see our complete guide to How to Write a Japanese Resume (Rirekisho).

Best Websites and Apps for Finding Part-Time Jobs in Japan

Your School's Career Center

International students should also check the career center or bulletin board at their university, vocational school, or Japanese-language school. Schools sometimes receive job openings directly from employers looking to hire students, including positions that may not be advertised on major job websites.

• If you find a job posting on the window of a store, you should call the number on it and ask the details. If it does not tell you any phone number, you may ask the shop clerk; but be careful that they are busy so cannot answer to you.
  The most important thing for foreign students is to study. You should know your lifestyle and consider how much you can work in a week. You might be bored by only studying at the university or college; let's try working as controlling not to affect on your study.

How to Apply for a Part-Time Job in Japan

Working Holiday Jobs in Japan

Working holiday participants generally have more flexibility than international students when it comes to employment. Restaurants, hotels, ski resorts, tourism businesses, farms, retail stores, and other seasonal workplaces can offer particularly good opportunities for working holiday participants. However, your job search can be much easier if you plan ahead by researching accommodation, seasonal hiring periods, and the level of Japanese required for different types of work.