Part-Time Jobs in Japan for Foreigners
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- Working Holiday
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People who came to Japan as a foreign student or working holiday, you should try to get part-time jobs. As working, you can earn money, and also can learn the actual Japanese society, which is not taught at school. Also, if you choose a part-time jobs which use Japanese, you can improve your Japanese skills for sure by short term. Through doing a part-time jobs, you can get some chances to communicate with Japanese and experience real "Japanese life". It must be worth your life. If you live in Japan, you should try to get a part-time job.
When you try to find part-time jobs, we recommend you to use websites for foreigners about part-time jobs.
In this article, we explain about limitation for part-time jobs, important point for applying part-time jobs, and some recommended part-time jobs for foreigners etc. Besides, we introduce some websites that have good jobs for foreigners. Please check them and have wonderful days in Japan!
Selected Websites for Foreigners about Part-Time Jobs
It is a part-time job recruiting website, posting many foreigner-friendly jobs. Searching foreigner-welcomed job offers is uncomplicated because there is a specialized webpage for non-Japanese job seekers. The companies on the page are looking for foreign workers. In addition, you can filter job listings by various criteria, such as job type, location, station, and shop name. As of March 2025, the site boasts over 383,700 job listings, including flexible options like W-works, short-term, one-time positions, and high-paying jobs—categories that are often hard to find on other part-time job websites.
Timee is a job searching app tailored for short-term or one-off part-time jobs, allowing work in increments as brief as one hour. By installing the app and uploading an identification document, you can swiftly search short-term jobs by date and location. It covers a broad spectrum of job types, including food service, retail, light warehouse tasks, delivery, event staff, and office work. The entire process of searching for and applying to jobs is streamlined within the Timee app, making it user-friendly for non-native Japanese speakers concerned about speaking in Japanese. Additionally, the usual requirements for applying to part-time jobs, such as registration meetings, resumes, and interviews, are eliminated. This allows for immediate job applications whenever unexpected free time arises, enabling users to start working part-time without delay. By setting available working hours in the app ensures that notifications are received when matching job listings are updated. For foreigners looking to earn income during their spare time, Timee is undoubtedly a job app worth signing up for.
Contents
- Limitation of Foreign Workers in Japan
- Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners
- How to find part-time jobs in Japan?
Limitation of Foreign Workers in Japan
There are some limitations to get part-time jobs in Japan as a foreigner. At first, those who have the following visa status; "Temporary Visitor (tourism, business, visiting acquaintances, etc.)", "College Student", Cultural Activities", "Trainee", "Dependent", and so on, will be punished for working. However, if your visa status is "College Student" or "Dependent", you can get a part-time job as holding "Permission for part-time job". In other words, you are not allowed to work unless you receive the permission. Those who have "Working Holiday" visa can get part-time jobs as well.
How to Apply the "Permission for part-time job"?
"Permission for part-time job" is a permission that allows you to earn money as doing the activities of your visa suggests. (*NOTICE: when you have a "College Student" visa and work for the educational institution where you belong, you do not need the permission.) You can get the permission at the Regional Immigration Bureau by free. The permitted duration is by the day your visa expired.
If you are a new arrival (not re-entered) with a "College Student" visa and plan to stay over three months, you can apply a "Permission for part-time job" at those airports: Narita International Airport, Tokyo International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, and Kansai International Airport.
Limitation of the Amount of Working Hours for Foreigners
The "Working Holiday" visa holders are basically allowed to work as you want. If you are "College Student" visa holder, you are allowed to work less than 28 hours in a week. If you work over the permitted hours, you might be punished, such as deportation, imprisonment, penalty charges, etc. In addition, you are not allowed to work at the adult entertainment related business, such as bars, night clubs, pachinkos etc.
| Working hours in a week | Working hours during long breaks (summer vacation and winter break) |
|
|---|---|---|
| StudentsA regular student at the university | It must be within 28 hours in a week. | It must be within 8 hours in a day. |
| StudentsAn auditing student or a research student at the university | It must be within 14 hours in a week. | It must be within 8 hours in a day. |
| StudentsA student at the vacational school | It must be within 28 hours in a week. | It must be within 8 hours in a day. |
| Dependent | It must be within 28 hours in a week. | It must be within 28 hours in a week. |
| Working Holiday | No limitation | No limitation |
Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners
This chapter introduces examples of part-time job offers for foreigners and the popular jobs within them. When you look for a part-time job, you should read the job description carefully, then find a job which suits you.
| Occupation | Sushi Restaurant Staff |
|---|---|
| Job Description |
|
| Area | Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Wages | Hourly wage 1,350 yen and up |
| Working Time | 8:00 a.m.～12:00 a.m.
|
| Treatment |
|
| Applying Conditions |
|
*NOTICE: As of March 2025 (contents may have changed).
Popular Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners
The Service Industry: Supermarkets, Restaurants, Convenience Stores...
The service industry is one of the most popular part-time jobs for foreigners. Most workers are students or twenties. You can make friends easily because you have to meet and communicate many people. However, you have to speak polite Japanese because you have to talk to the customers. If you are not confident of treating Japanese, a sales clerk at electronics retail stores is a good select; because they need people who speak other languages, like English or Chinese.
If you work at restaurants, you have to memorize the menu. There are some opportunities to work with Japanese co-workers, so you might pay mind to do it. As working at supermarkets or convenience stores, you do not have to memorize works as much as restaurants. In addition, when they dispose of unsold foods, they might give it to clerks. Therefore, it is one of the ways to save the cost of food; but the rule depends on each store, so you have to make sure of it.
Part-Time Jobs as Using Your Language (English/Chinese)
The number of tourist to Japan is increasing because of the weak yen. At the same time, the job postings for using other languages (not Japanese) also increase. Companies positively would like to hire foreign students and foreigners who have permanent residency. For example, if you are fluent in English, these job postings; an English teacher, a hotel staff at the place where is popular with foreign tourists. If you are fluent in Chinese, there are many chances to work at electronics retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, convenience stores, etc. If you are fluent in both English and Chinese, you will be highly valued when applying a job posting; the per-hour wages would be higher.
Selected Websites for Foreigners about Part-Time Jobs that use English or Chinese
In addition to job postings, they introduce various useful contents; they explain how to write a job application and go in for interviews, and quiz about Japanese polite language etc. There are many job postings related to using English works. Although there is a few information about other places from areas around Tokyo, it is good to look for a part-time job at these areas; the amount and quality of information are one of the best within those websites.
On this website, you can easily find part-time jobs that require Chinese language because they have a page for Chinese speakers. It also posts many job information specialized in local areas, making it easier to find a job close to your home or school. You can also narrow down information by location, station, job type, hourly wage, and special conditions. Moreover, there's no need to register to apply for jobs.
Langugae Teacher(English/Chinese)
Many Japanese are learning second or third language. Especially, English and Chinese are one of the most popular langage in Japan, therefore it is good choice to teach language as a part-time job. You need some experience and expertise when you teach at school but being a tutor is much easier. Most of websites for foreign language tutor is free to entry, and you can get message from manager of website or a person who wants you to teach language. You can decide the date, time and wages by yourself. You need the ability to explain grammer in Japanese but if the student wants to improve their hearing or speaking skills, you need to be able to pronounce properly.
Language school teacher's wages are high but you need to use your time for preparing class, so it is not laborless job. Also, most of students are company employee man, thus woman should be careful with school place and class time. Some Japanese are interested in Taiwan, most of teaching materials and Chinese tests are using simplified characters, hence Taiwanese should learn simplified characters or pinyin to get part-time jobs.
Home-based part-time jobs
Home-based part-time jobs mean that a job you can work at home. Most jobs require having a PC and the Internet. Typical examples are data entry, translation, language teaching, programming, design, and writing. The most attractive point of the work style is that you can freely control your working hours according to your convenience. Therefore, it enables you to get a job even if you are a student, parent, or have a day job. On the other hand, some people work long hours because the boundary between work and private becomes blurred. To avoid the problem, you should manage your time.
Recommendable website for foreigners to earn with side jobs at home
On this website, you can freely buy and sell your knowledge, skills, and experience as a side business. Users sell their skills or experience as a 30-minute ticket. Buyers can receive the corresponding service by purchasing tickets. There are not only specialized skills such as translation, photography, language lessons, and website design, but also hobbies and experiences, such as counseling on problems, game playing, shopping, and so on. To start using the service, sign up as a free member, and set the content, time, and price of tickets, etc. There is no charge for membership registration, ticket setup, and posting fees. When someone buys tickets, you will pay 15% to 25% of the set price as a service fee. If you plan to do a side job in Japan, this is one of the services you should register.
Work on Light Duty
About the part-time jobs, you work at warehouses or factories. It is generally considered as it is easy to work because the duty is simple. However, there are many jobs that you require heavy lifting. These works do not need Japanese conversational skills. If you do not mind to work silently, it is a good select.
Short-Term Part-Time Jobs
Short-term part-time jobs are from one day to about three months. The good point is that you can earn money intensely in a short time. Compared to the long-term part-time jobs, it is easier to be hired. You can work when you have time for it. Also, when you need money immediately, it is a good way. This type of work is recommended for people who can manage your schedule, and do not want to spend a lot of time for the part-time job. You can experience many kinds of work, such as handing out tissues on the street; an event staff member about concerts, baseball games, festivals, and so on.
Selected Websites for Foreigners about Short-Term Part-Time Jobs
Mach Baito have various short-term part-time jobs, like for one day, for one week, for one month and three months. Also, you can search short-term part-time jobs with some conditions (welcome foreigners, welcome green hand, no resume etc.) so people who wants money instantly should use Mach Baito.
Food delivery part-time jobs
Food delivery part-time jobs are popular for the simple way of working. You will get paid for delivering restaurant food to a designated location. It is one of the most popular and often chosen jobs among foreigners. In many cases, this job is available without any experience or special skills. If you can drive a bicycle or motorcycle, you have the opportunity. You can work as you would like because there is no shift system. Therefore, you can adjust your schedule to fit your needs. There is no interview to start working. Register as a food delivery partner for free on the platform. Note that non-Japanese may be required to attend a registration or information session.
Recommendable food delivery platform for foreigners
Wolt is a food delivery service from Finland. The company operates in 23 countries and over 140 cities worldwide. It has an excellent reputation for its working support system. Even beginners with no experience in food delivery can work with confidence. The compensation for food delivery depends on the distance, weather, and restaurant location. You can check the actual payment on the app before accepting a delivery request. In addition, they often offer area-specific bonuses and additional rewards for making more than a certain number of deliveries.
To register as a delivery partner, you need a residence card, e-mail address, phone number, and a Japanese bank account. Note that international students are not allowed to register. To complete the process, apply on the Wolt official website, watch the instruction video, take an aptitude test, and attend a registration session. Once you complete the process, you can promptly begin working by activating the specialized app online. It will enable you to receive delivery requests and relevant details.
Part-Time Jobs at Post Offices during the Year-End and New Year Holidays
There are two kinds of working: "outside duty" and "inside duty". For the outside duty, you mainly deliver the New Year's cards by bike or motorcycle. Therefore, you need physical strength for doing it. By contrast, for the inside duty, you mainly sort the New Year's cards; there is no problem for beginners in Japanese. To get the job, there is a brief interview. Even though the per-hour wages are not high, the traffic fees are provided. Also, if you work at midnight, you will receive the additional wages.
The job posting starts from around October in every year. You receive a contact after you apply at the website of Japan Post. As you can work many days, you will be employed. However, you have to work on the year-end and the new year holidays as well. If you do not mind of it, it will be a precious experience to know the works of the Japanese post office. Let's try it if you do not have any schedules on those days.
How to find part-time jobs in Japan?
A Part-Time Job Magazines
It is published once or twice a week. There are both sold magazine and free ones. If you would like to buy it, you can get at kiosks, convenience stores, bookstores, university cooperatives, and so on. If you would like to get a free one, you can look for it at ticket gates of train stations, shopping malls, large supermarkets, and so on.
The written information is different at each area. There are many job postings about the published location. If you look for a part-time job close to your school or home, this magazine is very useful.
A Website about Part-Time Jobs
These websites frequently update the information. You can look for a part-time job by regions or occupations. You are able to get the recent information about part-time jobs by using these websites very well. Here, we picked up some Japanese part-time job websites for you. If you are looking for a job, please check the following information.
Selected Websites for Foreigners about Part-Time Jobs
The site makes it easy to filter part-time job listings that are open to foreigners based on job characteristics. It offers a wide variety of listings, including opportunities in restaurants and mobile phone shops. Additionally, the site provides plenty of useful information, such as tips for applying to part-time jobs, how to write and submit a resume, and key interview tips.
They have some community-based reqruitments hence foreigners who wants to work around home or university, should use this website. You can search with area, station and occupations and so on, moreover, they have webpage that feature part-time jobs which use Chinese or English. The detail pages of recruitment are simple.
The number of job postings is large and the searching method is not difficult. You can save your job application as you sign up for free; you also might be able to receive e-mail from employers about scouting. There is another page for foreigners that post "foreigners OK" jobs. In addition, you can receive e-mails about the newest part-time jobs' information by putting your hopes for jobs.
Arbeit EX serves as a comprehensive hub for part-time job listings, partnering with over 20 major Japanese part-time jobs recruitment websites. With Arbeit EX, you can simultaneously access and apply to positions listed across these platforms. The search can be refined by factors such as "foreigners," locality, transportation route, and job category. Beyond just part-time jobs, Arbeit EX also lists temporary and permanent roles, making it ideal for foreigners seeking a wide array of employment opportunities in Japan. After registering as a free member on Arubaito EX and applying for positions with a signing bonus, successful applicants stand a chance to earn a signing bonus of up to 50,000 yen.
A Bulletin Board at the School
A bulletin board at universities or colledges has job postings that are not on the websites. For example, they might post about a special job for only the students. If you are an international student, you must check the board to get a great information.
- 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.
TidbitsThe Points Applying for Part-Time Jobs
1When you call to the employer
- You should check your schedule and the list of questions before you call.
- You should avoid the time the store is busy.
- Please prepare a piece of paper and a pen in order to write down.
- Be careful of your language; you should try to use the polite language.
2When you write the resume
- You should use a black ink pen.
- You are not supposed to use either white-out or double line to correct the mistakes.
- You should suggest licenses or skills that seem not related to your applying job.
3Items you need for the interview
- A resume with a photo of you
- Identification(a residence card, an alien registrasion, a student ID etc.)
- Writing implements (e.g. a pen)
- A notepad
- An inkan/hanko (if the traffic fee is provided)
4Clothes at the Interview
- You must not wear a pair of jeans and a pair of sneakers.
- You should take off your hat/cap during the interview.
- You should not wear earrings. If your original hair color is dark, you should not dye your hair light colors, such as blond.
