Have you ever wished you could stay in Japan for the whole cherry blossom season?🌸 Then check out Japan's Working Holiday Visa (WHV)! This visa offers an incredible opportunity for travelers to experience life in Japan while earning money to support their adventures.💸
While the ski season is also popular for working holidays, spring jobs are equally rewarding and offer a chance to enjoy Japan's vibrant cherry blossoms, festivals, and pleasant weather.
This guide will help you discover the best jobs available for spring 2026 in Japan and how to land them!
What is a Working Holiday Visa? 🧳
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a special program that allows young travelers from select countries to live and work in Japan for up to one year*. Participants can explore Japan's culture, improve their language skills, and gain valuable work experience.
⚠️*While working holiday visas are generally only valid for up to 1 year and only granted once in an individual's lifetime, the Japanese government has started allowing nationals from select countries to reapply for a second working holiday visa (as of January 1, 2025).
Source: Mofa.gov.jp
Who is the WHV Good For? 👍
The WHV is ideal for:
- Young Adventurers ✈️People aged 18-30 (or 18-25 for certain countries) who want to explore Japan. ✅
- Open-Minded Individuals 🙆♀️Those eager to immerse themselves in Japanese traditions, festivals, and daily life. ✅
- Budget Travelers 💵Individuals looking to offset travel expenses by working during their stay. ✅
📢Note that not all countries have agreements with Japan, and age restrictions depend on countries' bilateral agreements, so check eligibility before applying.
We've also written a quick guide to Getting a Working Holiday Visa in Japan, so make sure to check it out!
📝 Learn more about eligibility requirements on Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs official site.
Why Choose Japan for a Spring Working Holiday ⛩️🌸
Photo courtesy of Alan Godfrey
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to experience Japan, and you can enjoy the season even longer on a Working Holiday Visa. Here's why spring is a great time to stay in Japan:
- Cherry Blossoms (Sakura Season) 🌸
Enjoy breathtaking hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots around March-April. - Festivals and Events 🎎
Spring is packed with festivals like Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day) and many spring flower festivals (wisteria, azalea, etc.). - Perfect Weather ☺️
The mild climate makes outdoor work and travel enjoyable. Most of Japan stays around a pleasant 12 degrees Celsius/54 degrees Fahrenheit (although you'll still find colder weather up north in Hokkaido). - Seasonal Opportunities 🍀
Spring (March-May) marks the beginning of tourist season for hanami, making it prime time for job openings in hospitality and tourism.
Most essential apps in Japan, like Mercari, Uber Eats, and Taxi Apps (Go and DiDi), require a Japanese phone number to sign up. With Sakura Mobile, getting yours is quick, easy, and hassle-free!
Types of Jobs Available 👨🌾
Now that you've decided to have a working holiday in Japan (great choice!), you're probably wondering what kinds of jobs you can get.
From agriculture to tourism, a working holiday in Japan during spring can be a fulfilling experience.
Take a look at our list below of common jobs you can find in the spring.
For those staying in Japan for at least 90 days or more, we recommend getting a Japanese phone number with Sakura Mobile's Voice + Data SIM/eSIM!
Benefits of Sakura Mobile:
- Easy to order online
- Application and customer support are in English
- Easy pick-up at the airport or delivery to your address in Japan
- Inexpensive plans with docomo's fast 5G/4G LTE network
Job Requirements and Tips 📋
Worried about your Japanese skills? 😰 While it's true that basic Japanese is usually preferred, fluent Japanese isn't essential for roles targeting foreign guests. Since people from all over the world visit Japan, English is a valuable skill to many employers.
While most working holiday jobs are entry-level and don't require specialized skills, there are a few things you can do to stand out from other applicants.
Skills and Qualifications 👩🏫
- Outdoor Work: Jobs like farming require physical stamina. Be prepared for manual labor and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
- English Teaching: Consider TEFL certification to have higher chances of success.
General Tips 📝
- Resume: A Japanese-style resume is usually NOT required for most roles like English tour guides or farm work. If you'll be facing Japanese customers, employers may request a rirekisho (Japanese resume) or JLPT N2 certification.
- Work Ethics: Punctuality, politeness, and teamwork are highly valued in Japan.
- Basic Japanese: Practice how to introduce yourself (自己紹介 or jiko shoukai) to make a positive impression.
How to Find Jobs 🔍
If you already have the job that you want in mind, you can check online job boards for any open positions. Or suppose you want more assistance in finding a job, and transitioning to life in Japan. In that case, there are some agencies that offer help for those who want to experience a working holiday in Japan.
Here are some ideas on how to find jobs in Japan:
1) Online Job Boards 📌
2) Agencies Helping with Job Placements/Home Stays 🏠🤝
These agencies cater to working holidaymakers for seasonal placements. Some offer visa application support.
- Ex. Worldpackers, Jenza, Global Work & Travel, boobooSKI (beach resort jobs are year-round)
- WWOOF Japan, Workaway (mostly for farm work or guest house jobs, paid and unpaid positions)
Note that WWOOF positions are unpaid. Instead, WWOOF hosts provide food and accommodation in exchange for work.
For PAID farm jobs, it's helpful to look up local job boards. For example, if you're set on going to Hokkaido, check out Shirebeshi. WorkJapan also shares paid farm jobs from around Japan.
3) Social Media and Online Communities 🌏
- Join Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and forums to network and discover opportunities.
- Groups such as Working Holiday Japan (Facebook) and r/JapanJobs are great resources for job hunters, and many employers post recruiting information.
Here are some examples of the types of job listings you can find in Working Holiday communities
Additionally, if you have a certain prefecture in mind for where you'd like to stay in Japan, check out Facebook groups in the area.
For example, here are some job listings targeting working holiday visa holders in Okinawa (from Jobs on Okinawa and Working Holidays in Okinawa Facebook groups).
Setting Up Essentials: Phone and Bank Account 💳
Congrats on getting the job! 🎉 Now, what about getting paid in Japan? 💴
Getting your essential in order is crucial once you arrive and start settling into your new life in Japan – starting with a bank account and a Japanese phone number.
⚠️ Important Note: While foreign credit cards are widely accepted in Japan, some mobile carriers require a Japanese credit card or payments via a Japanese bank account.
Choosing a Mobile Carrier 📲
For newcomers without a phone number or bank account, navigating the process can feel overwhelming. To make matters more complicated, Japan's major mobile carriers operate primarily in Japanese, which can be daunting if you're not fluent.
Even if you're paid in cash and not planning to open a Japanese bank account, you'll still need a reliable data plan. You'll want to stay connected wiht family back home, communicate with employers, or simply unwind on your phone during your breaks.
This is where Sakura Mobile comes in—offering a stress-free solution to your connectivity needs!
Why Choose Sakura Mobile? 🌸
- No Language Barriers: Say goodbye to the confusion of Japanese-only contracts. From sign-up to customer support, Sakura Mobile provides everything in English.
- Reliable Coverage Across Japan: Under the NTT docomo network (99% population coverage), Sakura Mobile ensures you're connected whether you're in the heart of Tokyo or exploring the countryside.
- Flexible Plans, No Long-Term Contracts: Avoid the pain of 2-year commitments or costly cancellation fees. You can cancel anytime, keeping you in control.
Skip the hassle of navigating complicated Japanese contracts and focus on making the most of your adventure in Japan!
💡 TIP: Check out our articles on
Final Tips for Landing a Job on a WHV 💡
- Start your visa application ASAP and prepare documents early.
- Network through social media and expat communities.
- Be open to different types of work to maximize opportunities.
Conclusion
A spring working holiday in Japan is an unforgettable experience. From cherry blossoms to cultural festivals, this season offers endless opportunities for exploration and work. Prepare well, stay open-minded, and make the most of your time in Japan! 🌸
Looking for affordable SIM/eSIM or WiFi options during your working holiday?
Check out Sakura Mobile's SIM and WiFi plans to stay connected while exploring Japan.
Related Articles:
❄️ Working Holiday: Ultimate Guide to Finding Jobs at Ski Resorts in Japan
More coming soon! 🤩
Stay tuned if you're curious about working holiday opportunities outside of the winter and spring seasons!
We'll soon share tips on jobs for the summer so you can make the most of your time in Japan, whatever the season.
