Getting started:

Planning your winter in Japan

Getting started is easy, and we’ll help you through every step.

Here’s how to go from “maybe I could…” to “I’m living in Japan this winter.”

Save your place

How it works

This process follows the official Working Holiday Visa guidelines from the Japanese Embassy. It’s a well-established route that allows travellers to organise seasonal work between their travels in Japan once their visa is approved.

We work only with trusted employers and ensure every step meets Japanese government requirements, so your experience is compliant, supported and seamless.

Check your eligibility

Before you dive in, check you tick all the boxes:

Aged 18 before 15th October, and under 30 when you apply
In good health and of good character, have a positive mindset and the resilience to embrace a totally new culture - but that’s all part of the adventure
Meet Japan's Working Holiday Visa requirements
Have not previously held a Japanese Working Holiday Visa, or have held a Japanese Working Holiday visa only once before
Have at least £2,500 for UK/€3,200 for Irish participants in savings to evidence to embassy
Available to start late November or by 7th December (contracts usually run until March/April)
Available for at least 7 months for your intended travel period on the Working Holiday Visa (visa up to 12 months)
Have read and understood the Programme Terms

If that all sounds like you, then join one of our Group Info Session Calls to make sure the programme’s the right fit for you!

How To Apply - Step 1 - Yamagata City Local History Museum

Complete your online application

After your quick call with us and you've decided this programme is right for you, then you can hit the Save Your Place button and fill out the online application form.

You’ll upload your CV & Cover Letter and make your first payment of £150 (non-refundable) to kick things off.

We’ll get you online for a Discovery Call Interview - this a chance for us to understand your motivation, experience and availability. We'll also chat expectations in Japan in depth!

Start interviewing with potential employers

Once you've completed your Discovery Call and your full application, CV and Cover Letter are done, your second payment of £300 (non-refundable) will be due within 14 days.

Now that you've paid this and you're ready to be placed, our job-matching team will get your application out to employers and you can start employment interviews. These are real job conversations and interviews with employers in Japan, where you'll check the match on both sides.

Tip: interviews with Japanese employers are commonly more formal, and it's customary to bow when you greet each other, we'll give you more tips and tricks to help you through your interviews.

Apply for your Working Holiday Visa

The Japanese Working Holiday Visa is all about showing your tourism intentions first, with work as the add-on that funds your travels. This is your chance to see the deer in Nara's deer park or see stunning views of Mount Fuji.

For your visa appointment, you will need to show intended travel plans for your entire length of stay (this should be for at least 7 months and no more than 12 months), this should show intention to travel as well as temporary work. We’ll walk you through what to prepare so your application hits the Working Holiday Visa rules and keeps your plans flexible.

Visa processing usually takes about 1 week, and we’ll help you with all the details - remember the embassy will keep your passport whilst processing.

Japan embassy locations - London, Edinburgh and Dublin:

UK participants residing in the UK or Northern Ireland (except when holding an Irish passport) will apply in London.
UK participants residing in Scotland or some council districts in the north of England will apply in Edinburgh.
Irish participants (or Irish passport holders residing in Northern Ireland) will apply in Dublin.

It’s worth knowing that for your Working Holiday Visa application, you’ll need the following (may vary depending on embassy location):

Valid UK or Irish passport
Visa Application form download here
ID photo - 35mm x 45mm taken within last 6 months, plain background, passport style
Outline of Intended Activities and Travel Plan – An itinerary outlining your tourism and travel plans only for each month of your proposed stay in Japan. This should be realistic, show why you’ve chosen specific places, and cover more than 7 months (and no longer than 12 months) of intended travel during your entire stay in Japan. This section should focus on travel and cultural experiences, not only focused on work, and should complement (not repeat) your motivational statement.
Motivational Statement Letter – An A4-length letter explaining why you wish to travel to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, what you are interested in and what you want to see in Japan. You should not repeat your Outline of Intended Activities Plan here, but show what you hope to get out of the experience and personal reasons why you have chosen to travel in Japan.
Proof of funds - A UK or Ireland bank statement covering 3 months to either show:
- £2,500 for UK/€3,200 for Irish participants in cleared funds, or
- £1,500 for UK/€1,600 for Irish participants in cleared funds along with appropriate evidence participants are in possession of flight ticket (see FAQs for more info on each Embassy's flight ticket requirements)
- The statement must show the account holder’s name and UK or Ireland address.
- Traveler's cheques, credit cards, loans and overdrafts are not acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds.
- If you have received gift money from your parent(s), please include a signed statement from them.
- In the case of a married couple who are applying together for two Working Holiday Visas, the minimum amounts are £4,500 for UK/€2,300 for Irish participants.
- Further information regarding source of funds maybe requested

Proof of travel insurance (usually Dublin Embassy only) - Evidence of travel insurance that covers you for the full duration of your stay (minimum of 7 months). Your policy must include cover for winter sports and personal liability, we'll walk you through some options.

Secure your winter job

When you’re invited to an employment interview, it’s your chance to show who you are and what you’ll bring to their team. We’ll help you prepare, walking you through what to expect in a Japanese job interview and how to make a great impression.

Once you’ve passed an employer interview, you’ll receive a formal job offer. If you don’t land one straight away, don’t worry. It can take a few tries to find the perfect fit. If you've already had your visa approved, then you can also confirm any job offers.

Your employer will finalise your job placement and paperwork. You’ll sign your contract directly with your employer, and we’ll be there to help if you have any questions. It's not uncommon for your exact job role and accommodation-type to be confirmed once you arrive at the resort in Japan... so don't stress, this is all part of the adventure! Our Japanese-speaking support is on stand-by if you have any questions when you arrive.

Employers hire right through to the end of October, so it might be a few weeks before you hear back.

Your final payment is due once your placement is confirmed (and should be paid without delay), so everything’s sorted even if you’re placed later in the season.

Get ready to go

You're nearly ready...

Book your flights - you may have booked before your visa appointment. We'll let you know when and where your Arrival Orientation will be, either Tokyo or Sapporo, depending on your placement location. We'll also advise you what times and dates for the Airport meet & greet.

Sort out your insurance - you may already have this sorted if you applied for your visa in Dublin. You are responsible for buying your own insurance, this must include snow sports cover and personal liability, and cover you for your entire intended stay in Japan (at least 7 months and up to 12 months). We'll advise you of an appropriate coverage or you can find your own!

Then, before you fly, you’ll get pre-departure info and practical tips to help you feel fully prepared, from packing lists to cultural pointers.

And of course, our team’s always on hand if you have any questions.

You’ll also virtually meet other travellers via our WhatsApp group that are heading out for the season: your winter crew connects here.

Get excited for your Japanese Working Holiday Adventure!