A year in Japan - How I plan my trip

When it came to planning my trip to Japan, I had to pay attention to many things, especially because I'm doing a whole year abroad in Japan. What my preparation for Japan was like, how I planned, all this in today's article.

Visa and legal preparations

First of all, I had to apply for a visa for Japan, as the general rule for Germans in Japan is that you can only stay in Japan for up to 3 months without a visa. But then I still had to decide on the right visa. Probably the best visa to take a holiday during your year abroad and still have the opportunity to work and be free is a working holiday visa. However, not everyone is allowed to apply for a working holiday visa. The following conditions apply:

• Applications can only be submitted by people with a German passport

• The visa can only be applied for in Germany at the Japanese embassy

• Applicants must be at least 18 and no more than 30 years old at the time of application

• Applicants have only travelled to Japan once or never before with this visa (This has been valid since January 2025, so it is brand new! It would therefore be possible to stay there a second time for a whole year, but the clock is ticking against the age limit).

• The main aim of the stay is to spend ‘holidays’ in Japan, with the option of side jobs

As all these conditions apply to me, I have applied for the visa. But there are also several steps to apply for and follow:

1. You need a valid passport

2. A fully completed application form with a passport photo

3. A travel plan in English or Japanese, detailing your preliminary plans for your stay. Places to be travelled to, activities, i.e. what part-time jobs you want to do, and where you will live for the first few months should be included here.

4. An English or Japanese CV

5. One-page letter of motivation in English or Japanese

6. A flight ticket for at least the outward flight (this is what I did, I don't have a return flight yet)

7. Proof of funding in the form of a current bank statement and at least €2000 in your account. (3000€ if you only have an outbound ticket)

8. An insurance certificate from an international health insurance company, valid for Japan/worldwide for the entire duration of your stay. I took out my international health insurance with DKV for around €56 a month, which was very straightforward.

As you can see, it's quite a time-consuming process, but with a little patience it's well worth it and I can personally say that the feeling when I got the visa entered in my passport was one of the best of the year. You can read about the entire visa preparation process here.

Job planning and financial security

You can imagine that a year in Japan is expensive, if only because of the flight. Not far away is the idea that you want to earn money in Japan. When it comes to finding jobs for foreigners in Japan, there are a lot of websites that promise a variety of jobs, but it's not quite that easy. Many job sites require a resident card, which you only get when you enter Japan. I haven't managed to find a job that way yet. But there are several ways to solve the money problems in Japan:

1. Find a part-time job locally. For working holiday visitors, jobs such as German or English teachers are often popular and work even with little or no Japanese. But you also have a good chance of being hired as a waitress in international restaurant chains.

2. Keep local housing costs to a minimum. Many Japanese people allow you to live in their houses or flats for free in exchange for daily household/garden work, which averages 1-2 hours. This is also the case in this example, where you are asked to help out in the garden in exchange for living in a beautiful rural house.

3. Reduce the cost of living on site as well. Instead of going out for expensive meals, there are many websites that let you eat for free as a food tester. And you can also buy food very cheaply for daily meals.

So it really depends on how creative you are to get to know the beautiful and actually luxurious sides of Japan despite the lack of money.

Finding accommodation

As briefly described above, there are several ways to find long-term accommodation. However, I found accommodation in Fukuoka differently for my first stay:

• I joined a language school that helps arrange accommodation. If you want to do a little research on your own, I can recommend Language Internation, which arranges a large number of language schools.

• I booked my second stay in Osaka via AirBnB, the prices here are of course not so cheap in the big cities, but with a little patience you can find something suitable.

• If you're having trouble finding accommodation in Japan, I can once again recommend the website workaway.info, where you can find lots of individual free accommodation if you don't mind getting your hands dirty with a bit of daily labour. This is what I plan to do after my first 6 months, travelling from one house to the next from week to week and helping out where I can. This will allow me to see the whole country very cheaply.

Tips for others planning a year in Japan

If you would like to spend a year in Japan yourself, here are some tips that I have learnt from my planning so far:

• Plan early: start preparing at least six months before your planned departure. Applying for a visa, finding accommodation and booking flights in particular take time.

• Learn the language: Even if you don't speak fluent Japanese, the basics will help you immensely. Download an app like Duolingo or LingoDeer to learn at least basic vocabulary and phrases.

• Understand cultural customs: Japan has very specific rules for everyday life, from using public transport to eating etiquette. Find out about them to avoid embarrassing situations and show respect.

• Calculate your budget realistically: Japan is more expensive than many people realise. Plan enough budget each month for rent, food and leisure activities. Also think about unexpected costs, such as medical visits or repairs.

• Maintain flexibility: No matter how well you plan, there will be things that go differently than expected. Remain open to new situations and use them as an opportunity to develop yourself further.

  
  

Conclusion

Planning a year abroad in Japan is a challenge, but also an incredible opportunity. It requires patience, organisation and a willingness to get involved in a completely new environment. Nevertheless, every effort is worth it when you take your first steps on Japanese soil and realise that all your preparation has been working towards this adventure.

For stress-free planning and easier packing, you can take a look at my article The art of packing: What to take with you to Japan, which will help you take all the important things with you for your stay.