You may have heard of people going on a working holiday Japan trip. By all appearances, such an experience promises a lot of fun and excitement. Before you consider jumping on the opportunity though, there are a couple of things you need to know.

What is it?

Some other countries also have special programs that let visitors work and play. Japanese working holidays in particular are special arrangements borne out of ’s agreement with other countries and territories. You can only apply for working holiday visas if you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Denmark, Ireland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, , and the . In exchange for allowing citizens of these countries into Japan, Japanese citizens in turn can enjoy similar working holiday benefits when they visit these places.

As the term implies, the program is primarily for people who wish to enjoy a vacation. This means that a traveler’s intention must primarily be to enjoy the sights and sounds of the country. Finding a job is only a secondary focus. Once a visitor has found a job in a non-regulated sector, he is allowed to keep it only for the duration of his visa’s validity. This is usually six months with a possible extension of another six months. Only Australians can apply for extensions that will allow them to stay up to eighteen months.

Who can submit applications?

Other than the requirement to be a citizen of a specific country, applicants for working holiday visas also need to comply with other requirements. They should at least be eighteen years old but no more than thirty years old. Their planned visit should also be their first and upon application they need to present a valid passport.

There are also some restrictions based on financial capacity. Individuals who cannot show proof that they can finance their vacation cannot get a go signal. Applicants should at least show that they have $2,000 intended specifically for their stay in Japan. They also have to show particular vacation plans for their trip with a return flight for home already booked.

How costly is the stay?

An initial six pounds will be charged to UK applicants. For other applicants however, visa applications are free. In all territories, all visitors need to shoulder their plane tickets. That would mean preparing roughly $3,000. You may however be able to get cheap deals that will cost you below $2,000.

The cost of living is more difficult to deal with. It’s normal to have to spend around a hundred thousand yen a month for food, transportation and lodging. You might however, be able to do away with some of these expenses if you get accepted in a winter resort. Most winter resorts offer free accommodations so you can save what you earn or use it for shopping and entertainment.

A working holiday in Japan is truly an experience to remember because it allows tourists to enjoy the many attractions of the country while maintaining jobs in Japan. If you qualify as an applicant, you should take the first chance you’ve got to apply for the program.

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