Japan
Not the easiest path but arguably the most rewarding. The culture, the food, the experience of living in Japan is unlike anywhere else on earth. Come prepared, stay organised, and Japan will give you back more than you put in. It demands more from you than Thailand or Cambodia — higher standards, more paperwork, a steeper cultural adjustment — but the teachers who make it work consistently describe it as the most fulfilling thing they’ve done.
- One of the highest paying teaching destinations in Asia
- Free or subsidised accommodation on most government programmes
- Incredibly safe, clean, and well organised country to live in
- World class food, culture, and quality of life
- Strong demand for native English speakers
- Excellent public transport making it easy to explore
- A country that rewards patience and preparation
Not the easiest path but arguably the most rewarding. The culture, the food, the experience of living in Japan is unlike anywhere else on earth. Come prepared, stay organised, and Japan will give you back more than you put in. It demands more from you than Thailand or Cambodia — higher standards, more paperwork, a steeper cultural adjustment — but the teachers who make it work consistently describe it as the most fulfilling thing they’ve done.
- One of the highest paying teaching destinations in Asia
- Free or subsidised accommodation on most government programmes
- Incredibly safe, clean, and well organised country to live in
- World class food, culture, and quality of life
- Strong demand for native English speakers
- Excellent public transport making it easy to explore
- A country that rewards patience and preparation
Salaries and Cost of Living
Teaching salaries in Japan typically range from £1,500 to £2,500 per month depending on school type and location. The JET Programme pays around £2,000 per month with accommodation often included or subsidised. Private Eikaiwa conversation schools like AEON and ECC pay slightly less but are easier to get into. Tokyo is expensive and you should expect to spend £1,000 to £1,400 per month on living costs. Smaller cities and rural placements through JET are significantly cheaper, often leaving you with meaningful savings. Japan is one of the few destinations where a teaching salary allows you to genuinely save money rather than just break even.
Requirements
A degree is non-negotiable for most legitimate teaching positions in Japan. It is required for the correct work visa and strictly enforced unlike some other Southeast Asian countries. A TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours is expected by most employers. The JET Programme requires a degree but no teaching experience or Japanese language ability. Criminal background checks are required. Some positions ask for a clean driving licence if you are placed in a rural area. The application process for JET specifically is long as applications open in autumn for placements the following summer, so planning ahead is essential.
Best cities
Tokyo offers the most teaching jobs, the highest salaries, and an experience unlike anywhere else. It is overwhelming at first but endlessly fascinating. The cost of living is high but manageable on a teaching salary if you are sensible. Osaka is increasingly popular, slightly cheaper than Tokyo, with famously friendly locals and an incredible food scene. Kyoto attracts teachers who want to be surrounded by traditional Japanese culture including temples, shrines, and a slower pace of life. Rural placements through JET are a completely different experience that is immersive, sometimes isolating, but culturally rich and financially rewarding due to the lower cost of living.
How to find your first job
The JET Programme is the most structured and well supported route. Apply through the Japanese Embassy in your home country as applications open each autumn. GaijinPot Jobs is the most comprehensive English language job board for Japan and worth checking weekly. Dave’s ESL Cafe has a dedicated Japan section. The big Eikaiwa chains including AEON, ECC, Berlitz, and Nova all recruit internationally and are good entry points for first time teachers. Arriving in Japan to job hunt in person is less common here than in Thailand as most positions are arranged before arrival. Expect the hiring process to be formal, thorough, and slower than you are used to.
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