Everything you need to know about interning in Tokyo

1. What kind of internships can people do in Japan?

Japan is a very popular destination and we’ve got some amazing internship opportunities in the career fields of Business Development, Marketing & Communications and Youth Development & Education. Explore the internships here.

The Business Development internship is perfect for those who want to learn diverse business approaches, about the Japanese corporate culture and for interns who want to develop essential transferable skills related to the dynamic field of business.

The Marketing & Communication internship is great for interns who want to challenge themselves in this fast-moving sector that is constantly evolving to new digital marketing, trends, influences and new technology.

Interns who are interested in the Education sector can consider the Youth Development & Education internship as this internship provides a perfect opportunity for interns to develop transferable skills related to adaptability, resilience plus it’s a great opportunity for cultural immersion as interns will be able to support children in learning English.

2. What makes internships in Tokyo so unique?

There is a drive for excellence in Japan like perhaps no other country in the world. Such pride is taken in presentation, respectful etiquette, quality products, and career ambition; and interns can expect an unparalleled level of personal and professional development.

It’s important to come with an open mind and willingness to adapt to a culture and work ethic that at times may feel familiar, while at other times, completely foreign. Just as Japanese people take good care and strive for quality, international interns in Japan should endeavor to share in this identity. Interns in Japan have a unique opportunity to gain focused and respectful colleagues, to shape their professional brand and work ethic, and to take pride in being a positive ambassador for their own country and culture.

3. How are interns supported?

There are basically 3 layers of support for you as an abroad intern.

1. I’m the Program Manager for our Japan internships and I will be supporting you for your pre-departure steps before you start your internship. This will include ensuring that you have a resume (CV) and cover letter that is prepared according to standards required by Japanese host organizations, that you have a valid passport, mandatory travel insurance and a criminal background check. You will be provided a Program Guide once you confirm your participation as well and this important document will provide you with all of the necessary information that you will need for your pre-departure Checklist.

2. The local coordinators in Tokyo are your second layer of support and they are responsible for sourcing your placement, accommodation, airport pickup and in-country orientation.

3. Finally, you have your internship supervisor who will be working alongside you in your host organization and this person will be there to guide, support and mentor you in your daily tasks during your internship.

4. Is it okay to intern in Tokyo if I don’t speak Japanese?

Absolutely! Japanese language skills are not a requirement to intern in Tokyo. However, interns must come prepared to interact with others at times, who may speak limited English. Japanese language lessons (online or in-country), can be purchased as an Add-On once the intern has confirmed their participation in the internship program.

Business internships in Tokyo are typically hosted by startup companies, import-export companies or software firms. Marketing & Communications internships in Tokyo are typically hosted by startups, tourism & events business, communication agencies, educational institutions or digital advertising firms. Many of these host organizations have a global mindset and orientation toward foreign markets and international sales.

For those interested in the Youth Development & Education internships in Japan, you’ll have the opportunity to use your English language skills as an advantage, by assisting students with their own willingness to learn a second language. Education is highly valued in Japan and families prioritize being able to provide their children with opportunities to excel. Although English-language exposure and immersion is an important aspect of education for students in Japan, interns should still anticipate a language barrier and come prepared with strategies to overcome this. (For example, using simple vocabulary, speaking more slowly, and being prepared to also learn some basic Japanese).

Positive experiences always require a willingness to surmount language barriers and focus on ways to connect, rather than obstacles. Anyone with the motivation to learn a new language can certainly do so and Japanese is no exception. However, it does require time and effort.

5. How will I be prepared to intern in Japan?

We know that it can be both exciting and nerve-wracking to travel internationally, let alone to intern abroad! However, we’re here to help every step of the way and ensure that you feel supported, excited, and confident to begin the experience. RISEWAYwill help with the logistics of planning your internship, so that you know what’s required and how to make everything fall into place.

Once you’ve confirmed your internship, you’ll receive our Program Guide. This important document contains all the essential information you need to know such as your arrival / departure dates & times, a recommended packing list, budgeting information, plugs & adaptors, dress code, etc…

Our local team in Japan will host an online meeting prior to arrival, for an open discussion about Japanese culture and customs. They’ll also host your orientation after you’ve arrived and, during the internship itself, continue to provide ongoing support. RISEWAYremains in-touch to facilitate an experiential learning curriculum (which is designed for guided reflection and resume-building).

6. What is the accommodation like?

The Program Fee for internships in Tokyo includes accommodation. All interns in Tokyo are accommodated in dormitory rooms, within a sharehouse. There are two sharehouses and the accommodation is coordinated after the Tokyo coordinators source your internship to minimize commuting time.

Bedding is provided and guests have access to their own lockers within the rooms, for safe-keeping personal items. Shared dormitory rooms typically accommodate between 4-8 guests at any given time. Bathrooms are shared and common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities are available at the accommodation for interns to access (there is a small fee per use for laundry machines).

7. What is the food like?

I can describe it in one word: AMAZING! The Program Fee for internships in Japan do not include food. However, it is extremely affordable to eat out or cook yourself in the kitchen facilities of our sharehouse.

Japan is a foodie paradise and there is something delicious for every palate. Convenience stores (called combinis) are dotted all around the city and you can find affordable takeaway bento meals for as cheap as US$5 plus a drink for around $3. The combinis offer nutritionally balanced bento box meals and as there is so much variety, you’ll be able to try out different kinds of bento meals, salads, sandwiches, sushi, noodles and more!

Supermarkets often have discounted bento boxes or prepared food near closing time that you can get at a good discount. There are countless cafes, small noodle bars, sushi shops, fast food options and restaurants!

Challenge your tastebuds, explore new and exciting foods like yakitori chicken skewers, tempura (deep-fried fritters of seafood or vegetables), tonkatsu meat cutlets, noodles (there’s ramen, soba, udon and somen), yakiniku (BBQ beef) and different kinds of sushi.

A recommended budget of at least 2,000 Japanese yen per day (about US$20) is suggested for meals. Bear in mind that a recommended budget can vary significantly, as your personal spending habits and lifestyle choices are going to impact how much you spend.

8. How will I get around Tokyo city?

The greater Tokyo area is not just one city, but it’s an expanse made up of many cities, or “wards” (much like the boroughs of London or New York City). Due to the expanse of these urban and residential areas, it is normal to commute to and from accommodation via the Tokyo subway.

The normal commute time can be at least one hour (and may require changes of subway line and platform - Google Maps is your best friend!). However, the system is very efficient and user-friendly, making it easy to get around and discover Tokyo. Free WiFi is available at most stations and metro routes are color-coded, numbered, and locations are written in the latin alphabet, as well as Japanese script.

Once you get into the swing of using the subway - which really doesn’t take very long - you’ll realize that the city really is at your fingertips and you’ll be excited to start exploring! Typically, interns in Tokyo use prepaid cards (called SUICA or PASMO) to electronically pay for trains, buses, subways, and even many taxis. For the subway, you simply tap the card over the card reader at the entrance of the train station (or you tap it on the reader as you board a bus). These prepaid cards can be purchased (and topped up) at train/subway stations (there are user-friendly instructions in English).

9. How much money do I need to intern in Japan?

A recommended budget of at least ¥2,000 per day (about US$20) is suggested for meals. In Tokyo, a typical fast food meal costs approx. US$5 and a coffee might set you back about US$3. A meal in a middle-class restaurant for two people costs on average US$40.

There are coin operated washing machines in the sharehouse and they cost about ¥200 (approx. US$2) per use.

Note that interns are required to pay a refundable deposit of ¥40,000 JPY (approximately US$275 / €255, depending on the exchange rate) upon arrival (orientation/check-in) directly to the local coordinators in Tokyo which is refunded to you upon check-out, provided that you have left your room and the house’s installations in proper conditions, as approved by the local coordinator.

We recommend budgeting between ¥8,000 - ¥12,000 per month for using the subway (approximately US$70 - US$110). Approximately US$170 per week is a suitable budget to cover public transportation (subway or bus) and affordable meals from the combini (convenience stores).

Return transport from the accommodation to the airport is not included in the Program Fees and the cost of transportation back to the airport can range from ¥500 - ¥3,200 (about US$30), depending on whether you take public transportation or prefer to book a private transfer. A fixed rate taxi to Narita airport (which is further from Haneda Airport), from Tokyo Station, can be ¥22,000 (roughly US$200).

It’s wise to research tourism activities in advance to get an idea of what you’d like to do and how much you need to earmark for this – for example, a weekend at Tokyo Disneyland isn’t going to cost as much as much as a picnic in the park with your friends.

10. Who would you recommend internships in Japan for?

The internships in Japan are great for those with a sense of adventure, for those who enjoy challenges and are willing to try out a new lifestyle in terms of the pace, food, language, culture and accommodation (as the living spaces are shared).

Tokyo is a dynamic destination for those who thrive on a fast pace of life and don’t mind commuting on public transport (as Tokyo is massive and it is the norm to spend around an hour commuting from the accommodation to the placement, and vice versa). The subway system is affordable, convenient, efficient and easy to navigate with Google Maps. There is also a reasonable amount of walking involved as in any other big city.

Japan is a great destination for cultural immersion as you will be living in a culture different from your own and you can take advantage of Japanese lessons (that can be purchased as an additional Add-On) to learn a new language as this is something that is highly valued by employers.

11. How can I make the most out of a short-term internship?

RISEWAYoffers short-term internship opportunities in Tokyo for just 5 weeks. Having the opportunity to secure a short-term internship is a fantastic way to boost your resume / CV, gain some professional insight, secure some practical experience under your belt, and broaden your horizons. As it takes time to get settled in and establish your routine, interns coming for a shorter period of time should take extra care to get going from day one and be proactive.

No matter the length of your internship, it is a good idea to do some research about the internship destination and placement in advance. Interns will receive more details about the specific company they’ll be interning with prior to their arrival, so this provides a chance for you to do a bit of due diligence and come equipped with a general understanding of the host organization’’s mission, operations, and target markets within their industry. This approach might also help you to have some relevant questions on hand to ask your supervisor during your initial introduction to the placement, which can help to develop a relationship and rapport early on.

It also helps if you know some basic Japanese phrases in advance as this will definitely help to break the ice as the Japanese appreciate it a lot when they know that someone has taken the effort to learn the language: it could be something as simple as saying ‘konnichiwa’ (good morning) when you arrive at the placement to greet your supervisor and coworkers, saying ‘itadakimasu’ (meaning “I receive this food) before eating your meal or even to address someone respectfully using the honorific ‘san’ after their name (e.g. Yoshiko-san).

Whether you’re interning for 5 weeks or 3 months - always be proactive! It’s ok to respectfully ask your supervisor for more work if necessary, as they won’t immediately know how you pace yourself or how much workload you’re comfortable taking on. Let your supervisor know what strengths you can offer, in addition to what you’d like to learn. Attitude makes all the difference, so come ready to make an effort, make friends, and make a difference!

12. What are your best tips/recommendations?

Come with a very open mind, learn some basic Japanese phrases (so that you can communicate with locals), do some prior research to understand the local cultural norms and communication styles. The Japanese value humility, civic mindedness and punctuality, so the ability to adapt is a must.

Socialize with your fellow residents in the accommodation, interns and colleagues. It’s normal to find things stressful at the beginning as you’re still adapting to a new lifestyle, so please don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor for feedback, communicate with them and also reach out to the Tokyo coordinators as they are also there to support you.

Show plenty of enthusiasm and maintain a high level of professionalism - if you follow these tips, you will find your internship experience in Japan to be a rewarding one where you will get to develop and grow your personal and professional skills.

13. I’m in! How can I start planning my internship in Japan?

Internships in Tokyo offer start dates year-round. Opportunities are flexible and there’s something for everyone, so explore your fields of interest and start planning! It can be challenging to take the first step, but once that decision has been made, the experience only gets better.

1. Apply online first. The application process is non-obligatory and free.

2. After applying, you’ll receive more details on how to confirm your internship placement.

3. To confirm, you’ll register online after your application has been accepted. This means taking care of the US$499 deposit, which enables us to provide services and pre-departure support. Affordable internship fees can be reviewed online.

4. Once you’re registered, the adventure begins!