Marketing & Communication Internships in Japan

Marketing & Communication Internships in Tokyo

Japan Internship Abroad Sales & Marketing

The dynamic megalopolis of Tokyo never sleeps! Marketing & Communication internships provide a culturally immersive introduction to new perspectives, related to customer outreach, engagement, branding and business growth strategies. If you’re drawn to excellence, attention to detail, quality, willing to learn and put knowledge into practice, come prepared to challenge yourself in Tokyo!

What to expect from your Marketing & Communication internship:

Develop a broad range of transferable skills, related to communication, business etiquette, best practice, market research, branding, advertising and sales.
Get immersed with a fresh perspective, learning from culturally diverse environments.
Assist with planning, client relations, proposals, project management, presentations, marketing campaigns, and more.

Your internship abroad host organization:

Communication agencies
Startups
Tourism and events businesses
Educational institutions (private international schools, language academies)
SMEs
In-house marketing teams (public or private sector)
Digital advertising firms
E-Commerce providers

Apply for free

On this page:

Arrival & Orientation

Accommodation & Meals

Weekends & Travel

Country Info

Gain academic or course credit

Fully hosted experience from $2459

Includes accommodation

Start dates every Monday

Minimum duration 5 weeks, up to 24 weeks maximum

Japanese language lessons available

Get job-ready with our Experiential Learning Curriculum

Suitable for English language speakers

Eligibility requirement

Marketing & Communications internships in Tokyo are suitable for students and recent graduates with at least one year of relevant college/university study in a related field, such as Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, Business Management, etc. Knowledge of social media marketing and digital communications is also required.

Language requirements for this internship

This internship is conducted in English. However, interns must come prepared to interact with others at times, who may speak limited English. All interns are encouraged to take advantage of in-country Japanese language lessons, which can be scheduled in conjunction with your internship.

Associated career paths

Advertising/Promotions/Marketing Manager, Sales Representative, SEO Specialist, Content Manager, Web Designer, Developer, Digital Strategist, Social Media Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Designer, Market Research Analyst, Editor, Photographer, Product Development Manager, Brand Manager, Media Coordinator, Public Relations Consultant, Technical Writer

Internship details

Tokyo is Japan’s commercial and innovation hub where many new exciting startups and businesses are based. Marketing & Communications interns will have the opportunity to build diverse skills for marketing, advertising, sales, media, branding strategies, and communications. Come prepared to challenge yourself, enhance your resume, and show off your creativity skills, while learning from the precise, conscientious, and professional expertise of Japanese teams.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation provided. You can explore remote Marketing & Communications internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.

Digital Marketing is a fast-moving sector, quickly embracing new trends, influences, and technologies. Students and young professionals with a keen interest in this field are encouraged to learn strong skills related to adaptability, innovation, and resilience. Marketing & Communication interns in Tokyo are encouraged to come with a proactive and enthusiastic mindset, so you can enjoy gaining insights and experience from a professional Japanese perspective.

Individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.

Japanese language proficiency is not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it. We encourage all interns to take advantage of Japanese language lessons, which must be coordinated in advance, upon request.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor(s) understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Typical Schedule

Approx. Monday through Friday, 8 hours. During the week, interns should expect to depart the accommodation at around 7am, to commute using the Tokyo metro. Lunch breaks are usually scheduled around 12:30 (where you would eat the “obento” that you bring or that you buy at a local “combini” or bento shop). Between 6-8pm, professionals typically decide to finish for the day and head home from the office. In Japanese culture, often the whole workplace team will decide to dine together. While interns might wish to join their colleagues for an evening meal, it is not expected to do so every day. (Often, the team member who ranks highest in the company’s hierarchy pays for dinner for the whole group).

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Marketing & Communication Intern?

Marketing & Communication interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:

Developing marketing and communications strategies for growth.
Content creation and campaigns for promoting brands, products and services.
Research tasks in industry trends, prospective clients or international expansion opportunities.
Assist with copywriting and translations for digital media, newsletters, social media, etc.

Professional development opportunities:

Improve critical thinking, research and analytical skills.
Develop your portfolio of marketing and communications material for resume building.
Contribute to delivering creative solutions for enhanced engagement.
Enhance familiarity with diverse media platforms and marketing tools.
Learn and use techniques to improve the online visibility of an organization.
Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from RISEWAY’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.

Are you eligible for this internship?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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Japan photo gallery

Our commitment to providing safe internship experiences

Academic credit available for all internships

Get course credit from your college or university while completing your internship abroad or a remote internship program. It's a great way to meet your academic requirements and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Learn about course credit

Program fees

Applying for our Marketing & Communication Internship is completely free! The support package covers the assistance we provide in finding your internship and arranging your living accommodations in your host country, ensuring you thrive during your program.

Please note that a deposit of US$499 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance (minus your initial US$499 deposit) is due at least 60 days before your internship start date.

Duration	Program Fee (USD)
5 weeks	$2,459 Equivalent to $70 /day
6 weeks	$2,569 Equivalent to $61 /day
8 weeks	$2,774 Equivalent to $49 /day
10 weeks	$3,269 Equivalent to $46 /day
12 weeks	$3,479 Equivalent to $41 /day
16 weeks	$4,219 Equivalent to $37 /day
20 weeks	$4,959 Equivalent to $35 /day
24 weeks	$5,649 Equivalent to $33 /day

Apply for free

Airport pick-up
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
Program orientation
Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
Sourcing and securing your internship placement
Personalization of your internship plan
Coaching from your supervisor
Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
Academic credit facilitation
International reference letter
Certificate of Internship Completion

All meals
All in-country transportation
Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.

A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
Terms and Conditions apply.

Free-time experiences & tours in Tokyo

Take your internship to the next level with RISEWAY's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Tokyo! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto an internship program.

Japanese Language Lessons In Tokyo

While Japanese fluency is not a prerequisite to join an internship in Japan, learning some basic conversational Japanese will help maximize the impact of your internship experience! Interns interested in taking Japanese language lessons can arrange these directly with their local team once in Japan during their internship orientation.

From $216

One-on-one online Japanese language lessons

While Japanese fluency is not a prerequisite to join an internship in Japan, learning some basic conversational Japanese will help maximize the impact of your internship experience!

$574

Calligraphy Lessons

Shodo (or Japanese calligraphy) is a centuries-old art form that is deeply steeped in culture and evokes beauty and harmony with each brushstroke. Learn to create your own work of art with Japanese hiragana and kanji (Chinese characters).

$10

View all experiences

Japanese language lessons

Japanese language ability is not a requirement for interns in Tokyo, however we encourage interns to take advantage of the opportunity to learn some basic skills, which can enhance enjoyment of being in Tokyo, while also increasing professional, social, and cultural competencies.

Japanese lessons are offered through our local team in Tokyo and can be arranged once internship participation has been confirmed. Interns who wish to study Japanese for the first time are recommended to take the Hiragana/Katakana or Conversation course. Interns with an existing foundation of Japanese understanding may wish to take a placement test and join a more intermediate class.

If you’re planning on taking beginner lessons prior to your internship, please note that there are set start dates for these classes, which typically begin at the beginning of each month. You should therefore consider your internship start date accordingly and ensure you have your schedule planned before you book flights.

Weekends and travel

Tokyo is renowned for providing visitors to Japan with a wonderful experience. The cleanliness and safety of the city, combined with entertaining culture and nightlife, world class cuisine, helpful locals, and incredible shopping, have put the city at the forefront of the world’s best cities. Due to the sheer size of Tokyo, which is made up of 23 municipalities/wards or “sub cities” there are seemingly endless places to explore. We won’t list them all here but some of the popular areas for visitors include Shinjuku, Taitō, Shibuya, and Chūō.

Chūō is historically the commercial center of Tokyo and it’s most famous district is Ginza. Ginza is Tokyo’s most iconic shopping area and has been the commercial center of Japan for centuries. If you want to shop till you drop, this is the place to start. Even if you just want to wander around to take in the sights, it’s still a stunning place to be. Within Ginza, you’ll also find the famous Kabuki-za Theatre (home to traditional Kabuki performances) and the Shimbashi Enbujo Theatre (where Azuma-odori dances and Bunraku performances are held). The drama and comedy of performances at these theatres are relatively easy to follow. Be aware, shows at the Kabuki-za Theatre can often last for hours. Spectators stay as long as they want and comings and goings throughout are not considered offensive.
Since the end of the second World War, Shinjuku has rivalled Ginza as a major commercial center. The Shinjuku Station is one of the busiest in the world. Within this sub-city, you can check out the lively entertainment districts of Kabukicho and Shinjuku Golden-Gai. If you want to shop for electronics, then the huge stores surrounding the Shinjuku Station are the place to go.
One of Tokyo’s most famous sites is in Shibuya - the Scramble Crossing and Center-Gai. Young people are attracted to the area for music and fashion. However, if you’re looking for some green space within the city, you’ll enjoy the Meiji Shrine complex, located in an evergreen forest and enjoyed by many as a popular recreation and relaxation area.
The city’s largest green area is Ueno Park, located within Taitō. Apart from the gardens, Ueno park also includes one of the largest aquariums in Asia, plus lots of other temples and museums to explore (such as the National Museum of Western Art, where you can check out canvases by Cézanne, Monet, Manet, and Degas). Although Taitō is the smallest of Tokyo’s wards, it’s also home to Sensō-ji (Tokyo’s oldest temple, originally founded in 645 AD), as well as Tokyo National Museum, which houses much of Japan’s art and national treasures, and the National Museum of Nature and Science (“Kokuritsu Kagaku Hakubutsukan”). The latter is Japan’s oldest museum but also includes interesting modern displays on the latest scientific and technological advances.

Arrival and Orientation

Internships in Japan begin every Monday and interns may choose to spend a minimum of 5 weeks, up to a maximum of 12-24 weeks (depending on the temporary visitor visa conditions which are held by the intern). Exceptions to start date availability may occur when start dates are closed due to public holiday / festival disruptions or if the program has already reached capacity.

Airport pick up is included in the program fee. In order to receive this airport pick up, interns may fly into either the Tokyo International Airport (commonly known as Haneda International Airport - HND) or the Narita International Airport (also known as Tokyo Narita Airport - NRT). Interns are required to arrive on the Friday before their Monday start date, between 8am and 8pm. An extra charge applies to any airport pickups outside this timeframe. (If you arrive prior to 8am on the designated arrival date, then please wait until 8am for your pickup time). Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred by public transport (shuttle bus and/or train) to the accommodation.

Orientation typically takes place on the Monday and covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.

The last night of the accommodation is the Thursday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Friday. You are responsible for organizing your own return transport to the airport, however our local team will be happy to assist with arrangements or provide guidance for taking the metro.

Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.

Check what's required to visit Japan

Check out the widget below to learn about the visa requirements for the Marketing & Communication internship in Japan, based on your country of residence.

Accommodation and WiFi

All interns in Tokyo are accommodated in dormitory rooms, within a sharehouse. 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).

It is important to be aware that sometimes the dormitories may be mixed-gender but efforts are typically made to ensure that rooming arrangements are same-sex, whenever possible. For those who would prefer to stay in a twin-share room within the sharehouse (sharing with just one another guest, for more privacy) accommodation upgrades are available, at an additional cost. Please ask us about this in advance if you’re interested - accommodation upgrades are subject to availability.

All interns are required to pay a fully refundable deposit upon arrival to the accommodation, at orientation/check- in. This 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 local managers.

Due to the expanse of Tokyo, it’s normal to commute between the accommodation and internship placements via the Tokyo Metro. The normal commute time can be at least one hour and may require changes of metro line and platform. However, the system is efficient, precise and user-friendly, making it easy to get around and discover Tokyo.

Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we may work with more than one sharehouse (depending on capacity), the exact room that you’re assigned may differ slightly from the example photos that you see. Rooms sizes, along with storage space, may also vary.

Meals

Internships in Tokyo do not include meals. Living at the shared house accommodation provides kitchen facilities where you are welcome to prepare your own meals and snacks. There are also dining options that work on a student budget, which are hearty and delicious. Smaller establishments (often counter-style) serve staples such as ramen noodles and yakitori (grilled chicken on skewers). A recommended budget of at least 2,000 Japanese yen per day (about US$20) is suggested for meals. Tap water in Japan is safe to drink.

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. If you want to eat out all the time, this is going to cost you a lot more than accessing markets and being more conservative with your spending. 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.

How to obtain course credit and meet your academic requirements on RISEWAY internships

Gain Academic Course Credit Learn more

Experiential Learning Curriculum Learn more

Essential country information

Capital	Tokyo
Population	127 million
Languages	Japanese
Currency	Japanese Yen (JPY)
Time zone	UTC+09:00

Weather and climate:

The climate of Japan varies from north to south, and west to east. Summers in Tokyo are short, warm, muggy and wet. This season typically lasts from late June through mid/late September. The warmest month of the summer season is usually in August, when the temperature averages 80°F (26°C).

The cooler months are from early December to late March. During the winter, the coldest month of the year is typically January, with an average temperature of 41°F (5°C).

Tokyo experiences rainfall year round but the summer months are typically wetter than the winter time. September is usually the wettest month, with December generally being the driest.

Cherry blossoms are the obvious draw to Tokyo in the springtime (early March through early June) - it’s also one of the most popular times to visit Japan, so it’s important to plan travel and book flights in advance. While the weather is mild in spring, there may still be the occasional hot or rainy day.