Ultimate Guide to Part-Time Jobs in Japan for International Students
By Shawn Zhu | Aug 25th, 2025
The reality of part-time jobs in Japan can be quite different from what you might expect, especially if you're an international student.
If you're an international student in Japan considering part-time jobs, you’re probably full of questions. How do you find a part-time job without fluent Japanese? What’s the interview process like? Can you really balance part-time work with your studies? And will having a part-time job help improve your Japanese skills?
To help answer these common concerns about part-time jobs in Japan, we interviewed eight international students who are currently living and studying here. From convenience stores and cafes to retail shops and even media companies, these students have worked in a wide variety of part-time positions across Japan. Some found their part-time jobs through websites like TownWork or GaijinPot, while others relied on introductions from professors and friends.
We asked them about job hunting, interview experiences, balancing school and part-time work, and how part-time jobs in Japan impacted their language and cultural fluency. Beyond the challenges, their stories offer practical advice, encouragement, and honest insights for anyone thinking about taking on a part-time job in Japan as a student.
This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning about Japan through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.
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How did you find your part-time job in Japan?
Did your university or school offer any support or resources for job hunting?
Airi: I found my part-time job through Google by doing a lot of research. I explored different websites and applied to many companies until I received an offer. My school did not provide any support or resources, so I managed the process on my own.
Bieber: I found my part-time job by taking a career preparation class at my university. The professor was a headhunter, so he gave a lot of useful advice on interviews and job hunting. I’m currently working at a company called Traffic Page Japan, which specializes in SEO management. The class and the professor's recommendations were very helpful.
Christina: I found my part-time job through a friend. I told her I was looking for a job, and she invited me to work with her. That was how I got the job. It was a very simple process, and I did not receive any support from the university.
Yixiao: I searched on TownWork for café jobs because I like that kind of atmosphere. It was entirely self-directed, and I didn’t use any university services.
Many international students rely on self-research or websites like TownWork to find part-time jobs in Japan, often without support from their schools. If you’re wondering where to start, the Ultimate Guide to Part-Time Jobs in Tokyo provides useful job search platforms and practical advice for students navigating the process on their own.
What helped you succeed in your part-time job interview in Japan?
Did you practice beforehand or go in unprepared?
Airi: I searched the company name together with the word “interview” to find other people’s shared experiences about their part-time job interviews in Japan. Then I made a list of possible questions and tried to answer them either by writing or thinking them through. I didn’t practice out loud, but I reviewed my answers several times.
Bieber: I prepared a lot for my part-time job interview in Japan. I even visited the office beforehand to make sure I wouldn’t be late. I looked up the HR person on LinkedIn and practiced resume writing and interview questions in a university career class. My professor also recommended a career event for international students, which helped me a lot.
Christina: I found my part-time job in Japan through a friend. I told her I was looking for a job, and she invited me to work with her. That was how I got the job. It was a very simple process, and I did not have to go through a formal interview.
Moses: I wouldn’t say I succeeded perfectly, but I did prepare a resume and a list of my academic background and past experience. I also brought a photo and my residence card. The interview for the part-time job in Japan was very casual. I did not need to wear formal clothes, and we simply sat down and talked. After a few questions, they asked me to sign the contract.
START YOUR JAPANESE JOURNEY HERE
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How did you manage your time between school, your part-time job in Japan, and other activities?
Did you use a planner or any tools to stay organized?
Bieber: I think I am good at time management. I always make time for activities I enjoy, such as playing basketball once a week to relieve stress. To manage my time between school and my part-time job in Japan, I use my phone calendar to keep track of my schedule and daily tasks.
Qinming: Time management was a bit challenging, but the flexible schedule of my part-time job in Japan helped. I used Google Calendar to track deadlines and created weekly to-do lists. For smaller tasks, I often wrote reminders on sticky notes. I always made sure that school was my top priority.
Christina: To manage my part-time job in Japan along with school, I usually plan to complete all my homework on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I do not have classes. I sometimes leave things until the last minute, which is not ideal, but it usually works out. I do not use any specific tools and instead divide tasks mentally by each day.
For international students working part-time in Japan, managing time between classes, work, and personal life can become overwhelming. If you're feeling stressed or burned out, our Ultimate Guide to Tokyo Mental Health offers helpful resources to support your mental well-being.
Did your part-time job help improve your Japanese?
What did you wear to the interview? Was it formal or casual?
Christina: I only spoke Japanese at work. As a server, I had to use formal Japanese with customers. Sometimes I could not explain things clearly and had to ask my boss for help. Over time, I got more comfortable. I still cannot have deep conversations, but my coworkers are patient and supportive. My part-time job improved my Japanese by giving me daily speaking practice.
Luhan: Yes, my Japanese improved a lot, especially during team meetings and project discussions. It was sometimes difficult to use polite expressions correctly, and understanding fast speech or technical terms was challenging. A coworker often helped me fix my phrases and explained how to make them sound more natural. I feel my part-time job improved my Japanese significantly.
Yuji: Especially my speaking and listening improved. I used Japanese all the time with customers and coworkers. At first, I struggled with elderly customers who spoke quickly or used unfamiliar words. But over time I got used to it. My coworkers, especially the senior ones, often helped me sound more natural and corrected me kindly. I think my part-time job improved my Japanese skills steadily.
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Were there any questions during the interview that were difficult or surprised you?
How did you respond to unexpected moments or misunderstandings?
Luhan: Yes, one question I did not expect was, “What would you do if your team disagrees with your content idea?” I answered that I would listen to their opinions, understand their reasons, and adjust my idea if needed. As for mistakes, during my first week I uploaded a draft video to the wrong folder, but my team just asked me to be more careful and were very kind about it.
Christina: I don’t remember much since the interview was almost a year ago, but I do remember struggling to explain in Japanese that my mom was visiting and I would need two weeks off. There was also a question I didn’t understand at all during the interview, which left me confused at the time.
Airi: I don’t remember specific questions, but I recall practicing for “What is your weakness?” in advance because I knew that kind of question would be difficult. It made me nervous and required extra thought.
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Did you ever feel like you were working too much?
How did it affect your studies, health, or life overall?
Airi: Yes, I felt I was working too much. I attended school in the mornings and worked from the afternoon until late evening. I often came home around 11 PM. Sometimes I had to leave school early, and I didn’t have enough time to study deeply. My meals were rushed, and I had to use weekends to catch up. It affected both my academics and my health.
Christina: Right now, I am very busy because I am taking four summer classes and doing an internship. I spend most of my time doing homework, especially during midterms or finals. In spring and fall, I had more shifts but less daily homework, so I could manage. I usually worked from ten to three, then had the rest of the day for studying. It was more balanced during that time.
Luhan: Not really. Since it was a part-time job, the workload was manageable. I actually enjoy video editing and content planning, so it didn’t feel like a burden. The flexible schedule helped me keep up with school without too much difficulty.
What was the biggest cultural difference you noticed when working part-time in Japan?
How did it compare to what you’re used to in your home country?
Airi: Japanese work culture is very formal. People are more careful with what they say and how they act. In the Philippines, the workplace is more casual and talkative. In Japan, I had to constantly pay attention to my behavior and read the atmosphere. This was a major cultural difference in my part-time job in Japan.
Christina: The biggest cultural difference I noticed during my part-time job in Japan was using keigo with both managers and customers. I had to greet everyone properly and speak in polite Japanese, even in the kitchen. Sometimes I forgot and used casual phrases by accident. I also had to shout greetings loudly and say things like "Itadakimasu" before meals, which was new for me. Luckily, my coworkers were patient.
Bieber: I noticed that Japanese people tend to be very polite and indirect. Sometimes it is hard to know if someone means no or if they are just being soft. However, they are also very kind and try to help even when they are busy. I also noticed that many people wear suits, which makes the workplace feel more formal. These small things showed me the cultural difference in working a part-time job in Japan compared to my home country.
If you are curious about how Japanese workplace norms influence part-time jobs in Japan, be sure to check out our Guide to Japanese Culture. It explores cultural expectations such as formality, politeness, and indirect communication, which are essential for international students adjusting to part-time work in Japan.
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Did you feel pressured to give a reason when you decided to leave your job?
Does quitting negatively affect future job opportunities in Japan?
Airi: Yes, I felt pressure when I decided to leave. Some companies were more relaxed and used written forms or surveys, but others asked for a direct explanation. I practiced formal Japanese phrases and said goodbye properly. It was stressful, but my coworkers were understanding and kind.
Luhan: A little. Personally, I think quitting a part-time job is not a big deal, but in Japan it is taken seriously. I gave one month’s notice and explained that I was returning to China after graduation. My team was very understanding.
Bieber: I have not left my job yet, but if I ever do, I think I would explain that I want to pursue better opportunities. Since this is only a part-time job, I would be honest about wanting a position with more growth potential. I would not be shy about telling my manager or coworkers the reason.
Did anyone help you prepare your resume, or did you figure it out yourself?
Was there anything confusing or difficult about it?
Moses: I created the resume by myself. I searched online for Japanese resume formats and used one of the templates to fill in my information. It wasn’t very hard, but I was a little nervous since it was my first time.
Yixiao: I made the resume on my own but asked a Japanese classmate to review it before submitting. She helped polish the wording to make it sound more polite. I used a school-provided template and adjusted it for a café job. The hardest part was knowing how formal the language needed to be and how much detail to include.
Yuji: I wrote the first draft myself and then asked a Japanese friend to check it. She helped fix grammar and formatting. I used a resume template from my university career center. Using polite Japanese correctly was the most difficult part.
Preparing a Japanese resume can be tricky due to the formal language and specific formatting expected by employers. To avoid common mistakes and get useful templates, check out our Guide to Resumes and Cover Letters in Japan. It covers everything from polite phrasing to layout tips that are essential for standing out.
JAPANESE JOB HUNTING
New to resume writing in Japan? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Romaji to help you with reading and pronunciation in everyday life.
Did your company provide you a contract?
What parts of the contract stood out to you? Did you discuss your salary or just accept it?
Moses: Yes, the company gave me a contract. It emphasized respecting customers, avoiding mistakes, and being humble. One thing that stood out was the salary, which was 1,200 yen per hour. I didn’t negotiate. Since it was a part-time job, I just accepted the wage.
Yuji: I received a short-term contract after the interview. What stood out most was how strict they were about shift cancellations and lateness. Last-minute changes were strongly discouraged. The salary was clearly stated in the job post, and I didn’t try to negotiate it.
Yixiao: I signed a part-time employment contract before starting. It was very specific about punctuality and hygiene rules, especially because we handled food and drinks. Even being just a few minutes late required calling in. The hourly wage was listed from the beginning, and I thought it was fair, so I didn’t bring it up.
Most part-time jobs pay wages via bank transfer, so setting up a local account is essential. For step-by-step instructions, visit our Ultimate Guide to Banking in Japan to learn how international students can open a bank account quickly.
How did your managers treat you as an international student?
Did you feel supported or left out at work?
Yuji: The managers treated me with respect. In the beginning, they explained everything slowly and clearly, which helped a lot. Even when I didn’t fully understand something, they were patient. I felt included in team meetings and staff activities.
Yixiao: They treated me very kindly and were patient when it came to language. One senior staff member even made a cheat sheet of common customer phrases just for me. That kind of support made a big difference and helped me feel like part of the team.
Qinming: I felt very welcomed. Even though I wasn’t a full-time employee, they treated me as part of the team. They explained tasks clearly and encouraged me to ask questions. I never felt excluded, which I appreciated a lot as a foreign student.
If you are looking for more insight into how to build better relationships with Japanese managers and coworkers, check out our Foreigner’s Guide to Networking in Japan. It offers practical tips for improving communication and connection in the workplace, which is especially helpful for international students working part-time in Japan.
Have you ever quit a part-time job?
Was it difficult? Does quitting negatively affect future job opportunities?
Moses: This is my first part-time job, but I’ve thought about quitting. The job sometimes requires standing for long hours at the cashier, and commuting by train can be uncomfortable. If I find a job closer to home, I may switch. I don’t think quitting would affect my future since this role is small.
Yixiao: They treated me very kindly and were patient when it came to language. One senior staff member even made a cheat sheet of common customer phrases just for me. That kind of support made a big difference and helped me feel like part of the team.
Qinming: I haven’t left this job yet, but I did quit a previous part-time job because school got too busy. It was a little awkward, but I gave early notice and explained my reasons. I don’t think quitting affects future jobs as long as you’re respectful and professional about it. How you leave is just as important as how you start.
Final Thoughts
As an international student, working a part-time job in Japan not only provides a way to earn extra income but also offers an opportunity to adapt to a completely different work culture. The part-time work itself may appear simple, yet the environment can be more complex than expected. You may join a team where no one speaks your native language, and unspoken cultural rules influence daily interactions. These situations often mark the beginning of deeper learning.
You might not always feel prepared when working part-time in Japan. There may be times when you say the wrong thing, accidentally miss a shift, or feel unsure about how to resign from a student job. These challenges can be uncomfortable, but they help you grow by improving your communication, building confidence, and teaching you how to navigate new situations.
Adaptability is just as important as technical skills. In many part-time jobs in Japan, schedules shift, managers change, and expectations are not always clearly explained. The students who succeed are not those who avoid mistakes but those who remain open-minded, seek support, and continue learning throughout their part-time work experience.
If you plan to take on a student job in Japan, it is important to know that unexpected challenges will arise. These experiences are part of the journey. What you gain from working part-time in Japan will likely stay with you far beyond your last shift and will become a meaningful part of your personal and professional growth.
