TEFL Jobs in Japan



This is our highest paid TEFL job. You can earn up to 255,000 Yen ($3300*) a month and are entitled to school holidays of which there are 14 days throughout the year. This means there's plenty of time and money for hot springs, sushi and exploration after work. Ready to go but not sure how long you can go for? Not a problem! Contracts vary from just 7 months to 12 months depending on when you depart.

Don't know much about Japan?

Walk around the pristine streets and grand shopping centers, and you'll never be far from a sight that will get your heart racing – whether it's the magnificent imperial palace or a man in a green dress casually shopping for food.

With subways criss-crossing the cities and the famous bullet trains speeding through the countryside at up to 300km/h, getting around is easy. Wherever you’re headed, expect to get there in a comfortable and efficient style that’s unique to this enigmatic country.

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What will you get in Japan?

  • You'll earn up to 255,000 Yen ($3300*) a month
  • You'll get full support in finding an apartment (it'll cost around 50,000 – 80,000 Yen a month)
  • You'll usually be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel.
  • FREE online Japanese lessons provided for all teachers
  • Full orientation
  • A cast iron contract with a reputable school

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What do you need to get the job?

  • To be a Native English speaker
  • 12 years of education in an English speaking institution
  • The recommended level of TEFL training (see below)
  • University degree holder
  • Minimum age requirement 21 years of age

Recommended TEFL Training

Our in-country partners recommend these top-level courses in order to find work with them.

A top level course will increase your prospects, as you'll qualify for more specialised and challenging TEFL jobs with higher salaries. And once you have your TEFL certificate you'll be able to apply for jobs like this all over the world.

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Ready to apply?

If you're ready to apply or just want to find out more, call our TEFL advisors on 877 526 3959, request a free call-back or send us an e-mail.

Call the team on 877 526 3959

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What age and level of students will I be teaching?
    You will be teaching students between 6 and 18 years old.
  • How many students will there be in each class?
    There will be 30 to 40 students per class.
  • How long are the classes?
    Classes are 50 minutes long.
  • Are there teaching resources available?
    There will be plenty of resources available to you.
  • Will I be teaching alone or team teaching?
    Both situations can happen. It will all depend on the contract which you will know before you head over.
  • What kind of school will I be teaching in?
    Teaching is in state schools.
  • How much will I be paid?
    You will be paid a monthly salary of up to 255,000 Yen ($3300*) per month, before withholding taxes which average 10%. The monthly salary includes an attendance bonus component which is paid in full each month if all professional responsibilities are executed.
  • Do I receive a bonus or flight re-imbursement?
    Bonuses are available depending on performance after the second year of employment.
  • How many days holiday will I receive per year?
    You are entitled to school holidays and public holidays of which there are 14 days throughout the year.
  • When will my teaching position begin?
    Exact start dates will be provided later on in the application process. Teaching placements start approximately five to ten days after arrival, once candidates have undertaken the training programme.
  • What are my working hours?
    Working hours are Monday to Friday and between 8am and 5pm.
  • Can I renew my contract?
    Your contract can be extended; you would need to discuss this with the agent.
  • What happens if I need to break my contract?
    As the work visa has been applied for by the school, to break the contract would directly cause your stay to be illegal. You would lose your bonus and any other related payments.
  • What will my accommodation be like?
    You will be given full support in finding your own apartment.
  • Can I be placed with somebody else?
    While at one time it was possible to be placed with a friend or partner, it is now highly unlikely that you will be placed in the same area or school if applying with a friend. No requests can be guaranteed.
  • What is the application process?
    Once you have completed the application form, our partners will contact you for a telephone interview. If successful, you will be invited to attend a seminar where you will be required to complete certain tasks and attend an interview. You will be required to present a demonstration lesson as part of the interview process. More information about the demonstration lesson will be made available at the time of the interview confirmation. All information will then be forwarded to our partners in Japan and a final decision is made. On acceptance, our partners will apply for your Certificate of Eligibility. Once you have received this, you should convert this to a Working Visa at your local Japanese Embassy. This process can take one month to two months depending on the country of residence. The overall process takes at least 2 months.
  • When should I book my flights?
    It is your responsibility to book and pay for your flights, and to arrive in good time for your flight. We advise you refrain from booking until your placement has been confirmed.
  • Who is my contract with?
    The contract you sign will be with our overseas partner.
  • What visa do I need?
    Our in-country partner will advise on the visa process and requirements for this. It is important that you meet all the requirements outlined for the placement as some or all of these may be essential requirements to get the correct working visa.
  • Where will I be teaching?
    There are places available all throughout Japan.
  • How long are the contracts?
    If you arrive in March the contract is approximately 12 months, arrive in August and it's approximately 7 months. The next available start date is now March 2012.

*Currency conversion accurate at time of publication.

Important Information

The TEFL job placement service does not guarantee that an applicant will be offered a position to teach English overseas. A TEFL job offer will be made providing you meet the initial requirements, successfully pass any interview process and that a suitable position is matched to your profile. i-to-i UK Limited is acting as an employment agency for the purposes of the job placement service.

Call the team on 877 526 3959

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Almost three months have passed since I took my first step in Japan and I have learnt so much and come so far. I am now settled at school and have some great students. Teaching is fun – not as hard as I thought it would be. I have made a group of friends that are both teachers and Japanese locals. Japan is now my home.

Paul Dixon

I taught elementary students in Japan for 11 months. I learned some Japanese, ate some interesting food and got lost on the trains a few times before sadly returning to Canada! The Japanese school life is fascinating and I learnt something new almost every day.

Brittany Tanner