Beginner-level Japanese speakers may also be required to participate in our Intensive Japanese Language Course for Hotel / Hospitality Internships, which they will have to pay for too.
(Duration: 6 weeks, Cost: AUD$350)
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How much will Accommodation and Meals cost me?

Most Hotels in Japan provide Dormitory-style Accommodation and Meals to staff at reduced rates. Interns are only able to organise their own Accommodation and Meals if their Hotel is unable to provide them.

Hotel-provided Accommodation and Meals

ACCOMMODATION: The cost of dormitory style accommodation varies between hotels, from 500-1000yen per day, total 15-30,000yen per month. (Note: Depending on their Japanese ability, advanced level speakers may be eligible to receive free accommodation (will be determined during the initial interview - see next FAQ below)).

MEALS: The cost of meals throughout the industry is quite standard at: 300yen for breakfast, 300yen for lunch and 400yen for dinner. An average outlay of 1000yen per day will come to about 30,000yen per month. (Note: breakfast is not available at select hotels)

Total = 45-60,000 yen per month.

Self-organised Accommodation and Meals

ACCOMMODATION: The cost of apartment style accommodation is approx. 45-60,000yen per month (Note: a 1month non-refundable deposit is often required).

MEALS: The cost of food is approx. 30-40,000yen per month.

Total = 75-100,000 yen per month.

Note: In the rare case where Hotels are unable to provide subsidised accommodation and meals for Interns, we will assist you in finding and organising your own accommodation arrangements.
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Why do some Advanced level Japanese speakers get cheaper (sometimes free) accommodation?

For Hotels in general, taking on foreign interns can be more complicated than hiring local Japanese staff. Job training becomes more difficult, communication between staff is not as efficient, culture shock or issues with dormitory/diet may impact on staff work performance… Despite these challenges, hotels are also aware of the many benefits of taking on foreign interns – creating an international work environment can be positive for both customers and staff alike.

Taking into account the extra issues involved with opening positions to foreign interns, resorts are unable to offer accommodation at the same discounted rates as for local Japanese staff. On the other hand, taking on interns with high levels of competence in Japanese is relatively easy, meaning some hotels are able to offer accommodation at the same cheaper (sometimes free) rates applicable to local Japanese staff. Please understand that this may result in an unavoidable discrepancy in the cost of accommodation between low and advanced Japanese speakers.

Note: Participants will find out whether their Japanese level is sufficient to qualify for discounted accommodation in the initial telephone interview, after they apply online. As a benchmark, interns being considered for positions requiring high levels of Japanese proficiency – front desk, information counter etc. – are likely to be eligible.

Note: Summer Resort Hotels are unable to provide free accommodation to any staff, Japanese or foreign. Free accommodation may only be provided for advanced-level Japanese speakers at City / Winter Resort Hotels.
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Can I choose which Hotel / Resort I'll be working at?

You can select your preference to work in either a City Hotel, or a Resort hotel, and you can select a preference for a region, though we can't guarantee that you will be accepted by those Hotels. You need to be flexible in regards to location.
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Can I get a placement together with my friend?

Yes. You can mention the name of any friends who will also be applying, when you fill out our Online Application Form. While we can't guarantee anything, we always do our best to place friends together at the same Hotel.
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I want to go but I don't have any friends in Japan. Wont I be lonely?

You will make plenty of friends in Japan, starting with your co-workers. Japanese people are very interested in foreigners, so they should be keen to get to know you. Still, feelings of isolation have been a problem for some participants in the past. We have found that people who are pro-active in making friends settle in much better, and enjoy their experience much more.
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What if I get sick while I'm there?

All participants are required to be covered by travel health and accident insurance for the entire period of their Internship in Japan. All Interns are also covered by Japanese "Rousai" Work Insurance while on the job. So if you have an accident while on the job, it will be covered by your "Rousai" work insurance. Any incidents which occur outside of the job will be covered by your Travel Insurance.

Depending on the severity of your illness, you will have to pay the initial bill at the doctor's surgery (usually around AUD$80-100 per visit), and then make a claim to the insurance company to refund your money. In the event of costly major surgery, the insurance company will pay the hospital directly.
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Is Japan a safe country?

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The streets are safe at night and there is practically no crime whatsoever.
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How will I be paid?

Once you arrive, you'll be shown how to open a Japanese Bank Account, into which your salary will be paid monthly. Banks (or ATMs) are located near the resorts, so withdrawing money won’t be a problem.
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Will I be paying tax?

According to Japanese law, all foreigners on Working Holiday Visas must pay 20% income tax. All figures quoted on this site are before income tax.

You can only file a Japanese tax return, to try to get some of your tax back, if you stay in Japan for more than 12 months. Otherwise, you can't. In addition, filing a tax return is a complicated process - for help/information, you can contact the Japan Association of Working Holiday Makers.
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I want to do an Internship in Japan but I can't speak much Japanese.

The most important thing is a desire to learn. For beginner-level Japanese speakers, our Intensive Japanese Language Course for Hotel / Hospitality Internships will prepare you before you go, to ensure you have the minimum level necessary to function in Japan. Once you are there you will find that you will make great strides in your Japanese ability, even surprising yourself.
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What happens after I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of your Internship in Japan, you'll receive a Certificate to acknowledge your participation. Possession of this certificate will open doors for you in Hotels all over the world.
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Will my supervisors at the hotel/resort be able to speak English?

It 's possible that some of your bosses may speak basic English, but don’t count on it. In the beginning, nobody is going to expect Japanese fluency from you, but after a few months they will expect some big improvements. English-speaking staff will be contactable 24 / 7 if you have any queries / needs, and they will be around to visit you approximately once a month to discuss your progress and to ensure you are benefiting from the experience.
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What's the best way to improve my Japanese while doing an Internship in Japan?

It is quite easy to study Japanese while you're there because you are constantly exposed to the language. The quickest way to fluency is to make friends with the locals (who will be very keen to make friends with you too, as foreigners are still quite rare in Japan).

It’s also important to have a few good books. We recommend "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar" and "A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar". These are the best reference books out there, and are essential for serious students. You should also bring an Electronic Dictionary, and carry it with you all the time. A few hours of Japanese study 4 or 5 times a week will lead to practical fluency in a few months time.
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What exactly is an internship? Is it like a hospitality course?

An internship is practical work experience in your field of study or in the industry that you want to make a career in. It doesn’t mean that someone will always be beside you instructing you in what to do. When there is something you are unsure of you will have to ask your Japanese co-workers. However, English-speaking staff will be contactable 24 / 7 if you have any queries / needs, and they will be around to visit you approximately once a month to discuss your progress and to ensure you are getting the most out of your work placement.
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I want to get full-time work in the Japanese hospitality industry in future. Is it possible to create a career through this Internship in Japan?

Yes it is. The skills you will learn will give you a definite edge in the Hotel industry in Japan. A prerequisite of just about every hotel in Japan for foreigners to work there is previous experience working in a hotel in Japan. It’s kind of a catch 22, but you won't get the chance to work in a hotel in Japan unless you have had previous experience in a Japanese hotel - so you can't get experience unless you have experience! This is where our Internships in Japan come in. You have a chance to work in the Japanese Hotel industry and that gives you the chance to pursue a career in Japan.
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Winter Resort Hotel Intern FAQS

Will I need to buy my own ski gear, or can I just rent when I get there?

We recommend you rent ski gear, as it's convenient, and if you're lucky, you'll get a good staff discount from your resort. Buying and bringing your own board/skis over on the plane can be expensive if you exceed baggage allowances, and can be troublesome to carry around. In addition, there's no way to send objects larger than 150cms from Japan back home, so if you do decide to bring your own gear, make sure you don't go over the airline baggage allowance limit, as you'll have to bring them back with you on the plane.

NOTE: Japan's largest boot size is about 28cms - so if you have bigger feet than that, you should buy your own ski/snowboard boots, and bring them with you to Japan.

We recommend you first check out the Rental deals at your Resort after you arrive. Then, if you're not satisfied, you can make a trip to the nearest city and pick up some good deals on gear. Here are some rough prices you can expect to pay for average-quality gear in Japan:

Board/binding/boots or ski/boots/poles sets = 30~40,000yen.
Jacket / Pants = 20,000yen for a set.
Gloves / Goggles = up to 10,000yen each.
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