TEFL Jobs in Japan 2025: How to Get Hired (+ First-Hand Experience)

As always, demand for English teachers throughout Japan remains strong in 2025. Teachers are welcome in rural locations and small towns, and big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Read more: The Best Cities To Teach English In Japan

Factors driving demand include:

• Low English proficiency scores: Compared to other developed countries, Japan ranks rather poorly. According to Education First’s 2024 English Proficiency Index, Japan slipped five places to 92nd, placing it near the bottom of the Low proficiency band. Japan is looking to change this. 
• Government initiatives: Cultural exchange efforts like the JET Program place ESL teachers in public schools around Japan, making it easier for TEFL teachers to find teaching jobs. 
• Job availability all year round: Private English conversation schools (eikaiwa), ALT programs, and online platforms hire outside of the traditional academic calendar (not just in April and September).
• Attractive packages: Many companies sweeten the deal with relocation support, visa sponsorship, and even housing to bring teachers on board.

Read more: How Much Do English Teachers In Japan Make?

• High-profile international events: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2025 World Expo in Osaka have both sparked renewed interest in English, highlighting the need for global communication and cultural exchange. 

Now that we know the why, let’s figure out the how. 

A question that is most likely on your mind when browsing ESL job boards is, will I get hired? Matthew steps in to help us answer that question. 

Over to you, Matthew. 

Matthew: I am TEFL-certified and have a decent academic background, but no formal teaching degree and only some tutoring experience. I was working in a pharmacy full-time, but had always dreamt of living and working abroad.

I started applying to jobs in Japan through major jobs boards and got a few bites. Some interviews were nerve-wracking, while some were just plain weird. But eventually, a recruiter from NOVA English reached out to me. 

NOVA is one of the top private language schools (eikaiwa) in Japan. They are a popular choice for first-time teachers in Japan due to their structured onboarding process, which covers training, visa and housing support.

Read more: Inside The Eikaiwa: Revealing The Unfiltered Truth

After a couple of video interviews and submitting my documents (like my TEFL qualification, degree, and passport), I was offered a position.

The visa process took the expected amount of time, as outlined by immigration—nothing unusually slow or complicated. 

My wife and I were moving together, and she received her Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before I did, which is pretty normal. Both of our applications were processed within the standard timeframe, and soon enough, we had our visas and flight dates locked in.

Read more: What Paperwork Is Required For A Visa In Japan?

We were offered company-arranged accommodation, which is a common option for new arrivals, but it was only set up to house one person. Since we were coming as a couple, we had to explore alternatives. 

Here’s where it gets tricky for foreigners (gaijin) in Japan.

Many landlords and agencies are hesitant to rent to non-Japanese tenants. 

Reasons vary from communication issues, not having a Japanese guarantor or local bank account to fear of sudden move-outs. This creates a barrier, but one that is possible to overcome. 

We did our own research and found housing through companies that cater specifically to foreigners. 

If you’re moving to Japan as a couple or want more autonomy, I’d recommend looking into housing options early.

Despite the high demand, getting hired isn’t always easy. Here are some challenges people face:

1. Visa requirements
To get a work visa in Japan, you typically need:

• A Bachelor’s degree
• A clean criminal record
• A company willing to sponsor you

Matthew’s right. A degree is essential, but don’t give up just yet. If you don’t have a degree, try applying for a student visa and teaching part-time, or try teaching Japanese students online from the comfort of your home with Native Camp!

Read more: Ten Places To Teach English To Japanese Students Online

2. Timing
Some companies only hire during specific periods. Others take months to process paperwork. If you’re not prepared to wait, it can get frustrating.

3. Competition for big cities
Everyone wants to work in popular cities like Tokyo, but competition is fierce. Opportunities increase the further away from the major hubs you go.

4. Lack of TEFL or experience
Some employers are okay with you having no TEFL qualification, but it’s fast becoming a standard requirement. You need to know the essentials like lesson planning and classroom management.

Read more: Do I Need A TEFL To Teach English In Japan?

Challenges like the ones Matthew mentioned are common and can easily be overcome with the right training and attitude. 

Now let’s look at how to make sure you get the job you’ve been eyeing.

Get TEFL certified
It’s not always required, but it’s a major plus. It boosts your confidence, adds to your resume, and shows employers you’re serious. Make sure to choose a reputable TEFL provider — Matthew went with The TEFL Academy.

The TEFL Academy is widely recognised. Choose a 120-hour accredited course minimum.

NOTE: While a 120-hour Level 3 course is totally acceptable for many teaching jobs, for teaching jobs in Japan, we recommend our Level 5 168-hour TEFL course.

Read more: How To Get TEFL-Certified In 5 Easy Steps

Write a killer resume & cover letter
Tailor your resume for TEFL jobs. Highlight any teaching, tutoring, public speaking, or leadership experience — even if it’s not in a classroom. Include ESL keywords to beat application tracking systems.  

Read more: AI In TEFL Hiring: Are You Being Rejected By A Bot?

Be interview-ready
Japan is big on punctuality and presentation, so dress the part. 

Dress smartly, be on time, and be clear and polite in your communication.

Be cheerful. 

A friendly face creates a strong first impression, especially in Japan.

Matthew explains:

There’s a strong cultural emphasis on being “genki”—a word that means cheerful, energetic, and full of life. In Japan, cheerfulness is especially important in roles that involve lots of interaction, like teaching. Employers want to see that you’re enthusiastic. A warm smile and lively tone make a big difference in interviews.

Be flexible with location.

Don’t be too picky about your location. Small towns offer authentic experiences and can lead to rewarding experiences and personal growth. 

Get organised.

Organise your paperwork early to streamline the application process. That means having your degree, TEFL qualification, passport scans, photos and references ready. 

Be patient. 

Patience is a must with any job search. Be realistic in your search and learn from setbacks — but keep applying until you get that yes. 

Read more: How To Apply For TEFL Jobs Abroad

There are many resources available for job seekers, but knowing which ones to lean on will speed up the process. Matthew lists which websites, job boards and tools worked for him.

Job boards

• GaijinPot Jobs – big English-language jobs board in Japan
• Jobs in Japan – great for ALT and eikaiwa roles
• YOLO Japan – jobs, part-time and full-time, specifically for foreigners
• O-Hayo Sensei – a biweekly newsletter with new job postings
• Dave’s ESL Café – classic, but still useful
• Indeed Japan – especially good for corporate teaching jobs (English translation needed)

Recruiters and programs

• NOVA, AEON, GABA – top private language schools (eikaiwa)
• Interac, Altia Central, JET Programme – ALT placements in public schools
• Borderlink, Heart Corporation – smaller recruiters with openings nationwide

Housing and accommodation

• Leopalace21 – easy lease set-up for foreigners
• Sakura House, OYO Life, Tokyo Room Finder – minimal paperwork
• Real estate agents for foreigners – look for “foreigner-friendly” listings
• Share houses with furnished rooms and flexible terms

That’s a wealth of information. Now Matthew wraps up with tried and tested advice.  

Don’t worry about speaking Japanese or being a teaching pro. All you need is your genuine interest and enthusiasm in Japanese culture and a willingness to teach and learn.

Despite how intricate the hiring process can be, it doesn’t beat the chance to wake up in a new country where you get to make a difference in students’ lives daily. 

My main piece of advice is to start the process early, even before you feel ready. The truth is, you’ll never feel completely prepared, but that’s what makes it exciting. 

Matthew is 100% right. Don’t sell yourself short. You can do this!