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Looking for fun things to do in Tokyo or Kyoto while you’re in Japan? Join World Unite! events to meet new people, connect with locals, improve your Japanese and experience the country’s beautiful culture together. From Japanese language exchanges and international meetups to cultural activities such as Kimono/Yukata dressing, Japanese calligraphy (Shodo Workshop) and the popular Kintsugi: repairing with Gold, there are plenty of ways to get involved. You can also join seasonal events in places like Yoyogi Park and Shibuya. These activities give you the chance to make new friends and learn more about life in Japan. You can join these activities if you are in Tokyo or Kyoto. They are also open to regular travellers, tourists and people living in Japan - for a small participation fee. If you are taking part in a World Unite! Japan Working Holiday, internship, volunteering, language or course program, you can join the activities in Tokyo at no extra cost. Japanese people also take part in many of these events. This gives you a great opportunity to meet the locals, polish your Japanese and make international connections at the same time. Events are organised through World Unite! Japan and the schedule changes throughout the year, so you can check what’s happening during your time in Japan. Language Exchange Join a language exchange at the World Unite! Japan City Hub and swap languages with Japanese people who are keen to improve their English while you work on your Japanese. These informal meetings bring together international participants who want to improve their Japanese and Japanese people who want to develop their English skills. It’s a great opportunity to have real conversations, get to know Japanese people and meet others from different backgrounds. You can also join online Japanese language exchange events if you’re staying outside Tokyo or can’t make it to an in-person meetup. Monthly online sessions allow participants from different parts of Japan to take part. If you’re based in Kyoto, you can join World Unite! events there without having to travel to Tokyo. Cultural Workshops Cultural workshops give you a chance to experience Japanese traditions for yourself. You can learn something new and share this experience with locals and participants with similar interests. Some of the cultural workshops and events include: Kimono/Yukata Dressing in Tokyo: Learn about traditional Japanese clothing and experience wearing a kimono or yukata yourself. Calligraphy in Tokyo: Shodo Workshop: Discover the art of Japanese calligraphy and create your own Shodo artwork using traditional brushes and ink. The Art of Kintsugi in Tokyo: Repairing with Gold: Learn about Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold and turning the repaired piece into something unique. Asakusa Trip near Sumida Park: Explore Asakusa and experience one of Tokyo’s best-known traditional neighbourhoods with other participants. Mochitsuki Event (Rice Cake Pounding) in Tokyo: Take part in Mochitsuki and experience the traditional Japanese process of pounding rice to make mochi. Chopstick Manner Experience in Tokyo: Learn about Japanese dining etiquette and the correct way to use chopsticks in different situations. Temple Yoga Session in Tokyo: Take part in a relaxing yoga session in a traditional temple setting in Tokyo. Social Meetups, Halloween at Yoyogi Park and More We realise that not every event needs to be about learning something new. Sometimes, it’s simply about getting together and having fun. World Unite! organises international social meetups in Tokyo and Kyoto, bringing together participants from different countries as well as people living in Japan. A few examples are the international Halloween event at Yoyogi Park, kite flying event at World Unite Japan City Hub, Hanami (flower viewing) at Asakuyama Park. Located between Harajuku and Shibuya, Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s best-known green spaces and a popular place to meet up with friends. Such events let you enjoy the city together with an international crowd. Another example is a winter illumination outing in Shibuya, that will give you the chance to explore Tokyo’s winter lights. These events can be an easy way to build your social circle in Japan. You might come along on your own and end up meeting people you continue to spend time with throughout your stay. Many events organised by World Unite! Japan are free of charge or available for a very small price. Although some activities, generally organised by our partners, may have a bigger participation fee. Join World Unite! Activities During Your Time in Japan Whether you’re coming to Japan on a Working Holiday, taking a Japanese language course, doing an internship or joining a volunteer program, World Unite! events give you additional opportunities to meet people and experience life in Japan. You can also explore opportunities beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Whether you’re searching for a language exchange or an international meetup in Tokyo, things to do at Yoyogi Park, a cultural activity or events to join during your stay, check the World Unite! Japan event schedule and see what’s there for you. The schedule is updated regularly, with new events and activities throughout the year. Check the latest events and register through the World Unite Japan events page.
Japan has just made it easier for young travellers from selected countries to come back for another Working Holiday, which means that you can now get a second Working Holiday Visa, and another chance to live, work and travel in the country. This decision ensures that your Japan adventure doesn’t necessarily have to end after one year, as you can return to explore more places, improve your Japanese, make new friends or simply enjoy everyday life in Japan for a little longer. Japan updated its Working Holiday Visa (WHV) program in phases between late 2024 and early 2026, making it possible for eligible travellers to apply for a second year. However, how you can use that second year depends on your passport. Who Can Get A Second Working Holiday Visa? The new rules are based on agreements between Japan and individual partner countries. This means that the conditions for your second year are not the same for everyone. There are currently two different setups: Two Years Back-to-Back If you are from Canada or the UK, you can spend your two Working Holiday years in Japan consecutively or split them into separate trips. So, you can either stay for two years in a row or leave Japan and return for your second year later. Two Separate Trips Citizens of the following countries and regions can also get a second year, but the two stays cannot be back-to-back. You’ll need to leave Japan after your first Working Holiday and return home or leave Japan before applying for your second one. New Zealand Denmark Austria Germany Ireland Slovakia South Korea Taiwan What Are The Basic Requirements? The new second-year option doesn’t change the main eligibility requirements for the Working Holiday Visa. You generally need to: Be a citizen of one of Japan’s Working Holiday partner countries or regions. Be 18–30 years old when applying. For Canada, South Korea and Ireland, the usual age limit is 18–25 unless an agreement allows applicants up to 30. Currently live in your country or region of nationality. Hold a valid passport. Applicants from Taiwan must hold a valid Taiwanese passport. Have the main purpose of your stay be a holiday in Japan. Travel without dependent children. Have a return ticket or enough money to buy one. Have enough funds to support yourself at the beginning of your stay. Be in good health Make The Most Of Your Working Holiday In Japan One year can go by surprisingly fast when you’re busy travelling, working and exploring a new country. With the new rules, eligible travellers can now give themselves another year to do these things. World Unite’s Japan Working Holiday program can help you get started. You’ll get support as you prepare for life in Japan, look for work and settle into your new surroundings. Additionally, World Unite! offers a RETURNEE package for €400 to participants returning for a second time. You can earn money while travelling, meet people from around the world, learn Japanese and a new culture as part of your everyday life. Whether you’re planning your first Working Holiday or already thinking about coming back for round two, Japan could be waiting for you again. Find out more about the World Unite Japan Working Holiday program, here.
For Japanese-Brazilians, a trip to Japan can be about much more than sightseeing. It can be a chance to discover where your family came from or simply to build your own connection with the country. Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population outside Japan, with an estimated 2 million people of the descent (also called Nikkei). Today, more third-, fourth- and fifth-generation Nikkei are travelling to Japan for different reasons. If you’re thinking about making the trip yourself, you have several options depending on how long you want to stay and what you want to do in Japan. For decades, migration between Brazil and Japan was largely driven by employment, with many Brazilians moving to Japan for factory work as Dekasegi. Today, younger generations of Japanese-Brazilians are also travelling to Japan looking for something more. This can include, but is not limited to, a heritage trip to the town where your grandparents or great-grandparents lived, looking into family records or just learning the language and traditions that are part of your family history. You could: Trace your family history: Visit your ancestral hometown and look into family records such as koseki. Many ancestral roots can be found in prefectures such as Okinawa, Kumamoto and Hiroshima. Reconnect with the language: Join a short-term Japanese language course and build up language skills that may have been lost over generations. Experience traditional culture: Visit historic temples, take part in local festivals and experience everyday life in the places your family came from. Which Visa Is Right for You? The best option depends on how much time you want to spend in Japan. Short-Term Trips – Up to 90 Days If you’re a Brazilian citizen, you can enter Japan as a tourist for up to 90 days without a visa. This is the simplest option for a shorter trip. You can visit ancestral towns, explore historical sites, visit family graves and travel around Japan. You can also opt for our unpaid internships, volunteering and short-term language courses to complement your other interests. Working Holiday – Up to 1 Year Starting on December 1, 2026, eligible Japanese-Brazilians aged 18 to 30 can apply for a Working Holiday Visa and spend up to a year living in Japan while funding their stay through temporary work. This gives you much more time to explore your roots while gaining knowledge about everyday life in Japan. You can travel between different regions, improve your Japanese, meet new people and spend more time in places connected to your family history.If you have a valid Japanese passport, you can enter the country without a visa, offering you more flexibility. Depending on your eligibility, you may also be able to take part in World Unite!’s Working Holiday program, which gives you the chance to learn new skills as you carry on with your travels. Make Your Time in Japan Count If you want to combine your trip with living and working in Japan, a Working Holiday gives you the freedom to do both. With World Unite’s Japan Working Holiday program, you can start your travel in Tokyo or Kyoto and get support with visa preparation and important formalities such as resident registration, tax number, health insurance, a bank account and phone contract. You can also get help finding work, with pre-arranged guaranteed jobs available. Affordable sharehouses in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa give you a place to live while meeting other travellers. You don’t need Japanese language skills to join the program. Many jobs require little or no Japanese, and you can join beginner-friendly Japanese conversation courses, social meetups, cultural workshops and Japanese-English language exchanges. So, whether you want to spend a few weeks tracing your family history or a full year experiencing life in Japan, there are different ways to make your connection to Japan part of your own story. Find out more about the World Unite Japan Working Holiday program, here. World Unite also offers other short-term programs in Japan. Explore the available programs here.