Travelling
At World Unite!, we now offer sessions with Japan Temple Yoga, where you can reconnect with yourself, share meaningful experiences, and learn from the people you meet along the way. Founded by Nanami, these sessions in Japanese temples bring together people from around the world to practice yoga, exchange languages and make new friends. What began with Nanami’s own search for meaningful connections has grown into a space where cultural exchange happens naturally. Yoga, Watermelon-Smashing and Making Friends Forget the idea that a yoga class has to begin and end on the mat. At Japan Temple Yoga, the fun often continues long after the session. Participants might sit down for a meal together, go for a run or join in local activities such as watermelon-smashing, a traditional summer game in the region. It's a chance to see a different side of Japan while spending time with people you might never have met otherwise. That's what makes experiences like these special. You don't need to have everything in common to get along. Sometimes, sharing a meal, learning a new skill or laughing through a local game is all it takes to break the ice. For anyone interested in cultural exchange, it's also a great way to practice a language in real-life conversations rather than just from a textbook. But How Did It All Start? Sometimes, the best ideas come from experiences we never planned to have. While living in Ireland, Nanami discovered how challenging it could be to meet people and build connections. When she returned to Japan, she faced another problem: finding opportunities to speak English and keep her language skills sharp. Then came Thailand, where Nanami discovered yoga and experienced how much it could transform the way people feel. Back in Japan, she started thinking: what if she could bring all these experiences together? Her love for temples, her passion for yoga and her interest in language exchange became the inspiration for Japan Temple Yoga. The idea was to create a space where people from different countries and backgrounds could meet, perform yoga and learn about Japan from one another. And that's exactly what happens at Japan Temple Yoga today. Different Backgrounds, One Welcoming Space Meeting people from different cultures is exciting, but starting a conversation in another language can feel a little awkward at first. This is why making everyone feel welcome is at the heart of the Japan Temple Yoga classes. There's no pressure to be the most outgoing person in the room or to speak a language perfectly. The goal is to create a comfortable environment where you can relax, connect and get to know one another at your own pace. Once everyone feels at ease, conversations tend to happen naturally. Exploring Japan Solo? Come As You Are Travelling alone doesn't mean you have to do everything alone. If you're visiting Japan solo and wondering how to meet people beyond your hostel or sightseeing group, Japan Temple Yoga offers an opportunity to connect with locals and fellow participants in a relaxed setting. You can make Japanese friends, get recommendations for places to visit and discover things about everyday life that you might not find in a guidebook. Additionally, you will contribute to the upkeep of old temples in Japan that are struggling due to rising costs of maintenance. A part of your fee will go towards the well-being of these temples. And you don't need to arrive with a group of friends. You can show up on your own and leave knowing a few more people than when you arrived. One Class Can Take You Further Than You Think But perhaps, the most meaningful part of Japan Temple Yoga is seeing how these experiences can change people's lives. Japanese participants gain confidence through the classes and later decide to travel abroad. Connecting with people from different countries helped them feel more comfortable stepping outside their usual routines and exploring the world. The connections go both ways. Some people have travelled all the way from Europe specifically to attend a Temple Yoga session in Japan. Along the way, participants have formed friendships and connections that could last a lifetime. So, why not step outside the usual sightseeing routine? Roll out your mat, meet some new people and see where the conversation takes you. You can register for their classes through World Unite! Japan's events page. While at it, you may also find other activities that suit your interests.
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.
The Working Holiday Visa for Brazilian citizens will become available on December 1, 2026. You can already book your program participation in advance.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 Depending on when you first stayed in Japan, it may be worth reviewing how income tax, public health insurance and pension contributions are handled compared to your previous stay. We are familiar with these matters and will advise you accordingly. We will also review your visa application documents a second time to ensure they clearly explain why you want to return to Japan. 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 and this is HALF THE PRICE of the regular package. 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.
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. We also offers other short-term programs in Japan. Explore all World Unite! programs in Japan.
While cities like Tokyo and Kyoto offer undeniable charm, truly making your Working Holiday in Japan unforgettable means exploring beyond just the major tourist spots. This gives you the chance to see beautiful nature and historical buildings, meet locals, and really immerse yourself in Japanese culture. One place truly worth a visit is Sado Island, a hidden gem in Niigata Prefecture. Sado Island - Why It’s Worth a Visit Sado Island, Japan's sixth-largest island, is a microcosm of the country itself, boasting diverse landscapes from picturesque beaches and cascading rice paddies to rugged mountain roads. Known for its clear waters, rocky shores, and abundant marine life, Sado offers fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and swimming. It also is home to five sake breweries, so why not try some sake while you are there? Beyond its natural beauty, Sado is a hub of traditional culture. It's home to the Kodo Taiko Ensemble, which hosts the annual Earth Celebration Festival. The music festival is a dynamic event of drumming and cultural exchange. Visitors can also try taiko drumming themselves at the Sado Island Taiko Center. Unique experiences like riding a "tarai bune" (a traditional tub-boat) or exploring historic villages like Shukunegi, with its preserved wooden houses, offer a glimpse into the island's rich heritage. Additionally, the Sado Gold Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a significant historical attraction that offers a fascinating look into the island's past as a major mining center. The island is also a crucial site for the reintroduction of the Japanese Crested Ibis, a species that was once almost extinct in the wild but now thrives on Sado thanks to conservation efforts. A Short History of Sado Island Sado Island has a fascinating and at times tumultuous history, serving for centuries as a place of exile for political figures and intellectuals. The island experienced a significant boom with the discovery of gold and silver mines in the 17th century, which helped finance the Tokugawa shogunate. The Sado Gold Mine, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracted people from all over Japan, leading to a sudden rise in population and enriching its cultural diversity. However, nowadays Sado faces a shrinking and aging population, like many areas in Japan. Furthermore, while Sado used to be a popular tourist destination, due to the rise of cheap overseas flights, the tourist numbers have halved. As a result abandoned buildings and even entire villages now dot Sado’s landscape. Historical buildings, including vital temples, are deteriorating. Many of the island's monks, often elderly, struggle to find successors, leading to a profound loss of invaluable cultural heritage. A Unique and Innovative Cooperation Amidst these struggles, new innovative ideas emerged. One of them is the cooperation between World Unite! and Chokokuji Temple. The historic Chokokuji Temple is one of Sado's largest and most significant temples, founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) in 807. It is designed to resemble Nara's Hasedera Temple, is not only a spiritual site but also a custodian of cultural assets, including ancient Kannon statues and Heian Period guardian figures. These eleven-headed Kannon statues and only unveiled to the public once every 33 years, with the next viewing set for 2034. Beyond the buildings, the temple grounds are home to three ancient cedar trees, estimated to be over 1,000 years old, believed to hold spiritual power. Recognizing the challenges faced by historical structures like Chokokuji in an aging society, World Unite! is using the temple as a base for an Environment conservation camp. The volunteers support the 87-year-old monk and his wife with the temple's preservation and development. A portion of the program fees directly contributes to the temple’s upkeep, and proceeds from a souvenir shop within the temple, launched in 2024, also go directly to Chokokuji Temple. This unique model helps ensure the temple's future while providing volunteers with an authentic immersion into Japanese culture and temple life. The Mother Nature Environmental Conservation Camp This camp, called “Mother Nature Environmental Conservation Camp Sado Island”, provides a deeply enriching experience for travellers looking to contribute to local life and explore Japan beyond the mainstream path. Participants live in large, fully furnished tents on the grounds of Chokokuji Temple and engage in a variety of activities: Besides temple preservation, the participants also contribute to the conversation of the Japanese Crested Ibis. After World War II, the use of chemical pesticides became widespread. The poisons decimated the Ibi’s food sources to such an extent that in 2003, the bird was considered "extinct in the wild." A government breeding program saved the last captive specimens and successfully began reintroducing offspring into the wild. For the species to survive in the wild, traditional, pesticide-free rice fields and irrigated, fallow Satoyama areas are urgently needed today. Volunteers from World Unite! therefore work together with local rice farmers to promote precisely these traditional farming methods, irrigate unused fields, and thus permanently secure the toki's habitat. Furthermore, in this camp you can participate in beach cleanups and learn how to use bamboo to make sustainable and traditional crafts. You will learn about herbal medicine and engage with local school children by teaching them about environmental protection. Regularly, World Unite! also organizes the participation in workshops on traditional and local culture such as building a traditional reed boat. This program offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, environmental contribution, and personal growth, making it a truly distinctive Japanese adventure. Do You Want to Know More? Does this sound interesting, and would you like to know more? Then check out the projects page:https://www.world-unite.de/en/internships-volunteering/japan/environmental-conservation-cultural-heritage-templestay-sado If you would like to receive support with organizing your Working Holiday, visit the World Unite! webpage at:https://www.world-unite.de/en/working-holiday/japan/work-and-travel-tokyo-kyoto
I went on a trip to Hakone and bought the Free Pass which gave me unlimited access to a range of different modes of transport as well as a round trip back to Shinjuku. The first stop was the Open Air Museum which features all kinds of quirky art structures but the highlight was definitely the symphonic structure that is grey and plain on the inside but a wall of colour within. The Hakone ropeway is a popular form of transportation in Hakone. This mode of transport is entirely free with the Hakone free pass. However, this is more than just a means of getting from A to B (which it does a very good job in taking you to lake Ashi) as it is an experience in its own right. One moment you are sailing above the trees and the next you are over the top of the mountain ridge and looking at the face of a volcano. Also, if you go on a clear day like I did then Mount Fuji is visible enough to snatch a photo of. Immediately after getting off the ropeway you are deposited at the shores of lake Ashi where a pirate ship awaits and at times like this it genuinely felt like the halogen area was one big sightseeing assault course with tourists carried along by the different and contrasting modes of transport as if they were on a conveyor belt. In truth I didn’t think the boat ride was that impressive, in fact it was the opposite of the symphonic structure in the Hakone Open Air Museum in that it was grand on the outside but ordinary within. In fact, I was more interested in speaking with some Canadians I met than I was in the boat ride and we discussed our Japan travel experiences at length. At the end of the boat ride I had the choice to go to Hakone shrine to the north or Mishima skywalk to the south and I decided to go with the latter as it was the path less travelled. I arrived at sunset and there were views of a sunset, suspension bridge, Sakura and Mount Fuji all at once. It was raining on the second day in Hakone (and a second day is necessary if you want to see the majority of what is on offer in the area) so I went for an activity that didn’t require good weather, the Hakone Glass Museum. When I arrived it didn’t feel like much of a museum at all but rather a quaint, fancy garden with many of the trees and bushes replaced by glass. While the individual exhibits weren’t jaw dropping, but like many of the other things they came together to create a mystical and peaceful atmosphere where you could sit and relax without overwhelming hordes of tourists which made a nice change from bouncing from one tourist hotspot to another. The most underrated attraction in the Hakone area by far was Tamadare falls. So underrated that it doesn’t even feature on the area map you get with the Hakone free pass (you need Hakone Yumoto station, OH51). In fact the only reason I knew about it was because the other English person who arrived at the sharehouse the same time as me went there and I saw their pictures on Instagram. I am glad I decided to be a copycat as it was one of my favourite places. The statues of dragons spitting water, the koi fish, the crimson-leaved trees and of course the waterfall with a pond complete with stepping stones made for some really good scenery. Also, because this area is relatively off the grid you also could still feel the atmosphere of the place as it wasn’t drowned out by crowds of tourists. I was in no particular rush to head back to Tokyo and I had seen everything I wanted to see so I decided to stop by Odawara castle. I arrived at about a quarter to 5 so there was little point in me paying to go inside the castle if it was going to close in 15 minutes. However, that didn’t mean the trip was wasted at all, the castle grounds and walls on the outside were more than sufficient to get a feel of the place and get some good photos in the process. Report by our participant Jacob
Hokkaido My first day's trip at Shiretoko National Park was split into three parts: snow shoes walking to see nature in the forest, drift ice walking on the frozen sea of Othosk and animal and coastal views at sunset. Moved a little south down the eastern side of Hokkaido. Originally I had intended to go to lake Mashū but the road was blocked so I went to Mount Iō instead and then the town of Kawayuonsen which had a nature trail with deer running free (which was quite a surprise as the trail I got first wasn’t on any map). I visited the Akan Crane Center for day 3. Unfortunately I narrowly missed the bus in the morning and had to wait over 4 hours in Kushiro for the next bus, by which time the cranes were almost all gone, but I could still get the odd decent pic of them. Public transport in Hokkaido is far worse than that in Tokyo and you really need to have things planned out and get up really early at times. I left the east of the island behind and headed for the heart of Hokkaido. This involved a train across the island which passed through endless fields of snow. Since there was heavy sleet and snow that day, I decided to make it a day. I went to see the zoo in Asahikawa where a range of different species from the world’s coldest climates could be found. In the evening I returned to Furano where I was based and walked along Ningle Terrace which is an arts and craft shopping area made entirely of wooden cabins in a forest illuminated by fairy lights. The 5th day got off to a rather bad start as the main purpose of my trip to the Shirogane area, near the town of Biei (within an hour of Furano) was to see the blue pond. However, at this time of the year (March) the pond is frozen over and covered with snow, so barely to be seen. I then headed to Shirogane Falls but enroute I found a gap in the snow drift that went into the trees and I found the relatively well concealed Fudou falls, which has a very uncanny resemblance to a stone staircase. Continuing along the road through the whitewashed landscape I reached Shirogane Falls and was pleasantly surprised to find the blue colour of the water was alive and well here after all. The water was so clear you could see the stones of the river bed even from up high on the suspension bridge. On my 6th day, after a 3 hour bus ride from Furano to Sapporo I felt like the trip to Hokkaido had already ended as it felt like I had returned to Tokyo with a dusting of snow as I had left behind the mountains, ice floes and blue rivers and traded them in for them towers and shopping centres. However, in time I would come to learn that this was in many ways a different place to Tokyo as while it shared many of the conveniences, it did not suffer from the overcrowding the way Tokyo does. In fact I felt like I had a lot of room to roam free, and so I did. I came across many things including the tower, both day and night, an underground shopping centre with exotic birds, the Susukino entertainment district and a giant ferris wheel placed in the center of the main outdoor shopping arcade area. I didn’t have much energy left on the 7th and final day, in fact I didn’t leave the hotel room until exactly the last possible minute I could to check out. I spent the day going around looking at things within a striking distance of the city centre before getting the flight back to Tokyo from Sapporo late in the afternoon. I came across a fish market, a lacklustre clock tower, a pachinko slot arcade and the main outdoor shopping street/arcade. Japanese Alps For the first day on the trip to the Japanese alps I went to Nagano prefecture to see the snow monkeys. There was very little snow left in the middle of March but an abundance of monkeys could still be found. This area is famous for monkeys bathing in the onsen but it was too hot for that (although one did fall in) and they all seemed to gather around the onsen like holidaymakers in Spain gathering around the swimming pool on a sunny day. The thing about the monkey park is although it certainly feels very touristy you still get to have a ‘real’ experience of seeing the monkeys as they act as if nobody's watching, often passing by humans without stopping to look to go off and see other monkeys. In the morning of the 2nd day I went on an hour-long ride to the lowest level of the three tiered shrine complex of Togakushi. Togakushi is essentially a group of shrines that are scattered up the mountain at 3 points of different heights. The ascent to the top involves an increase in altitude of over 100 flights of stairs. I may have picked a bad time of year (March) to go as although it was spring at the bottom it was still very much winter at the top and the shrines were buried in snow to the point I nearly missed them entirely. There was also a tree corridor where half of it was missing as only the conifer trees had kept their leaves. The snow and cold climate caused further problems as the route to the mirror pond was blocked off so all things considered you should wait until at least at the end of spring to come. I returned to Nagano in the afternoon and spent sundown walking around Zenkō-ji. Practically having the temple to myself was a peaceful way to spend sundown on a spring evening. I also liked the atmosphere uphill road leading to the temple, especially at night where it is lit up by street lamps and the mountains cast a strong silhouette in the navy evening sky. At the halfway point of my trip in the Japanese alps I visited Matsumoto Castle, one of the most famous in Japan. In my opinion, the outside of the castle grounds actually looks better but the inside is still worth visiting at only 700JPY. On the inside you can go inside the castle (which feels more like a matchup between a multi-storey shrine and a museum than a typical castle). On the fourth day I went for a ride on the Shinhotaka Ropeway (which can be accessed by bus from both Matsumoto and Takayama). The ropeway barely gets a mention from the guidebooks and online travel blogs, making it the most criminally underrated attraction I have seen in Japan so far. The views at the top of the mountain range were amazing. However, when you come in the winter months there is another thing to see, a mini snow corridor as high as you are running through the trees. The only bad things about the trip are that it takes hours to reach by bus and it is one of the more expensive things to do. Nevertheless, it is still the most impressive sight I saw in the Japanese Alps region. The final part of my trip to the Japanese Alps region was visiting the UNESCO world heritage site of Shirakawa village. I have never been anywhere like it. Even to reach it you have to spend half an hour in darkness going through a mountain tunnel and when you emerge on the other side you arrive at a place composed entirely of thatched roof wooden buildings. When I was walking around the place in the drizzle I couldn’t help but think that it was very much like where I am from in the UK. Both are surrounded by green fields, both are in close proximity to the mountains and the biggest similarity of course being the incessant drizzle that was pouring that day. Report by our participant Jacob
Amongst those doing a Working Holiday in Japan, there are many common misconceptions and myths about Working Holidays in Japan. These might result from outdated information found on the internet, or from misinterpretation of official texts. The wrong information is then passed from one person doing Working Holidays to another. But don't worry - this article will bust some of these myths! Myth 1: On a Working Holiday Visa it is not allowed to work at bars It is perfectly legal to work at bars, as long as they are "normal bars" that are just selling drinks and not offering any services which are "against the public morals of Japan". Businesses which are "against the public morals" include for instance gambling, the sex industry and hostess clubs. At such places it is totally illegal, if you are on a Working Holiday visa, to do any kind of work, even if it's not directly as a hostess, prostitute or as gambling service provider. E.g. being a cleaner or a dishwasher at any such establishment is illegal and will certainly result in a fine and deportation, should the police or immigration officers find you working at such establishment. "Hostess Clubs" are places where usually no sexual services are offered, but there are hostesses engaging in typically flirtatious conversations and providing other entertainment such as singing karaoke with male customers who are paying high prices for drinks. On a first glance, it is not always very obvious for people unfamiliar with such establishments whether a place is a "normal bar" or a "Hostess Club". If you are invited to a job interview or offered a job at a bar, you should have an in-depth look at the kind of customers and other employees it has, and in doubt reject the job. Also, don't easily trust employers running such places who might tell you that the job is perfectly legal for you, which might not be true, either because they don't know about the restrictions of a Working Holiday Visa, or they don't care. There are also so-called "Host Clubs", which are the equivalent for female customers, employing male hosts. It is of course also illegal to work at such place. Jobs at "Maid Cafés" (and the equivalent for male customers called "Butler Cafés") are generally allowed, as long as they only sell beverages and food and the services offered don't resemble those of a "hostess" or "host" club. Myth 2: On a Working Holiday Visa you are only allowed to do part-time work There is no limitation of the amount of hours you are allowed to work on a Working Holiday Visa. Some employers confuse the Working Holiday Visa with a Student Visa, which has a limitation of 28 hours of work allowed per week. Myth 3: If you want to leave Japan during the validity of your Working Holiday Visa and you wish to return and continue your Working Holiday, you must go to the immigration office and apply for a Re-entry permit This information is outdated. Since 2012, if you want to leave Japan during the validity of your Working Holiday visa and you plan to return, at the immigration counters of the airport, when you are leaving, you just have to fill a white form that you find there called "Embarkation card for reentrant". You should mark the box "I am leaving Japan temporarily and will return". The immigation officer will then staple another card into your passport called "Disembarkation card for reentrant". When you return to Japan during the validity of your Working Holiday Visa, at the immigration counters of the airport you should go to the counter which says "Special Re-Entry Permit Holders" where you show your passport with the filled-out Disembarkation card and your Residence Card, and you are allowed to enter and continue your Working Holiday. Myth 4: You need a person of reference and guarantor in Japan to get a Working Holiday Visa You don't need a reference and guarantor in Japan, but you can leave those fields blank in the visa application form. Myth 5: Everyone who has a Working Holiday Visa for Japan can get free Japanese language lessons This is not true and we don't really know the origin of this myth. There are Community Centres at every city and town in Japan that offer inexpensive (and at some cities even free) Japanese language lessons to foreigners. For some (but not all) cities it is required to be a Resident in Japan to join these lessons. If you hold a Working Holiday Visa, you are a resident, so you can join these lessons, but there are not generally free. Myth 6: During your Working Holiday, you can travel around Japan cheaply using a Japan Rail Pass for discounted train rides The Japan Rail Pass for discounted train tickets can only be purchased by tourists. Tourists are people who have either a Temporary Visitor Status (for those nationals for whom there is an exemption of Visa for short-time stays in Japan) or a Tourist Visa (for those nationals who need to apply for a tourist visa prior to their trip to Japan). If you hold a Working Holiday Visa, you are not a tourist, but a resident and therefore you cannot buy the Japan Rail Pass. Myth 7: Accommodation-wise, it is the cheapest and best option to rent your own apartment in Japan (that you might share with friends you make in Japan who are also on a Working Holiday visa) Particularly in central locations of Tokyo, where there is a very high demand for apartments, landlords can choose between many people willing to rent an apartment. They will most likely not choose a foreigner who will stay for a maximum of one year and doesn't have a permanent employment contract. In addition, almost all rental apartments are offered through real estate agents that usually charge a fee of 3 months of rent to the tennant, and many apartments come unfurnished. The most feasible accommodation option for foreigners who are in Japan on a Working Holiday visa are the so-called "Share Houses". Myth 8: It is the best option to rent a portable wifi device at the airport to have internet access in Japan Renting a portable wifi probably only makes sense if you come to Japan for a few days only. For anyone staying longer than that, the cheapest option is to get a Japanese SIM card for your mobile phone. For stays of up to 90 days the choice would be a pre-paid Travel SIM Card, and for longer stays to make a phone contract with a Japanese mobile phone provider. If you have a support package of World Unite! for your Working Holiday or internship in Japan, they will make arrangements for the best mobile phone/internet access option for you. Myth 9: You can get a tax refund when leaving Japan for the income tax that your employer has paid for you You cannot get back the income tax that your employer has paid for you in Japan when you leave Japan after your Working Holiday. If you have done any pension funds payments in Japan you can get them back when you leave Japan. It is however unlikely that Pension Funds payments were made for you by your employer as this is not a requirement for employees who are on a Working Holiday Visa. -- This article was written by Chris Engler, founder of World Unite Japan KK, a company based in Tokyo, providing Working Holiday support services to currently more than 1000 young travellers per year in Japan. You can learn more about World Unite!'s Working Holiday support services in Tokyo.
A working holiday should not only be about work but also about discovering the country. There is so much to see and experience in Japan that you should not miss out on while you are here! We wanted to get out of Tokyo city life for a long weekend and it wasn't difficult to decide on Nikko. Only a 2-hour train ride away from Tokyo, this town in the hills makes for a perfect weekend getaway if you want to sniff some culture and be surrounded by nature. We booked the Turtle Inn Nikko Annex Hotel which is not too far from the train station with its own onsen (Japanese style hot spring), and after dropping off our luggage in the lobby and getting some good advice from the receptionist for our stay we headed out for our first lunch in Nikko. Of course we wanted to try yuba, a by-product of tofu production that is ubiquitous in Nikko, being a center of Buddhist activity since its foundation. We found this cute little udon noodle restaurant called Kanman Teahouse that served yuba as a side dish, perfect for our lunch. The yuba was very smooth and flavorful, and we loved the cold udon and tea with Japanese sweets that we got afterward. A good start of our weekend Our First Day: History and Beauty Then it was time to immerse ourselves in Japanese history. After passing through a foresty road with old jizo statues we headed to the Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. Here you can walk around the huge Japanese style villa that used to be the vacation home of the imperial family. It's not just the house that breathes a quiet atmosphere, the garden also makes for a peaceful little stroll in a typical Japanese garden. If you come at the right time you can also see a very old Sakura tree bloom. This was the green oasis we were hoping to find when we left Tokyo! As a visit to Nikko is not complete without visiting its main shrine, the Toshogu, it was next on our list. As expected there were many tourists, foreign as well as Japanese, but we could also easily tell why this shrine complex is so popular. Its wood carvings are exquisite, there are so many beautiful little details that the buildings are like pieces of art. At several locations within the complex priests carried out Shinto rituals in order to bring fortune to the people, and stones on the ground were arranged to look like turtles to bring good luck. What most people don`t know is that it is worth it to walk the extra 1.5 kilometer up the hill on the east side of the temple. Here you can find the rarely visited Takio shrine in the middle of the woods, surrounded by small water streams. We enjoyed being away from the crowds and savored the silence. By the time we left the Takio shrine it was getting dark, meaning it was time to look for a place to eat because restaurants and even bars close early in Nikko (and other places outside the big cities in Japan for that matter). We decided on Bar de Nikko because of its good reviews on TripAdvisor, and we did not regret it. The food was delicious and nicely presented, and there was a large assortment of drinks available. It was open until 21.00, which is quite unique in this small town. In the evening we soaked in the hotel onsen with a nice view of the fast streaming river outside through a large window and went to bed early. The Second Day: Hiking and Nature One of the purposes of the trip was to get out there and take a long walk in a beautiful, natural area. We wanted to breathe some nice, fresh air in the spring sun! We took the bus to the Chuzenji lake, an area that used to be a popular place to vacation for foreigners as well as well-to-do Japanese people. As we were there late March it was still off-season and very quiet. We first stopped by the Kegon falls, we didn't pay the few hundred yen to go downstairs and see the waterfalls up close, but I would recommend doing it anyway because I later heard from others who have gone down there that it was worth the money. We then walked almost all the way along the northern shore of the lake, which was great as we barely saw anyone else as soon as we left the little town. It was peaceful and quiet, and we walked around 4 kilometers before we got to the boathouse where we were surprised to find the restaurant open. Of course we were the only customers, but the noodles (yes, again as they are so good here in Nikko) were tasty and we were ready to go again. As we went more inland the road went up, and after 2 kilometers or so we hit a trail up Mt. Takayama. Feeling adventurous we went in even though the sign warned us of bears and deers, the former scaring us a bit more than the latter. But the trail was snowy, and after taking a selfie of the 'courageous us' and the snow we decided to turn around and go find the Ryuzu Falls which we came here to find. We soon found fast streaming clear water and went down the trail to see a cute tea house overlooking the falls which are named after the dragon it resembles. They served delicious ice-cream with the flavor of, you guessed it, yuba. It might be a surprising flavor, but it was actually surprisingly good! We then took the bus back to the hotel and ended up having the most thrilling part of our trip, a ride down the Iroha slope. I'm sure the driver knows this road like the back of his hand, but sitting right behind him and seeing the bus steer dangerously close to the slope's edge with a drop of a few hundred meters deep behind it about 20 times, made for a blood-curdling ride. I think Julia was very happy when we were back at 600 meters above sea level again instead of the over 1000 meters that we were above sea level before. After all this excitement we first went for a long soak in the hotel onsen again before we went out for dinner again. This time we went to a Chinese restaurant near the hotel that was almost completely full, a good sign. The food was indeed delicious, I would just stay away from the hot sake as I could tell why it was sold as hot sake instead of chilled or at room temperature. We then headed back to the hotel for some card games and our futons. The Last Day: A Temple and an Old Hotel After having a perfect brunch in the Kanaya Hotel Bakery (very much recommended) we first visited the museum right next door. Kanaya hotel was once the first hotel where Westerners could stay during the period in Japanese history when foreigners were still very rare in Japan and couldn't always stay in a regular Japanese hotel. The people who work there conduct short tours, most of them don't really speak English but it is still nice to hear a bit of simple explanation of what you see. Some parts of the hotel are original which is quite rare to see in Japan, especially in Tokyo as most buildings don't last this long here. We then went to our last stop on this trip, the Taiyu-in temple. What we loved here was that it was so much quieter than at the Toshogu, and it was a lot easier to relax and enjoy our surroundings. There was another mass blessing ceremony, and there were 4 beautifully colored statues near the main hall. For those who like wood sculptures, there was also a lot to see, as almost every animal was represented somewhere in the decorations on the walls. Some parts of this temple reminded me a bit of Persian or oriental art with the many colors and wood carvings. Also, we were not sure if we were supposed to go here, but a bit east of this temple up a hill there seems to be an abandoned temple with a vshery big statue in a closed off hall. There was almost no one there and it looked like no one was taking care of it, so it was a bit spooky over there. It was unfortunately already time to go home by the time we came back to the main road, but we didn't leave before a last bowl of noodles, ramen this time, and a Harajuku style desert near the station. If you are on a working holiday (or regular holiday for that matter) in the Tokyo area, you should definitely not skip Nikko. As they say in this locale: don't say 'kekkou' (I'm good) until you have been to Nikko! " order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC" returns="included" maximum_entity_count="500"] About the Author Stefanie has lived in Japan for 5 years, and is working as a coordinator for World Unite! since 2017. Together with her colleague Julia she decided to get out of Tokyo city life for a long weekend.
To many people, foreign tourists as well as Japanese locals, Hokkaido's image is one of low temperatures and snowy mountains. It's no wonder most people go to Japan's northernmost island for winter sports. However, this amazing place has so much more to discover than just skiing down a mountain! I already visited the landscape in summer of 2009, and this time I wanted to see it during winter as the weather during summertime is a bit similar to Germany. But unlike Germany, Hokkaido turns into a snowy wonderland during the winter. If you are in Japan for a working holiday, do yourself a favor and make sure to spend a week or so at Japan's prime winter sports destination! Sapporo This year I spent around one month in Hokkaido. I decided to set up my freelance headquarters in Sapporo because the capital city has the best connection to the public transportation. Another aspect is that most of my friends are living in or near Sapporo. During the first weeks I explored Sapporo and its vicinity. As Sapporo is not a sprawling city, you can reach many spots within an hour of walking, so I walked to the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium when a Ski Jumping event was going on. I never saw this sport before, and it was so amazing to see the competitors flying! If there is no event going on you can watch a training if you are lucky. Next to the stadium, there is a winter sports museum. Unfortunately it turned out to be closed in January, but when I visited Sapporo in 2009 it was open and I recommend you stop by. The best part of the musuem is that you can practice different winter sports with simulators, it's almost like being on the slopes for real! Other interesting spots you shouldn't miss when you are in Sapporo were the Sapporo Clock Tower where you can explore the history of the city, the Susukino nightlife district, and Mount Moiwa. When I went up this mountain using two ropeways, I was stunned by one of the most beautiful views of the city and the ocean from the top. Penguins in Asahikawa In the begin of February I went to visit a friend in Asahikawa. Because I stayed with his family, I got the chance to see from up close how a Japanese family lives in Hokkaido. My friend and I visited popular spots in the city, like the science museum and the zoo. The zoo of Asahikawa is quite a famous place in Hokkaido. It is not big, but the highlights are the nice arranged habitats and the penguin walk, where a group of penguins walks through the public area as seen in the picture. The renowned Asahikawa Yuki Matsuri (Asahikawa Snow Festival) is also a must-see. You will see snow sculptures along the river, ice slides, and be able to try many delicious kinds of food. I also visited the judo club of my friend's sister and watched the class practice. At the gym we met the class teacher of my friend, and he invited me to come to the high school the next day. I was really excited to get the chance to see a Japanese high school from the inside! The students were really amazed to see me, a foreigner, in their school. During English class, I assisted the teacher by helping the students while they prepared a group speech. After class finished, the teacher guided me around the school. This experience was a unique moment I will remember for sure! During my stay, the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Sapporo Snow Festival) also happened to be in full swing. I even arrived in time to see how artists built up their ice sculptures. After the event kicked off, the city was full of gigantic snow walls with pictures and ice sculptures lit up in every color. For the last week of my stay I visited several places. First on the list was visited Obihiro. I am a horse lover, so my main reason for visiting this city was the horse racing stadium, which is unique in the world. Here you can see how one of the mightiest horse breeds in the world is running on a special racetrack. Bannei horses are not cantering through the track like they do during a normal race, but they are pulling a heavy sled over 2 hills. It was very special to me to be able to watch this spectacle. Hot Springs, Bears and Drift Ice The next city on my list was Noboribetsu, which is popular for its hot springs, old city with people in ninja costumes, and bear park. In the bear park, you can see brown bears doing funny tricks to get attention and food from visitors. When I took a short walk through the city something that stood out were the many statues of Oni (demons) along the way. There is a place near the city named Jigokudani, also known as 'hell valley', hence the statues. It is a spectacular place with hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activity. It is from this valley where most of the onsen in the vicinity get their hot spring water. At last I went to the eastern part of Hokkaido. My first stop was Kushiro, which is famous for its wild nature and Japanese cranes. In the evening I took the train to Abashiri and stayed here for one night because it would be an early wake-up call the next day for a boat trip to see the drift ice. On an icebreaker, we went for a one-hour tour through the bay and the drifting ice, which I already saw from the train one day before. We were also lucky to see Stellerˋs sea eagles next to the boat. It was a great end to a trip to remember! About the author Michaela has been interested in Japan since she was young, and aged 25 she decided to go on a Working Holiday to the country that has always felt like a second home to her. Feeling safer by going to Japan through an organization, having the back-up of World Unite! turned out to be a good investment. Michaela found some great jobs during her stay on a Working Holiday visa (one job was scuba diving assistant!), and she also took the opportunity to travel around many areas of Japan. In the end, Hokkaido turned out to be my favorite place, as here you can find a great mix of nature and city.
Enoshima, a small island in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a popular resort and sightseeing place. A bridge connects the island with the shore area making it easy for visitors to walk there and enjoy the beautiful coast view. The Road to the Sea Candle Garden When you arrive at the island, you will see many tourist souvenir shops in a narrow street sloping slightly upwards to a post office. It has the special charm of a traditional rural town and a beautiful Shinto gate (torii) at the end of the street. When you walk towards the gate you will pass many small restaurants and street food stands with mostly seafood offerings. On hot days you can indulge in one of the many ice cream shops there. Climbing up the stairs you will find some Shinto shrines where you can pray and buy charms for various purposes, such as luck, health, love and traffic safety. Enoshima is also a very popular place for Japanese visitors. You will see many Japanese families with their small children and couples on a romantic trip. After enjoying the serene atmosphere at the temples you will reach the main attraction of Enoshima Island, the Sea Candle and the Sea Candle Garden. The tropical garden has many small walkways decorated with hundreds of colorful glasses with candles inside. There is a romantic and fascinating atmosphere when you go there by night, but also during the day it's a wonderful place to visit. For a nice view of the harbor area, look for the cafés where you can admire the view while enjoying some good food or drinks. Sea Life During the summer season the beach area around Enoshima is full of people who love water sports such as surfing, swimming or sailing. Another popular activity in this area is fishing. If the weather outside isn't comfortable you can visit the Enoshima Aquarium, which features a great collection of marine animals and even has a dolphin show. Enoshima makes for a great day trip, and not least because of its famously fresh seafood. When the weather is crisp and clear it's even possible to have a great view of Mount Fuji. If you come from Tokyo by train you will most likely visit Kamakura first on the way down to Enoshima. If you're visiting both places buying the Kamakura-Enoshima Pass for 700 yen in Tokyo is a good option. You can also go to Kamakura by local trains and buy a 1-day pass for the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) for 600 yen. This pass allows you to stop at popular temples in Kamakura as well as in Enoshima.