I found a page listing English language degree programs in Japan. Most are for graduate school, but there are several undergraduate programs. With the current economic situation and so forth, I think it's worth thinking about the student options.

http://www.jpss.jp/e-univ/index.htm

I was too quick before in saying that students could work part-time. The visa sites say that it is not allowed, but I know that many students do work legally. I'm actually sort of an exchange student at the moment myself . . . in our orientation, they told us that we'd have to fill out some forms if we wanted to take a part time job. Also, no part time work as bar hostesses or similar occupations -- we were warned quite sternly against that. The handbook I have from MEXT (Ministry of Education etc.) says:

"Since your status of residence is "college student," while in Japan you are expected to be engaged only in activities as a student, such as study and research. In this respect, if it is absolutely necessary that you work part-time, you must obtain permission from the Regional Immigration Bureau before starting such activities. For details regarding required documents, please contact the staff in charge of international student affairs at your university."

So, anyway, sorry for the long post which may or may not be of interest. I just didn't want to give the wrong information.

I'm sorry some of you have had negative experiences with the police but I just have to throw in my positive experience with Japanese police. We were driving on the Tohoku Expressway in the middle of nowhere and my husband got pulled over for speeding. And he was speeding...probably doing 130 in a 100 zone. Two policemen came to the door and talked to us. It was the politest, most pleasant encounter I have ever had with policemen anywhere. They gently recommended we slow down but issued no tickets or anything like it. We drove away feeling like we had had a very pleasant cultural exchange that lifted our spirits.

You need permission to engange in baito when you're a student but at least in my experience, it's really easy to obtain, you more or less just have to ask for it. However, you're only allowed to work for a few hours every day, not like Japanese students who can work as much as they feel like.

Tobberoth Wrote:You need permission to engange in baito when you're a student but at least in my experience, it's really easy to obtain, you more or less just have to ask for it. However, you're only allowed to work for a few hours every day, not like Japanese students who can work as much as they feel like.

You also cannot apply until you've been in the country at least 3 months.

Jarvik7 Wrote:

Tobberoth Wrote:You need permission to engange in baito when you're a student but at least in my experience, it's really easy to obtain, you more or less just have to ask for it. However, you're only allowed to work for a few hours every day, not like Japanese students who can work as much as they feel like.

You also cannot apply until you've been in the country at least 3 months.

Oh, I had completely forgotten about that but now that you say it, yeah, that's true. However, if you live in Japan for 3 months on a waiver/tourist visa and THEN get a student visa (like I did), the 3 months you spent there will still count (not that I actually got a baito... I did a halfassed attempt to get hired at macdonalds but I didn't get it ^^)

Some more great responses. Thanks again everyone.

So, I think it's become clear thinking about a permanent move to the country in my current situation is a bit... much perhaps.

Though that said, I kind of don't really care about the consequences. It seems like "fate" that I should wind up over there. Now, I know this makes me sound like I should fall into the disillusioned, adolescent, wanton of a supa-kawaii-lifestyle category, but I feel I'm different to that.

It's not the most productive frame of mind, but I don't really care about the future unless it involves what I've already set my heart on. I could get a job, get some sort of life together in my home country but I just don't have the motivation. I'd rather lie down like a beached whale forever.

It was suggested that, to change that state of mind, I should start learning a language. So I started Japanese not long after and since then it's been my sole thing to look forward to.

It's cool, it feels like something's going to happen. I just didn't care before but now I actually want to improve as a human being (wouldn't get far in Japan they way I am now!).

So yeah, I'm not fussy. I could be treated like a dog over there but I'd still have that sense of achievement everyday.

I'm a complete moron really. I blame video games. I'll probably wind up driving a forklift at a Japanese harbour (e-points to whoever got that).

So. I think the Holiday Visa sounds like my best bet. Seems the most simple to get as well (just need to make that crapload of money somehow, but that's possible at least). I'll get an average schmo job to fund my year's stay, and then after that I bet I'll have a completely different outlook anyway and a better idea about what to do for the future.

Jeffu Wrote:If you don't have a degree, no problem, you can get a TESL or TEFL certificate in about three months. Once this is done, go online for teaching jobs in Japan and apply. The company you get your certificate from may help you with job placement. The company that hires you will sponsor you so you can get your visa. Of course you need to get your passport on your own. Once all this is done you're all set.

My past self would throw up on me through a hole in time for even considering being a teacher, but this sounds interesting I guess. Only 3 months, don't need a degree...

How long does it take to get a degree anyway?

that depends on what kind of degree you're talking about. But, I think the people here are talking about a four-year bachelor's degree.

yes, definitely a 4-year Bachelor's Degree... you can get it in anything you wish too...

Virtua_Leaf Wrote:I'll probably wind up driving a forklift at a Japanese harbour (e-points to whoever got that).

Did you see any black cars on that day when the rain turned to snow?

Or perhaps, have you seen any sailors?

Virtual Leaf: I think you're a very entertaining read. Maybe try to get your schmo job in the film, TV, theatre or news, etc industries. Meet some people and get a feel for the industry. And see if you can't parlay your writing and humour into something eventually. Even as a side gig. Who knows...you could be the next Roddy Doyle or Danny Boyle (okay Irvine Welsh for some Scottish flavour). -end unsolicited advice-

[edited name]

Strange, I thought he was insufferably boring

I kid I kid

Always thought of him as some kind of cyborg, the way he was deconstructing the language and attempting to translate it tit-for-tat into his native language. IT might be the way for him, and I'm not (really) kidding. Speech recognition is still a fad...

Wow,

interesting topic.

Ben_Nielson Wrote:Teaching English isn't bad at all - decent salary, VERY easy job conditions, lots of holidays (I'm on a 3 week paid winter break right now. Um, yeah...), and gives you the means to live in Japan while you're working on your Japanese.

Well, that's not really true. It completely depends on what kind of job you get and if it's in an eikaiwa or as ALT. My salary is okay, my work conditions are horrible. I barely have any free time and only 21 days off throughout the whole year. I have to work on all the national holidays. So don't give people weird ideas
It always depends and people should be aware of that.

tibul Wrote:Not sure if this is true but I remember reading some were that if you found an employer willing to sponsor your working visa while you was on a working holiday visa you would be allowed to stay without having to leave the country (although they don't actively promote this), anybody know if this is true?

Your question was already answered, but the answer was not correct. It depends on your homecountry.
As for me, I'm German and I don't have to leave the country. I think people from America have to leave the country, though (am not too sure as it doesn't concern me).

Tobberoth Wrote:I agree that Japan has a horrible police force overall and that the conviction rate is extreme... but I don't agree about them being rude, that never happened to me. I can definitely see them siding with a Japanese person versus a foreigner, but I was not stopped even once while living in Tokyo. I think that if you get in trouble, they will be extra suspicious since you're a foreigner, which is of course unacceptable. However, I don't think they suspect you of anything SIMPLY because you're a foreigner.

Yepp, I have a nice little story, too.
I once went to a small market in the morning with a friend of mine. I'm German, she's Spanish. Only a few minutes later 2 officers came to us (not in uniform, though, so at first I thought it's a joke). They wanted to see our gaijin card / passport and wrote down our info (address etc.). They told us that if something happens on this market or if something is stolen then we as foreigners are the first to be suspected. Nice.
They apologized a few times for having to do it, but still *shakes head*



What is a bit sad is that I've read the whole thread and not with one word was mentioned the difficulties that people have that want to get a teaching related job that do NOT come from an English speaking country.
It's easy to get a work visa with only a BA in whatever, yes, and you don't need any kind of qualifications, yes. But THAT only goes for people that have a passport from an English speaking country.
As for me I still don't know if I can get a work visa after my working holiday visa expires. It's funny because I'm higher qualified than all my American coworkers that have only a non-teaching related BA. I have a teaching/education-related MA, but I'm German .....
I really hope I can get my work visa *sigh*
On the other hand if I'd be so lucky to get one of the few "German teaching" positions here, then I still would need tons of qualifications, teaching-related qualifications and stuff. Showing my passport and just having a random BA wouldn't do.
It's unfair, but it makes sense. Japan needs tons of (native) English teachers. If the requirements are too tough, they won't get enough people.
Teachers for other languages like Spanish, German, French are not needed that much, thus the requirements are pretty tough.

I'd love to have an ALT position or a job with more free time once, but it's not so easy.

Just wanted to mention that, because nobody else seemed to consider what's going on with people that don't come from an English speaking country and I know we do have quite a few here in this forum.

Cheers.

chochajin Wrote:Yepp, I have a nice little story, too.
I once went to a small market in the morning with a friend of mine. I'm German, she's Spanish. Only a few minutes later 2 officers came to us (not in uniform, though, so at first I thought it's a joke). They wanted to see our gaijin card / passport and wrote down our info (address etc.). They told us that if something happens on this market or if something is stolen then we as foreigners are the first to be suspected. Nice.
They apologized a few times for having to do it, but still *shakes head*

Are you sure they were really police? I've heard of overzealous private citizens posing as police & doing this sort of thing. Either way, it's a really crummy experience.

Burritolingus Wrote:Did you see any black cars on that day when the rain turned to snow?

Or perhaps, have you seen any sailors?

Dingding, toy capsule for you!

Thora Wrote:Virtual Leaf: I think you're a very entertaining read. Maybe try to get your schmo job in the film, TV, theatre or news, etc industries. Meet some people and get a feel for the industry. And see if you can't parlay your writing and humour into something eventually. Even as a side gig. Who knows...you could be the next Roddy Doyle or Danny Boyle (okay Irvine Welsh for some Scottish flavour). -end unsolicited advice-

[edited name]

Thanks! Now we're talking, show business! Sounds like the most glamorous schmo job you can get.

Damn I should have been a footballer. Japan sucks at football (bar one or two players) so I could have walked in probably. Though that said, thanks to this obsessive language study I've probably dropped my fitness levels way low.

Right, haven't really been looking into the moving business recently (been more focused on studying the language). I started thinking about going as a student after all but that does seem to be a lot more timely. It's annoying I have to spend at least 2 years in a school in my home country studying something that's nothing to do with Japan just to get to Japan. If it was IN Japan then fine, that's 2 birds with one stone but that doesn't seem an option. Unless...

Ben_Nielson Wrote:So, what the working holiday visa will allow you to do is to get a job in Japan for one year. Move there, decide if you like it, put back some money, and work on some kind of long term situation if you want to stay. Basically you can then think about applying to a language school or Japanese university, or head back to your home country and go to university there.

Is it possible to apply for a college in Japan once I'm over there?

Jarvik7 Wrote:There are rural places that will give you room & board in exchange for working a few days a week on their farm. If you don't have much money you could do that for 3 months on a visa waiver or for longer on a working holiday visa.

This sounds interesting actually. Is there anymore information on this?

Virtua_Leaf Wrote:Thanks! Now we're talking, show business! Sounds like the most glamorous schmo job you can get.

Damn I should have been a footballer. Japan sucks at football (bar one or two players) so I could have walked in probably. Though that said, thanks to this obsessive language study I've probably dropped my fitness levels way low.

In film, for example, there's jobs building sets, painting, moving gear, transport, etc. Not so different from a moving or construction job really, but you get a chance to learn about an industry, perhaps gain some technical skills and meet people while you're saving.

I don't know about soccer (or your level), but my former beau in Japan played professional rugby. I think there are only 2 foreigners per team, so it's competitive.

Virtua_Leaf Wrote:

Jarvik7 Wrote:There are rural places that will give you room & board in exchange for working a few days a week on their farm. If you don't have much money you could do that for 3 months on a visa waiver or for longer on a working holiday visa.

This sounds interesting actually. Is there anymore information on this?

http://www.wwoofjapan.com/main/

http://www.wwoof.org/


I have a friend who did it, although I think she worked at a restaurant actually. From what I remember, she liked it.

Same here , I was thinking about moving to Japan (I got a French passport and no IT or teaching qualifications)
I am too old for a working holiday visa, sigh. (max age is 30), and I know, that doing a pre-college Japanese course would give me a visa to work a bit next to my studies , however those courses giving a visa are expensive and full time, and I dont feel like going into a classroom again, especially after seeing on this site that you dont necessarily need a Japanese course to master japanese.. so the other option is to go wwoofing for 3 months on tourist visa, fly out to Taiwan for a week for ex, and fly into Japan again on a tourist visa for another 3 months... and then see whats happen.
Definitely with enhanced speech qualities I might see some opportunities opening up, if any ..

Thanks again everyone for the advice!

tokyostyle Wrote:

Virtua_Leaf Wrote:Is it possible to apply for a college in Japan once I'm over there?

Not only is it possible but you are much more likely to get accepted if you've lived in Japan for a year.

Oh wow. How much money does that cost usually? And when "I'm over there" it will be on the Working Holiday Visa so will this somehow be... upgraded so I can stay on at the college?

Thora Wrote:In film, for example, there's jobs building sets, painting, moving gear, transport, etc. Not so different from a moving or construction job really, but you get a chance to learn about an industry, perhaps gain some technical skills and meet people while you're saving.

That's a damn good idea. Sounds fun too. I'll bare this in mind when trying to find a job. But perhaps before then...

Kaede Wrote:

Virtua_Leaf Wrote:

Jarvik7 Wrote:There are rural places that will give you room & board in exchange for working a few days a week on their farm. If you don't have much money you could do that for 3 months on a visa waiver or for longer on a working holiday visa.

This sounds interesting actually. Is there anymore information on this?

http://www.wwoofjapan.com/main/

http://www.wwoof.org/


I have a friend who did it, although I think she worked at a restaurant actually. From what I remember, she liked it.

Woah! This sounds amazing! And it only cost the equivilent of £45 to become a Woofer. Naturally I'll have to buy my own VISA and tickets. But also, a free place to stay the whole time, structured, won't have to worry about finding my own place or paying bills while I'm there... I think I'll go for this!

And shiiiit I just told my mum about my plans! But she's reacted relatively positively! (my dad'll snap like a twig now, hehe).

Right then. Improve my Japanese listening, particle knowledge, get schmo job (localised version) to get the money together, fark orf.

Ain't gonna be easy but... the goal is finally in sight, just need to find my way there now.

I hear that there is a visa called "Cultural Activities Visa".
It seems lots of paperwork but it might be interesting for some of you guys.
I was googling "Cultural Activities Visa" and this is what I found.
Basically The Culture Activities Visa is a permit to stay in Japan for a year, or maybe more. Most people can extend it to two years, depending on their reasons. Cultural Visas allow you to work up to 20 hours a week.(discretionary, after 3 months stay in Japan)
To get a Culture Visa, you need to show the government that you are in Japan studying some sphere of Japanese culture, whether it be flower arranging, karate, martial arts, or anything else pertinent to Japanese traditional culture
At Immigration, you are required to provide the following golden documents.
A cover letter stating what you are studying, if you have had any experience studying it before, and your objectives for the year.
Proof of financial support during your intended time in Japan.
Your resume, in Japanese.
Photocopies of any relevant qualifications you have.
A schedule of your practice hours. You must be doing at least 10 hours a week of training related to the activity.
You will also need some documents from whoever is responsible in training you.
Teachers resume.
A small essay on the teachers history in the activity. This can be written by you, or the teacher.
Photocopy of the teachers license to teach that activity...

so if you have been doing karate for ten years (I dont) then it might be a good idea to look for a dojo in Japan

I was wondering if this would apply to shodo...
that would be nice and a good complement to the rtk... but I am still collecting info right now.

or 囲碁!

I was fighting with myself before deciding to post this - karma and all that jazz... and I feel sorry for the person running this business... but at the same time this information might save someone else.

To the point: avoid Yoshida House.

Maybe things were different back in the day, and judging by the photo on the website, it was probably better, but it's a horrible place now. Dirty, sticky, smelly, inhabited by rats and cockroaches even in cold April of 2010, and the price is ridiculous for what you get. They do charge a bit more for two people. Without electricity, my girlfriend and I paid 64,000 yen for one month. I still regret paying for the month on the second day of our stay. We spent half of the first night cleaning the ceiling, tatami and storage area, removing spider webs and tons of dust. I won't even mention the condition of the sink at the entrance to your room or the shower - 100 yen for 13 minutes of hot water, by the way...

I guess we were just too tired and it was a display of our good will that we didn't laugh at the landlady and leave. Then, when we slept with it, we had already paid and were afraid of causing culture-related mess, so we didn't ask for the money back and stayed until today. I'm so happy to be leaving this place.
Some people coming after us disappeared after their first nights or even earlier; I myself have noticed three people coming and going within the last ten days.

The location is not very good, either, unless you really want to spend your time in the suburbs and travel at least 15 minutes to get anywhere close to the centre. To go to Ikebukuro only, you have to pay 460 yen return. Who wants beer? I'll get you one if you make it to the JR station in 10 minutes, on foot, as they advertise.

The computer in the kitchen area: with this trojan trap, I wouldn't go to any website that requires my password.

The people living at Yoshida House - some of them for a few years ( : / ) - are nice and willing to help, that's true. I tried hard to find out what their secret was, that is why oh why are they staying there? For us it was a piece of cake to find an apartment shared with Japanese people. It took us a few days of making friends in the city and it's just 13,000 yen more a month. The standard is light years ahead of Yoshida. And with minimal effort, you'll find a lot of NICE guesthouse rooms for 50,000-60,000 yen. Just contact the people directly, don't rely on the availability charts on their websites. Many things are possible if you just ask. Perhaps I should mention here that our Japanese sucks and is close to non-existent, so it really isn't that hard to find something better.

Can I say something good? Yes:
a) people in the house are good people
b) the area is nice
c) quite a few good shops, some small and more expensive, some big and perfectly affordable, whatever money you have.

However, "highly recommended" are options other than Yoshida House.

So, err, what should we dumb schmucks for whom a four year degree is absolutely out of the question do to get into the country? Become a mail-order bride? :O

BoccKob Wrote:So, err, what should we dumb schmucks for whom a four year degree is absolutely out of the question do to get into the country? Become a mail-order bride? :O

Do you already have an established career with in-demand skills and experience? If not, your only real hope is to marry a person with Japanese citizenship or break the law by hiring one of those shifty companies I've heard about that will lie about your credentials for a percentage of your paycheck. Japan (like most countries) does not welcome people immigrating to perform unskilled labor, except in very specific cases (factory workers recruited overseas generally).

snallygaster Wrote:Are you sure they were really police? I've heard of overzealous private citizens posing as police & doing this sort of thing.

omg, no way! I feel like I just lost all my street cred. A man in Takadanobaba stopped me wanting to see my gaijin card and get all my info once. He claimed to be a police officer but wasn't dressed like one or anything. He had an insane amount of nose hair.
(Goes back to lurking)