Working holidays in the land of the rising sun

School leavers, graduates and anyone between the ages of 18 - 30 struggling to find work in the current recession are being encouraged to take a working holiday in ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’ by Japan Journeys.

The specialist tour operator is the only UK provider of gap year packages to Japan, which include an introduction to Japanese culture and etiquette, assistance finding a job and one week’s accommodation for those on a gap year arriving in the country.

Japan Journeys’ Gap Year in Japan package will not only help young people settle in a new city, it will also help to put parents’ minds at rest. Furthermore, those receiving an introduction to Japanese culture and etiquette are more likely to succeed in their year abroad.

The package includes a personal welcome and orientation in Japan; seven nights’ hotel accommodation in the bustling capital city of Tokyo; assistance with finding long-term accommodation and a language school; cultural sessions to ensure easy adaptation to the lifestyle; and help searching for a job. A guided tour of Tokyo is also included.

Over 1,000 Japan Working Holiday Visas are issued in the UK every year and these are available on a first come, first served basis. Typical jobs undertaken by gap year participants in Japan involve teaching English as a foreign language; jobs in the hospitality sector; interpreting; translating; research; and seasonal jobs such as ski and snowboarding instructors.

James Greenfield, managing director of Japan Journeys commented: “Many graduates in the UK may not be able to get their foot on the career ladder this year because of the global economic downturn. For this reason, it’s the ideal time to take a year out and experience living abroad in a culture, which is totally different to our own.

“Our Gap Year in Japan offering helps those aged between 18 and 30 acclimatise to the culture and meet similar people in the same position. We find that by organising orientation and etiquette lessons in Tokyo, participants will be eased in gently to the new culture and will be more likely to succeed in what is essentially a completely alien environment.”

Departure dates & prices

Japan Journeys’ Gap Year in Japan package welcomes British participants at the airport on the first Tuesday of every month. The next departure dates are therefore scheduled for the 4th August, 1st September and 6th October 2009.

The Gap Year in Japan package costs from £499 person exclusive of international flights.

For more information, visit japanjourneys.co.uk.