10 Best Job Hunting Websites in Japan for Foreigners

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If you are a foreigner, what are some of the best job search websites in Japan you can use? Moving to Japan from overseas has always been daunting. Most people opt to become an English teacher as that guarantees them a working visa and a job that doesn’t really require Japanese. In fact, that’s how a lot of international residents start in Japan: they become ALTs (assistant language teachers), conversation partners (called eikaiwa), or English teachers before they transition to other careers.

If teaching is your passion and a job you genuinely enjoy, great! But if the teaching life isn’t for you, then it’s time to quit your job and find the next opportunity. We’ve compiled some great job sites that will make your Japanese job search easier. These job sites usually specify the requirements of your Japanese level, too, which can be incredibly helpful in finding the right job.

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Learn more about: How to Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in Japan

Using Job Search Websites vs. Recruiters in Japan

Finding a job in Japan isn’t limited to job search websites. In recent years, more bilingual recruitment agencies have emerged, working with multinational and well-established companies to help match candidates with suitable roles.

Bth job search websites and recruiters can be valuable tools, but they serve different purposes depending on your background and career goals.

Job search websites like GaijinPot Jobs, Daijob, and CareerCross are ideal if you’re just starting out, exploring multiple industries, or looking for roles at small to mid-sized companies.

Professional external recruiters are considered a premium service for a reason. They often specialize in filling niche positions within specific industries, typically targeting mid-level management, executive (C-suite) roles, and candidates with several years of relevant experience. Bilingual recruitment agencies in Japan also often work with multinational companies and can connect you with hidden opportunities that aren’t listed publicly.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t reach out to recruiters. In fact, we highly recommend it. Connecting with recruiters can open doors to new opportunities, help you expand your professional network, and give you insight into salary benchmarks and market expectations.

1. LinkedIn

Curiously enough, there aren’t that many traditional Japanese companies that use LinkedIn. While the site is incredibly useful and has good features, most Japanese companies prefer Facebook or other social media sites for their business. While this may be true, it’s not as if there aren’t any jobs offered there.

What jobs are on offer are typically not from Japanese companies, but rather from foreign companies that have established themselves in Japan. Because of a low Japanese user base, the jobs on offer are largely targeted toward foreigners, with low Japanese requirements to boot. If you’re okay with a job with a non-Japanese company, you should consider checking the listings on LinkedIn.

Website: jp.linkedin.com/

Looking to get into the tech industry? Check out: Best IT Job Sites in Japan

2. GaijinPotJobs

Gaijinpot is a great spot for finding jobs regardless of whether you’re outside or inside Japan. Some of the jobs on offer do require you to be residing in Japan, but there are still enough offers that are available to people outside of Japan. and companies offering a visa sponsorship. As one of the largest recruitment sites in Japan, there is a huge offering of jobs on the website, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.

The layout of the website is very readable and clear. On each job listing, the salary is put up alongside any requirements, language, or otherwise. This is a great site, especially if you are currently in Japan and on the hunt for a new job.

Website: jobs.gaijinpot.com

3. Career Engine

Career Engine is an English and Japanese bilingual job site for international companies and candidates in Japan. The key feature of this job-hunting website is its filter. Besides categorizing new openings based on job functions and industries, you can check out jobs based on the language requirement. Jobs in the Japanese language are divided into: no-Japanese language skill, conversational, fluent, business level, and native level.

Unsurprisingly, the most available jobs require applicants to have at least a business Japanese level, or JLPT N2. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find any with lower proficiency requirements.

You can also look for jobs where knowing another language is a plus point, which is even more convenient if you’re a native speaker of said language. Currently, there are openings for Thai, Chinese, French, Korean, German, and Spanish-speaking individuals.

You can also register for an account and add your resume. By signing up, you can gain direct contact with hiring managers, be alerted to jobs in your area, and receive job offers from hiring companies.

Website: careerengine.org

Daijob

Daijob is geared towards providing an excellent job search site for bilingual talent who want to sign on to global companies. If you have a good grasp of Japanese and want to find a job that uses it, try Daijob. There are a lot of listings from Japanese companies that are looking for foreign talent, most requiring Japanese proficiency. That’s not to say the site is useless for those who are still learning or have yet to learn Japanese.

Website: www.daijob.com

The site has incredibly useful filters that can help anyone, letting you filter by jobs that are fully in English and by jobs that offer visa support.

Career Cross

Career Cross specializes in foreign-owned and Global companies. It’s got mainly jobs for those proficient in Japanese, with a few listings for non-speakers. While the layout may not specify the Japanese level requirements, they do let you sort and filter by Japanese (and English) level, as well as the work style. The site itself also has guides for job hunters. Guides on how to improve your resume and interviews, as well as how well you should be paid, depending on your job. Career Cross’ jobs on offer also have notably high salaries compared to other sites. If you’re a bilingual professional looking for a good, well-paying job, this is the site for you.

Website: careercross.com

MyNavi (Japanese)

Mynavi’s site is mainly in Japanese. While there are some parts of the page in English, the translation is a little awkward. It’s probably best if you don’t use the site if you can’t read Japanese. Which is a shame, because the site is incredibly helpful. The site is mainly geared towards younger people, and on top of helping find jobs, it is very good at enabling career changes. It’s especially helpful for students, helping you job hunt while navigating your busy schedule. It also has a lot of exclusive job offers that you aren’t going to find anywhere else.

Website: ag.global.mynavi.jp

Wantedly (Japanese)

Wantedly is Japan’s top “social recruiter” site. Social recruiting is recruiting via social media. They have multiple apps like Wantedly VISIT and PEOPLE, and also use your Facebook as your login information. With Wantedly, you’re going to be meeting a lot of people, mainly entrepreneurs with small startups. This site is more suited to those currently living in Japan, as a lot of the meetups can be face-to-face. Wantedly places great emphasis on the value of connections at work, so if you share their ideals, this is a great site for you.

Website: wantedlyinc.com

NINJA (Japanese)

NINJA (Next IN JApan) is a site that focuses on providing jobs to foreign personnel who have high Japanese proficiency and live in Japan. The site is great at connecting foreigners with companies and smoothing out the interview and hiring process. They have good guides on how to change careers, resume writing, and interview questions. Additionally, they have good filters that can easily help you find what you’re looking for.

Website: nextinjapan.com

The site is very easy to use and very helpful, but is entirely in Japanese. The site is meant for those with a business level in Japanese (N2), so if you’re currently living in Japan and looking for a job, this can be a great site for you.

en world

en world is great at finding you the right job. They work with some of the best companies in their respective fields, and focus on providing long-term career plans to those who sign on. As a Japanese company, they have an intimate knowledge of the expectations and culture of Japanese companies. They are also an international company, spread out across APAC, and are well-suited for a lot of different languages. As part of your job search with them, you will be offered consultations with specialists in their respective fields, who will be sure to figure out the right job that suits you, as well as provide you with good knowledge and insight that comes with experience from their field. If you’re looking to grow your career and want some help in your search, you can’t go wrong here.

Website: www.enworld.com

Indeed (Japanese)

Indeed is more for those currently living in Japan. A great job search site with a wide variety of jobs and companies, if you’re looking for a good place to job search, try Indeed! It has a very simple and easy-to-use interface, lots of job offers, and ways to search and filter based on job type or location. It doesn’t come with language requirements, though, as the site is geared toward those living in Japan.

The most unique parts of Indeed are the company reviews and the salary guide. The salary guide is great at showing you what similar positions’ average salaries are, so you can know whether the job offers are reasonable. The company reviews are a great way to equip yourself with knowledge about the company you might want to sign on with. It can be a good insight into company culture and how they treat their employees, which can be vital information. The reviews also let you know the location the reviewer worked at, and whether or not they are a current or former employee. Overall, an incredibly helpful feature that can help you make a more informed decision.

Website: jp.indeed.com/

Check out: How to Get a Job in Japan From Overseas

Open More Career Opportunities with Coto Academy!

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FAQ

Should I use a recruiter or a job website in Japan?

Both can be effective. Job sites are great for browsing many options and applying directly. Recruiters often specialize in niche roles and can help guide you through the hiring process, especially if you have mid-career or technical experience.

How competitive is the job market in Japan for foreigners?

It depends on your field and language skills. Tech, engineering, and language instruction are less competitive. However, for business, marketing, or customer-facing roles, higher Japanese proficiency and local experience are usually expected.

Are job search websites in Japan free?

Yes, most job search websites in Japan are completely free for job seekers. You can search, apply, and upload your resume without cost.

What are some best job search websites in Japan?

Some of the best job search websites in Japan for foreigners and bilingual professionals include GaijinPot Jobs, Daijob, CareerCross, Jobs in Japan, LinkedIn, Wantedly, and TokyoDev.