Working Holiday Japan- Is Summer or Winter Better?
You will love the idea of a working holiday in Japan. Aside from being given the opportunity to see the wonders of Japan, you also get the chance to make money through jobs in Japan. These work opportunities are often available in summer or winter. Before you dive in, find out first which season is the best time for you to visit.
One obvious way to choose between the two is to evaluate your own personal preference. Just think of whether you like warm or cold more. Also, your entertainment preferences are worth noting. You obviously can’t get a good tan in the cold months or an adrenaline rush down a powder slope in the warm months. Your choice would therefore partly hinge on whether you like to sun bathe or ski while on a working holiday in Japan.
Other than personal preference, it’s crucial to also look into tolerance levels. The cold and warm seasons can sit on far ends of a pole. Hokkaido for instance, which is a top location for winter fun, can be extremely cold. You may have to bear up to negative 30 degrees Celsius on the slopes of Hokkaido. Winter is usually from December to February. If you are physically unable to endure the cold or if it makes you feel sick, then don’t go to work in a Japanese winter resort. Of course, some other places in Japan are less cold than Hokkaido.
On the opposite end are Japanese summer months which can register temperatures that are equally challenging to bear. You’d probably be interested in looking at the climate in Okinawa because this is one of the most popular locations for working holiday Japan opportunities. Its popularity as a summer retreat is understandable considering that it is located in the subtropical region. On the average, temperatures can settle on around a pleasant 22 degrees Celcius. In the hottest periods however, you can expect temperatures to rise up to 37 degrees Celsiius. Hot summers can stretch from June to September.
The main idea and rule behind working holidays in Japan is that foreigners need to primarily treat the visit as a vacation. This doesn’t mean though that you should just disregard the need to assess specific work conditions. You should specifically look into how conditions during the cold and warm months differ. Choose a spot which offers a situation that you’d be comfortable in.
A winter working holiday in Japan is a bit more appealing for some than summer work holidays. This is because winter resorts often provide free meals and accommodations to their employees. You therefore have more cash to save or spend. In summer resorts, the cost for meals and accommodations are deducted from the pay.
The differences in work conditions don’t imply that employer expectations are also different. The Japanese are generally industrious and diligent. Hence, they will expect foreign workers to have the same qualities. Work in both summer and winter resorts should be performed with the utmost thoroughness. Good work can be rewarding though since employees are generally allowed to enjoy the resort after work.
A working holiday in Japan is one thing you’ll never regret or forget. Just make sure you make the right choice based on season preference.
