Part-Time Work in Japan on a Student Visa (Arubaito)
How to work legally, how much you can earn, and where to find jobs in Kyoto.
What the Law Says
Students in Japan on a student visa (留学ビザ) are legally permitted to work part-time, provided they hold a Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence (資格外活動許可). This permit is standard and automatically granted on arrival at a Japanese airport for most students — you apply on the immigration form at the port of entry.
Important: Exceeding 28 hours/week during term can jeopardize your student visa status. Nihongo Center staff monitor this during enrollment and can advise on compliance.
Jobs Available in Kyoto by Japanese Level
How to Find a Part-Time Job (アルバイト探し)
- Baitoru (バイトル) and Indeed Japan — the most used job boards. Filter by location (Kyoto) and hours. Most listings have requirements listed in Japanese.
- In-person at establishments — walk in and ask “アルバイト募集していますか？” (Are you hiring part-time?). Effective for restaurants, cafes, and shops with posted signs (求人 or バイト募集).
- School notice board — Nihongo Center posts job opportunities for students, especially from employers who regularly work with the school’s students.
- Townwork (タウンワーク) — free printed magazine and website with local Kyoto listings, updated weekly.
Part-time work is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your Japanese. Working shifts in Japanese — taking orders, handling complaints, following instructions — produces rapid gains in listening and speaking that classroom time alone cannot replicate. Most students report that their first arubaito is more useful for language acquisition than they expected.
Ready to Start Your Japanese Journey?
Apply for the April 2027 intake — student visa support included, central Kyoto.
Application deadline: October 31st, 2026.