Hospitality & Tourism internship in Japan
Work in hotels, tour companies and travel businesses in Japan.
What you'll do
Your day-to-day
As a Hospitality & Tourism intern in Japan, you might:
- Help with guest services and the front desk.
- Help plan tours and cultural activities.
- Research travel trends and what guests want.
- Create social media posts for a hotel or tour company.
- Suggest ways to improve guest services.
You'll build guest service, event and marketing skills, and learn the Japanese approach to looking after guests.
Local know-how
What to know before you go
Hospitality and tourism in Tokyo
Japan is one of Asia's most visited countries, and the government wants inbound tourism to keep growing. Visitors still concentrate in a few big cities, with Tokyo at the top, so hotels, tour companies and travel services there serve guests from all over the world.
All this demand has a staffing side. Many hotels and inns say they are short of staff, and the industry is turning to automation and better working conditions. For you, that can mean host companies that want English-speaking help with international guests, and a close look at how Japanese teams use technology to ease the workload. Tasks depend on your host, from guest services and bookings to social media and tour planning. Most of our interns in Japan work in Tokyo.
Job roles
Guest Relations Intern
Welcome guests and help them during their stay.
Event Planning Intern
Help create tours and cultural events for visitors.
Market Research Intern
Collect and study data on what guests want.
Social Media and Marketing Intern
Create posts and promotions for a travel brand.
Service Development Intern
Help design new services or improve current ones.
Sustainability Intern
Help the business cut waste and energy use.
Your exact tasks depend on your host company, and all our host companies in Japan work in English.
The industry
The Hospitality & Tourism industry in Japan
Economic impact
Japan has welcomed record numbers of international visitors in recent years, so hotels and tour companies are busy.
Technology
Online booking, reviews and translation tools shape much of the daily work with international guests.
Career opportunities
Hotel operations, tours, events and tourism marketing are all open to you, and your internship helps you see which path fits.
Prices
How much it costs
Asia Internship Program prices depend on your program and how long you stay. See the destination page for the full price table.
FAQ
Questions interns ask
Do I need to speak Japanese for a hotel or tourism internship in Japan?
No. Our host companies in Japan work in English. Basic Japanese helps with guests and daily life, so learning some before you go is a good idea.
Is Japan a good place to start a tourism career?
Tourism is a major industry in Japan, and many hotels are short of staff, so English-speaking experience with international guests there is valuable.
Will I work in Tokyo or Kyoto?
Most of our interns in Japan work in Tokyo. Your career advisor confirms the location once you're matched with a host company.
Applications open all year
Your field, somewhere new.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.