travel writer jobs in japan

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Travel Writers Wanted!

Join our team of freelance writers located all across Japan!

Write for GaijinPot Travel

We would like to hear from freelance writers/photographers who have experience traveling in and now   currently reside in Japan.

We are looking for short destination reports on locales around Japan as well as straightforward listicles (i.e., top 10s). We do not publish first-person stories on GaijinPot Travel. Articles are written strictly in the second or third person and AP Style. Articles and high-quality photos are paid upon publication.

Writers are not required to submit a certain amount of articles per month but will be added to our list of freelance writers and will be given opportunities to pitch ideas and dibs for assignments in their region. There are great opportunities to do FAM and press trips for trusted writers.

Gaijinpot pays ¥4,000 for 400-word travel cards. There are also opportunities to write for GaijinPot Blog (which pays more).

Requirements

• Lived in Japan for over a year
• Note: Personal blogs are not accepted.
• Can offer a demonstrable knowledge of travel in the prefecture you live and/or surrounding areas
• The candidate understands how to write to the GaijinPot audience – including a range of travelers from those who don’t know the first thing about Japan to local experts who want to find new spots.

Ideal candidates

• Photography skills are a plus.
• Japanese language skills are also a plus.

Note : If you do not have published samples, read below.

Send along your resume and two writing samples to the editor at  [email protected] with the subject line “Application for GaijinPot Travel.” Serious candidates will be contacted to take a writing test as the next step in your application.

Don’t have writing experience yet?

If you do not have published samples online, we accept articles on spec, i.e., an article draft on a subject of around 400 words. While there is no guarantee we will publish your work, if we think it is a good fit for the site, we will take a look and go from there.

You can start sending us pitches once we know you have a knack for this. This is the ideal side work for assistant language teachers in the countryside to build up experience in another field. If interested, please send an email with the subject “GaijinPot Travel Local Guide Application” to [email protected]  with this info:

• Your profile: Name, email, location in Japan, how long you have lived there and social media (Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and/or LinkedIn)
• A list of the topics you want to cover
• A pitch: What do you think GaijinPot readers need to know or see that’s related to your area? Be specific.

GaijinPot Travel is an award-winning travel website from  GPlusMedia , based in Tokyo, Japan.

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NOW HIRING: contributing writers for DiGJAPAN!

Enjoy traveling in Japan? Passionate about Japanese culture? Become a DiGJAPAN! contributing writer and share what you love about this unique country with the world! 

■ What we're looking for in a writer 

Writers who know where to go for delicious food in Japan.

■ Required skills and qualifications

• Foreign nationals must currently reside in Japan and be a native speaker of one or more of the following languages: English, Thai, Chinese, Korean
• Must be able to communicate in Japanese at the JLPT N1 or N2 level
• Japanese citizens must be passionate about sharing the charms of Japan with the world, must speak one or more of the above languages, and have editing and/or writing experience
• Experience with ​Facebook, WeChat, NAVER or other social media is highly valued
• Individuals with video editing experience welcome ※ Current college or graduate school students are welcome to apply

■ Job description

• Gathering information (conducting interviews, participating in cultural experiences, etc.) and writing articles for DiGJAPAN!
• Managing DiGJAPAN!'s social media accounts
• Translating DiGJAPAN! articles as well as marketing tools

■ Work location

• Individuals who can come to DiGJAPAN!'s office in Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo are prefered
• Working from home is also possible  

■ About DiGJAPAN! and the editorial team

To learn more about DiGJAPAN! and our writers, please see our  ABOUT DiGJAPAN!  page

■ A message from DiGJAPAN!

We'd like to extend a welcome to those looking to share their love of traveling in Japan with the world, are interested in inbound tourism, or want to gain experience working for a multi-language website or in international marketing. In addition to gaining experience as a writer, you'll also have the opportunity to try editing, marketing, and directing work as well. We look forward to meeting you!  

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English Writing Jobs in Japan for Foreigners

6月 10, 2019

In basics , job search, コメントはまだありません.

If you’re living in Japan and want a job that utilizes your English abilities there’s an alternative to teaching English – writing. Read on to find out how to work comfortably from your home.

Japan needs English writers

One of the most well-known ways jobs for English-speaking foreigners in Japan has been English teaching. Understandably so – jobs are abundant and usually don’t require any formal education in English or Japanese. As such, they’re an easy way to get into (and live in) Japan. However, they also have their downsides, and not everyone likes teaching. While there are many paths that you can take, in this article I want to focus on writing.

Why writing?

Simply put: Because the demand is there. Many Japanese companies still use their Japanese writers to produce content in English. This often leads to awkward, unnatural, and sometimes downright confusing English texts. In the past, quality content in English in addition to Japanese was thought of as something that was “nice to have”, but ultimately not all that necessary – island mentality at work. However, as Japan’s population is decreasing, more and more companies and communities are realizing that they need better communication in English to stay competitive internationally.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism in Japan is on the backburner for now – as everywhere else in the world. However, before the start of the pandemic, the industry was booming. The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached new record heights every year. Once Covid-19 eventually subsides and it becomes safe to travel internationally again, the demand that’s currently on the ground is likely to skyrocket. This will be another chance for English writers.

Types of Writing Jobs

Japanese companies (or foreign companies based in Japan) need English writers for a variety of tasks: Creation or translation of instruction manuals, website or game translation, SEO writing, article or blog entry writing, writing for social media and many others. All of these jobs have slightly different requirements. Below, we’ve broken them down into three main types.

1. Technical Writer

Technical writers break down complex information and explain it to the users in an easily digestible way. They provide instructions or reference material related to the use of technology, be it home appliances or content management systems.

The main goal is to make the users understand. Even if they know nothing about the technology beforehand, they should be able to use it flawlessly after reading the instructions. This leads to a need for clear, concise, and easy-to-understand texts. Another very important aspect is consistency in word use and terminology (whereas you can usually be a bit looser with your choice of words in other areas of writing.)

Typical examples for technical writing include user manuals, operating instructions, and reference guides. For advanced topics in fields like IT, engineering, and medicine, a certain amount of experience or prior knowledge may be required.

2. Content Writer

As a content writer, your job is to create “engaging content”. What exactly that means depends on the context.

Visitors arriving on a website have a reason for going there in the first place – they all share a broad, common interest. However, the specifics differ. A website’s content, together with its design, decides how effectively the user’s interest can be captured and held. Most of the time, the target group will already be decided on. The task of the content writer is to write an optimized text for that group.

For example, imagine a website about a new DSLR camera. In this case, articles introducing and detailing the camera’s capabilities, explanations on how to take certain kinds of shots, and interviews with users could all be “engaging content.” Rattling off technical details and providing in-detail explanations of the inner workings of the camera may be a good approach to market it to professionals, but a hobbyist would probably get lost and leave the site before long.

3. Japanese-English Translator

In an age where Google Translate is always just a few clicks away, everyone can get a simple machine translation, for free. However, human translators are far from becoming obsolete.

Professional translators not only make sure that all information from the original text is included. They also interpret and – if necessary – change the text’s structure and content to “make it work” and properly get the message across in their target language.

“Being a good translator” is often associated with “being really good in speaking the language you’re translating from.” Of course, if you’re translating from Japanese, you need to understand the texts you’re working with. But translation work also requires more than a solid grasp of your target language. It doesn’t matter how good you are at reading, speaking, or writing Japanese if you can’t turn it into natural-sounding English. This skill is often overlooked because many native speakers consider themselves to be “fully trained” in their language. But in practice, it’s often harder than you might think!

Freelance Writing Jobs in Japan

This section introduces some options for finding jobs on a case-by-case basis. Be aware that to be able to take freelance writing jobs, you need a Japanese bank account, and a visa that allows you to work.

If you’re a student or already have another job in Japan, you need to get a 資格外活動許可 しかくがいかつどうきょか from immigration first. In case you’re not a full-time freelancer (i.e. with a sole proprietorship) and already work for another company, you should check with your company if they allow side jobs ( 副業 ふくぎょう ) before starting to write. You can find out more about freelance work in Japan in our article over here .

1. Freelance Websites

The first option are crowd-sourcing websites that list freelance writing job offers. This is probably the place most people look when just starting out. Some of these sites are specialized in writing, but most of them are not. You’ll have to sift through the job offers yourself and find something that matches your skills and interests. Examples include Lancers , Crowdworks , and Upwork .

The job offers on Japanese portals are usually written in Japanese. Try keywords like 英文 ライター (English writer), 英文 ライティング (English writing), 英訳 (English translation) or ローカライズ (localization).

The benefit of websites like these is that there’s a wide variety of offers to choose from. On the other hand, the requirements vary, and the tasks are often time-intensive for relatively low pay. Continually having to search for the next job on these sites also takes up a lot of additional time.

2. English Language Publications

The next option is contacting media companies publishing content in English from inside Japan. Examples here are Tokyo Cheapo , Time Out Tokyo , SoraNews24 , or Metropolis Magazine .

Because they’re completely focused on Japan, chances that they’re willing to accept content from a wide variety of topics are relatively high. As long as the content you offer is compelling enough, there is the chance to get your texts published without any (or just a little) prior experience.

However, depending on the publication, the quality of the editing/support will vary. You should also brace for rejection – a lot of it. After all, to these publications, you’re a complete nobody. Things get easier once you have something to show. Maybe you have a personal blog that you’ve maintained for a long time, or some earlier writing work from freelance websites. Even one article is better than nothing, so try to build a small portfolio before establishing contact.

3. Publications Abroad

Listing examples here would be pointless since there are thousands upon thousands of English language publications outside of Japan. And: A lot of them at least aren’t opposed to well-written content about Japan. So even if they aren’t actively searching, you may land a gig upon contacting them anyway. Just like with English language publications in Japan, it’s best to have a portfolio ready upon establishing first contact.

Writing for overseas publications often comes with the benefit of higher pay. However, unless you’re writing for a publication with an explicit Japan focus, they will be publishing content on other topics as well or have a different overarching theme. Because of this, you may find yourself often being asked to write about the same or similar topics. Essentially, you will have to write for an audience who knows very little about Japan. Typical topics are famous tourist spots, Japanese food, traditions and sports, nightlife, transportation in Tokyo, etc.

4. Specialized Writer Platforms

In addition to the options above, here are specialized platforms connecting Japanese companies and foreign writers. One example of such a service for writing jobs in Japan is Writer Station .

Platforms like Writer Station are similar to the Freelance websites in that they give their users access to writing job offers covering a wide variety of topics. The main difference is in how the writers interact with the offers. On Freelance websites, users have to search for and apply to every job separately. On the other hand, when contacting publishers directly, writers usually have to pitch ideas or supply sample content “on spec” for each application.

Now, being proactive is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to freelance work. But ideally, when you’re a writer, you want to spend more time writing (i.e. working) than time searching and applying.

This is where the writing platforms come in: They rely on a stock of registered writers and distribute the available tasks between them. As long as you’re a registered member, you’ll be able to get a relatively constant stream of possible assignments without having to constantly search for new work. In exchange for this, pay is usually lower than what you get for jobs that require more initiative. But as a freelancer, you can always combine both options to increase the overall stability of your income. Platforms are also a good place to get your first bit of experience.

In the end, one of the biggest draws of writing is that it’s a job you can do from the comfort of your home. This also makes it very easy to do on the side, even it’s just for one weekend or two. So definitely give it a try – it might be your thing!

Register on Writer Station

Others also read

My love for ninjas and interest in Chinese characters (kanji) were what first made me come to Japan, as a high school student. Over ten years and many visits later, I’ve found a job here and have chosen it as my new home.

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Work at LIVE JAPAN: Full-Time and Freelance Opportunities

LIVE JAPAN is a travel website catering to international tourists. It offers a wide range of article and video content, encompassing travel guides, helpful tips, dining recommendations, must-visit attractions, accommodation options, local events, and much more.

Freelance Writers: Join LIVE JAPAN as a Travel Content Contributor

Full-time position: english native staff (editorial), notes regarding personal information and responses.

LIVE JAPAN is looking for Japan travel writers who are passionate about traveling and can produce helpful, accurate, and interesting content about Japan, based on experience. Additionally, travel writers specializing in food, Japanese trends, fashion, and accommodations are preferred. We are particularly interested in freelance writers now residing in any of the following areas:

What we are looking for

LIVE JAPAN is primarily looking to commission articles introducing destinations (guides, things to see, do, eat) as well as listicles (i.e., Top 10s). We do not publish first-person accounts and all stories adhere to editorial guidelines. Travel writers are not required to submit a set number of articles per month and pieces typically follow an editorial calendar. ・Employment Status: Freelance Contract Writer ・Age: 20 years or older ・Compensation: Discussed on a project basis

• Living in Japan for over a year with a valid working visa. (Visa sponsorship by the company is not available.)
• Can offer demonstratable knowledge relating to the prefecture in which you live and/or surrounding areas.
• Writing experience with web media, books, magazines, or blogs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in Japanese (written/spoken); JLPT Certificate N2 or above is preferred but not necessary. Candidates should be able to set up and conduct interviews, obtain permissions, and correspond in Japanese without the assistance of LIVE JAPAN editors.

How to Apply & Contact LIVE JAPAN

Please apply via our contact page (link below) with the following information:

• Your full name and email address*
• Why you want to work with LIVE JAPAN*
• Field(s) of interest (Writing/editing/translation/video creating/etc.)*
• Nationality and current visa status*
• Prefectures that you have visited in Japan, and whether you have lived in different areas around Japan
• Japanese ability (JLPT) and level of comfort with the language (e.g. able to conduct interviews in Japanese; able to send emails in polite Japanese; etc.)*
• Current occupation*
• Additional skills (Photography, drone pilot, video direction/editing, etc.)
• Whether you have organized an on-location photoshoot/interview before (and if so, what kind)
• Links to 3-5 articles and/or videos you have done*

(*Requested; other points are optional but very helpful) We will then reply regarding the next steps.

In this position, you'll be connecting with our English-speaking audience, leveraging LIVE JAPAN articles and social media to share and amplify information. Your key tasks will include promoting online shopping, especially cross-border e-commerce, as well as handling online bookings and ticket sales. You'll play a crucial role in creating engaging editorial content to showcase products, uploading these to our website, and keeping track of performance metrics for analysis. Additionally, you'll boost sales by creatively planning and managing our social media campaigns and activities.

• Native English speaker with Level 1 proficiency in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
• Experience in web media planning or editing, including editorial work, project planning, and progress management.
• Experience in writing web media articles, including conducting interviews.
• Experience in coordinating with external writers and translators.
• Experience in growing web media, including managing metrics, operating social media plans, and implementing SEO strategies.
• Experience in operating cross-border e-commerce and OTA (Online Travel Agency) websites.
• Knowledge of web marketing.
• Experience in comprehensive media or in inbound, food-related media.
• Experience in managing and collaborating with social media and external distribution channels (news sites).
• Experience in editing videos and images.
• Experience in analyzing results using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

Please apply via our contact page (link below) with relevant information.

• We will only use the provided personal information for the selection and contact of applicants.
• Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to all inquiries.
• Please make sure you fulfill the criteria ahead of submitting your application to us.

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What it's like working at Japan Travel

• Flexible, diverse and collaborative work environment, across multiple languages and nationalities.
• Excellent career paths and promotion prospects at an equal opportunity employer.
• Convenient location at the heart of Tokyo — minutes from Kojimachi- and Hanzomon stations.

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Japan Travelでは、日本国内でのカスタムツアーや体験をデザインし、実行するコンサルタントをサポートするスタッフを募集しています。国内・海外のサプライヤーとのネットワークを駆使し、緻密に組まれた旅程の中で夢ある休日をお届けします。

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• ネイティブレベルの日本語、ビジネスレベルの英語力
• 日本での実務経験2年以上 （旅行・観光業界での経験があれば尚可）
• 優れたコミュニケーション能力と対人能力
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• グローバルな環境下において、チームの一員として自立して業務を遂行できる方プレッシャーに強く、複数のアカウントを同時に管理できる方
• 休日出勤などにフレキシブルに対応できる方 ※通常勤務時間外の出勤依頼は、年に数回ほど発生する可能性がある
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• 文化、旅行など、日本に関するあらゆることを伝えることに強い関心を持つ方
• セールスコンサルタントからの依頼を管理し、旅程やスケジュールの計画、交渉、価格設定、旅行関連サービスの予約などをアシスト
• 旅行業務のオペレーションマネージャーと協力し、日本国内のサプライヤーとの関係を管理・発展させ、サプライヤーからベスト価格と最高のサービスを得られるようにする
• オペレーションマネージャーや旅行業務マネージャーと協力し、現在のサービスポートフォリオにとらわれず、サプライヤーと新しいサービスを手配する
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• JapanTravelの事業を知るーサービス、オーディエンス、競合他社、そしてそれらをどのようにインバウンドビジネスの戦略として活用するか

Japan Travelについて

Japan Travel株式会社は、日本と世界をつなぐインバウンド観光を専門とする会社です。私たちの目標は、観光業にポジティブなインパクトを与えるとともに、訪れる人々の心に一生残る思い出を提供することです。私たちは、日本の美しさを示す持続可能で文化的な旅行サービスを通じて、日本の伝統と文化を促進し、保護することを目指します。

Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected].

Social Media Content Support

Japan Travel is a leading media publisher for tourism information on Japan, crafted around a community platform that empowers people to share their discoveries and stories of Japan with the world. Combined with our online travel agency, Japan Travel represents a one-stop experience that provides all the information and tools to discover, plan and book a trip to Japan.

Our Marketing department is a multi-disciplinary team of content, web, and data specialists working in content creation, SEO, marketing strategy, market research, and sales support. We cooperate closely with media and sales to help promote our services, reach our target audience, and achieve our business goals.

The ideal candidate of this position cares deeply about creating engaging short form video content for Japan Travel’s social media channels.

Location: Japan (Tokyo preferred)

Hourly reimbursement: 1,100 JPY

What you’ll do

• Conduct research and coordinate one video topic per week
• Shoot, edit and post content across all our platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
• Collaborate with Marketing and Creative teams to enhance our social media presence
• Support planning efforts of new content for commercial partners
• Assist in conceptualizing, developing and curating content ideas and editing as required
• Strengthen our Content Marketing by identifying and pursuing opportunities for promotion

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Native-level English (nice to have: basic Japanese language ability)
• Familiarity with content creation, particularly short form content / reels
• Availability for 3-4 days per week
• Optional: A portfolio showcasing short-form content, featured on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube (Kindly provide a link to the video that best represents your work)

Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] .

We welcome speculative applications throughout the year: please send your resume and short cover letter to [email protected]

We always welcome applications for internships and believe Japan Travel can provide valuable experience on your path to success. We accept intern applications within our Travel Agency and Creative divisions, including Content, Design (UX, graphic), Marketing and Sales teams. Contact us!

Let us know how we can help.

ROB GOSS, WRITER

The business of being a freelance writer in japan, part 1.

[Updated March 2022]

From time to time, new writers and students get in touch to ask for advice about becoming a writer, so I thought I’d post my notes from a presentation I once did (for the Society of Writers, Editors, and Translators) on freelancing from Japan. Some of it might be useful to writers trying to get into freelancing.

Before reading, please bear in mind that the notes are in fairly rough form, more often than not just extended bullet points. Also, the focus is on freelancing, not finding full-time work as a journalist or at a publication (that’s a very different beast). Being a presentation in Tokyo for Tokyo-based writers, the focus is also on writing from Japan, although there are many points in here (pitching, marketing, etc) that aren’t specific to Japan-based writers. Finally, this is by no means a definitive guide, it’s just advice that comes from my experiences as a writer – there are many, many other ways to approach the job, probably many of them better than the way I go about it.

Anyway, here are parts 1, 2 and 3 (I’ll post the rest separately), on how to find work, who to write for (in Japan and overseas) and (because travel is a large part of my work) what is travel writing.

  PART 1: HOW TO FIND WORK AND HAVE WORK FIND YOU

• Contact a publication directly with a detailed pitch for a specific story.
• Contact a publication to introduce yourself and ask if you can send ideas or be considered for work.
• Send a publication a full story “on spec”.
• Keep and online bio and portfolio that’s easy for editors/publishers to find.
• Join professional organizations.
• Do a good job. Be professional. Word of mouth works wonders even across borders in media.
• Create a social media strategy, if you think it can help you reach your goals. Don’t be afraid to ignore it and use that time elsewhere, if not.

Contact a publication directly with a detailed pitch for a specific story

You need to be proactive to land good assignments, especially in the early stages of a career. That means contacting publications that aren’t advertising a need for writers (in most cases, publications advertising for contributors have no or a very low budget). Let’s start with the pitch that I used to get my first story in Time magazine. Looking back on it now, it’s not the greatest pitch (and not for the most interesting story), but it worked.

Dear NAME: Twenty years ago, Naoshima—an island just off the northern coast of rural Shikoku—was a small fishing community in decline. Today, the island is the centerpiece of Japan’s contemporary art scene. And it would be a great fit for the Global Adviser section of TIME. Would you be interested in a 400-word piece about the island, titled “5 Reasons to Visit Naoshima”? I would include:

Benesse House Museum:  Art set to a natural soundtrack of lapping waves and birdsong. The inside, with works by Hockney, Pollock and Warhol, is impressive, but it’s the 20 outdoor installations scattered around the surrounding beaches and hillside that really define the site. Honmura Art House Project:  On the outside it’s a sleepy fishing village, but look more closely and several of the old wooden houses, as well as a temple and a shrine, have been transformed into permanent art installations. Chichu Art Museum:  This sleek Tadao Ando-designed museum built into a hillside is home to a collection that includes Monet, Walter de Maria and James Turrell. I love Yu:  A modern take on the traditional Japanese public bath, I Love Yu is plastered inside and out with pop art, ceramic tile mosaics and even a bit of erotica. The Man with the Red Tattoo Museum:  More like the attic of a crazed collector than a conventional museum, this collection of James Bond memorabilia was inspired by Raymond Benson’s Naoshima-based 007 novel of the same name. [Bio follows…]

Some thoughts on pitching:

• Pitch to the correct person (check the masthead, dig up their direct email, don’t waste time emailing info@ or other addresses that lead straight to the slush pile).
• Study the publication a little beforehand. Know what they want and how they want it. Do they like short and punchy sentences or something longer? What kind of tempo? You often hear talk about developing your own style, but it also helps to develop the ability to write in any style a publication needs.
• If you think the idea is a good fit, pitch to a specific part of the publication AND in the style of the publication.
• Add a brief bio/info on experience.
• Use a clear subject line (Pitch: Global Adviser section, 5 Reasons to Visit Naoshima, Japan)
• Can be time consuming, BUT it can also be tweaked and reused.
• In the case of the sample here, it formed the majority of the actual story.
• Don’t be afraid to follow up on a pitch. Emails get missed. People can forget to reply or just need a nudge because they are busy.

Contact a publication to introduce yourself and ask if you can send ideas or be considered for work

Again, here is an example of a simple introduction email. This (or something like it) has been quite effective as an icebreaker over the years. Dear USE THEIR NAME,

Hello. I read your recent feature on Osaka and was wondering if you would have any interest in other Japan-related articles? If so, may I send you some pitches or be considered for any Japan coverage you might be planning?   I’m a Tokyo-based writer covering Japan for the last decade for publications that have included National Geographic Traveler, TIME, the Economist 1843, and the Independent. My work ranges from guides and travel narratives to interviews with artisans and features on food and drink, with recent work including this online guide to Tokyo for Nat Geo, this story about   the cat that saved a Japanese railway for the BBC, a piece on bull sumo on the remote Oki Islands for Roads & Kingdoms, and this book on Japan’s traditional inns .

Thank you for your time.

Some thoughts on the pros and cons of this approach:

• This kind of email is extremely time effective.
• Can get a dialogue started; the editor can reply without having to commit, and you can take it from there (asking about sections open to pitches, and so on)
• Can lack personalization, so take a few moments to tweak it a little each time and show that you’ve read their publication.
• Some editors don’t like this approach. They receive lots of emails, so some would prefer a concise, specific pitch. That said, I don’t think it will offend an editor; they’ll just ignore it. And, if you get no reply, you can still try again with a pitch at a later date.
• Works better when your bio shows you are experienced (pitches and on spec are more effective for newer writers). It’s sad, but name-dropping certain publications can make a pitch or an intro letter more appealing.
• Like a pitch, make sure you are sending it to the correct person and use their name. Also like a pitch, don’t be afraid to follow-up (I tend to wait a fortnight), if you don’t get a reply.

Send a story on spec “On spec” means to send a complete story (or the first part of a complete story) to a publication in the hope that they will want it.

• Negotiations for fees, rights usage and so on naturally come after acceptance. Make sure you stress this is an offer to sell work, not a free submission of the piece.
• Can be an effective way for inexperienced/new writers to break into a publication, if the story is good OR if the publication has a gap to plug (and publications often spring leaks).
• It’s best not to send the same on spec story to multiple publications. You can only sell it to one at a time and depending on the rights you sell there will likely be other limitations.
• Just like a pitch, an on-spec story needs to be a fit for the publication and a particular section therein. If they don’t publish 2,000-word first-person travelogues, don’t send them one.

Keep and online bio and portfolio that’s easy for editors/publishers to find. Over the years this has been how I’ve got the majority of new clients.

• I keep a simple and infrequently updated website aimed at potential clients (not general readers). It contains a basic bio, a portfolio of samples, and contact info: robgosswriter.com . Every writer and photographer, in my opinion, must have something like this.
• If you aren’t ready to invest in a website, consider creating a free portfolio on Trav Media.
• I also have my details on about half a dozen websites used by media professionals: NATJA, BGTW, etc.
• The above bios need updating about twice a year, but that takes very little time.

  Join professional organizations

• Good places to communicate with and meet people actually doing the same job. Professionally I often feel isolated in Tokyo, as there are very few people doing what I do fully freelance and full time. That makes professional organizations overseas (with online activity) very useful.
• Offer professional development seminars, webinars and so on.
• Not just for full-time travel writers. Most have associate memberships.
• Have forums, job boards, email alerts and so on with info on new publications, editors looking for writers, etc.
• Have annual awards for writers – these can be great for marketing.

A few examples: British Guild of Travel Writers: http://bgtw.org North American Travel Journalists Association: www.natja.org Society of American Travel Writers: www.satw.org

Do a good job. Be professional. Word of mouth works wonders even across borders in media. Here’s an example of why this is such good marketing. Many years ago, I did a few hotel reviews for an Asia-wide guidebook whose editor was based in Hong Kong. A year later another editor got in touch on the HK editor’s recommendation. This turned out to be a $2/word market, with interesting assignments. Emailing with this editor one day, he suggested I contact someone he knew at Time. I did (with the earlier pitch). That was another new client. Years later, I pitched an inflight magazine in the US. The editor said he remembered my name from when he worked as a copy-ed at Time. And on (hopefully) it goes.

• Word of mouth and publication-to-publication recommendations are a great source of work. As is the movement of editors across publications. Bear in mind that many magazines are published by companies that produce several or dozens of publications. It’s not uncommon to end up working for multiple titles for these companies, if you maintain a solid reputation.
• Make your deadlines. If you can’t, don’t reschedule at the last-minute. There is often wiggle room and editors are usually fine with delays, but you need to ask for it in advance.
• Don’t flake out. If you take a gig for $50 and then a $5,000 gig comes along at the same time, you still have to do the $50 gig to the best of your ability.
• Follow your brief, deliver clean copy. If the assignment is for 600 words, deliver as close to 600 as possible (not 900, not 450). Even just an extra 30 minutes of self-editing and reading aloud before hitting send can make a world of difference in the quality of the text you deliver.
• Don’t be a diva, but do stick up for yourself and your work when needed (and with a cool head).
• Help out a bit. If your editor is struggling to contact a source for images because of language issues, it’ll take you just two minutes to email in Japanese for them. There’s no need to charge an additional fee for that. If they want to add a new 500-word section not in the original brief, however, that requires an additional fee.

Create a social media strategy, if you think it can help you reach your goals. Don’t be afraid to ignore it and use that time elsewhere, if not. (updated 8/2020)

• With marketing, one size doesn’t fit all.
• I don’t use Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, though I have dabbled with them in the past. I have an Instagram account mostly for connecting with others in the media industry; not to be an influencer. I started it during the pandemic as a way to keep in touch with others. All told, I don’t spend much time on social media, other than the occasional binge on shiba puppy photos on Instagram. If I were a blogger or influencer, who needed to communicate directly with an audience (and build their own audience), I would be much, much more active. One size really doesn’t fit all. But the kind of clients that hire me (editors, publications, agencies and so on) don’t tend to trawl through the noise of social media looking for writers. We find each other in other ways (see above), and I write for their audiences, which they build. So, I don’t need social media for getting work or building a reputation. The idea that you must be active (or very active) on social media is a fallacy that many new writers fall for.
• Whether writing full time or part time, time is precious. The less I need to spend marketing, the better. It means more time writing and improving as a writer. That means being clinical (or trying to be) with my marketing.
• It might be different for you, but ask yourself a question: does the time you spend on social media for work bring in enough income to justify it? Do you think it ever will? Does it help you in any other ways, such as creating a sense of connection with others? Writing might be creative, but it’s also a business and a business still needs a business plan and goals – think about social media’s place and effectiveness in your planning.

PART 2: WHO TO WRITE FOR? The obvious first step: publications and other clients in Japan The pros

• There are some good English-language publications in Japan that could be worth getting experience with or targeting for full-time work. Examples: Tokyo Time Out, Japan Times, iNTOUCH, Weekender, Tokyo Cheapo.
• They tend to be fairly easy to break into.
• Good for getting clippings that can build a portfolio for targeting other work. Or just a nice way to do a bit of writing for fun on the side and see it in print.
• Tend to be open to a greater variety of Japan-related content and story ideas as Japan is their sole focus.
• Looking beyond the above, there are also local agencies who do branded content/content marketing for DMOs and other tourism-related organizations. These often use the same skills as travel writing. This is one area where Japan offers professional rates. For me, branded content work with local and overseas clients over the years has included producing a year’s worth of social media content for a DMO, scripting an animated travel commercial, producing online guides aimed at tourists, and writing features published (and clearly labelled) as “advertorials”. Most recently, I worked on an Instagram Story ad campaign with National Geographic for Japan’s National Parks.
• English-language media in Japan represents a small fraction of the global industry, and a fraction that (excluding international media outlets here and agencies producing branded content) generally isn’t very well developed or funded.
• Branded content aside, it generally doesn’t pay professional freelance rates, or anything remotely close. For a full-time freelance career, it can really help to look outward.
• Some English-language publications in Japan don’t provide much editing, have poor production quality, or don’t seem to understand copyright laws, writers’ rights, and more. Can often be amateurish and incompetent. That said, the ones I listed above all have good reputations.

To make a freelance career viable: publications and clients outside Japan

• Japan has a handful of English-language publications, but the US, UK, Australia, and other places between them have thousands, and many of these are open to travel and non-travel pieces about Japan.
• When I started, however, a few things soon made it clear that not many writers in Japan were successfully targeting these. The most obvious was that despite being inexperienced I was getting contacted (via a simple online portfolio) by decent publications looking for writers in Japan.
• The main thing: pay levels that make a freelance career viable. Fees for branded content are comparable between many Japanese and overseas agencies (and both tend to be higher, sadly, than editorial fees). In terms of editorial, however, the gulf is vast. it’s an easy choice between 10,000 yen to 30,000 yen for a 1,000-word story in Japan or 30,000 yen to 150,000 yen for exactly the same work for reputable overseas publications. I can’t churn out a well-written and well-researched 1,000-word story in 90 minutes, so it’s impossible to do 1,000 words for 10,000 yen. It varies on the exact content (listicles are quicker, in-depth features take a long time), but spread over a longer period a 1,000-worder might require up to a full week’s work and time on the road. That requires a full week’s pay.
• There are very few in my eyes, but it can sometimes be hard to convince overseas publications to cover lesser-known places and experiences. Many want the same thing: Tokyo, Kyoto, food, sumo, geisha, and other usual suspects
• With publications that cover the entire world, a single publication probably won’t want stories from you on Japan incredibly regularly. So, you’ll need to cultivate a wide pool of clients. 
• Another issue that can crop up is exoticizing or fetishizing Japanese culture. At times, you might have to fight a publication to stop them adding a Japanese stereotype or doing something else (often in the headline they produce) that lazily mentions Japan as being weird or bizarre. 

PART 3: WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT? WHAT IS TRAVEL WRITING?

If you read blogs, first-person features and travelogues often dominate. In reality, those kind of stories are in the minority in magazines and travel sections. The umbrella of travel writing covers many types of stories: front-of-book shorts, city guides, craftsman interviews, hotel/restaurant reviews, top 5/10/20 lists, and many, many others. These don’t just appear in travel-focused publications like in-flight magazines or National Geographic Travel, all sorts of publications will have sections into which travel and culture pieces fit. Broadsheets have travel sections, for example, and even business magazines often have a section dedicated to leisure. Look far and wide and you will find numerous opportunities. Then there’s the multi-faceted branded side we mentioned earlier.

There are guidebooks or other travel- and culture-related books, too. Writing a book is one option (with royalties—when a royalty deal is available—roughly being 10% of sales), but don’t overlooking updating work and editing guides. The larger guide makers typically update every two to three years and although some will offer risible fees, many pay fairly (on a work-for-hire, not royalty, basis). They represent a good opportunity for ongoing work, provide travel experiences (sometimes with expenses covered, sometimes not, but in the latter tourist boards might help support your travel) that you can turn into features and other articles, and for me were an important step toward writing my own books.

Part 2: http://www.tokyofreelance.com/the-business-of-being-a-freelance-writer-in-japan-part-2/ 

Online Jobs In Japan

By One Coin English | September 2, 2020

This article on online jobs in Japan is part of our series on jobs in Japan for foreigners.

Finding online jobs in Japan can seem like a challenge unless you know where to look. But the reality is that almost every industry is in demand for remote workers and the market for online Jobs in Japan has been growing. That's why we have created a whole list of places that offer online work for foreigners living in Japan! Below you will find some of the most common (and a few uncommon) Jobs that you can work from your home in Japan.

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Virtual Children’s Tutoring with CareFinder

CareFinder is a site that helps people find baby sitters and tutors for their children. The service has also started providing virtual tutoring for its users who need help with their kids during the pandemic! Each session is about 30 minutes (group or private) and your main responsibility would be interacting with kids through reading, singing, drawing, storytelling, and more. The nice part about this online job in japan is, other than English, their users can choose different language options such as Japanese, French, Chinese, and German. If you speak any of these other languages it is a good opportunity to put them to use.

Typical salary: 1,500 - 2,000 / 30 min

Website: https://www.carefinder.jp/en

Any language is welcome and there is no need to be fluent in Japanese or English! CareFinder provides sitters from all over the world!

Online English Teacher: Teaching Adults

A lot of schools and academies are providing online classes to their students since the pandemic started. Online classes and online teachers are getting popular these days, and a lot of students who have got used to it want to keep learning online. 

If you’re looking for online jobs in Japan it is good to look into eikaiwas (conversational English schools). Most of the time the class sizes of eikaiwas would be smaller, ranging from 1 on 1 private lessons to small 6 to 8 people groups at most. Support from the schools that you work for can vary but usually, materials for the lessons will be provided. Still, it is always good to check on the specifics with the company so that you can find a place that works for you. 

Traditionally eikaiwa lessons take place in person. However, due to the COVID-19 situation, many in-person eikaiwa schools in Tokyo such as our partners at One Coin English, have opened their first completely online school . 

There are quite a few differences from in-person schools and online schools, so be sure to get familiar with the challenges and technology that comes with online teaching. You will need to have all the necessary equipment such as a good computer, microphone, webcam and most importantly stable wifi. One big positive about online teaching though is s ince online schools provide lessons all over Japan, it also gives you a nice opportunity to meet people from different prefectures as well! 

Typical salary: 1,200 - 2,500 / hour 

Websites: https://toraiz.jp

https://onecoinenglish.com

https://j-inst.co.jp

https://www.kikokushijoacademy.com

Online English Teacher: Teaching Children

The Japanese online job market is not only limited to adults, many children are studying English online these days too! With the pandemic in full swing, children are spending more time at home lately and have tons of free time (which most parents are probably not too happy about). As most aspects of their lives, from school to meeting with friends, have been moved to the virtual world, children these days are no stranger to learning online.

Being an online English teacher for children is one of the most popular jobs for foreigners in Japan. The pay for teaching children tends to be on the higher end of online jobs in Japan, netting around 2 to 3 times more per hour than you would make teaching adults. 

However, it is good to keep in mind that children can be quite a handful at times and the challenge of keeping them engaged in the lesson is magnified by the fact that you are not face-to-face. A teacher’s energy level doesn’t always transfer perfectly through a screen so bringing your A-game each class is a must. One more thing to consider is that you will likely need to create many activities and materials for these lessons also. 

Typical salary: 2,000 - 4,000 / hour

http://epion.mabuchi.co.jp

http://eigoru.com/en/

https://www.vipkid.com

If you are fluent in English and want to learn more about English teaching jobs in Japan , read our full guide. 

Freelancing: Graphic design/Digital marketing/Programming/Video & Animation Jobs

Are you a graphic designer, digital marketing, programmer, or illustrator? If so, this next section of Online Jobs is for you! 

With freelance work, there are websites where you can upload your portfolio, website, and other information for people from all over the world to view your work and potentially ask for your services. Sites like Zehitomo cater to a wide range of professions, from photographers to personal trainers, and help with introducing you to clients.

One of the biggest pluses of using these freelancing sites is that even if you don’t speak the native language, you can do remote gigs for people all around the world. For this reason, Japanese or English skills are not required, but it is recommended that you use English as a way to "throw a larger net" so to say and reach out to more people (Japanese if you are looking locally).

Current Freelancers :  Struggling to find good clients or having trouble starting out? Learn how to succeed as a freelancer in Japan written by a friend who has succeeded in creating a branding agency in Japan.

Typical salary:   Since this is a freelance service you would decide the prices.

Websites: https://www.fiverr.com https://www.zehitomo.com

https://www.freelancer.com

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Translator (Japanese)

Are you fluent in Japanese and English? (or other languages?) Then this may be the job opportunity you’ve been looking for. Translation work is usually pretty abundant at any time, though most would be freelance rather than working for a company. The JLPT N2 Japanese level is enough to start working as a translator in Japan.

The set up of translating gigs usually goes as follows: a client gets in touch with you through a platform, you talk about the project with the client and agree on a price/hourly rate, then translate the given text to the language they desire by the agreed-upon date. Some translation companies such as Joho translation will hire talented freelancers directly from their site as well so be sure to check out and apply to these companies to increase your chances of getting translating work. One downside to working for a translation company is that they may have a set hourly or project wage that is not up for negotiation so you might not get as much as you would working directly for the client.  Companies that have worked with you in the past may also reach out to you in the future, so if you do good work, this could become a pretty nice regular source of income!

Typical salary: 1,500 - 3,000 / hour

If you want to learn more about this job, read our guide to translation jobs in Japan .

Stock Photography

If you are someone that enjoys photography and have some decent gear, this may be a nice option to consider. Stock photographs can be sold on sites to people or companies looking to download them for personal or commercial reasons. 

Stock photography is quite competitive and probably the most “long game” source of income out of all the possible online jobs in Japan on this list. Each photograph will only net you a small amount of money so you would need to take a ton of photographs to make decent cash. These photos would also need to be something that many people would select as well (most are used for different ads and articles). That being said if your photos are used/bought frequently, it does become a good form of passive income and you would continuously be paid for work that you have previously done.  

For those of you that aren’t walking around with high-grade DSLR cameras and lenses, not to worry! You don’t need to be a professional photographer, since most sites allow anyone to upload their photos. If you’re lucky, in addition to bringing in some extra income, one of your photos might even end up as an internet meme! 

Typical salary: Varies (Based on sales of your photos)

https://sp.depositphotos.com

https://submit.shutterstock.com

https://stock.adobe.com

Freelance Writer

Japan is rapidly growing in popularity as a place for people to travel to and every day more foreigners are becoming interested in living in Japan. With Japan rising in the ranks as a dream travel/living destination all over the world, the demand for digital content in English and other languages is increasing.

Many magazines, websites, publications, and blogs often offer freelance writing work. You will find yourself writing about things from the day to day life in Japan to hidden subcultures and oddities. For the creative people that love writing and diving deeper into topics while getting creative with them, this is the perfect chance for you to make some extra moolah doing something you enjoy. Becoming a successful freelancer takes time but is doable.

Usually, you would be paid a fixed rate for each published article. The compensation for these articles would depend on the length of the article but we’ve found that the going rate for an article of around 500 to 800 words was around 5000 yen. Certain companies will also reimburse you up to a certain amount for travel and other expenses you have incurred so it does become quite a good opportunity to travel to new places and try new things as well! 

Typical salary: Varies, paid by article/article length (usually around 5000 yen per 500 to 800-word article)

Websites:  

https://arigatojapan.co.jp/join-our-team/

https://travel.gaijinpot.com/travel-writers-wanted/

https://digjapan.travel/en/digest/Recruit.html

https://matcha-jp.com/en/620

https://metropolisjapan.com/job/writers/

Want our best job hunting tips?

1 email a week for 12 weeks, online tour guide.

ArigatoJapan provides the real Japan experience as an Online Tour. 

It is a creative way to explore Japan from home with Japanese locals and other foreigners living in Japan. With this online tour service, people can experience Japanese tea ceremonies, Japanese food, or virtual tours around exciting spots in Tokyo from the safety and comfort of their own home. 

Of course, every tour needs a tour guide! As a virtual tour guide, you will be sharing stories about Japanese culture and daily life. This is an especially good fit for adventurous people that know their prefectures well. Expect to be providing knowledge about the do’s and don’ts, best times and seasons to visit, restaurant recommendations, and more. If you don’t have the knowledge on it yet it is best to do the research beforehand!

Are you ready to show Japan from your home to the world?

*you can start as a freelancer as well

Online Marketplace

These days all it takes to open your own online store is a couple hours and some great ideas. The best part is, it’s free! You don’t have to worry about the production or the shipping as there are companies that will handle all of this. You just need to create original designs and upload them into different products like T-Shirts, Tote Bags, Mugs, Phone Cases, Socks, and more! If you use Facebook, Instagram, or other social media sites you’ve probably seen the targeted ads for these items. Many social media sites and search engines will use information and profiles of people to make sure that your products are seen by people that might buy them.

You don’t need to be a designer or have any qualifications related to clothing or fashion, all that is needed is some creativity! Even if you don’t know how to design or draw, you just can simply think of creative or funny sentences and put them on the products. 

Like the stock photo work, this is one of the “long game” types of Online Jobs in Japan. The online market business is very competitive and based on sales, as you would receive a small commission for each sale. If your products are often selected by customers, there is the possibility of a nice steady passive income.

With online marketplace designs, quantity is just as important as quantity. It is recommended that you upload as many designs/products as possible to cast a metaphorical wide net to get the sales you need.

Typical salary: Varies (You would receive a percentage of your products that are sold)

https://www.redbubble.com

https://www.etsy.com

https://society6.com

Online Surveys

If you want to make a little extra on the side but are exhausted from your main job, taking surveys is one of the easiest Online jobs in Japan you can do. All it takes is a little time and some clicks of a mouse. 

Survey companies in Japan are always collecting data for companies looking to get more information on a demographic or consumer base. Companies will search for specific people to take the surveys based on race, nationality, health status, work or school status etc through ads. Depending on the survey you take, the rarity of the demographic and the amount of questions, the pay can be anywhere from 500 yen to 10,000 yen per survey. Usually, medical surveys tend to pay on the higher end of this pay scale but some would require that you physically go to a location.

The two companies listed below are the most well-known and tend to cater mainly to foreigners. Both online and offline surveys are done by each company.

Typical salary: 500 - 10,000 yen per survey 

https://www.yolo-japan.com/en/recruit/survey

https://www.e-gaikokujin-rec.com

Know anyone who has passed N1? Want to escape the teaching trap?

Tyson Batino

Tyson is the director and a co-founder of Japan Switch and One Coin English . He has spent 15 years in Japan and achieved N1 in just 3.5 years. Listen in as he shares his tips to becoming successful.

Colten Nahrebesk

Colten is the owner of Risu Press . He spent 6 years working in various industries in Japan and achieved N2. Tune in to hear more about his experiences and advice for living in Japan.

Programming

Computer savvy and have the educational or work background to back it up? Many Japanese companies are open to hiring and even actively search for foreign computer programmers.

People with a background in computers will be pleased to know there are a great number of IT/computer programming jobs in Japan whether it be web development, the video game industry, or mobile application development. This online job in Japan is one of the more specialized jobs on this list, requiring credentials, but it does come at a much higher salary than the other jobs on this list. 

Recruiters are a great choice to find employment in this industry, you can check out how to best utilize recruiters here. One group of IT recruiters for foreigners in Japan is WeXpats. The service is completely free and their priority is getting you a job that fits you and your skillset best. 

Typical salary: Entry level 350,000 yen per month (Varies based on experience)

If you want to learn more about the IT world, read our guide to IT jobs in Japan .

Virtual Assistant

Many employers, particularly smaller businesses and startups, don’t have enough workaround to offer a full-time job, but they still do sometimes need some extra help. With most businesses making a full or partial switch to online, virtual assistants have become a much more common online job in Japan! 

If you don't speak Japanese not to worry, people look for virtual assistants of all languages. As a bonus, these jobs usually don't require any previous experience. If you do however have administrative skills and familiarity with certain basic programs such as Microsoft Excel, it may give you a bit of an edge in landing a position. 

Most virtual assistant jobs usually involve helping out with very specific projects. The tasks that you do will likely depend on the type of project that you are working on but data entry is a common one. Not to worry, training will likely be provided. Many times, these projects will be assigned because the business owner either lacks the time or the skills to perform them. To find these jobs you may need to search job sites and other online classifieds. Sites like Upwork have tons of listings available and can keep you pretty busy. Check them out! 

https://www.upwork.com https://www.freelancer.com/jobs/virtual-assistant/

Typical salary: Around 1500 yen per hour (Varies, more typical skills will be at the lower end of the pay scale, while specific marketing or web-related skills will pay on the higher end.)

Youtube Content Creation

Tons of people create youtube videos a hobby, to show their experiences, or spread a message. The nice thing about youtube is it does have the potential to earn you money as well! Video creation can be a full-time job, and living in Japan means having a lot of content and interesting things just waiting for you to show the world.

You can create videos yourself, promote them, and then monetize them through Google Adsense . You’ll get paid every time someone clicks on an ad on your video. The more clicks that are received, the more money you’ll make. If you get several videos going, you’ll be earning ad revenue from each of these videos which can add up.

You can create any kind of content you like: educational videos, video blogging, lifestyle in Japan, Japanese culture, teaching English/Japanese,  the possibilities are endless. This is probably the most flexible and creative way to earn money online, though it would require quite a following to receive a steady income. If you get popular you can also start collaborating with brands, magazines, or companies for some extra sponsorship money and items! 

Websites: https://www.youtube.com Google Adsense: https://www.google.com/adsense/start/

Typical Salary: Varies greatly as pay is based on ad views and clicks

In the end, there are tons of Online Jobs in Japan to choose from, you just have to know where to look. Regardless of your skill set and interests, there is a job for anyone that wants to work virtually. There were quite a few jobs to choose from in this list so you most likely don't have all of it memorized, but please feel welcome to check back on this article as much as you need. We hope you find an online job that suits you!

Find more jobs in Japan for foreigners and we hope you find what you are looking for.

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Jess Esa | Freelance Writer | Content Strategist | Blogger

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Based between London and East Asia, I specialise in  Japan-based travel writing  and travel guides. I also write about translated Japanese literature, film, food, and culture. Welcome to my portfolio which includes some of my photography and writing examples.  I have written for the Japan National Tourism Organisation based in the US and am a regular contributor to Tripsavvy, Japan Journeys, and Japan Objects as a contracted Japan specialist. I also contribute to a number of other publications which you'll see below. Aside from this, I manage an award-winning  travel and literature blog   Books and Bao , we currently receive 60,000 viewers per month. You can find out more  about me and what I offer here  or you view some of my  photography  or culinary travel writing .

To commission an article, contact me using the form at the bottom of the page. On this page you'll find :

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4 Tokyo “Yokocho” Where You Can Experience the 1950s | Travel Japan | JNTO

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Creative Writing Jobs Abroad

Travel and creative writing are a perfect match. Leaving home and taking up the expat lifestyle in some far corner of the world is bound to inspire great stories within you. Whether your ultimate interests lay in fiction or nonfiction, screenwriting or novels, high drama or publications, a creative writing job abroad can be the start of something truly special.

Why not work abroad in creative writing? In today’s globally connected world, writers have the luxury of being increasingly mobile with their craft. As English is catching on everywhere as a universal second language, native speaking writers are in increased demand across the globe as well. The demand for creative writers is out there, you must only decide where you wish to go and what type of work you wish to engage in.

Your writing can take you anywhere. As globalization spreads across the world, educated people from everywhere are expected to know English as a second language more and more. As such, creative writers in the English language will find more and more audiences for their work sprouting up around the world, and more opportunity for creative writing jobs abroad as well.

One particularly large market right now is China . As the country continues to integrate into the global stage and open its doors to foreign influence, international publications are sprouting up in many of its major cities. It is very easy for English speakers to find a creative writing job in China in a variety of different formats.

The same is true elsewhere in the world where English is of increasing importance to local populations. For example, Asia and Europe are two of the most accessible regions in the world, because of the many different regional languages which require people to communicate together in English. On the other hand, Central and South America may be more difficult places to find creative writing jobs abroad because most people in these regions communicate in Spanish.

Then of course there are creative writing jobs abroad in English speaking countries themselves. The U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia are all big markets for creative writers. Not surprisingly the competition will be more fierce in these places, but the demand for content is greater as well.

Every creative writer knows that steady employment for their craft can be hard to come by. However, there is surprisingly a lot of opportunity internationally if you look in the right places.

The first obvious type of job abroad is travel writing. There are many different travel companies in a variety of niches that are in continuous need of content, making it possible to land a creative writing job that takes you all over the world. These jobs often come in the form of freelance writing positions. While the work is not as purely glamorous as it might seem (think a lot of research, reviews, hard exploration), it can be a fun and exciting vocation nonetheless.

Working for a local publication or in journalism is another opportunity for creative writers to gain employment abroad in the field. Most global cities have opportunity in this field, although keep in mind that English language jobs may be limited in many of these places too. Some major international publications also have international offices across the world, so these big companies would be great places to find creative writing jobs abroad too.

Another type of creative writing job abroad is working as a blogger or for the content team of a website. It is hard to gain leverage to the point where you can start making a profit as an individual blogger, but many startups and other web based companies located around the world are in continuous need of writers to create content.

As an unfortunate rule of the trade, writers do not make much money. Unless you meet large commercial success with your creative writing job abroad, then odds are that you will be earning a living and not much more. However, it is certainly possible to boost your income prospects if you take on a position which includes elements of editing, marketing, and advertising as well.

Also, the affordability of living as a writer might greatly increase if you find work in the developing world, for the simple reason that costs of living will be significantly cheaper. Especially if you are earning an international salary, setting up shop in regions of Central America or Southeast Asia for example will be much more affordable than Europe or North America.

Develop as a Writer. Traveling the world or living abroad as an expat will greatly expand your perspective as a creative writer. You will be challenged to write from a sharply original viewpoint that stems from your newfound experiences.

Gain International Work Experience. Whatever future job you may apply to, having worked abroad looks great to prospective employers. It shows that you are flexible, adaptable, and can thrive in a challenging new environment.

Have an Adventure. Let’s be real, if you are traveling the world as a creative writer then you are bound to have some crazy experiences well worth the tale. Living abroad is the perfect way to improve your skills while gathering memories and impressions that dynamically change not only your writing, but who you are.

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The 'world's greatest living travel writer' has spent 32 years in Japan. Here's what he's observed.

• Pico Iyer is the author of eight works of nonfiction and two novels. The following is an excerpt from his book, "A Beginner's Guide to Japan: Observations and Provocations."

• Iyer has spent 32 years in Japan, his adopted home. 
• In this excerpt, accompanied by Iyer's original photography, Iyer offers a poetic introduction to the intricacies of Japanese culture.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

There are eleven arrows on the sign above you, as you disembark in Kyoto Station. They point left, right, straight ahead and backwards. In the middle is a question mark.

Platform 0 is close to Platforms 31 and 32, and a large "Restaurant Guide" board informs you that there are one hundred and seven dining options around the station alone. There are also 22 hotels in the immediate vicinity, just one of which offers 15 banquet halls, 516 rooms, a halal menu, a clinic, a photo salon and a church.

So much is available, almost nothing can be found. You're in a living web site of sorts — boxes and links popping up on every side, leading to art gallery and "Happy Terrace," to six-story post office and 13-floor department store — but nobody's given you the password.

The enigmas of arrival

There are snatches of English, French, German everywhere, but serving almost as decoration—like colors or sounds — and surrounded by characters in three non-overlapping alphabets. The net effect is of 101 people speaking a 1,0002 languages, none of which they understand.

There are no addresses, it's said, in Japan — or, worse, there are collections of numbers, but sometimes they refer to the chronology of construction, sometimes to something else. When my daughter, my wife, and I write down the address of the flat we've all shared, each one of us inscribes a completely different street name.

'A castle town needs to confound invaders.'

Before the West arrived, there were twice as many T-junctions and dead ends in Tokyo as there were thoroughfares. A castle town needs to confound invaders. After World War II, the city was reconstructed along the pathways that had come up around the rubble of bombed buildings, rendering the terrain even more impenetrable.

On the train into Kyoto, I point out to my Japanese wife a sweet ad full of teddy bears, one sporting a badge, another next to a bright-red ambulance.

"Yes," she says. "It says that if you see a child who's been beaten, please call that number. If you do not, the child may die!"

"And that picture of the cute fox and bear exchanging whispers?"

"A lawyer," says Hiroko. "If you have some kind of accident, he can help."

Dressing the part

After a rabbit appeared in Japan in 1873, the craze for the creatures grew so intense that a single animal fetched the equivalent of $20,000.

After a woman threw herself off the roof of a Tokyo apartment complex in 1970, roughly 150 others threw themselves off the same roof.

I board the train on a Saturday morning, and face a gaggle of schoolkids in uniform, lines of businessmen with badges on their lapels, squadrons of young women in dark suits. The next day I board the same train, to be greeted by a young guy in sockless canvas shoes and his date clomping along in high-fashion snowshoes (in a place where snow is all but unknown). Everyone's taken on a part, but in the off-hours, even partners may find they're acting in different plays.

'I sought out the man said to have invented karaoke ... '

Thus, Japanese couples on honeymoon traditionally plan matching outfits for every hour of their trip. Even girls on a Sunday shopping spree often sport the same hairstyles, false eyelashes, and white boots. Fashion becomes less about standing out than fitting in, at least within the micro-group of which you are a part.

For a foreigner, therefore, clothes don't make the man here; they simply mark the role. But roles shift at the speed of light in Japan, as people adopt a radically different voice (even a different word for "I") for colleague and secretary and boss. If it's treacherous to judge a book by its cover, how much more so if it's a foreign book and has a dozen covers to go with every audience.

In 1999, I sought out the man said to have invented karaoke, to tell him that my editors at Time had chosen him as one of the "100 Asians of the Century." He handed me in response a business card advertising his services as a dog trainer.

Excerpted from  A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO JAPAN   by Pico Iyer. Copyright © 2019 by Pico Iyer. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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