How I Found a Job in Japan: My Experience as a Painter in Tokyo 2026
A French expat's journey finding work as a building painter in Tokyo via Craigslist. Practical advice, workplace traditions (Bounenkai, Omiyage), and the reality of manual labor in Japan.
Author
How to Find a Job in Japan: My Experience After 2 Months in Tokyo
I've been in Japan for over two months now, almost three. And I have news to share: I found a relatively stable job. I wanted to tell you how it happened, because I know many of you are asking the same question: how do you find work in Japan when you're French?
What Is Tokyo Craigslist and How It Changed Everything for Me
My number one tip for finding a job in Japan, especially when you don't speak fluent Japanese yet: Tokyo Craigslist. It's a classified ads site where employers regularly post job offers accessible to foreigners. I applied to an ad, got a response fairly quickly, and the process moved fast.
The job listing? A building painter position. Yes, you read that right. Me, who used to spend my days behind a computer writing code, now I'm painting walls in Tokyo.
How Important Is Having a Japanese Boss Who Speaks English?
I was extremely lucky with my boss. He's a Japanese man who has traveled extensively—Australia, England, several English-speaking countries—and speaks perfect English. And that changes everything.
Japanese people who have traveled abroad are so different from those who have never left the country. They're more open-minded, less strict. My boss understands that I'm a beginner, that I make mistakes. He takes the time to explain things to me. Honestly, I couldn't have landed a better boss.
Who Is Lloyd: The Canadian Who Has Lived in Japan for 20 Years
The other significant encounter is Lloyd. A Canadian who started on the exact same day as me. It creates a bond when you spend your days painting together and telling jokes.
But Lloyd is, above all, 20 years of life in Japan. He has a family, children. He gives me advice on daily life, on the job, on everything. A real mentor who fell from the sky. He's been doing this work much longer than me, so his tips help me progress much faster.
What Is It Like Working as a Building Painter in Japan?
I'm not going to lie: at first, it was tough. It's the first time in my life I've done physical work like this. I was originally a developer—always sitting behind a screen.
But actually, working outdoors, using your body all day long feels incredibly good. When you come home at night, you're tired, but it's a good kind of tired. You don't have that feeling of "I need to exercise, I need to move." Your body has already worked. It's liberating.
And I learned something interesting: my boss has trouble recruiting young Japanese people for this type of job. Japan has a real demographic problem, but it's not just that. Manual trades are not valued among young Japanese people. They don't find them gratifying enough. When I say I'm a building painter, people are surprised—"a foreigner doing that?"—but they take it pretty well. It's different, and it attracts curiosity.
By the way, I recently learned that my uncle did exactly the same job. Kind of like destiny, it's quite funny.
Learning Japanese on the Job with Masaki-san
On the team, there's also Masaki. A 150% Japanese guy who doesn't speak a word of English. When I work alone with him, I have to speak Japanese. No choice.
And that's ultimately the best school. I learn enormously from him—Japanese culture, language, everyday expressions. Forced immersion is the best way to progress in Japanese.
What Is Bounenkai? My First Japanese Company Party
At the end of the year in Japan, there's a tradition called Bounenkai (忘年会). It's an event where the entire company gets together to drink. Literally, you go from bar to bar, eat yakiniku (Japanese grilled meats), and drink. A lot.
My colleagues had started drinking around 3 PM. I arrived around 6-7 PM, thinking it was reasonable timing. Except they were already almost dead drunk. We went to two or three bars, and by 9 PM, I was the only one still standing. Everyone else was sprawled on the restaurant couches, completely knocked out.
So Lloyd and I looked at each other, said "well, what do we do?", and went to continue the evening on our own. We left them passed out on site. Anyway, the boss was paying. First Bounenkai: validated.
What Is Omiyage? The Japanese Gift-Giving Tradition at Work
Another Japanese tradition I love: Omiyage (お土産). When someone returns to their hometown during vacation, they bring back local specialties—sweets, cakes—to share with their colleagues and friends.
My boss brought me back treats from Nagoya. Small cakes that aren't very sweet (Japanese people don't like things too sweet—even Coca-Cola here is almost like sparkling water compared to what we have in France). But it was excellent. These little traditions are what make daily life in Japan so special.
What Is the Financial Reality of Working as a Painter in Japan?
I have to be honest about one point: as a building painter in Japan, I'm paid by the day. When it rains, I don't work. That's the reality of construction jobs.
I'm actually looking for a small second job on the side to make ends meet and be more comfortable. But the essential is there: I no longer depend solely on my savings. That's a huge relief.
As for the visa, we'll see what happens. Will this job allow me to obtain a work visa? It's still uncertain. But for now, I'm enjoying the adventure and we'll see what happens.
How to Find a Job in Japan: My Practical Tips for French Expats
If you're considering working in Japan, here's what I learned from my experience:
- Use Tokyo Craigslist: It's the most accessible site for foreigners looking for work in Japan, especially if you don't speak Japanese yet.
- Be open to unexpected jobs: I never would have imagined myself as a building painter, and yet it's one of the best experiences of my life.
- Look for a boss who has traveled: A Japanese employer who speaks English and understands foreigners changes absolutely everything.
- Accept immersion: Working with Japanese people who don't speak English is tough at first, but it's the best way to learn the language and culture.
- Participate in traditions: Bounenkai, Omiyage... These moments of sharing are essential for integrating into Japanese professional life.
- Don't underestimate manual trades: In Japan as elsewhere, these trades are hiring and offer opportunities that office jobs don't.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working in Japan
Can you find a job in Japan without speaking Japanese?
Yes, it's possible. Sites like Tokyo Craigslist offer positions accessible to English speakers. Some Japanese employers speak English, especially those who have traveled abroad. That said, learning Japanese on-site remains essential to advance professionally and integrate.
How much does a building painter earn in Japan?
Salary varies according to experience and employer. As a beginner paid by the day, the income is modest but sufficient to cover current expenses in Tokyo. The advantage is that the construction sector is actively recruiting in Japan due to the shortage of young workers.
What website should I use to find work in Japan?
Tokyo Craigslist is excellent for classified ads accessible to foreigners. Other options include GaijinPot Jobs, Indeed Japan, and Facebook groups for French expatriates in Japan. For more qualified jobs, LinkedIn and Daijob are also recommended.
Do you need a work visa to work in Japan?
Yes, to work legally in Japan, you need a work visa or a Working Holiday Visa (available for French citizens aged 18 to 30). Some employers can sponsor your work visa if the position corresponds to eligible categories.