Welcome to Tokyo!
From its beginnings as a tiny fishing village, Tokyo has grown into the city that never sleeps. As the capital city of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolis holds the honor of being the largest metropolitan area in the world. It is home to the Japanese government as well as the Japanese Imperial Palace. The name Tokyo literally means "Eastern Capital" in English.
As would be expected of a city of its size, Tokyo is on the cutting edge of everything from architecture, technology, and fashion, to food, and pop culture. Within the past century, the city of Tokyo has experienced two near-complete destructions. The first was in 1923 after the Great Kanto earthquake, which at the time was the largest ever recorded, the second was during World War II when the city endured extensive bombing. These incidents have been a leading reason behind Tokyo's innovative architecture.
Why Intern in Tokyo?
As the capital of Japan, Tokyo offers strong internship placements is never at a loss for things to do--enjoy fresh seafood, explore the art and history of the city, and don't miss the shopping. Tokyo is truly a global city which many international professionals, expats, and travelers call home. Thus, the city is easy to navigate with its extensive metro which has signs in Japanese and English. The city is incredibly clean and safe, too. An internship in Tokyo will provide you experience in one of the world's fastest-moving economies with placements available in a wide range of industries. Being a global economic hub, expectations of interns tend to be higher than in other ISA Internships locations and knowing some Japanese could prove helpful in a country where most people don't speak English. This is a great city to gain exposure to the working world!
Career Fields Available in Tokyo
Check out our internship opportunities in Tokyo below!
- Architecture and Urban Planning
- Business and Marketing
- Communication, Media, and PR
- Education
- Engineering
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies
- Fashion
- Film and TV
- Hospitality, Events, and Tourism
- IT and Computer Science
- Legal Studies and Advocacy
- Performing and Visual Arts
- Political Science
- Psychology and Social Work
- Research
- Science and Math
Being able to return to Japan had been a lifelong goal of mine. It had been around 7+ years since I had last gone and I wanted to truly have an amazing college experience in Japan. I was lucky enough to find ISA/TEAN with my International Dean and was able to make it work out. The people with ISA/TEAN were always there to help me if I ever needed anything. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in going to Japan to consider going through ISA/TEAN.
Kai G.
Endicott College
Orientation, Excursions, & Activities
Your program will start with a multi-day orientation in Tokyo where you will enjoy a city tour and other excursions as well as receive pertinent information about how to be most successful in your internship abroad. Throughout your program, you will have the chance to go on weekend trips, day trips, and optional trips. ISA excursions allow you to explore the timeless, quaint, and historical landscape of the country (and potentially surrounding countries) that you may not have the chance to visit on your own. The locations below are a sample of included and optional excursions that have run in the past. Please know that these are subject to change.
Nikko
Located north of Tokyo, Nikko is a mountainous region famous for its landscape and history. Many natural hot springs, waterfalls, hiking trails, and temples are settled throughout this beautiful region including one of Japan’s most famous World Heritage Sites: Toshogu Shrine. Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was built in the 1600s.
Cultural Activities in Tokyo
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Tokyo. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Tokyo special. These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included participating in a Japanese tea ceremony, a kimono cultural and historical experience, a night at a Kabuki, and a deco sushi workshop.
Housing Details
The experience of living in another culture will be both educational and rewarding so long as you stay openminded. There are many differences in culture and lifestyle between life in Japan and the U.S. Remember: the key to a positive experience is flexibility! The accommodations will provide an opportunity for interns to experience aspects of the local lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor.
Apartments
- Located near public transit routes and
- Fully furnished with a fully-equipped kitchen.
- The number of participants per apartments vary from apartment to apartment.
Travel Visa Information
Participants must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months AFTER their expected departure date from Japan.
U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens are not required to apply for a visa before departing for Japan if their program is 90 days or less.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Please note that non-U.S. citizens should contact their Consulate to verify specific entry requirements. As these requirements vary based on citizenship, non-U.S. citizens may not be permitted to travel to Japan without a visa or outside of their visa dates. Also, visa fees for non-U.S. citizens may differ so please be sure to check specific consulate's website for the most up to date information.
Note: Embassy and Consulate contact information is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate to verify information.
