SSW Hospitality

What is Hospitality (SSW)?

Hospitality within Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program refers to work related to providing accommodation and guest services at hotels, ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), resorts, business lodgings, and various other accommodation facilities. This sector plays an important role in supporting Japan's ever-growing tourism industry, serving millions of domestic and international travellers every year.

Advantages of Our Hospitality Program

• Work directly in Japan without needing a bachelor's degree.
• Receive Japanese language and hospitality skills training to Japanese industry standards
• Work insurance protection provided (subject to company policy)
• Dormitory or housing allowance available (subject to company policy)
• Opportunity to earn an annual bonus based on performance and company policy (subject to company policy)
• Salary starting from ¥180,000 (depending on placement and subject to company policy)

Hospitality Program Requirements

• Minimum age of 18 years.
• Minimum high school (SMA/SMK) graduate or equivalent.
• Hold JLPT N4
• Hold an SSW Hospitality certificate
• Physically and mentally healthy (no infectious diseases or serious health conditions).
• No criminal record.

Japan's hospitality industry is known worldwide for its exceptionally high service standards, outstanding warmth, and professional work culture. Japanese hotels, ryokan, and resorts prioritise guest comfort through detailed, high-quality service. As the number of tourists rises and the local workforce shrinks, the need for foreign workers in the hospitality field continues to grow every year.

Working in Japan's hospitality sector offers the chance to gain valuable international experience, improve your Japanese language skills, and learn world-class service standards that can support your future career. The work environment in this industry is also known for being well organised and professional, offering workers broad opportunities for skills development.

Our Service

At Nakamura Study Japan, we provide full support for individuals who wish to build a career in Japan's hospitality field. We partner with trusted hotels, ryokan, resorts, and hospitality companies that are officially registered and recognised by the Japanese government, ensuring that every participant's job placement is legal and safe.

Participants in the hospitality program will go through document screening and an initial interview with Nakamura Study Japan. Once they pass, participants will proceed to the next interview stage with our partner companies in Japan. Successful candidates will receive a job offer letter before beginning their preparatory training.

Our training program equips participants with the Japanese language skills and job skills required in the hospitality industry. The program includes:

• Japanese language classes up to JFT-Basic A2 or JLPT N4 level.
• Hospitality skills preparation to pass the official SSW Hospitality exam (covering guest service, front office operations, housekeeping, restaurant service, work ethics, and Japanese hospitality standards).

After completing training and passing all required exams, participants will move on to the departure preparation stage. We assist with job matching, visa processing, and pre-departure orientation.

Upon arrival in Japan, our partner companies and local support network will provide guidance and assistance so that participants can adapt well to both their work environment and daily life. Through Nakamura Study Japan, you can build a meaningful international career in Japan's hospitality industry, gain global work experience, and bring home valuable professional skills for your future.

We are committed to supporting you step by step until your dream of working in Japan's hospitality industry comes true.

Hospitality Program Timeline

• Language Preparation (9 months): Study Japanese until passing JFT Basic A2 or JLPT N4 and prepare for the SSW Hospitality skill exam.
• SSW Exam Preparation (1 month): Study and prepare for the SSW Hospitality skill exam.
• Document Preparation (1 month): Prepare documents, CV, and interview preparation.
• Job Matching (2 months): Submit your CV to companies in Japan to be matched with available vacancies.
• Interview (2 months): After passing document screening, participants will attend direct interviews with Japanese companies.
• Departure Preparation (1 month): Once accepted for work, visa processing, flight tickets, and accommodation will be completed before departure.

What is the Tokutei Ginou (SSW) Visa?

As the labour shortage in the hospitality sector becomes an ever-growing challenge in Japan, the Japanese government has opened opportunities for foreign workers through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), or Tokutei Ginou, visa program. This visa allows foreign workers to work legally in Japan for up to five years with rights, wages, and benefits equal to those of Japanese workers. The program offers a great opportunity for individuals who want to build an international career while gaining professional work experience in Japan's hospitality industry. There are two types of SSW visa: SSW 1 is a work visa for foreign workers with basic skills, allowing them to work in Japan for a maximum of 5 years, but they cannot yet bring their family. SSW 2 is an advanced level with higher skills, a period of stay that can be extended indefinitely as long as the requirements are met, the ability to bring a spouse and children, and better prospects for long-term settlement in Japan.