Visit Japan on a structured gap year

Japan does receive its fair share of western gap year visitors, however concerns over costs and the language barrier dissuade many others from paying a visit.

This is a real shame, because those who leave the Far Eastern island chain off their itinerary miss out on a beautiful nation and a unique cultural experience.

Japan is where the ancient and postmodern sit side by side - there's geisha girls, ancient temples, and mist-shrouded hills, but also futuristic cities and bullet trains.

A number of Year Out Group members organise programs in Japan, and participation in a structured gap year is perhaps the best way to get to grips with the country.

By living and working there for an extended period of time, gappers can pick up some of the language basics and gain a better understanding of Japanese conventions.

Real Gap Experience helps travellers find teaching jobs, waiting on work, and jobs as actors, interpreters, translators, factory workers, web designers and researchers.

Gappers can earn money during their trip to Japan, enabling them to get out and explore the rest of this wonderful country in their own time.

See the different gap year destinations on offer.