Teaching Jobs in Osaka, Japan

Since the late 1990s, English instruction has been part of the Japanese government’s required public education curriculum. As such, the market for English teachers in Japan has always been one of the strongest in Asia. In recent years, the Japanese government expanded the grade levels required to offer ESL courses, deepening the demand language teachers in Japan. Jobs for English teachers in Japan, and Osaka more particularly, are extensive!

Popular ESL jobs in Japan. Japan is well known for ESL jobs due to the large-scale popularity of the JET program. However, a majority of the placements for JET are in rural areas, and placements in Osaka are more challenging for that program. Thankfully, JET isn’t the only ESL teaching option in Japan. Native English speakers with a TEFL degree will have a variety of options for teaching in Osaka. A majority of the paid teaching positions will be through universities or private entities, such as corporations, after school tutoring programs or IB style schools. If you’re less experienced, there are always opportunities to be a private tutor or homestay teacher until you build up your resume. 

Short term vs. long term teaching jobs—plus other tidbits on job structure. Whether considering the JET program or another option, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when choosing to teach abroad in Osaka is the length of your teaching contract. A majority of people who teach abroad in Japan go for a long-term contract of one year or more since it is the most common arrangement. This offers you the amazing opportunity of fully immerse in the culture. Plus, you might even pick up at little Japanese after a year! While short-term programs are available, they typically range from one to three months and are less common. These type of programs offer a great option to people looking to get their feet wet in teaching or those who may be on the fence about fully committing to life in Osaka. 

Teaching English vs teaching other subjects. If you are teaching abroad in Japan, you will most likely be teaching English. This is the most common arrangement. Due to national curriculum standards enforced by the Japanese government, the largest demand for English teachers will be in middle to high schools. If you want to teach another subject while living in Osaka, jobs may be more challenging to find. However, many foreigners use English instruction teaching as a stepping stone to other career opportunities in Japan. Thanks to a strong economy with lots of multinational corporations, private sector jobs for native English speakers can become available with time.

Osaka has long been considered a “second-tier” metropolis between the cultural juggernauts of Kyoto and Tokyo. But don’t underestimate this mighty city. Osaka’s 19 million residents take pride in their under-the-radar status, and soon you will too! The culture, accent, and food are distinctly different than Tokyo or Kyoto. 

When you first arrive in Osaka, honestly, you might not like it. It isn’t a beautiful city in the traditional sense of urban beauty. By Japanese standards, Osaka is “dirty” and has traditionally been home to Japan’s merchant class due to its large working port. But give it a chance—we promise you will come around to Osaka. Osaka is made special by its difference, its uniqueness, its vibrancy and there is no shortage of things to do while you live and teach abroad in Osaka. 

Like much of the rest of Japan, the train system in Osaka is robust and well connected. Osaka’s subway system is the most extensive in Japan besides Tokyo, allowing English teachers to get around the city easily. The Midosuji Line is the main artery. While teaching English in Osaka, make sure to take a day to ride this line and explore some of the most popular shopping areas in the city like Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Tennoji.

One of the best parts of life as an English teacher in Osaka is getting to eat some of Japan’s most up-and-coming cuisine. Osaka is a city for food lovers. It even has a museum dedicated to instant ramen! Osaka's unofficial slogan is kuidaore meaning eat until you drop. 

Eat you will! Don’t miss a chance to try the famous street food yakitori or skewered grilled chicken. If you’re on a budget, check out the indoor food market at Kuromon Ichiba, where you can find delicious fresh options for a couple hundred yen. We recommend that you try the famous octo-pop. It is baby octopus stuffed with a quail egg on a stick, making for a uniquely ‘grammable street food!

A popular leisure activity on the weekends for Japanese people is a visit to a spa or hot springs. The bath culture is real, folks! You’ll have the chance to experience this lifestyle activity with a visit to Spa World. This eight-story theme park is entirely dedicated to steaming saunas, baths, and swimming pools. You can experience the traditional Japanese cypress wood onsen, as well as waterslides, a Grotto, or even a carbonated fizzy tub if you’re feeling adventurous! 

Japan’s highly rated education system will attract you to teach abroad Osaka, but it’s the city’s unique attitude, delicious food, and quirky metropolitan vibe that will keep you coming back for more. Be one of the first in your circle of friends to explore this diverse and enchanting city by teaching abroad in Osaka, Japan!

Are you already salivating for some fresh seafood and a day at the spa? Get more inspiration with our comprehensive guide on teaching abroad in Japan!