Discover Japan locally while gaining experience globally!

Discover Japan locally while gaining experience globally!

Location
  • Japan
    • Tokyo
    • Nagoya
    • Osaka
    • Kyoto
    • Fukuoka
    • Okinawa
    • Sapporo
Length
4 to 24 weeks
Payment plans

Program Details

Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Apartment Hotel
Language
English
Weekly Hours
32
Age Min.
18
Age Max
35
Qualifications
  • College/University Students
  • Recent Graduates are welcome to apply
  • Young Professionals are welcome to apply
  • High School Students are welcome to apply

Pricing

Starting Price
3550
Price Details
Registration Fee: $550

Program Fee:
4 - 8 weeks: $3,000
9 - 12 weeks: $3,500
13 - 16 weeks: $4,000
17 - 24 weeks: $4,500

Add-Ons:
Cultural Program: + $550
Japanese Lessons: + $550
Cultural Program & Japanese Lessons: + $1,000 (🎌most popular!)
What's Included
Accommodation Some Accommodation Activities Some Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Transportation Visa
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Wifi
Dec 28, 2025
Feb 08, 2026
68 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

*For more information, contact us through our Website's Contact form, thank you!!*
https://www.zenterninternships.com/contact-us

Picture yourself thriving in Japan: living, working, and embracing all it has to offer! 🇯🇵✨

🌸 Your internship in Japan is secured, all you have to do is sign up!

Add-ons:
⛩️ Culture Program
Discover Japan through our Cultural Program

👩🏻‍🏫 Japanese Language Classes
Improve your Japanese by taking our language classes

Good To Know:
🍙 No Japanese Required
🍙 Start Anytime
🍙 Gain Credits
🍙 Accommodation Included

400+ Interns made the jump, will you?
Head to our website and let’s chat about making your dream internship a reality.

See you in Japan 👋🇯🇵

Program Highlights

  • 🏫 Transferrable college credit
  • 🧑‍🏫 Japanese language classes
  • 🗓️ Year round program – Start anytime!

Program Reviews

4.95 Rating
based on 59 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.92%
  • 4 rating 5.08%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.85
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.65
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 59 reviews
Emma
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great international support system

Zentern was a great support system for me during my internship in Japan. On my first day a Zentern employee escorted me to my internship and offered me advice before starting my first day. Zentern also helped me navigate my life in Japan by helping me find foreigner-friendly clinics, housing, and offered an orientation to give me an idea of what to expect during my internship. Overall, I really appreciated their support and help coordinating my life while I was in a foreign country. I would definitely recommend using Zentern, especially during your internship. They are always available.

What would you improve about this program?
If you are someone with a facial piercing I would recommend asking about it before your internship. I did the whole interview process with my nose piercing, only to be blind sighted on my first day when I was told I couldn’t have it.

I would also recommend using Zentern more to communicate with the company you work for.
Pros
  • Learning how to talk to Japanese Clients
  • Experiencing a foreign work culture
  • Immersion in Japanese language
Cons
  • Lack of communication from the company I was working for (nose piercing, work attire, etc)
  • Lack of work and personal life boundaries from my boss
  • Being expected to work overtime by my boss
37 people found this review helpful.
Lauryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Life Changing Experience

Interning through Zentern Internships was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. The support I received throughout the entire process was amazing, and I always felt guided and encouraged. My six-week internship with Seibo Japan taught me a great deal, not just about my field, but also about working in a global, professional environment. This experience helped me grow in confidence, independence, and skill, and it completely changed my perspective on my future career. I am so thankful to Zentern Internships for making this opportunity possible.

47 people found this review helpful.
Edith
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My internship experience was amazing!

My experience was very unique and better than I expected. Japan is a beautiful country and I've always wanted to visit. I chose for Zentern as they seemed to be locally very well-connected and once signed up, my internship got confirmed within a few weeks. I travelled to Japan in Oct. 2025 and interned at a local IT consulting firm where I worked closely with my boss and team. I wish I could stay longer - 2 months really flew by. My team was amazing and I learnt a lot about working in a Japanese environment and also about Japan and what I'd like to do later. Currently I am finishing school but would love to work in a similar kind of field after I graduate.

The support from Zentern was great; I felt really good taken care of and their trips/events were fun too. I was surprised how good the match was with me and my internship company as I had doubts in the beginning.

If you're thinking of interning in Japan, just do it; nothing but you is stopping you. After a lot of research, I am glad I went with Zentern and recommend this program!

What was your funniest moment?
A bit embarrassing but I used "casual" Japanese to one of our clients. Luckily they complimented me on my Japanese and my co-worker corrected me. We all had a good laugh but I never thought Japanese would be that difficult!
Pros
  • Good for resume
  • Good for personal development
  • Easy - just pay and you get your internship
Cons
  • Trains can get crowded
  • Cultural differences on the work floor; more professional than I thought
  • Would be nice to have more airport transfers available
47 people found this review helpful.
Ally
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Zentern Internship Experience!

My Zentern Internship experience of 2025 was something I had never quite experienced before! I lived in Japan for three months and able to learn so much about the marketing strategies of Japan through travel research and communication all because of Zentern! I was also able to expand on my knowledge of Japanese business etiquette and professionalism. I can't wait to come back to Japan and put these great skills to use in my professional future career!

I met so many amazing people along the way and plan to stay in touch with them throughout my future plans in Japan! I am looking forward to working hard for my future and am continuing to stay motivated and determined to do whatever it takes to live my dream life!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Branch out! Get lost! There are always interesting ways to get around the areas of Tokyo, Japan! Friends are only a text or phone call away. Don't be afraid to ask for help, guidance, or even just advice!
Pros
  • Travel Experience
  • Resume Building
  • Life Skills
Cons
  • Transportation Delays
48 people found this review helpful.
Josephien
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing experience

Thanks to Zentern, I landed a business development internship at a startup exporting premium Japanese Wagyu beef and it was anything but a typical intern role! I got to work on real tasks, actually be part of the company, and learn so much about Japanese business culture.

Zentern supported me every step of the way from matching me with the right company to helping with visa, housing, and check-ins. They truly care about giving you a meaningful experience.

If you want an internship in Japan that actually pushes you to grow, Zentern is the way to go. I’m so grateful for everything this experience gave me

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to everything, even when it's awkward. Say yes to the after-work dinner, thraldom team outing, the new (delicious) food. That's where the connections and memories are made.

Bonus tip: Be curious, you don't have to be perfect right away. You don't have to know everything yet, you're here to learn. Ask questions, observe, and don't be afraid to admit when something doesn't make sense.
Pros
  • Personal support 24/7
  • Personalised and high quality placements
  • Available for all - Students, Graduates, Young-professionals
Cons
  • Limited post-internship support
68 people found this review helpful.
Len
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A dutch in Japan

I took a chance to go to my dreamland and live here for 6 months. During these 6 months i had enough time to see all the places and eat the amazing food here. From going to the pokemon centers, seeing the snowmonkeys, the palace of the king and all the cafe's thema's. The people are really nice. Even with bad english and bad Japanese are the people willing to help you and understand. If you dont want to talk a day to people you can also do that. There are enough places with screens where you can order, which i really enjoy after a long day of talking and working.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would like to be quicker with making choices and not to be scared to speak japanese. Even my english and japenese are bad, but the people here really try to help and speak with you.
Pros
  • A workplace that respects you.
  • Help with starting and getting to your workspace
  • Check ins on how you are doing
Cons
  • Sometimes you might have roommates who are really rude.
  • The trainsystem is something to learn
  • Cooking is sometimes more expensive then eating out.
69 people found this review helpful.
Triere
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience interning with Zentern

I had a fantastic time interning in Tokyo with CIS and Zentern. This opportunity was not only one of the highlights of my academic journey, but it also offered incredible value in terms of personal and professional development. My internship was ideally suited to my major and closely aligned with my future career goals, making the experience both relevant and rewarding on multiple levels.

From the moment I arrived in Tokyo, I felt immersed in a fast-paced, innovative work culture that encouraged creativity, independence, and collaboration. Working with CIS, I was able to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world projects that had tangible outcomes. I gained practical skills and insights in areas that are crucial for my future career, including communication, time management, cross-cultural collaboration, and problem-solving. My supervisors and coworkers were welcoming and eager to help me learn, which created a supportive environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and contributing ideas. I left the internship with new technical abilities, a deeper understanding of my field, and the confidence to take on more complex challenges in the future.

What made the experience even more meaningful was how well it matched my academic background and aspirations. I’m passionate about building a career that combines creativity with purpose, and this internship gave me a direct look into what that path could look like. The projects I worked on were aligned with the kinds of roles I hope to take on after graduation. This gave me clarity, motivation, and a stronger sense of direction in terms of what I want to pursue professionally.

In addition to the day-to-day work, the networking opportunities were exceptional. Zentern’s team was highly engaged and made an effort to connect us with professionals across different industries. I attended events, met other interns from around the world, and built relationships that I know will be valuable for years to come. Tokyo is a global hub, and being there gave me the chance to understand business and culture from an international perspective. I believe that kind of exposure is not just beneficial, but essential in today’s interconnected world.

Outside of work, living in Tokyo was an unforgettable experience. I had the chance to explore a city full of history, technology, art, and design. I was constantly inspired by the creative energy that surrounded me—from architecture and fashion to public art and everyday interactions. These experiences made me more adaptable, open-minded, and curious—qualities that are as important as any technical skill.

Overall, I would strongly recommend interning through Zentern to anyone looking for a meaningful, career-focused international experience. Whether you’re hoping to develop professional skills, explore a new culture, or expand your global network, this program offers all of that and more. It’s an opportunity to grow, challenge yourself, and gain a competitive edge in a global job market—and I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of it

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate sea urchin, and it was disgusting.
Pros
  • Amazing Internship
  • Great Travel Oppourtunity
  • Amazing networking oppourtunity
Cons
  • Housing could have been better
  • Communication was spare in the initial process
  • Not every participant gets as lucky as I did
71 people found this review helpful.
That's me
Manasse
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My six-month product design internship in Tokyo

As a student of product design in Germany, I wanted to gain my first real work experience. Since I'm half Japanese and pretty fluent in Japanese, my university teachers suggested that I do an internship in Japan. As I am very interested in Japan and always wanted to experience, what it is like to work and live there, I accepted this challenge.

Internships in Japan are still somewhat uncommon and it is very difficult, especially for someone from abroad, to organize it by yourself and to gain the desired internship in your field. There are a lot of uncertainties; whether in application, job interview, or the working conditions. For this reason, I initially also considered to study abroad at a university in Japan. But firstly I rather wanted to finally gain real work experiences as a product designer and secondly, it is super expensive to study there. I was in a quandary and was trying to find solutions. Then I figured out that there are internship agencies like Zentern Internships, focussing on exactly what I was looking for. I compared, contacted and even spoke with three different agencies and clearly decided for Zentern Internships. The pricing was the best and they had a selection of interesting product design companies in Tokyo. Getting to know the Zentern team was very pleasant and I felt like, they understood very well, what I was looking for.

Zentern provided excellent support in preparing for my internship, helping me craft my CV and prepare for my interview. I was surprised and super happy that my first job interview in Japanese with my internship company went so smoothly. Zentern also helped me with the complicated visa registration and with organizing the fitting accommodation. Thanks to their expertise and support I was perfectly prepared for Japan. There was no way I could have handled all of this so well on my own.

The internship itself was very exciting, versatile, and fun, but at times also quite challenging. You get to experience the Japanese politenes and friendliness but also their strictness, high ambitions and their well known work culture and mentality. As an intern they don't expect from you to do any overwork, but their schedules can be tight and their expectations can be high. Yet, these were exactly the things I wanted to learn about Japan — what it is like to work there and how I would like the lifestyle in Tokyo. Throughout my internship, Zentern always offered me great support and advice, especially in challenging situations. They were incredibly friendly and I felt very well looked after and safe. In the end, I was able to experience everything I wanted, acquired new skills for product design and am very grateful for the valuable insights. I have gained more self-confidence and now have the certainty that I am able to live in Japan and work in a company with my Japanese language skills.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go for it, embrace it, and be ready for the experience. This is your chance to learn and to experience in an authentic and safe way what it is like to live and work in Japan and in your professional field. On top of that, this will be a huge plus for your resume.

Second and important advice: Live in a Sharehouse. I wasn't sure about this at the beginning, because I am a bit introverted, but this was really a good thing. I made a lot of important and close friends and you can exchange your experiences from Japan with them. There is a huge danger of becoming very lonely in Japan, so I was very thankful. It made my experience in Japan significantly more enjoyable and wholesome, as the work life can be tough. Together, we went on road trips and excursions, supported each other, and really had a lot of quality time together. Plus, if someone moves out from the Sharehouse, you can get a lot of stuff for very cheap or for free. For example a bicycle, which saved me a lot of money 🚲
Pros
  • Super friendly, smooth organization & excellent support
  • Authentic and safe work experience in Japan. I have gained a lot of valuable insights
  • I made a lot of close friends and had a very good time
Cons
  • Be careful that you don't end up with tasks that only involve translating and writing in English. Remind your supervisor that you want to do tasks that you are specialized in.
102 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers