Japan vs South Korea for English Teachers

An analyst’s deep-dive into two of Asia’s most popular TEFL destinations

Why this matchup matters

Japan and South Korea dominate Reddit threads, TEFL fairs and late-night WhatsApp chats among would-be English teachers. Both nations:

• Recruit thousands of native speakers every year.
• Offer comparatively high salaries for entry-level teachers.
• Provide a gateway into vibrant cultures many of us grew up watching through animé, K-dramas or a diet of sushi and kimchi.

Yet once you dig beyond the glossy brochures, major differences emerge—in how long you can stay, how much of your paycheck you keep after taxes, and how everyday life feels on the ground. I’ve spent eight years helping educators relocate across East Asia and have just pulled the 2023–24 data sets for the two markets. Let’s unpack them.

Residency and visa pathways compared

The starter visas: JET vs EPIK (and private alternatives)

Key observations:

• Documentation burden is heavier for Korea. You’ll notarise and apostille multiple copies of degrees and background checks.
• Japan’s JET numbers are bouncing back post-pandemic (roughly 5,800 positions in 2023). EPIK remained stable at ~6,200.

Pro tip: If speed is crucial, private language schools in both countries can sometimes secure a Certificate of Eligibility in six weeks, but vet the school’s record on timely pay.

Path to permanent residency

Neither country grants immediate long-term status to English teachers, yet their “ladder” differs.

Japan:

1. Instructor → 1–3-year renewals.
2. Upgrade to a 5-year “Highly Skilled Professional” if you hit 70 points (advanced degree, N2 Japanese etc.).
3. Apply for Permanent Residency after 3 years on HSP or 10 years total.

South Korea:

1. E-2 → renew for up to 5 years.
2. Switch to D-10 (job-seeker) while hunting, or the coveted F-2-7 points-based visa after 3 years if you hit 80 points (income, TOPIK etc.).
3. Apply for F-5 Permanent Residency after 5 years on an F-visa.

TL;DR:

• Speed: Korea offers a theoretical PR in eight years (3 + 5) vs Japan’s fastest seven (HSP route).
• Predictability: Japan’s immigration website is clearer, but municipal offices interpret rules differently—budget time for extra paperwork.
• Language hurdle: TOPIK level 4 is mandatory for Korea’s F-2-7. Japan’s PR application “recommends” N2 but you can slide through with N3 or even N4 if income is high.

Family accompaniment

If you plan to bring a spouse or kids:

• Japan: Dependent visas are straightforward; public schools charge only lunch fees.
• Korea: Dependents must pass tuberculosis screening; international schools are pricey but public schools improving with English tracks.

Taxation and cost of living analysis

I’ve modelled net take-home pay based on median entry salaries (¥280,000 and ₩2.3 million per month) for 2024. Exchange rates: ¥150 = US$1; ₩1,300 = US$1.

Income tax & social contributions

For the first two years in Japan, you temporarily escape resident tax, which shaves about ¥28,000 monthly off obligations. Korea’s lower rates stick for the duration.

Pull-quote: “South Korea wins on headline net salary, but Japan’s pension refund can hand you a tidy ¥600,000 when you leave.”

Pension refunds

• Japan: After leaving, you can claim a lump-sum withdrawal of up to 36 months’ contributions (refund caps at ~¥600,000).
• Korea: You recoup 100 % of the national pension if your country has a totalisation agreement—US, Canada, UK qualify.

Cost of living: Tokyo vs Seoul…and beyond

Below are mid-2024 average monthly costs for a single teacher (shared accommodation, modest lifestyle).

Net disposable income after tax and expenses:

• Tokyo JET: ¥280,000 – taxes (≈¥61,000) – expenses (≈¥166,000) ≈ ¥53,000 (US$350).
• Seoul EPIK: ₩2.3 m – taxes (≈₩322,000) – expenses (≈₩1.315 m) ≈ ₩663,000 (US$510).

Outside the capitals, rents crater:

• Fukuoka studios drop to ¥55,000.
• Busan one-beds average ₩450,000.

Both ministries often provide free or subsidised housing. Factor that in and the math flips—Japan’s municipal tax bites harder, while Korea’s “key money” deposit (₩3–5 m) can sting upfront.

High-speed internet and remote side gigs

Korea’s 1 Gbps lines for ₩30,000 beat Japan’s average 200 Mbps. If you plan a remote side hustle—say, proofreading for European clients—remember our tips on managing time zones when working remote. Seoul’s cafés running 24/7 make Spain deadlines painless; Tokyo’s last orders at 10 pm can cramp style.

Lifestyle and culture factors

Work culture

Japan:

• School-wide assemblies, meticulous lesson planning.
• “Service overtime” (aka unpaid) still common—expect school festivals on Saturdays.
• Hierarchical; speaking up takes finesse.

Korea:

• Lesson plans provided by EPIK; creativity depends on co-teacher.
• Hagwon hours skew late-afternoon to 10 pm; mornings free.
• Feedback is blunt—students will comment on your haircut.

Language barrier

Japanese and Korean each take roughly 2,200 study hours to reach professional proficiency (FSI Category V). But day-to-day survival differs:

• Romanisation: Seoul’s bilingual signage is pervasive; Japan’s countryside stations still hide kanji-only boards.
• Apps: Translate-K and Papago outperform Google for Korean; Japan’s Yomiwa excels on kanji camera scan.

Anecdote: A Canadian teacher told me he lasted three weeks in rural Yamagata before buying a pocket-Wi-Fi to live-translate water-bill notices—Korean utility bills now arrive with English on page two.

Social life & dating

• Korea’s group culture ( 회식 ) pulls you into BBQ and soju rounds fast.
• Japan’s nomikai get-togethers exist, but coworkers may spare foreigners the debauchery.
• If dating apps matter, Seoul’s density yields more matches; Tokyo ranks higher for expats seeking Japanese-only partners (Tinder data 2023).

Urban vs regional placements

If you thrive on karaoke machines doubling as the only nightlife, either countryside fits. Want microbreweries, board-game cafés and all-night jazz? Stick to Osaka or Seoul.

Best option by expat profile

Below I’ve matched common teacher archetypes to the stronger destination.

The fine print: deal-breakers you rarely hear about

Credit cards & banking

Japan still loves cash; you’ll need a hanko stamp for bank accounts. Korea issues debit cards day one; Samsung Pay accepted almost everywhere.

Climate

• Japan spans subtropical Okinawa to snowy Hokkaido—choose your own adventure.
• Korea’s four seasons hit harder: −15°C winters, 35°C summers with monsoon spells.

Political risk & geopolitics

• North Korea’s missile tests rattle newcomers, but long-timers shrug.
• Japan’s aging population pressures pensions—foreigners may shoulder higher future rates.

Exit tax

Move on after 5+ years in Japan and have worldwide assets >¥100 m? You’ll grapple with the “exit tax.” Almost no English teacher hits that, but crypto millionaires, take note.

Quick decision matrix

Final thoughts

When I crunch the numbers for clients:

• A single teacher in Seoul can bank US$6–8k more per year than their Tokyo counterpart, largely thanks to free housing and lighter taxes.
• A teacher who values long-term linguistic immersion and a broader climate palette often prefers Japan, accepting slimmer savings.
• Both countries now recognise online TEFL certificates (120 hrs+)—the entry gate has never been wider.

In truth, the better destination is the one aligning with your goals—debt repayment, cultural curiosity, or route to a second passport.

Thinking of making the leap? Build a data-rich relocation strategy tailored to your salary needs, visa timelines and lifestyle wishlist. Start your free plan with BorderPilot—no sales pitch, just actionable insights.