We're now accepting travelers for personalized mystery trips to Japan, departing between April 2026 and January 2027.

Planning to travel later? Join the waitlist and we'll let you know as soon as new travel dates open!

Careers / 採用情報

Join our team and help travelers discover hidden Japan

We design highly personalized, self-guided mystery journeys based on each traveler's preferences. We believe trips should feel effortless yet deeply local — reliable, thoughtful, and genuinely exciting. We're a small team with a high quality bar, and we're hiring contractors to help us scale responsibly.
— Japan Ikigai Trip
How We Work

Work Style

Remote-centered
Strong Japan context required

High standards
Accuracy, flexibility of thinking and following through

Async by default
Responsiveness may be needed close to departure / during travel

Privacy first
Strict privacy and confidentiality expectations

Language & Japan Experience Policy

At Japan Ikigai Trip, strong local judgment is essential to keep trips smooth and reliable, considering regional nuances, seasonality, realistic transit, and local norms. For this reason, depending on the role, we require or strongly prefer specific English/Japanese proficiency, relevant professional experience, and/or deep Japan context. For certain roles, to consistently maintain quality and feasibility at scale, we may strongly prefer candidates with 15+ years living in Japan (or equivalent demonstrated local expertise).

The Roles

Open Positions

3 contractor roles, project-based / part-time

Trip Planner

トリッププランナー

Create traveler-ready itineraries with operational realism — pacing, transit feasibility, seasonality, closures, booking constraints, and weather/crowd risks.

Requirements
  • 2+ years itinerary/travel ops experience
  • Clear English writing
  • 15+ years in Japan
  • Visited 30+ prefectures
Preferred

Demonstrable expertise in Japan logistics/regions/seasonality

Duties
  • Design day-by-day itineraries
  • Recommend experiences, walks, and meals
  • Assess risks and provide backups
  • Write practical guidance for travelers

Customer Support

カスタマーサポート

Support travelers before and during travel. Beyond speed, the role requires clarity, reassurance, and strong judgment (including coordination when needed).

Language

Japanese: Business level (JLPT N2+) • English: Business or Native level

Requirements
  • Customer support or customer-facing experience in travel/hospitality
Duties
  • Respond via WhatsApp/email with warmth, clarity, and speed
  • Troubleshoot transit, check-in, weather, connectivity issues
  • Triage unusual situations, coordinate appropriately, and follow up

Business Development

事業開発

Drive growth through partnerships and collaborations. This is not aggressive sales — it's brand-aligned, trust-based relationship building.

Language

Japanese: Business level (JLPT N2+) • English: Native level

Requirements (at least one)
  • 2+ years partnerships/BD/sales/alliance experience
  • Strong network and track record in travel/hospitality/experiences (2+ years)
Duties
  • Identify and prioritize partner targets
  • Outreach, proposals, negotiation, and relationship building
  • Review outcomes and iterate strategy
The Process

Interview Steps

1

Application Screening

We review your background, experience, and fit for the role.

2

Online Interview (20–30 min)

A focused conversation about your experience and working style.

3

Case Prompt / Paid Trial Task

If needed: a short, practical exercise relevant to the role.

4

Final Confirmation

We finalize terms and welcome you to the team.

The Details

Good to Know

Compensation

Compensation structure (hourly, fixed retainer, performance-based bonus/commission, etc.) will be discussed and agreed per role and scope.

Application Notes

  • Eligibility requirements are strict
  • We are a small team and will contact only applicants who move forward
  • We may keep your application on file for future openings

Data Handling

Information you provide will be used only for recruitment screening and related communications. Not shared with third parties without your consent.

Ready to Join?
Apply to Japan Ikigai Trip