Part-Time Jobs Bangladeshi Students Actually Get in Japan: Konbini vs Izakaya vs Factory

You get off at a small station in Tokyo, bags heavy, pocket light. Everything feels fast. Then within a week you notice: the guy next to you in class is standing at a konbini counter at 10pm, and another is wiping tables at an izakaya on Friday night. That’s the reality of a part-time job in Japan for Bangladeshi students — it’s not just pocket money, it’s how you survive and learn.

Konbini: the easiest entry point

Seven-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart — they’re everywhere. My first baito was at a Lawson in Nishi-Narita, Chiba. Konbini is beginner-friendly: they train you, and you can get by with JLPT N4 or N3. You’ll do register, shelf stocking, cleaning.

• Pay: In Tokyo, about ¥1,100–1,300 per hour (2025 estimate; varies by area). Night shifts after 10pm pay 25% extra.
• Hours: 4–8 hour shifts, within the 28-hour weekly visa limit.
• How to apply: Walk in and ask the manager, or use apps like Town Work or Baitoru.

Caution: you’re on your feet, and some stores want fast Japanese. You’ll make mistakes — that’s normal.

Izakaya: better tips, but language needed

An izakaya is a Japanese pub. You’ll learn Japanese fast because you talk to new people every night. One of my students worked at an izakaya near Omiya Station, Saitama. He told me, “Sir, in three months I got the courage to speak at N3 level.”

• Pay: Usually ¥1,200–1,500 per hour, plus occasional tips (called ‘baito’).
• Hours: 6pm to midnight — you have to fit it around classes.
• How to apply: Look in Town Work magazine or online. Interviews include questions like “Why do you want to work at an izakaya?” in Japanese.

Trade-off: late nights mean sleepy morning classes. I always tell students: skip izakaya in your first semester.

Factory: more money, less time

Many Bangladeshis work in factories in Gunma, Saitama or Aichi — food processing, auto parts, packaging. Pay is highest: ¥1,300–1,600 per hour, and overtime can push past ¥2,000. But the commute kills you. From Tokyo to Gunma is two hours each way.

One student of mine lived in Nerima Ward, Tokyo. She worked three days a week at a factory in Gunma. She earned ¥90,000 a month but had zero study time. Eventually she switched to konbini — less money, but she could focus on class.

Factory jobs usually go through haken (dispatch) companies. They check your visa type and Japanese level (N4 is often enough).

How to apply: step by step

First, visit your school’s shoukai (career support) office. They often connect you with employers. Second, search Town Work or Baitoru with filters. Third, memorise a few Japanese interview questions: “Shumi wa nan desu ka?” (What are your hobbies?), “Itsu kara hatarake masu ka?” (When can you start?).

Remember: your student visa allows only 28 hours per week. And it must be legal work — no cash jobs.

Money, time and your future

In 2025, living in Tokyo costs about ¥80,000–100,000 a month (rent, food, transport). A part-time job can bring in ¥60,000–90,000. So it covers more than half, not all. In my experience, students who work over 20 hours a week see their CGPA drop — that’s the honest truth.

But the bigger win: work experience in Japan helps you later switch to an SSW or work visa. Many Bangladeshi students do exactly that.

And if you’re thinking about study abroad from Bangladesh, you might worry about IELTS. Japan has many schools where you can study abroad without IELTS — you just need to learn Japanese. That’s a real advantage.

My advice: for the first three months, focus only on studies and Japanese. Then start working. Rushing both ruins both.

I counsel students at Inochi Global Education Institute. Many of our students come through our Barishal office (Nobogram Road, Muslim Para). If you’re stuck on visa and COE, look at our visa and COE support service. For office hours and address in Barishal, check this page.