Japan vs Taiwan: Where to Teach English

If you're dreaming of teaching English in Asia but torn between Japan and Taiwan, you're not alone. Both countries have built strong reputations among international teachers—offering not just steady job markets, but immersive cultural experiences, delicious food, and a lifestyle that blends adventure with stability. Whether it's the polished precision of Japan's trains or the casual charm of Taiwan’s night markets, the day-to-day experience in each place is unforgettable—but very different.

In Japan, tradition meets high-tech living. It’s a country where order, etiquette, and formality shape both classroom and community life. Teaching in Japan often means structured routines, detailed lesson planning, and working as part of a team in a system that values harmony and respect.

Taiwan, by contrast, feels more relaxed and spontaneous. The teaching environment tends to be less formal, the locals more approachable, and the red tape a little lighter. With its subtropical climate, welcoming expat scene, and strong demand for English education, Taiwan has quietly become one of Asia’s most underrated destinations for new and experienced teachers alike.

If you're trying to decide where to build your teaching journey—and your life—it’s worth diving deep into the differences. Both countries have plenty to offer, but depending on your goals, personality, and preferences, one may stand out as the better fit.

Entry Requirements and Eligibility

For most people, your teaching journey starts with paperwork—and Japan and Taiwan have very different approaches to who can teach legally and how to get started.

In Japan, the baseline requirement is a bachelor’s degree in any subject. This degree qualifies you for a work visa to teach English, regardless of your previous field or experience. While being a native English speaker is preferred, it’s not legally required, and some non-native speakers with strong English skills do find jobs. You’ll also need a clean criminal background check, pass a basic health screening, and be at least 21 years old. A TEFL certificate is not required for the visa but is often preferred by employers—especially if you're applying through competitive programs like JET or applying to private eikaiwas.

Taiwan also welcomes teachers with a bachelor’s degree, but offers a unique advantage: if you have an associate degree and a TEFL certificate, you can still qualify for a legal teaching visa. However, Taiwan is stricter in one area—you must be a passport holder from a recognized native English-speaking country (US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa) to teach English legally. This rule applies specifically to English teaching jobs; non-native speakers can still work in Taiwan if teaching another subject or entering on a different type of visa. You’ll also need to be at least 20 years old, pass a health check, and provide a national-level criminal record check.

Both countries expect professionalism, adaptability, and a genuine interest in local culture—but Taiwan’s legal pathway is slightly more accessible for those without a traditional academic background, while Japan casts a wider net when it comes to nationality.

Compare:

• Japan requires a bachelor’s degree and work visa; more flexibility for career changers
• Taiwan allows associate degree holders (with TEFL) and has a clear list of “native speaker” nationalities

Job Types and Market Demand

The types of English teaching jobs available—and how you get them—differ significantly between Japan and Taiwan. Both countries have thriving markets, but the structure, hiring process, and day-to-day expectations aren’t quite the same.

In Japan, teaching jobs are often organized through structured public school programs. The most well-known is the JET Programme, which places teachers in public schools as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). It’s a highly respected route with good support, but the application process is long and competitive. If you miss out on JET, dispatch companies like Interac offer similar ALT roles with more flexible hiring timelines (though with slightly lower pay and benefits).

Another big slice of the market is made up of eikaiwas—private English conversation schools. These are usually for-profit businesses that cater to a wide range of students, from kids to adults. Teaching hours are often in the afternoons, evenings, or weekends, and class sizes are smaller than in public schools. Eikaiwas hire year-round, making them a common entry point for first-time teachers.

In Taiwan, the teaching market is dominated by buxibans—after-school cram schools that focus heavily on test prep and English fluency. Buxibans are everywhere, especially in urban areas, and hire teachers on an hourly or salaried basis depending on the school. These jobs usually involve teaching children, though there are adult-focused schools too. Unlike Japan’s public school system, Taiwan doesn’t have a national government program placing foreign teachers, though the TFETP program has grown in recent years.

Public schools in Taiwan also hire foreign teachers, but these roles are more limited and competitive. They often require a teaching license or education degree and may involve more traditional school-day schedules. International and bilingual schools offer the highest pay, but also the highest barriers to entry—often requiring credentials, prior classroom experience, and applications made from abroad.

University jobs exist in both countries, though they’re much harder to secure. These roles typically require a Master’s or PhD and come with light teaching loads, long vacations, and strong pay—but they’re few and far between, especially for those without academic credentials.

Compare:

• Japan has structured public school programs and dispatch companies
• Taiwan has an abundance of cram schools (buxibans) and more hourly-based hiring

Salary and Perks

When it comes to compensation, Japan and Taiwan both offer decent earning potential—but how far your salary stretches, and what’s included in your contract, can vary a lot.

In Japan, entry-level salaries typically range from ¥230,000 to ¥300,000 per month (about $1,570 to $2,050 USD) for ALT or eikaiwa positions. More competitive roles at international schools or universities can push that number up to ¥600,000 ($4,100 USD). However, benefits like housing and airfare are not always included, especially for private schools. Some positions may offer partial housing support, but most teachers pay rent out of pocket. Paid vacation time tends to be generous—especially in public schools and universities—and contracts are usually for one year with the option to renew.

In Taiwan, salaries are a bit lower overall, but so is the cost of living. Most teachers earn between NT$50,000 and NT$70,000 per month (about $1,560 to $2,180 USD), depending on the school type and hours. Buxibans often pay hourly, which means your take-home pay depends on how many classes you're scheduled for. Some schools offer bonuses, housing stipends, or flight reimbursements, but it’s far from guaranteed—so always check your contract closely. The real advantage in Taiwan is flexibility: you can often build your schedule across multiple part-time gigs, and supplement your income with private tutoring.

Paid holidays in Taiwan are usually shorter than in Japan, especially in buxibans, which often operate year-round. But with lower rent, cheap transport, and affordable food, many teachers find they can live comfortably and even save on a modest salary.

Compare:

• Japan offers higher top-end salaries but fewer perks
• Taiwan offers solid pay with lower cost of living and more flexibility in contracts

Cost of Living

One of the biggest practical differences between Japan and Taiwan is how much of your salary actually goes toward daily life. While both countries are considered affordable by global standards, your budget will stretch differently depending on where you live—and how you live.

In Japan, the cost of living is generally higher, especially in large cities like Tokyo or Osaka. Rent is the biggest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment in a city center often costing ¥80,000–¥150,000 ($550–$1,000 USD) per month. Outside the cities, costs drop significantly, but so do job opportunities. Groceries and public transport are reliable and high quality, but not exactly cheap—train passes and basic produce can add up quickly. On the plus side, many teachers report that Japan offers excellent value for what you get: clean, safe cities, world-class infrastructure, and incredibly fresh food.

In Taiwan, the overall cost of living is much lower. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in a major city like Taipei for NT$10,000–NT$20,000 ($320–$650 USD) per month—or even less in smaller towns. Eating out is remarkably cheap, with hearty local meals available for just a few dollars. Public transportation is also highly affordable and efficient, whether you're using the MRT in Taipei or intercity buses across the island. Utilities, internet, and mobile plans are among the cheapest in Asia.

When it comes to saving money, Taiwan generally makes it easier to put aside a portion of your income—especially if your school offers housing or you pick up private students. In Japan, savings are more realistic at higher salary levels or if you’re placed in a rural location with subsidized rent.

Compare:

• Japan has higher rent and transport costs, especially in major cities
• Taiwan is more affordable overall, particularly outside Taipei

Teaching Environment and School Culture

What your classroom looks and feels like day-to-day can vary just as much as your salary. Japan and Taiwan offer very different teaching environments, with unique approaches to classroom structure, student interaction, and teacher autonomy.

In Japan, especially within the public school system, many foreign teachers serve as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). This means you’re typically not in charge of the classroom but instead support a Japanese teacher by preparing activities, leading pronunciation practice, or energizing lessons with games and conversation. You’ll often teach large groups (30–40 students), follow a national curriculum, and focus heavily on grammar and test prep. Lesson planning varies by school, but there’s usually structure and materials already in place.

Private language schools—or eikaiwas—are a bit different. Here, you’re often the lead teacher, managing your own classes of 1–10 students, sometimes across a wide age range. These schools are run like businesses, so client satisfaction, punctuality, and presentation matter a lot. Working hours tend to include evenings and weekends.

In Taiwan, most foreign teachers work at buxibans, where they usually take full responsibility for the classroom. You’ll be the primary instructor, leading lessons solo and managing your own students—typically children between the ages of 4 and 15. Class sizes vary but are often small to mid-sized, and the pace is fast. While some buxibans provide curriculum materials, others expect you to do your own planning. Creativity and energy go a long way here.

Public schools in Taiwan offer a more traditional classroom environment with regular hours and more stability, but these positions are fewer and often require stronger qualifications. International schools provide structured curricula and excellent pay—but come with higher expectations and longer hours.

Compare:

• Japan leans toward assistant-style roles in public schools with more structured classrooms
• Taiwan often gives teachers more classroom control, especially in buxibans

Daily Life and Lifestyle Fit

Your experience outside the classroom plays a huge role in how rewarding your time abroad feels—and Japan and Taiwan offer very different lifestyles, despite both being safe, modern, and culturally rich.

In Japan, life runs on precision. Cities are spotless, trains arrive on the second, and public services—from healthcare to post offices—are well-oiled machines. There’s an incredible attention to detail in everything from packaging to politeness. The food scene is world-renowned, with everything from Michelin-star sushi to cheap, delicious bowls of ramen just around the corner. Healthcare is high quality, though it can be formal and require some Japanese proficiency. Safety is virtually unmatched; walking alone at night feels safe even in large cities.

That said, Japan can feel reserved. Social norms emphasize personal space and quietness in public, and many foreigners report feeling like perpetual outsiders—well-respected, but not quite integrated. Making friends with locals takes time and cultural sensitivity, and the dating scene tends to be more cautious and traditional.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is laid-back and welcoming. The pace is slower, especially outside Taipei, and people are often curious, kind, and eager to help—even if they don’t speak much English. Street food is a way of life, with night markets offering endless variety for just a few dollars. Healthcare is excellent and accessible, with many doctors speaking some English. Like Japan, Taiwan is incredibly safe, but the vibe is less rigid and more open.

For expats, Taiwan generally offers an easier social transition. Local people are known for being friendly, and there’s a strong expat presence in places like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Social life and dating tend to be more casual and relaxed, and many teachers find themselves quickly integrated into local and international circles alike.

Compare:

• Japan offers clean, ultra-organized cities and quieter social norms
• Taiwan is more casual, with easier social integration and warmer community vibes

Language and Cultural Immersion

If part of your motivation for teaching abroad is to dive into a new language and way of life, the differences between Japan and Taiwan are worth serious consideration.

Japanese is a beautiful but complex language. It uses three writing systems—hiragana, katakana, and kanji—which can feel overwhelming to new learners. Spoken Japanese is grammatically structured but consistent, and even basic phrases can go a long way in daily life. Culturally, Japan places a high value on etiquette, indirect communication, and hierarchy. You’ll need to pick up on unspoken rules in both work and social settings, which can feel challenging but rewarding if you enjoy subtlety and structure.

Mandarin Chinese, spoken in Taiwan, is tonal but phonetically written using the Romanized pinyin system for learners, and traditional characters in daily use. The pronunciation takes effort, but there’s no alphabet maze like in Japanese. Many foreigners find they can learn to read menus and have basic conversations much faster. Taiwanese culture is warm, relaxed, and open—curiosity about foreigners is common, and you’re more likely to be invited into local life early on.

Culturally, Taiwan blends Chinese heritage with a more informal and Southeast Asian-influenced lifestyle. There’s still respect for elders and some traditional norms, but the environment is easier to navigate for foreigners, especially in work settings where expectations are typically more flexible.

Compare:

• Japanese is harder to write; cultural etiquette is more formal
• Mandarin offers broader regional benefits and easier integration in Taiwan

Long-Term Prospects and Residency

For teachers thinking beyond a single contract, Japan and Taiwan offer very different trajectories when it comes to staying long-term, growing professionally, or even settling down for good.

In Japan, it’s possible to build a teaching career or transition into other fields—but it often involves slow-moving bureaucracy. Most teachers start out in ALT or eikaiwa roles, then work their way into higher-paying jobs like university lecturing, corporate training, or international school teaching. There’s room to grow, but it usually requires persistence, Japanese language skills, and sometimes additional certifications.

Renewing a work visa in Japan is straightforward if you stay employed, and after five to ten years, you may become eligible for permanent residency. However, Japan’s path to PR is paperwork-heavy and involves income thresholds, tax history, and often proof of language ability or integration. Some teachers also pursue residency through marriage or business ownership, though these routes come with their own challenges.

Taiwan is generally more foreigner-friendly when it comes to long-term options. Teachers can renew their ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) each year with little hassle, and those who stay five consecutive years—while maintaining a stable income and paying taxes—can apply for permanent residency. Taiwan also allows more flexibility when it comes to switching employers, starting side gigs, or even going freelance (through special visa categories or permanent residency). You don’t necessarily need to speak fluent Mandarin to qualify, which lowers the barrier for many long-term expats.

For teachers with entrepreneurial goals—like opening a language school, launching a business, or moving into online work—Taiwan offers a more flexible and practical environment. Japan is more established but slower to adapt, with tighter regulations around self-employment and remote work.

Compare:

• Japan allows more career switching but has slower bureaucracy
• Taiwan is more flexible with self-employment and permanent residency routes

Which Country Is Right for You?

You might prefer Japan if:

• You’re seeking structure, tradition, and clean, efficient city life
• You enjoy Japanese culture, history, and formal classroom roles
• You're interested in progressing toward university or international school positions

You might prefer Taiwan if:

• You want a more relaxed and flexible teaching experience
• You enjoy warm weather, night markets, and friendly locals
• You're looking for a lower cost of living and easier work-life balance

👉 Explore our full guides:

• Teach English in Japan
• Teach English in Taiwan