Teaching at English Schools
You want not only to work but also to see the world, a new country, new culture?  Most recruit year round, and almost all provide successful applicants with visa sponsorship, a subsidized apartment, at least partially-paid national insurance, and help with setting up bank accounts and the like. Job training is also coffered; feedback sessions are usual thing, and a set curriculum, that means you will be able to held lessons soon even without ESL certificate.

 This also means that TEFL certification is not required, and may even be unofficially discouraged, as schools prefer to follow their own methods for classroom management and teaching. The most important skill and a ind of qualification is the pure desire to live and work in Japan.

Schools offer 25- to 30-hour weeks on average, although some set longer schedules. Teachers receive ¥250,000 to ¥300,000 ($2,000-$2,400) per month, depending on the school, its location, and the hours taught.

The three largest schools in Japan are AEON (http://www.aeonet.com/), GEOS (www.teaching-english-in-japan.com), and NOVA (http://www.teachinjapan.com/). Each has branches in the bright lights of Tokyo and the somewhat dimmer glow of smaller cities and offers roughly the same benefits. Teachers work in-house, as opposed to being out-sourced to businesses or public schools.

If the bureaucracy of corporate giants doesn't appeal to you WinBe (http://www.winbenet.com/), Grandom (www.welcome.to/grandom), GABA (http://www.gaba.co.jp/), and ECC (http://www.ecc.co.jp/) are smaller schools with branches in Tokyo or other larger cities. For teachers it may be more right of freedom in the classroom; textbooks have not been specifically designed by the school for use with its teaching method.

Interac (www.interac.co.jp/recruit) is specialized in hiring recruits to urban junior and senior high schools. You'll get total immersion in an all-Japanese work environment, although you may find yourself rotating between several schools. Usual time of recruiting new applicants from overseas is early in the year and in May and June. If you are currently living in Japan you may also apply for a position, opened up during the school year. Westgate (http://www.westgate.co.jp/) works with universities in Japan according to the same principle.

Teaching With The JET Program
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, http://www.jetprogramme.org/, the focus of which is wider than simple teaching English as a second language, is a program sponsored by government. Foreign teachers live  and interact with local communities, primarily with English instructors at the local cities, with collegues in the classroom and take as many creative opportunities as you can handle.

The majority of participants live in the rural communities, they work with Japanese personnel. Inevitably, occasionally the culture shock arises. But the most significant difference is likely to be the students.

You are encouraged to work closely with students and the community, so the children's problems and individual needs can be addressed.

Participants earn ¥3,600,000 per year, or about $28,000 before taxes, health insurance, and pension payments. The working week consists of 35 hours. If you seek for more information you may check the official Japan and Exchange Teaching Program at http://www.jetprogramme.org/.

Part-Time Jobs Teaching English
In addition to English schools and the JET Program, there is an abundance of smaller schools, junior and senior high schools, and businesses looking for instructors. The requirements, benefits, and hours vary. Some positions require TEFL certification and past ESL experience. The visa sponsorship is offered plus a bonus after commitment full time employment contract.  No experience is required for other positions, they are available for cultural residents, and are for one or two evenings per week. So when choosing a work consider this matter. Expect ¥2,500 to ¥3,000 yen per hour ($25) for part-time, freelance work and a bit less for full-time.

ELT News (eltnews.com/home.shtml) and Jobs in Japan (http://www.jobsinjapan.com/) offer regularly updated, on-line jobs boards for full- and part-time ESL positions with smaller English and private schools.

 To teach business English, register with GLOVA Human Resource Center (http://www.glova.co.jp/). Most positions are in Tokyo and Osaka, although teaching opportunities pop up elsewhere.
Gaijinpot.com (http://www.gaijinpot.com/) is another web site that lists full- and part-time ESL positions as well as non-ESL opportunities.

Finally, if you are looking for casual work to pick up some extra travel money, take a look at FindaTeacher.Net (http://www.findateacher.net/). This service makes possible for teachers to contact with students during classes. Simply fill out an online form with your contact details, availability, past experience, and qualifications, then wait for students to phone you for lessons.