Although clothes may seem like a huge source of stress when deciding what to bring to Japan, don’t stress too much. Standards of dress, while a little more conservative, don’t differ greatly from Western schools and workplaces.

What do I wear to work?

Every workplace is different, so often it’s best if you dress conservatively during the first few days (pay attention to what other teachers are wearing and then adjust accordingly.) Some of the rules might sound silly, but take heed – there is nothing worse than a lecture from your sixty-year old principal about proper dress!

• Generally, excessive jewelry, piercings, visible tattoos, low cut shirts, bare shoulders, sandals, and the like are not considered work appropriate.
• Your predecessor will also be able to give you a rundown of what level of formality is needed each of your schools (they might vary greatly!)
• You will need a pair of shoes/slippers for wearing inside school. If you have a bigger shoe size than 28cm for men or 24.5cm for women you might want to pack a pair of clean indoor shoes from home.
• Your lifestyle will change quite a bit after your arrival, so weight fluctuations are to be expected.

Some things to keep in mind

Have at least one suit. You will need it during Tokyo Orientation, when you first arrive in Saga and meet your supervisor(s) and others at your contracting organization, and on your first day at school. You will also need it for entrance, opening, closing, and graduation ceremonies.

You will arrive in late summer, so prioritizie appropriate hot-weather clothes. During summer, most schools allow ‘Cool Biz’ where dress standards become more relaxed and you can wear a short-sleeved shirt and no tie. In most cases shorts and sandals are not acceptable at JHS or SHS. However, elementary schools and special needs schools may have different guidelines, so please ask.

Outside of the summer season, most men are expected to wear a long-sleeve shirt (and tie), although this may vary amongst school levels and types. Again look around at what other teachers are wearing and follow suit.

For women, the best thing you can do is observe your colleagues. Do not be afraid to ask questions! The key points are to not wear anything that will show skin below the collarbones or that will ride up to show the small of your back – both are incredibly taboo. You should be able to stretch your arms above your head and reach down to touch your toes without the shirt riding up and showing any skin. Similarly, if your shirt collar is wide enough to show your bra strap(s) when it moves/is pulled this is not appropriate.

Aside from formal work clothing, schools often have some sort of ‘sports day’ and occasional long cleaning periods. Many teachers will change into their sports clothing to clean with the students. During sports day, you may be told that it is okay to come to school in sport gear.

Outside of school you’re free to wear whatever you like, although do remember that Japan is a fairly conservative country so keep in mind what will be culturally appropriate in Japan. For example, sleeveless or revealing tops for women and super short shorts for men might be considered inappropriate, especially in the more rural areas. You will be very visible in your town/city – so be mindful!

Japanese sizes are usually smaller than Western sizes and shirts or trousers may come up quite short if you’re over 175cm. Big and Tall sections in Japan are expensive and have very limited options, though they are available if you are larger framed or bustier.