Take time to read this page carefully. Working at UWC ISAK Japan is rewarding, but it is also demanding, and the setting is genuinely remote by most standards.
UWC ISAK Japan is committed to the safety and well-being of every student in our community. All staff and faculty are expected to understand and uphold our safeguarding standards.
Our approach is grounded in the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding and our own institutional policy, which covers academic programmes, boarding life, outdoor education, and the broader campus environment.
We believe keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. Candidates will be expected to complete safeguarding training as part of onboarding, and all offers of employment are subject to appropriate background checks.
What we are looking for
UWC ISAK Japan believes that quality teaching is a deliberate practice of reflection, professional learning and a commitment to every learner. Our faculty are guided by a UWC ISAK vision aligned, rigorous, research-backed framework that shapes how they plan learning experiences, build respectful and purposeful classroom environments and deliver instruction that challenges and engages.
UWC ISAK Japan is a full-boarding school. Teaching here means being part of students’ lives outside the classroom as well. In addition to teaching responsibilities, faculty take on most or all of the following:
Commitment to residential life is not optional — it is central to what we do.
What we are looking for
Our staff team includes professionals across operations, administration, student services, communications, finance, HR, and facilities. We hire at both early-career and experienced levels, and we look for people who are organised, collaborative, and motivated to contribute to a school community rather than just a workplace.
Specific requirements vary by role and will be detailed in each job posting. The following apply broadly:
Life in Karuizawa is rewarding, but it takes planning. Before relocating, it is worth understanding a few practical realities, especially transport, schooling, childcare, and visa arrangements. Some processes can take longer than expected, and options are more limited than in larger cities. HR will guide you where possible, but early research will help you make an informed decision before accepting a role.
The school is not within walking distance of a train station or major supermarket, and winter conditions make getting around on foot impractical. Owning a car and holding a valid Japanese driver’s license is a practical necessity for most of our team.
Obtaining a Japanese driver’s license is not straightforward. The process and timeline vary depending on which country issued your current license. Some nationalities can convert their license with minimal testing; others face a longer process that can take several months to over a year. We strongly recommend researching your specific situation before accepting an offer.
Families with children should plan carefully. Options in and around Karuizawa are limited, and the enrollment process takes time.
Local public schools are free and instruction is conducted entirely in Japanese. These schools are accessible to children of all ages, though families should be prepared for a Japanese-language environment. For younger children (up to around age five) or older children with some Japanese language familiarity, this can work well.
A small number of private schools in the area offer English-medium or bilingual instruction at varying costs. Please contact HR for current information on these options, as availability changes.
Enrollment timing is important. The Japanese school year begins in April. Families joining ISAK in August should expect a mid-year enrollment, which may affect placement in some year groups. Early contact with HR is advised.
Regarding childcare: hoikuen (daycare/kindergarten, ages 0-6) spaces are limited. Enrollment typically requires both parents to be employed or in school. Earliest available enrollment for mid-year arrivals may not be until the following spring. We will support families through this process, but we want to set clear expectations from the start.
Please note that ISAK is unable to guarantee admission or scholarships to children of faculty or staff applying to the UWC ISAK Japan student programme.
HR provides guidance on the visa application process for international hires. Additional details on relocation support are outlined in the Salary and Benefits section.
Faculty recruitment follows an annual cycle, with most positions filled between November and February for an August start. Staff hiring occurs on a rolling basis throughout the year depending on availability.
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