Part Time Jobs in Gunma

Part-Time Jobs in Gunma Prefecture for Foreign Workers

The minimum wage in Gunma is ¥1,057 per hour as of October 2025 – a significant increase from just a few years ago. While it is slightly below the national leaders, the low cost of living in Gunma means you keep more of what you earn.

Why Gunma Works for Foreign Workers

Here is something most job guides will not tell you: Gunma has one of the largest Brazilian communities in Japan, concentrated in cities like Ota and Isesaki. This goes back decades to when Japanese-Brazilian workers came for manufacturing jobs. The result today is that many employers in these areas have real experience hiring and managing foreign staff. Paperwork processes are familiar, communication systems are in place, and you are far less likely to be the "first foreigner" someone has ever worked with. That practical comfort level makes a real difference when you are job hunting.

Maebashi – The Capital City

Maebashi is the prefectural capital and the administrative centre of Gunma. It has a mix of government offices, food processing plants, and retail. The food processing industry is particularly relevant for part-time workers – Gunma produces a lot of agricultural goods (konjac, cabbage, edamame), and the processing and packaging facilities need staff year-round. These jobs typically do not require much Japanese and pay at or slightly above minimum wage.

Takasaki – Commerce and Industry

Takasaki is the largest city in Gunma by population and functions as a commercial hub. It is famous for Daruma dolls and has a growing aerospace components sector. The Takasaki Station area has the usual mix of restaurants, shops, and hotels that hire part-time workers. Being a Shinkansen stop, Takasaki also gets business travellers, which keeps the hospitality sector ticking along.

Ota and Isesaki – Factory Work and Foreign-Friendly Employers

If factory or warehouse work is what you are after, Ota and Isesaki are the places to focus on. Subaru (originally Fuji Heavy Industries) has its main plant in Ota, and the surrounding area is thick with automotive parts suppliers. Honda and Isuzu also have manufacturing operations in the prefecture. These companies and their suppliers hire large numbers of part-time and contract workers. Because of the established Brazilian and other Latin American communities, many of these workplaces have multilingual supervisors and translated safety materials. You will also find Portuguese and Spanish-speaking staff at city offices in these areas, which helps with the bureaucratic side of life.

Kiryu – Textiles and Tradition

Kiryu is historically known as the "City of Textiles" and still has garment and fabric manufacturing. While the industry has shrunk from its peak, there are still small factories and workshops operating. The city has a quieter, more traditional feel and can be a good fit if you prefer a less hectic pace.

Hot Springs and Mountain Tourism

Gunma is famous across Japan for its onsen (hot springs). Kusatsu, Ikaho, and Minakami are major hot spring resort areas that hire seasonal and part-time workers for ryokan, hotels, and restaurants. If you enjoy working in hospitality and do not mind a rural setting, these resort jobs can be rewarding. Some ryokan provide staff housing, which eliminates your biggest living expense. Winter also brings ski season work in the northern mountain areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions about part-time work in Gunma.

What is the minimum wage in Gunma Prefecture?

Gunma’s minimum wage is ¥1,057 per hour as of October 2025. This is the legal minimum for all industries, though many manufacturing and logistics positions pay above this rate.

Is it true that Gunma has a large foreign community?

Yes. Gunma has one of the highest concentrations of foreign residents in Japan relative to its population, particularly Brazilian, Peruvian, and other Latin American communities in Ota and Isesaki. Vietnamese and Filipino communities are also growing. This means local governments and employers are more accustomed to working with non-Japanese speakers than in many other prefectures.

Can I commute from Gunma to Tokyo for work?

Technically yes – the Shinkansen from Takasaki to Tokyo takes about 50 minutes – but the cost is steep for a part-time worker (around ¥4,500 each way without a commuter pass). Most people who live in Gunma work in Gunma. The local job market is strong enough that commuting to Tokyo is rarely necessary.