u/Odiliocruzzi20

Hi everyone. I’m 21, from Italy. I’ve been training in woodworking since middle school (8 years across school and hands on courses) and I’m now in my final year of a specialized technical program (ITS) focused on eco-design. Alongside school, I’ve also worked with high end furniture/fashion brands (Hermès, Promemoria) and had a work experience in Spain.
For the past two years I’ve been trying to find a way into a woodworking apprenticeship or internship in Japan I’ve emailed a large number of companies directly, from very well known names to smaller workshops, and even found a woodworking school in Japan that runs its own furniture making workshop and hires students afterward, but it didn’t work out either.
One thing worth mentioning: through my school, a 3-month internship like this can be arranged so the host company doesn’t need to handle or pay for anything (no insurance costs, no paperwork on their end) my school covers that side entirely. I understand visa requirements can vary, but for a placement this short it’s generally straightforward.
I don’t speak Japanese yet (working on it now), which I know is part of the problem. This year is really my last real shot at making this happen before I’m done with school.
If anyone here has gone through this themselves, works at a company that’s taken on foreign apprentices before, or just knows how these things usually actually happen I’d really appreciate any pointers. Happy to answer questions about my background too.

Hi everyone. I’m 21, from Italy. I’ve been training in woodworking since middle school (8 years across school and hands on courses) and I’m now in my final year of a specialized technical program (ITS) focused on eco-design. Alongside school, I’ve also worked with high end furniture/fashion brands (Hermès, Promemoria) and had a work experience in Spain.
For the past two years I’ve been trying to find a way into a woodworking apprenticeship or internship in Japan I’ve emailed a large number of companies directly, from very well known names to smaller workshops, and even found a woodworking school in Japan that runs its own furniture making workshop and hires students afterward, but it didn’t work out either.
One thing worth mentioning: through my school, a 3-month internship like this can be arranged so the host company doesn’t need to handle or pay for anything (no insurance costs, no paperwork on their end) my school covers that side entirely. I understand visa requirements can vary, but for a placement this short it’s generally straightforward.
I don’t speak Japanese yet (working on it now), which I know is part of the problem. This year is really my last real shot at making this happen before I’m done with school.
If anyone here has gone through this themselves, works at a company that’s taken on foreign apprentices before, or just knows how these things usually actually happen I’d really appreciate any pointers. Happy to answer questions about my background too.