Sous Chef-Japanese Restaurant (KAKO) *Japanese Speaker - JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo

Job Description

The Sous Chef will support the Chef de Cuisine in running KAKO, JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo’s Japanese restaurant. Responsibilities typically include supervising kitchen operations, preparing and presenting high-quality Japanese dishes, maintaining Marriott food-safety and hygiene standards, controlling costs, ordering supplies, training team members, and coordinating service with the restaurant and hotel departments. Candidates are expected to have several years of professional Japanese cuisine experience, previous supervisory or senior chef experience, strong knowledge of ingredients and kitchen procedures, and the ability to work efficiently in a luxury hotel environment. Japanese-language fluency is required, while English communication is advantageous. Flexibility for weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts is essential.

Company Info

JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo is a luxury property operated under JW Marriott, Marriott International’s premium hospitality brand. JW Marriott hotels focus on refined service, thoughtful guest experiences, wellness, and high-quality dining. The Tokyo hotel serves business and leisure travelers and is expected to offer upscale accommodation, restaurants, event facilities, and comprehensive guest services. As part of Marriott International, employees may benefit from structured training, global career opportunities, hotel discounts, and professional development programs, subject to local employment terms. The KAKO Japanese restaurant role is part of the hotel’s culinary operation and requires close cooperation between the kitchen, restaurant service, purchasing, stewarding, and other departments. Working for the brand generally involves following detailed standards for food safety, presentation, guest care, teamwork, and operational consistency while delivering an authentic and polished Japanese dining experience.

Destination Guide

Japan is an island country with excellent hospitality, culinary, tourism, technology, and manufacturing opportunities. Tokyo offers the widest job market, international transport, and higher salaries, but living costs are also high. Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, and Okinawa provide strong tourism and hotel opportunities with different lifestyles and climates. Japanese workplace culture values punctuality, respect, teamwork, cleanliness, and attention to detail. Daily life is safe and convenient, with reliable public transport, excellent healthcare, and varied food and entertainment. Applicants normally need an employer-sponsored work visa; chef positions may qualify under the Skilled Labor status, while other hotel duties can require a different category. Confirm the correct status with the employer and Japanese immigration authorities. Prepare qualifications, employment records, a passport, and required certificates. Housing support may be available, but applicants should budget for deposits, transport, insurance, taxes, and initial relocation costs.