Job Discussion Forums

[Maitoshi]

Just on a lark, I interviewed for such a position, as I heard it could be profitable for very little time investment. My visa has no work-related restrictions, so I figured, why not? The interviewer seemed quite excited to see me, but I did not stay past the more detailed job description. At less than ¥8,000 per ceremony, I was quite shocked by all that was required. Needless to say, the position wasn't a good fit for me. Is anyone else doing this sort of work? Is this a standard pay rate for this type of work?

[Shimokitazawa]

[rxk22]

Yeah, looks like the pay is going down here too.

Do you have to be tall and blonde for this gig?

[Maitoshi]

I don't think so. I'm short and dark.

[TokyoLiz]

You also have to be male.

I've never heard of a woman doing it. It's theatre.

[nightsintodreams]

I read about this kind of job on a Facebook forum, applied for it (well, I say apply, called the woman up who runs it is more accurate) and met the boss of the company at a coffee shop. She was almost one hour late (unheard of for a Japanese person) and then explained to me that I'd start on 10,000 yen and perhaps move up to 15,000 after a year or so of doing it.

The ceremonies are usually an hour or two for 10,000 yen, sounds great, doesn't it? but then I thought about it, 3 hours travel, an hour or so prep, 30 minutes to meet the bride and groom, the ceremony itself, talking to people for a bit afterwards, not to mention preparing a costume/suit the night before. By the time you factor in all the hidden times, it barely seems worth it, not far off entrance level eikaiwa work really. In addition to that the boss turning up an hour late sent off warning signs.

In the end I decided to keep the weekend as my personal time and told her I wasn't interested. She then continued to message me every week or so for the next month, saying we could talk about the pay, but by that time I'd lost interest in the idea.

[nightsintodreams]

I'm tall and have brown hair by the way, so no.

[Maitoshi]

I was of your same mind, Nights. The other big turnoff was no transportation paid. Plus there seemed to be 3-5 freebies that had to be done before being paid. They chalked this up to "training".

[nightsintodreams]

I forgot to mention that!

Yes, she wanted me to go to watch a wedding ceremony and then do one rehearsal ceremony too without being paid. That's not even including the two-three hours I wasted meeting her in that cafe. These were big elaborate western weddings too, the customers must have paid a fortune, and you expect me to take the responsibility of leading it and waste at minimum half of my Saturday for 10,000 yen?

But even taking all that into consideration, I almost did it anyway, just for sh1ts and giggles. Wouldn't it be cool to tell people that you've been a priest at a wedding, cool story to tell the grandkids if you ask me.

[Shimokitazawa]

[nightsintodreams]

[Shimokitazawa]

[Master Shake]

[Shimokitazawa]

[rxk22]