"I want to increase my income without leaving home" or "Is there a side job I can do in my spare time without commuting?" More and more office workers and homemakers share these concerns every year. With the government actively promoting side jobs and dual employment, the range of work-from-home side job options has expanded dramatically.
This article handpicks 15 work-from-home side jobs that are beginner-friendly and safe, organized into three categories: PC-based, smartphone-based, and skill-based. We also cover how to choose the right one, tax filing essentials, and a realistic roadmap to earning ¥50,000 per month.
Work-from-home side jobs are income-generating activities done outside a traditional office — at home, in cafés, or anywhere with an internet connection. Most can be started with just a computer or smartphone and a Wi-Fi connection, making them highly accessible.
Several factors drive their popularity. First, the trend toward allowing side jobs is accelerating — surveys show a growing percentage of companies permitting employees to take on extra work. The explosion of crowdsourcing platforms also means there are now more opportunities than ever to find remote work.
Rising living costs are another major factor. With salaries alone no longer providing enough financial security, many people aim to earn an extra ¥30,000–50,000 per month to add breathing room to their household budgets.
With so many options available, choosing the right one is key to sticking with it long-term. Here are three important factors to consider:
Safety should be your top concern when looking for remote side work. Beware of offers promising "¥500,000/month with just a smartphone" or "guaranteed earnings if you pay an upfront fee" — these are common scam tactics. Stick to well-known platforms like CrowdWorks, Lancers, and Coconala for peace of mind.
A side job should complement — not compete with — your primary work. Cutting into sleep to work extra hours can lead to health problems and poor performance at your day job. Start with just 1–2 hours per day and gradually increase as you find your rhythm.
Work-from-home side jobs range from casual pocket money (¥10,000/month) to serious income streams (¥200,000+/month). Assess your existing skills (writing, design, programming, etc.) and target income level to find the best fit.
PC-based remote side jobs tend to offer higher pay rates, and income grows as you build your skills.
Data entry is one of the easiest remote side jobs to start. The main task involves inputting company-provided data into Excel or spreadsheets — basic typing skills are all you need. It's ideal for beginners looking for simple, straightforward work.
This involves writing articles for web media, blogs, and corporate websites. Rates range from ¥0.5–1 per character for beginners to ¥2–5 for experienced writers. A single 3,000-character article can earn ¥1,500–15,000, making it one of the most scalable writing-based side jobs.
Run your own blog or website and earn through advertising and affiliate commissions. It typically takes 3–6+ months before income starts flowing, but once traffic builds, it can become a passive income stream — the ultimate appeal of this model.
This includes banner creation, landing page design, and website design projects. You can start with simple designs using free tools like Canva, then progress to professional-grade work with tools like Figma and Adobe XD as your skills develop.
A high-paying remote side job involving website creation, app development, and system building. With basic HTML/CSS/JavaScript knowledge, you can start with coding projects. As your skills grow, you can take on full web application development — one of the highest-earning remote side jobs available.
Editing videos for YouTube and social media is a continuously growing field. Basic editing tasks like cutting, adding subtitles, and inserting background music typically pay ¥3,000–10,000 per video, with rates increasing as you master advanced techniques.
This involves remotely handling schedule management, email correspondence, document preparation, and bookkeeping support for entrepreneurs and freelancers. If you have office experience, you can hit the ground running without specialized skills.
Smartphone-only side jobs require almost zero upfront investment and are easy to start. They're perfect for people without a PC or those who want to make the most of short pockets of free time.
Register on survey sites like Macromill or Research Panel, answer company questionnaires, and earn points that can be converted to cash. Individual rewards are small (a few yen to a few hundred yen per survey), but it's a great way to earn during commute time or breaks.
Selling unused items on apps like Mercari or Rakuma is a side job that doubles as decluttering. Once you get the hang of it, you can buy used books or brand items at low prices and resell for profit — a practice known as "sedori."
Manage Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and other social media accounts for businesses and solo entrepreneurs. Tasks include planning and creating posts, replying to comments, and growing follower counts — leveraging social media skills you already use daily.
Upload smartphone photos to stock photo services like PIXTA, Adobe Stock, or Shutterstock and earn royalties each time someone downloads them. Once uploaded, photos can generate passive income over time, making it an attractive low-effort option.
If you already have specialized skills or knowledge, you can leverage them for higher-paying remote work.
Use platforms like StreetAcademy, Coconala, or Udemy to teach your expertise or offer consulting services. Subjects range from English conversation and programming to marketing and yoga — any specialized knowledge can be monetized.
A remote side job that leverages language skills in English, Chinese, and other languages. Translation projects for business documents, websites, and manuals are available through crowdsourcing sites and specialized platforms like Gengo.
Sell handmade accessories, crafts, and baby items on platforms like minne and Creema. It's a natural extension of a hobby, and original creations can attract loyal fans who become repeat customers.
Create and sell digital content such as illustrations, icons, LINE stickers, and templates. You can take commissions on Coconala or SKIMA, or sell directly through BOOTH and other marketplaces — a highly flexible creative side job.
When earning income from a remote side job, it's essential to understand the basic tax rules:
For salaried employees, a tax return is required when annual side job income (revenue minus expenses) exceeds ¥200,000. Earnings from crowdsourcing and flea market apps are generally classified as "miscellaneous income," so keep thorough records of all revenue and expenses.
For remote side jobs, you may be able to deduct expenses including computer and software purchases, internet fees, a portion of rent (pro-rated), and book costs. Save all receipts as you go to make tax time easier.
If you want to keep your side job private from your employer, the key is to select "self-payment" (futsū chōshū) for your resident tax during tax filing. If left as "special collection" (payroll deduction), the higher tax amount on your pay stub could alert your company.
For those who simply want to earn an extra ¥50,000 per month, here's a realistic step-by-step plan:
Month 1 is all about "just getting started." Register on CrowdWorks or Lancers and complete 5–10 simple tasks like data entry or survey responses. At this stage, expect to earn around ¥5,000–10,000 while learning how the platforms work.
Months 2–3 are about "finding your niche." Once you identify what suits you — writing, design, social media management — focus on that area and build your track record. Monthly earnings of ¥10,000–30,000 are typical at this stage.
By months 4–6, recurring projects and repeat clients start coming in, and steadily earning ¥30,000–50,000/month becomes realistic. As client reviews accumulate, you gain access to higher-paying opportunities, creating a positive cycle.
Work-from-home side jobs offer an incredibly wide range of options — from simple tasks requiring just a smartphone to high-income opportunities leveraging specialized skills. The key is finding work that matches your lifestyle and skill set, then growing at your own pace.
If any of the 15 work-from-home side jobs introduced here caught your interest, sign up on a platform today. Taking that first action is the most important step toward earning remote income.
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