Working Holiday Visa: What comes first?

Hello there,

I’m looking at getting a working holiday visa as a Canadian to go to Japan sometime late this summer/fall. I’ve been researching the process and reading other people’s experiences. I’m wondering what comes first in the process?

I understand you have to have a flight ticket booked for the way there, but do you need an apartment for when you get there? Can you get an apartment online before entering the country and physically sign the lease/pick up the keys once you get there?

I also know you can’t start applying to jobs until you have the WHV, but how do you know which city to settle into before you have a job?

Also if there’s a possibility to work somewhere in a big city until the winter, and then move to Hokkaido during the ski season and get a resort job there for then??

I’d really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences with this process, anything is helpful!! Thank you sm