Your first business trip to Japan is coming up? Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Japan is a popular business trip destination that comes with a unique business culture. To make your trip as enjoyable as possible, here’s what you’ll want to consider, from choosing your travel dates to landing in your destination and getting the most out of every minute you’re in this beautiful country. 

Key Takeaways:

• Factor budget and weather into your trip dates.
• You may need a visa to enter the country. 
• Get an international driving permit if you want to rent a car.
• Carry your passport at all times.
• Stay connected via pocket WiFi, SIM cards and other options. 
• Pick up some cash before you leave home.
• Brush up on your Japanese business etiquette before you arrive. 

1. Consider the Right Time for Your Trip to Japan

Sometimes, a business trip is tied to very specific dates, such as if you’re traveling for an event. However, if you have a bit of flexibility in your travel dates, you might take a few factors into account before booking your Japan excursion.

For example, if you’re trying to stick to a strict business travel budget, you might avoid a trip to Japan in the fall or spring, which are notoriously the busiest and, thus, the most expensive times of year. 

Throughout the winter, meanwhile, weather delays can occur due to snow. For example, earlier this year, in February, record-breaking snow caused numerous travel delays and disruptions, affecting both air and ground travel. If it’s absolutely crucial to you that you avoid any potential delay, you might avoid a winter trip.

2. Determine if You’ll Need a Visa

Some business Travelers will need a visa in order to enter the country. Others, meanwhile, will not need a visa if they’re staying for fewer than 90 days, and so long as they’re not engaged in income-earning activities. Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 73 countries and regions. See this list of Japan’s visa exemptions, along with further notes, to determine whether or not you’ll need a visa.

Even if you don’t need a visa to enter the country, it’s wise to already have your return flight booked at the time of your arrival in the country, as that can make going through immigration much easier.

3. Determine if You’ll Need an International Driving Permit

If you plan on using ground transportation while in Japan—specifically renting a car—then you’ll need an international driving permit. You’ll get your international driving permit through your home country, and usually, just pay a small fee for a permit that lasts one year. 

Do note, though, that Japan’s major metropolitan areas offer very convenient, accessible and robust public transit, so most business Travelers will find that renting a car is completely unnecessary. Furthermore, your organization’s business travel policy may prohibit you from renting a car or renting a car in certain countries for Duty of Care reasons.

4. Carry Your Passport

If you have the tendency to tuck your passport away in your hotel room safe when traveling internationally, it’s best to avoid doing so in Japan. Legally, foreign Travelers are required to carry their passports with them at all times. If you cannot provide your passport when it’s requested, you’ll be issued a fine at best or detained at worst.

5. Consider How You’ll Stay Connected While in Japan

There’s nothing worse than traveling internationally and discovering that you can’t stay connected to your colleagues back home because you never even stopped to consider how you’d stay connected. 

Before you leave for your trip to Japan:

First, take a look at your phone plan (or your company phone plan) to see if you have international service.

If not, you can pick up a pocket WiFi portable router at international airports in Japan. You’ll pay a per-day rental fee that will allow you to stay online in the many public spaces throughout the country where WiFi isn’t a given.

You can also rent an international mobile phone or purchase prepaid SIM cards at many of the airports in Japan, by stopping at an JAL ABC counter.

6. Keep Some Cash Handy

While you’ll be able to use select credit cards and contactless payment like Apple Pay in Japan, you may also find that you run into the occasional shop or restaurant that only takes cash, as well as certain rail and bus lines that do the same. As such, pick up some yen at your bank at home, before heading on your trip.

One little etiquette tip related to cash? You shouldn’t pass cash hand to hand when paying. Instead, you should place your money in a small dish. Your change will be placed on the same dish and you can take it from there. 

Also, don’t worry about tipping in Japan. The country is, by and large, a no-tipping destination.

7. Observe Japanese Business Etiquette

Of course, if you’re traveling to Japan for a business trip, it’s crucial that you observe several basics of Japanese business culture.

For example, it’s better to be early to a meeting than late. You’ll be expected to have business cards on hand, and you’ll want to present your business card to the most senior meeting attendee first. Business cards are presented with two hands and a slight bow, and typically, you’d wait until the end of a meeting to put the business card away in your briefcase or a cardholder. 

Office wear in Japan is typically simple and understated, with dark colors preferred. 

Wherever You’re Headed, Get More Travel Tips with JTB Business Travel

Whether you’re looking for a new business travel loyalty program or looking for time-saving solutions, get all the business travel tips, news and trends you need on the JTB Business Travel Waypoint blog.