As a business owner, there’s a high chance that at some point in your career you’ll need to make a trip to Tokyo. But for many travellers, this is one of the most alien cities in the world. Tokyo doesn’t have a history that runs alongside the West; it’s very much a land unto itself and is developed in a unique way. So, how can you manage this city and get everything done you need to do?
That’s where this guide can help. We look at some of the things you’ll want to do to make the most of your next business trip to Tokyo so that it really counts.
Make punctuality a part of your raison d’être
In Tokyo, time is not a flexible thing; everything in the city runs by the clock. Even if you arrive just five minutes late, it’s seen as a form of disrespect. Therefore, aim to always arrive five minutes early. This in Tokyo is actually on time. You’ll notice that trains run with the vision of atomic clocks, and so do the expectations of your business partners. If they tell you that they’ll meet you at 9 o’clock in the morning for a meeting, be there at 8:55. If you need to set up early to ensure that you meet their schedule, then do so.
Master the logistics on the first day
You’ll also want to master the logistics of getting around Tokyo on the first day. When you first encounter the transit system, it can feel a bit intimidating, but after a while, you can begin to understand how the whole thing works and how reliable it is. Try to get a PASMO card if you can. These allow you to take most of the major subway lines that run across the city. You can also use taxis, but trains are the cleanest and fastest way to get around for most people.
You’ll also notice that Tokyo is probably the safest city in the world on public transit. People are very well-behaved and polite.
Choose your hotel for location
Tokyo is a city that has luxury hotels, but if you really want to make the most of your business trip, ensure that you are in a good area with the right geography. Most business travelers stay near Shinjuku, Shinagawa, or Tokyo Station. Being in these locations can save you a lot of time over the course of a week-long business trip. While luxury can be a tempting option for some people, luxury suites tend to be further out of town, which can make your schedule less efficient. Remember, Tokyo is a dense city, so make it work around you.
Find storage
If you’re just popping in and out of Tokyo, it’s a good idea to find somewhere like Radical Storage Tokyo, where you can leave your luggage. Let’s say, for example, you have a meeting on arrival at the airport and don’t have a hotel to check in to yet, or you just want to fly in and fly out quickly. In these situations, a secure lock-up can come in handy. These services protect your baggage until you need to claim it again, charging a small rental fee.
Even the Japanese themselves are keen on using these services. They don’t always want to lug their suitcases or backpacks around with them. They want somebody else to take care of them.
Prioritize business cards
Business cards might be falling out of favor in the West, but they should be a top priority for any businesspeople traveling to Tokyo or Japan in general. Many people exchange these as a matter of course, and you’ll be expected to have them available. If you don’t, it could reflect poorly on you.
Don’t shove them or push them on people, but turn the exchange of business cards into part of the ceremony of meeting other people. See it as a form of etiquette, not necessarily as a way to market to other people, which is the common approach in Western countries.
Read the room first
If you can get into the habit of reading the room first, that’s also a good strategy when doing business in Japan. The Japanese are highly contextual when they’re doing business, which means that it’s not so much what you say but how you act or behave. Therefore, whenever you get into a room of Japanese business people, watch out for the group dynamics. See what their body language is saying and keep an eye on any pauses. In Japan, the most common way of making a decision is to build consensus first. People want to know that their peers are also in support of your ideas. Therefore, take a consensus-building approach; try not to appeal directly to just one or two people.
Also, if you go for meetings, don’t see them as debates. View them more as events where you can confirm your plans. If the Japanese are going to be contentious, they will usually have difficult conversations with you on the phone or behind closed doors.
Eat better than you deserve
While on a business trip to Tokyo, you’ll also want to dial in your nutrition. Fortunately, Japan is a relatively easy place to do this, it’s known for its exceptional food quality and healthy lifestyles. The best way to eat well is to go to basement sushi bars and ramen counters. Look for bento boxes that you can share with your business colleagues.
Protect your energy
Finally, you want to protect your energy in Tokyo. If you’re flying from the West, Japan is a long way away. Plus, it’s one of the most sensory cities in the world. There are lights and signs everywhere. The nice thing though about Tokyo is that the Japanese combine their audacious and loud advertising with unassuming hospitality services. If you go to hotels or even most restaurants, they tend to be very relaxing inside.
So there you have it, how to make the most of a business trip to Japan.
