Useful Tips On Visiting and Doing Business in Japan

1. The "Tokyo" international airport is not in Tokyo. It is actually in a city called Narita which is an hour and a half from Tokyo by train ($30). A taxi would cost you over $200 to get you from Narita to Tokyo and takes longer.
2. Foreigners can get a 7, 14 and 21-day Japan Rail pass (from about $260) that lets you ride almost any Japan Railway train (bullet trains, express trains, local trains) on the main island. You can only buy the pass (actually, a voucher) outside of Japan from a travel agent. You exchange the voucher for the pass when you arrive in Japan.
3. Any foreigner with a criminal record will not be permitted to enter Japan.
4. Possession of illicit drugs is a serious crime in Japan and consequences are harsh.
5. You can buy beer at vending machines, on some trains, convenience stores, supermarkets - it's cheap, readily available, and way better than American beer! You can drink in public but it is not good to drink (or eat) or hold an open drink while you're walking. Better sit down and enjoy your beverage. Remember to recycle - all garbage cans have pictures so you know what to throw in it.
6. Japan is still a smoking country but more and more places are becoming nonsmoking zones. Look at the signs.
7. Rental cars are expensive ($100 or more per day). So is parking. If you get a parking ticket, it may cost you more than $200 and up. It's cheaper and more convenient to take a train. Everyone else does. Actually you cannot buy a car in Japan unless you have proof that you also own/rent a parking space - land is scarce and expensive in Tokyo. Try to avoid rush hour on the trains unless you want to experience the "coziness" that sardines feel in a can.
8. Cars drive on the left side of the road (like in the UK) and overtake on the right. Don't get caught looking the wrong way or you might get hit by a car. Although some roads may look like narrow one-way streets, they are likely 2-way traffic streets. Be careful walking on the roads when there are no sidewalks. Most drivers can come within a few centimeters (inches) from you - it's scary, but it's fine. Don't get angry. The standards of proximity are shorter. People are used to coming "real close" without touching. Try to use the foot bridges, tunnels and overpasses whenever available.
9. Bicycles are supposed to ride on the sidewalks or bike paths - not on busy streets. Mostly middle-aged ladies, moms with babies, and students ride bikes. Nobody wears a helmet. Take caution when you hear granny ringing the bike bells!
10. On escalators, stand on the left. Pass on the right. Same concept with cars on the road!
11. Taxis are relatively expensive (typically $20 to $40 per ride in the city). They use meters that typically start at $5. Doors open and close automatically (by the driver). Sit in the back unless you have 4 people (most taxis are small and can squeeze 3 in the back and 1 in the front). There's usually a tiny tray (green, gray or blue) inbetween the front seats where you put your money in. The driver will take it and then put your change in your hand or back in the tray for you to take. Remember to take it! And NO TIPPING! (This "placing money in the tray" thing is standard at all stores and restaurants as well.)
12. There is no tipping ANYTIME, ANYWHERE in Japan! It's already built into the prices. Don't force anyone to take a tip or tell them to "keep the change". It is embarrassing for them if you offer, and a cultural no-no to accept.
13. Japan is still a cash society so many small places will not accept your credit cards. Many people carry large sums of cash in their wallets. Only some tourist places will accept your US$ so convert your money to Japanese YEN (1, 5 and 10 thousand YEN bills). It's common to pay with 5,000 and 10,000 YEN bills (like $50 and $100 bills). Bring at least 20,000 YEN cash with you if you plan a night out. Drinks, food and a taxi ride home can cost you a lot.
14. Hotels range from 10,000 to 30,000 Yen a night and can take 1-4 per room. Most are nice and clean. Again, NO TIPPING!
15. Japan is full of 24-hour convenience stores where you can find good cheap food. A lot of people live solely on convenience store food. All Western food franchises are in Tokyo. Prices are about the same (but don't expect any "Super Sizes" on drinks or fries).
16. Silence in conversations is not bad. You don't always have to fill up the space with words. Let the other person take their time to answer. Smiling/laughing may be a sign of shyness. Many women cover their mouths when they talk or laugh due to traditional customs of not showing teeth or wide open mouth.
17. Take off your shoes when entering rooms (houses, hotel rooms, Japanese style restaurants, shrines, temples). If you see a shoeshelf (shoetree, inside floor) with slippers, take off your shoes and put on some slippers from the shoeshelf (shoetree, inside floor). Usually there is a raised threshold or change in flooring material which shows the division of outside shoes/inside shoes areas. You can tell by all the shoes around. Slippers should not be worn on tatami mats - take them off and enter in your sockfeet or barefeet (best to wear clean socks all the time). If you see other shoes in front of the door that is a good sign that you have to take your shoes off too. After taking off your shoes, turn around, bend down and then place your shoes the opposite direction side-by-side or place them in the designated area with other shoes. It's a good idea to wear shoes that you can take off/put on easily and quickly since you may have to do this many times each day. There is no bench to sit on to lace up your London boots. Just follow what others do. Note that once inside, there are other special slippers for use in the bathroom. They are usually just inside the bathroom door. Before entering the bathroom, take off your other slippers, leave them outside the bathroom door, and step into the bathroom slippers inside the bathroom. Do the opposite coming out. Never wear the bathroom slippers outside of the bathroom. The bathroom or washroom is also referred to as the "toilet" or toy-ray in Japanese or the "W.C." (after the British "water closet"). The place where you actually take a bath or shower is called the o-fu-ro in Japanese.
18. In Japan, a simple "domo arigato" (thank you) and nod of the head is OK when at shops and restaurants. You only have to bow in really formal or strict business situations. You probably won't be in such a situation (unless you meet a girl and she takes you home to meet her parents - then you should bow deeply to them.) A simple 2-second 45 degree bow with your hands at your side will suffice when greeting key people. Most will just shake your hand like a Westerner anyway. You can try the handshake first unless the other bows first. Never bow and put your hands together like praying - that is the greeting in Thailand, not Japan. They'll think you're some kind of religious freak.
19. Giving a gift or souvenir (i.e. merchandise) is a good idea when meeting key people or when you want to get on the good side of someone.
20. Don't expect a definite "yes" or agreement when you meet someone (especially first meeting) in the office. First meetings are reserved for small talk and introductions. Most deals are done over drinks rather than at the office. Oral agreements are common and most people do business on their reputation or word. Details may be put into writing but usually in a letter format rather than any form of legal contract with pages of fine print like you would expect in many Western countries.

21. Most countries have a visa requirement waiver agreement with Japan so you can enter Japan with a valid passport. The temporary visitor's entry permission stamp (sightseeing or business) that you get when you land is normally for 90 days to 6 months depending on your nationality. However, the visa waiver is not valid if you are getting paid in Japan. If you are getting paid then you will need to apply for a visa which takes at least 4-6 months or longer to obtain.

    In most cases, the Live House is being paid for tickets sold in advance or at the door. Even if they offer you a portion of that amount or some payment for the show, you should not say this to the Japanese immigration person when you land becuase that would be considered "getting paid", thus you would need a work visa. Most indie bands are paying to play instead of getting paid to play. Anyway, you can write "sightseeing" or "business" down as your purpose of stay on the landing/entry card and not say anything when going through immigration unless asked. But just in case, it is best to have a letter in Japanese from the live house or tour organizer stating you are not getting paid at all for shows and that your stay is for promotional purposes only.

    Also, if you bring a few boxes of CD's or merchandise, you should say you are giving them away for free as gifts/samples. You still may have to pay customs duties. (The allowance was 200,000 YEN or about $1,750 worth of goods not intended for resale.) If you have many boxes full of T-shirts, CD's etc., the customs official will think you are in Japan selling these things and will require commercial import documents and pay customs duties. Best to send them ahead of time if you have a lot and if you plan to sell them there. Better yet, your Japanese distributor should be able to help you with supplying/selling products and merchandise at shows. T-shirts, CDs and other material can all be made and delivered to your hotel, distributor or tour organizer. JICS can help design/produce CD's, T-shirts, stickers, cards, etc. in Japanese. Contact us for a quote.

*Japanese currency is the YEN. As of this writing US$100 was a little more than 10,000 YEN. Check the currency converter for current rates. All monetary amounts above are in US$ unless specified otherwise and are only approximations.

Articles:

1. Japanese Market Opportunity for Foreign Indie Music - If you are in the business of selling music, do not forget Japan!
2. The Music Business in Japan - General info on the music "scene" in Japan
3. Playing Gigs in Japan - Promoting your music through live gigs at Japanese Live Houses
4. How Much Does It Cost? - The activities and related costs of selling and promoting your music in Japan
5. Useful Tips On Visiting and Doing Business in Japan - Info and advice for visiting and doing business in Japan

Japan Music Marketing Resources:

List of Live Houses in Japan - Book your own live tour / gigs in Japan!

Indie Music Websites (Japanese)
Below are online indie music communities/support networks where you can promote your music and live shows in Japan.

www.indiesmusic.com
www.nextmusic.net
www.muzie.co.jp
www.musictower.jp
www.audioleaf.com
www.visualrocks.com
www.music-trip.que.ne.jp
www.banzai-music.com
mnc.s19.xrea.com
www.music-i.jp

Downloads:

Japan Music Marketing Kit:
A do-it-yourself kit which includes ready-to-print mailing labels and cover letters intended for independent record labels, artists and bands who want to send their music to Japanese companies that distribute, import and license foreign music. More info...

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS NOW

FREE Japanese characters in Illustrator outlines and PDF:
Japanese characters (with English explanations) in various fonts you can use in the design of your t-shirts, posters, stickers, CD's, etc. They come in Illustrator outlines and PDF so you can modify them, cut and paste, etc. on non-Japanese computer systems. You can combine characters to make simple phrases. Characters for date (year, month, day) and city names are included too so you can make your own designs for Japan tour t-shirts or other print/online designs.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS NOW