Traveling to Japan for business is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture while closing on key deals in the process. However, there are some travel requirements and planning tips that you’ll want to consider before booking your trip. In this article, we’ll cover what business travelers should know before traveling to Japan. Being informed is key to having a successful work trip, and allows you to prepare for what’s to come.
Confirm Entry Requirements Before Purchasing Flights
Before purchasing your flights, you’ll want to check the most recent entry requirements for Japan. These can change from time to time, and you’ll want to ensure that you know exactly what you’ll need to enter the county. You should verify whether or not you’ll need a business visa, confirm that your passport has sufficient validity, and review the latest customs requirements ahead of time. Failing to do so could result in you overlooking something important, causing you to run into problems while traveling.
Build Extra Time Into Your Travel Schedule
Getting to Japan can require a significant amount of traveling, including a long-haul flight. This can cause you to have jet lag on arrival, which can take some time to get used to. For this reason, we recommend building extra time into your schedule, and arriving at least a day or two before any important business activities begin. This gives you some time to settle in, get used to your environment, and recover from the effects of traveling. You can also turn this into a bleisure trip by staying a few days before or after your scheduled trip, giving you the chance to explore more.
Don’t Wait to Check Your Passport’s Validity
Some people wait to check the validity of their passport right before leaving for a trip. This is never a good idea because if it’s invalid, you may not be able to get it renewed in time. To ensure that your passport is up to date, check the expiration date frequently. It should have at least 6 months validity remaining, as this is a requirement of most international countries. If it has less than 6 months validity, you should get it renewed as soon as possible. Visit the Swift website to get the renewal process started today.
Apply for Your Business Visa Early
As soon as you know you’ll be traveling to Japan for work, check to see if you’ll need a visa to visit for business purposes. In some cases, you may not need to obtain a visa for Japan, but it depends on what type of business activities you plan on participating in while there. If you find that you’ll need to apply for a visa, apply early on so that you have sufficient time to get your visa processed before departure day.
Choose Hotels Near Your Meetings
Try to book a hotel near where your meetings will take place. This will save you a lot of time, money, and stress. Being able to walk to your meetings is a huge advantage, as it allows you to minimize commute times. Another advantage of this is that you won’t have to navigate the train systems in Japan. Though many people use the train systems each day, if it’s your first time in Japan, they can be somewhat confusing. Walking also allows you to get up close to all of the sights and check out what tourist attractions you’ll want to visit.
Plan Around Jet Lag
Getting to Japan can be a long journey, especially if you are coming from the United States. It can take some time to adjust your sleep schedule and get rid of lingering jet lag. Try to arrive a day or two early so that you have more of an opportunity to get rid of your jet lag, and align your sleep and wake schedule with Japan’s time zone. To reduce your jet lag, try to stay hydrated on the plane and avoid caffeine if possible.
Prepare for Language Differences
Navigating Japan and communicating with locals can be difficult at times due to the language barrier. Learning a few basic greetings and phrases can make a big difference. Another thing you may want to do is download a translation app before going on your trip. There are a lot of useful apps nowadays that make it easier to get around and understand what others are saying. This can be very helpful while you are in business meetings, as these apps can ensure that you’re getting your point across.
Arrive Early to Meetings
Punctuality is very important in Japan, which is why you’ll always want to get to business meetings early. Arriving late or even right on time could be considered rude, so give yourself some extra time, and plan to get there at least 10-15 minutes before scheduled meetings. Map out your directions the day before and see how long it will take to get to your destination, so that you know when you’ll need to leave. This will make for a positive first impression and reflects professionalism.
Work With a Reliable Travel Company
If you need to apply for a new passport, passport renewal, or business visa for your upcoming trip to Japan, always work with a reliable travel company such as Swift. Our team of travel professionals will be with you every step of the way, and can answer any questions you may have throughout the process. To start filling out your application, please visit our website. No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there!
