In this article, we will look at 5 Japanese traditions worth experiencing. Read on below:

1. Meeting New People
Bowing is one the most traditional etiquettes Japanese people follow. You will see a lot of people bowing each other for various reasons all through the day. Bowing is a way of expressing happiness upon greeting, paying respect and apologizing in any situation. The Japanese train their children to bow in the perfect manner since childhood, whereas a foreigner can simply bow a little to conform to the tradition.

2. Dining Traditions
As a foreigner, you will see a number of traditions in Japan. Before eating, people are given moist towels to clean their hands only; however, these should not be used to wipe the face. People are accustomed to saying ?itadakimasu? before they begin their meals as an expression of appreciation. Surprisingly, it is also considered perfectly okay to slurp your noodles as it is a sign that you are enjoying your meal. Also, tipping at restaurants is not favorable and must not be done.

3. Bathing in an Onsen
Onsens are traditional hot springs that you can see all across Japan even in rural villages. The hot water comes from deep sources and is believed to contain many minerals that relax, relieve and cure the body. You can enjoy the bath nude; however, if you do not wish to do so, you may be allowed to wear a bath suit. Also, if you are invited to someone?s house, you will be asked to take a bath before beginning your meal. Many homes have built-in onsens. You will have to wash off your body and hair in a shower first and then bathe in the onsen while ensuring that you do not spoil the water as everyone in the family takes a bath in the same water.

4. Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony is also an interesting tradition of Japanese people. Tea is served in a ceremonial manner under the influence of Zen Buddhism. The tradition has taken the form of a hobby nowadays and the ceremony takes place in many public places as swell.

5. Visiting a Japanese House
When you visit a Japanese house, you will have to take off your shoes before entering as a tradition. And as an acceptance of gratitude, you will be provided slippers to enter the house. You can also bring your own slippers if you want to. If you have very large feet, you should keep a set of slippers for yourself. Moreover, you must also take a small gift for the host as a token of a harmonious relationship. The gift must not be an expensive as it can be embarrassing for the host. Also, never forget to take off your hat or coat before the host opens the door, and put them back only when you have left the house.

About the contributor: Andrew has been a long time Japanese culture lover and loves blogging about it. As a sushi maker and nigiri maker distributor, Andrew had the opportunity to discover and embrace the Japanese culture.

Some of the areas that will work best for you would be the following. They are the same names as the train stations. Most you can access using the Yamanote train line. I recommend this book – Nanpa: A Beginner’s Guide to the Japanese Art of Girl-Hunting and How To Pick Up Japanese Girls (Japanese Dating Phrases) which is available only on the Amazon Kindle.

Marunouchi/Tokyo - Mostly young women working in business, cute and intelligent with class and many will know at least some English if not fluent.

Ebisu/Hiro - More international areas. There are sophisticated young women, more trendy and have their own money/business or are students. Many will speak fluent English.

Shimbashi/Hamamatsucho - A little more international with young women working in business. Intelligent and some will know a fair amount of English.

Shinagawa/Osaki - More business areas, fairly international and many will know some English.

Ginza - High class area with many women who are trendy, classy and sophisticated though a more snobbish crowd stays around this area.

Areas that are worth checking out (but not really for picking up girls) are Shibuya and Shinjuku. These areas will have a lot of girls who work for hostess clubs and they’re only looking to snag a lot of your money. The type you’re probably looking for doesn’t tend to stay in these areas. Though Shinjuku has a huge mix of different women, many are very young, less sophisticated or work in the adult entertainment business.

For the type of Japanese girl you would like to meet, you shouldn’t be too bold since many of the young women in Tokyo are very shy and embarrass easily. Start with simple conversation and try to use some Japanese if you know some. If you don’t, at least listen to Pimselur’s Japanese to get some exposure. Many young women, even the ones who understand English pretty well are still shy to use it in front of native English speakers, so some Japanese will certainly make them feel more relaxed.

Touch is a pretty big thing for many people in Japan (especially since there’s a lot of inappropriate touching in Tokyo trains) so flirty touches that work with more foreign women doesn’t work as well with Japanese. Be gentle and patient to ease into that sort of thing.

The majority of Japanese women are used to people trying to pick them up, so being obvious may immediately bring their guard up, so starting out friendly and asking for help or advice about something or the area will help chat them up. If you look too confident with yourself, many girls will immediately shy away, so if you can make yourself a little vulnerable, especially by making an effort to talk in Japanese, they’ll feel much more at ease.

The most important thing to do is really observe the girl’s actions and expressions. Japanese women are generally more uncomfortable in social situations without friends and the Japanese in general have subtle expressions and reactions to Western people, so if she’s uncomfortable, it may not be as obvious as with other women.

Another way you can date Japanese women is by meeting them from an Japanese online dating site first and going from there. Some women are more comfortable chatting on IM and e-mail but you also a handful that flake out when you’re ready to meet in person.

Good luck!

This article was contributed by my friend Ricky.

• You can follow the entire lesson by clicking here

Lesson7 of 7: Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub – How to Get Started Today!

Opening a business in Japan can be hard work, but if you follow the laws of the land and do your homework, it can be a very rewarding and fruitful experience.

We’ve covered a lot in this course, and have introduced you to some specific steps you can take to get your restaurant up and running. In addition, we’ve given you links to resources to learn more about regulations and conditions in your target area.
Here is a review of the major topics we covered:

Conduct thorough market research on the area in which you wish to open your restaurant. Know your target market and your competition. Talk to other business owners in the area to get a feel for the business environment in general.

Since there are many different types of restaurants in Japan, decide which type is best for you to develop, considering your interests, competition, resources, and budget. Research and consider buying restaurant franchise.

Take the time and effort to construct a solid, well-researched business plan. Follow the outline provided in Lesson 3, and seek the help of financial experts to help you create your financial projections.

Complete the necessary paperwork covered in Lesson 2. Remember, most of these forms are written in Japanese, so find a translator to help you if necessary. Prepare carefully for the required inspections. Be proactive if learning exactly what the inspectors are looking for.

Hire management and sales people for your restaurant carefully, remembering that they are the face of your business. How they represent your store will be a very important aspect of its success. Write and distribute a press release announcing your Grand Opening.

Plan a “Friends and Family” event and conduct a “Soft Opening” to give your staff valuable practice. Constantly monitor your competition – before and after you open your store. Keep up with the latest trends in order to stay on top.

And one last, very important thing: never underestimate the value of winning local Japanese people as resources and supporters. They understand the climate and culture, and can be very valuable to you for advice and guidance. Listen carefully to what they have to say, and be open to adjusting your plans accordingly.

With the information, tips, and guidance covered in this course, you are now well-equipped to open a successful restaurant in Japan. We wish you much success in your new venture!

Here’s a quick look back on the 7 lesson business series so you can review what you may have missed.

• Lesson 1 – Introduction
• Lesson 2 – Legal Requirements
• Lesson 3 – Sample Business Plan
• Lesson 4 – Opening Successfully and Finding Your First Customers
• Lesson 5 – Potential Problems and Solutions
• Lesson 6 – Five Secrets to Growth
• Lesson 7 – How to Get Started Today

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

This 7 part series business tutorial was submitted by Hab from the Osaka car exportation company Hab Japan Limited. You can also learn more about the company by visiting their facebook page here.

Lesson 6 of 7: Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub – Five Secrets to Growing your Japanese business

During Lesson 6, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Do Your Homework
• Pay Attention to the Details
• Be Realistic in Projections
• Hire Carefully
• Care About Your Product

Do Your Homework

Preparation is one of the most important keys to success. Creating your business plan was a first step in preparing to open your business, but it’s vitally important to continue the habit of careful research and planning throughout the ongoing operation of your business.

Are you thinking of adding a new item to your menu? Poll your customer base to ensure that they are receptive to buying that type of food, and that adding it doesn’t merely serve to stretch your resources too thin. Are you considering advertising in a local publication? Ask questions to find out exactly what their circulation is, who their readers are, and what return your can expect for your investment.

Careful research will help you ensure that your funds, resources, and efforts are spent in the most beneficial ways possible so your business can grow responsibly.

Pay Attention to the Details

“The Devil is in the details.”

Yes, it can be tedious to delve into details, and it can be tempting to ignore them because sometimes scary things can be found there. But scary things do not go away just because you ignore them. In fact, they can grow into situations that can cause real damage to the success of your business.

Paying close attention to details can help you spot early warning signs and put out little fires before they become engulfing blazes. Get in the habit of seeking out details that will give you clues to the health of your business, such as details in reports and feedback from your customers. However, don’t get so bogged down in details that you forget to keep the big picture in mind.

Have a Clear Marketing Position

Understand your position in the restaurant market. Then get to know your target customers and their needs, wants and desires, and work to always meet them.

Hire Carefully

In many businesses, the employees are the face of the business. This is especially true in the restaurant industry. From the time your customers walk in your front door to the time they pay their bill, they are dealing with the people you hire.

Take the time to meet with employees personally, and ask them open-ended questions that will help you learn their motives, loyalties, strengths, and weaknesses. Be sure that the people you hire will represent your restaurant professionally, and in the manner that you wish them to. Take the time to train them in the type of customer service you expect them to give. And most importantly, never underestimate the power of praise as a motivator.

Care About Your Product

Consistency. Consistent quality and presentation of foods on the menu will ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. When people return to your restaurant, it’s because they liked were satisfied with their previous experience. If the next visit differs from their previous experiences, they will become confused and annoyed, and will possible not return. Be sure your menu items are always prepared and served exactly the same, and that your staff’s level of service is always up to par.

Quality. The best way to set yourself apart from competitors – especially competitors who offer similar menu items as you – is in the quality of your ingredients and service. People who dine out are becoming more and more discerning, so don’t skimp unnecessarily. They will know.

Share Your Passion. “Do what you love and love what you do.” Your commitment to the success of your business will be contagious – to your staff as well as your customers. If you don’t have a passion for the food industry, at least make sure that you hire an onsite manager who does.

Stay tuned for the final Lesson 7! (How to Get Started Today)

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

Lesson 5 of 7: Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub – Potential Problems and Solutions

During Lesson 5, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Inadequate or Inappropriate Funding
• High Competition
• Knowing the Laws to Follow
• Failed Inspections

Inadequate or Inappropriate Funding

Face it: restaurants are expensive businesses to run, and this is one business where cash flow is critical.

One common mistake that restaurateurs make is only funding the first phase of their operation: development. Chances are that you will not turn a profit during your first or even second year, so it is imperative that you have enough funding to support your operation through its first two years, at least.

Also, do not solely fund your restaurant with business loans. Once your store is up and running, you must begin repayment of business loans immediately, and loan payments can comprise of a huge percentage of your budget. It’s a much better idea to find investors. Investors typically do not require repayment from day one of operation and can wait until you begin to turn a profit to realize a return on their investments.

And one more thing: it’s best to be very conservative in growth projections early in the life of a business. After all, it’s better to be in a position to catch up with sales than to have overrun them.

High Competition

Recent statistics show that a growing number of consumers in Japan are eating out, and that their tastes are expanding rapidly to include a wider array of international food. As a result, the restaurant business in Japan has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Carefully research your competition. How many restaurants are already in your chosen location? How does that number compare to the number of potential customers? What are the strengths and weaknesses of those existing restaurants?

If after your research you still feel that there is room in the market for your restaurant, consider ways to compete effectively with existing restaurants. Is there a type of cuisine or a price range that is not being adequately covered that you could provide? Can you exploit weaknesses of the other restaurants?

One of the best ways to compete with established businesses is in the area of quality. If you offer the highest value for the quality received, you are beginning on solid ground. In the restaurant business, getting a great value produces happy customers, and happy customers grow businesses.

Knowing the Laws to Follow

With the influx of restaurants in Japan, the Public Health Center has increased its control of regulations that relate to the health and safety of the public. As regulations may differ slightly between prefectures, it is very important that you learn what those laws and regulations are so you can abide by them.

When you submit your application to the Public Health Center and the Fire Department as described in Lesson 2, be sure to ask about any specific laws in that area. Ask if you can have the regulations in writing. If you do not speak perfect Japanese, be sure to have a trusted native Japanese resource with you to interpret.

It is also an excellent idea to consult existing restaurant owners for their experience and advice regarding the permissions and regulations as well.

Failed Inspections

The Public Health Center is very strict in their application of their regulations. This is a very important area for you to pay attention to, since a failed inspection can delay the opening of your restaurant, and this can cost you a lot of time and money.

Study the requirements carefully early in your development process. The sooner you find potential issues in your restaurant’s layout, construction, or practices, the better position you are in to fix them. Talk with other restaurant owners about problems they faced, and learn from their mistakes.

From an early stage in your development, try to get on friendly terms with the officials that will be inspecting your store. Assure them that you want to work with them to meet their standards, and ask many questions up front to ensure that you understand what they are looking for. If inspectors do not feel that you are trying to “get away with” things or trying to “cheat the system” they will be much more likely to help you meet their requirements. Some inspectors might even be willing to come to your site and do a “pre-inspection”. This is invaluable, as it gives you extra time to fix potential problems.

Finally, build time into your roll-out schedule to deal with potential setbacks.

The more information you can get up front, the better prepared you will be to avoid problems later.

Stay tuned for lesson 6! (Five Secrets to Growth)

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

Lesson 4 of 7: Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub – Opening Successfully and Finding Your First Customers

During Lesson 4, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Write a Press Release
• “Friends and Family”
• “Soft Opening”
• “Grand Opening”
• Create a Website and Subscriber Newsletter
• Research Additional Marketing Strategies

Write a Press Release

One of the best (and free!) ways to get the word out about your new restaurant is to write a press release. This is a brief, usually one-page, written introduction to your restaurant that you send to all of the local newspapers and magazines. A well-written press release reads like a newspaper article, and should include the following:

1. Introduction paragraph that briefly tells the name of the restaurant, the type of food it will offer, its location, and the date of the Grand Opening.
2. Two to three paragraphs describing the restaurant further. Describe the menu items you think will be most popular, the décor of the restaurant, and little bit about the owners. Try to hit on why the public will be interested in your establishment.
3. Contact information at the bottom.

Be sure to have a native Japanese person help you prepare your press release so it is perfectly clear to the press representatives who will receive it. If possible, try to target your press release to the food section editors of the publications if there is one.

It’s also a very good idea to send a second press release about one month after your opening. This one can focus on the success of your opening and can include quotes from happy customers (be sure to get written permission first!).

Friends and Family

Before you are ready to open your restaurant to the public, it’s a very good idea to give your staff a chance to iron out problems with a practice run. The best way to do this is to hold a private dinner at your new restaurant, for close friends and family, free of charge. This gives your cooks a chance to practice menu items and your staff a rehearsal in selling the menu and providing customer service. At the end of the evening, give each guest a survey and ask them to be brutally honest in their responses. Then, use their feedback to make the appropriate changes.

Yes, this step can be costly in materials and labor, but it is invaluable in that it gives you a chance to work out the kinks before the public has a chance to experience them. And since bad news travels faster than good news in public venues, the investment is a solid one.

Soft Opening

After your “Friends and Family” event, plan to have a “Soft Opening.” This means that you open your doors for business one or two days before your advertised grand opening. You’ll get some curious walkers-by wander in, and a further chance to practice your new menu and operations.

Most restaurant experts recommend doing both a “Friends & Family” and “Soft Opening” since the more practice your can allow your staff, the better prepared they will be to hit the ground running for your Grand Opening and beyond!

Grand Opening

When you’ve ironed out all the wrinkles in your menu and service processes, you’re ready to “go live” with your Grand Opening. Pull out all the stops – make the event special. Be sure to reward your employees for a job well done. This will help them to keep the momentum going in the weeks to come.

Create a Website and Subscriber Newsletter

In this age of online marketing, consider creating a website for your restaurant. Include the URL in all advertising and on your menus. So that you can focus on the many other aspects of developing your restaurant, find or hire somebody to be responsible for maintaining the website. In your website, create some pages that offer prospective customers something useful, such as coupons, specials, and even new menu items.

In addition you using you website to advertise, consider creating a subscriber newsletter that can be obtained on an opt-in basis through your website, or through sign-up cards placed at each table or on the customer receipt. By offering a regular newsletter with useful material, you can start to reach potential customers and build a relationship with them. Advertise specials, or write articles about food, but be sure to make the bulk of the content really helpful to prospective customers. Tell people why your store is different, and why they should want to shop there.

Also, be sure that your restaurant is listed on local online directories. Many of these directories include a review feature. Ask friends and customers to review your restaurant on these free sites.

Research Additional Marketing Strategies

Take a careful look at how successful restaurants advertise. Do they rely exclusively on a website, or do they supplement their marketing strategies with print and/or other types of advertising?

Then think about where your potential customers are – places they frequent, things they read. The old adage “meet them where they are” can help you get the most out of your advertising dollars and efforts. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How is my store different from my competitors?
• What quality merchandise do I sell?
• What kind of image do I want to advertise?
• What types of customers do I what to attract? What are their tastes?
• Why do they want to buy from me?
• The answer to these questions will help you determine how and where to advertise your store.

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, the adage “build it and they will come” will probably not work, so you’ll need to put considerable thought and effort into attracting customers to your store. Don’t forget to ask for help from local Japanese resources.

Your efforts will be rewarded if your research is careful and your preparation is thorough.

Stay tuned for Lesson 5! (Potential Problems and Solutions)

Lesson 3 of 7: Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub – Sample Business Plan

During Lesson 3, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Importance of a Business Plan
• Finding Resources to Help Build Your Business Plan
• Sample Restaurant Business Plan Outline
• Importance of a Business Plan

Every good business must begin with a well researched and thought out business plan. Beginning your new business is just much like beginning an adventurous journey. A business plan is the road map used to get you where you’re going.

Any experienced traveler will tell you that without an accurate road map, you can easily become lost – and becoming lost in an unfamiliar place is especially unsettling.

Finding Resources to Help Build Your Business Plan

When writing your business plan, it is highly advisable to seek the guidance of trusted local Japanese resources.
First, it’s likely that most of the people you will want to speak with about starting and funding your restaurant will not speak English, so if you do not speak Japanese, having an interpreter as a general guide will be invaluable.

Next, identify people in various professions who can help you research the information you’ll need for your business plan. For you, opening a restaurant, valuable resources might include: a real estate agent (to help you with statistics and location choices), a business planning expert, and other restaurant and bar owners.

Sample Restaurant Business Plan Outline

Here is a sample outline that you can follow to create a business plan for opening a restaurant in Japan. You do not need to follow this example exactly, but it is advisable to cover all of these items in your business plan.

I. Executive Summary
II. Company Summary
A. Name and address
B. Store description (grade levels, certifications granted, etc.)
C. Ownership
D. Target Customer
E. Mission Statement
F. Keys to Success
III. Services
A. Prices and Profitability
IV. Market Analysis Summary
A. Market Segmentation
B. Market Analysis
C. Market Segmentation
D. Target Market Segment Strategy
1. Market Needs
2. Market Trends
3. Market Growth
4. Industry Analysis
5. Main Competitors
V. Strategy and Implementation Summary
A. Competitive Edge
1. Main Competitors
B. Marketing Strategy
1. Marketing Program
2. Sales Strategy
3. Pricing Strategy
C. Sales Strategy
1. Sales Forecast
2. Milestones
VI. Web Plan Summary
VII. Management Summary
A. Management Team
B. Personnel Plan
VII. Financial Plan
A. Assumptions
B. Break-even Analysis
C. Projected Profit and Loss
D. Projected Cash Flow
E. Projected Balance Sheet
F. Exit Strategy
VIII. Sample Menus

Stay tuned for Lesson 4! (Opening Successfully and Finding Your First Customers)

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

Lesson 2 of 7: Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub – Business Legal Requirements

During Lesson 2, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Notification to the Public Health Center
• Notification to the Fire Department
• Notification to Tax Office
• Notification to Labor Standards Supervision Office and Hello Work
• Special Requirements for Bars/Night Clubs

Notification to the Public Health Center

You must take the following steps to clear your restaurant with the Public Health Center. Prior to beginning any construction work on your establishment, call or visit the designated public health center for consultation. It is advisable to prepare a floor plan of the entire establishment, including the kitchen and working/storage spaces. Officials in the center check if the facility meets their standards. At that time, you are provided a set of application forms.

The following all application forms must be submitted to the center 7 to 10 days before scheduled completion date of construction work, or by the preferred date of an inspection by the center officials. When submitting documents, ask about this date and the person who will be present on site for the inspection.

Necessary documents:

• For an individual: Foreign Resident Registration Card
• For a business: Copy of Corporate Registration and Registered Seal of Representative
• Operating License Application. This will differ per location. Sample Minato ward Tokyo: See PDF here (if link is broken, you’ll need to search the site or email them directly) http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/kurasi/dl/kenko/eigyo/files/seikatsu_01.pdf
• Description of facilities and equipment (floor plan, map surrounding your establishment) This will differ per location. Sample Minato ward Tokyo:  (if link is broken, you’ll need to search the site or email them directly) http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/kurasi/dl/kenko/eigyo/files/seikatsu_02.pdf
• Test chart for water quality (if facility uses reservoir water or well water)
• Certification of person who is in charge of food hygiene:
  – Licensed chef
  – Certified dietitian
  – Person who finishes designated training course given by municipal government.
• In Tokyo, please refer to the following site for details about training course.
  http://www.toshoku.or.jp/frame00.html
  Tokyo Food Hygiene Association
  2-6-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
  TEL : 03-3405-0775
• Application fee (depends on municipality)

Inspection of the facility.

Based on the documents and floor plan you submitted, officials carry out the inspection of your facilities. If all the conditions are not met, you are required to undergo another inspection at a later date, after you have made corrections.

Operation permission is issued by the public health center within 3 to 7 days after the inspection. Please contact designated center when it is issued. Seals are needed to receive the final permission. Notification to the Fire Department

If the capacity of the restaurant is thirty or more including employees, you are required to notify the local fire department by submitting a “Notification of election of fire prevention supervisor”. The qualification for fire prevention supervisor can be obtained by taking a special training course for one to two days. Please ask for more detail from your area’s designated fire department.

Notification to Tax Office

The following notification must be provided by the business owner to local tax office within a certain period of time.

If you are starting up your business as an individual:

• You must file a notification of opening /closing business for individual proprietorship to the local tax office within one month. 「個人事業の開廃業等届出書」
• You can download this form here: http://www.nta.go.jp/tetsuzuki/shinsei/annai/shinkoku/pdf/04.pdf

If you are starting up your business as a corporation:

• You must file a notification of establishing a corporation to the local tax office within one month. 「法人設立届出書」
• You can download this form here: http://www.nta.go.jp/shiraberu/zeiho-kaishaku/tsutatsu/kobetsu/hojin/010705/pdf/001.pdf

If you are starting up your business as a corporation with capital of 10 million yen or more (within two months):

• You must file a notification of business with consumption tax levy. 「消費税課税事業者届出書」
• You can download this form here: http://www.nta.go.jp/tetsuzuki/shinsei/annai/shohi/pdf/1932_3.pdf
• Note: These forms are written in Japanese. If you do not speak or read Japanese, find a trusted native resource to help you fill them out.

Notification to the Labor Standards Supervision Office and Hello Work

Of course you will need to hire workers to run your restaurant, including management help and servers. You are required to maintain workman’s accident compensation insurance as well as unemployment insurance. It is highly recommended that you consult with Labour Standards Supervision Office and Hello Work for specific instructions.

The following is the contact information of Labour Standards Supervision Office and Hello Work nationwide (Japanese language only):

• http://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/roudoukijun/location.html
• This link provides a list of Hello Work offices throughout Japan that offer foreign language assistance:
• http://www.tfemploy.go.jp/en/coun/cont_2.html or check out this link http://tokyo-foreigner.jsite.mhlw.go.jp/english.html

Special Requirements for Bars/Night Clubs

In addition to the procedure for opening a restaurant, further permissions are needed from the local police department to open a restaurant, bar or night-club if it serves alcohol after 24:00. If you will be serving alcohol after midnight, you are required to submit the following documents and obtain licenses prior to seven days before the opening day, in accordance with the Entertainment Establishment Control Law.

Necessary Application forms:

• 「深夜における酒類提供飲食店営業開始届出書（別記様式第41号）」 http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/tetuzuki/form/pdf/fuei/fuei78_2.pdf
• 「営業の方法（別記様式第42号）」 http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/tetuzuki/form/pdf/fuei/fuei78_2.pdf
• Floor plan
• Description of lighting and audio sound facilities
• Copy of operating permission
• Foreign resident registration card
• Please ask for more details about this requirement at your local police department.

Stay tuned for business lesson 3! (Sample Business Plan)

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

Lesson 1 of 7: Introduction and First Steps (How to set up a Bar, Restaurant, or Nightclub)

Congratulations on taking the first steps toward opening a business in Japan!

During this course, we will introduce you to the steps you must take to open a restaurant, bar, or combination restaurant/bar in Japan. (Throughout this course, for simplicity’s sake we will refer to these combinations as simply a “restaurant”.) And here you can find a list of good books about running a business in japan.

We will provide you with access to legal documents you must complete and information about how to file them, as well as give you some industry-specific information and tips on how to open and run your new business successfully.

Basic Syllabus
Each lesson in this course will cover a different topic area for opening a successful restaurant, bar, or nightclub in Japan.

• Lesson 1 – Introduction (YOU ARE HERE)
• Lesson 2 – Legal Requirements
• Lesson 3 – Sample Business Plan
• Lesson 4 – Opening Successfully and Finding Your First Customers
• Lesson 5 – Potential Problems and Solutions
• Lesson 6 – Five Secrets to Growth
• Lesson 7 – How to Get Started Today

At the end of each lesson, we will list specific tasks for you to complete to help you succeed at each stage of your business development. If you complete each step thoughtfully and carefully, you will be well on your way to conducting a successful business in Japan.

Now on with Lesson 1:

During Lesson 1, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Defining Your Restaurant Type
• Researching Your Market
• Choosing a Location
• Defining Your Restaurant Type

Since 1969, when Japanese Foreign Capital Law was revised so that foreign-capital restaurants in Japan could operate freely, restaurant businesses from abroad have penetrated the Japanese market openly through direct investment or by operating agreements. During the next few years, especially after the Osaka Expo, American fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and Pizza Hut penetrated the Japanese market. Today, the breadth of international and native Japanese dining establishments is as wide as the ever-expanding culture in the country, and there is still room for expansion in the food industry.

If you have not already decided which type of restaurant you want to open, you will need to give this some careful thought. The answer to this question will determine how you will proceed in opening your business; for example, what type of suppliers to seek out, advertising media choices, what kind of certifications you will need, and much more.

One option is to research franchises. The main benefit of a franchise is that most of the work is done for you. Also, the name of the restaurant is most likely already familiar to your potential audience, which will save you cost and effort in advertising. The following site is full of information about franchises of all types in Japan. (Please note, this website is written in Japanese. If you are unable to read Japanese, find someone willing to translate the information for you.) Check out Franchise Times

Whichever type of restaurant you choose to open, making this decision early in the business development process will help smooth the process for you.

Researching Your Market

The population and conditions of your target area may dictate the type of restaurant you choose to open. Collect the following information about the area in which you’re considering opening your store:

• Population
• Average income levels
• Age dispersion of population
• Average facilities rental and purchase prices
• Competition – other restaurants in the area, and their type, menu, price levels, etc.

Completing this research will help you learn more about your business, where you should operate it, and what you can expect after it is open. This information will also be needed to develop your business plan. (We’ll cover Business Plans in Lesson 3.)

Choosing a Location

The population and conditions of your target area may dictate the type of restaurant you choose to open. Here are some issues to consider when choosing a location for your store:

Consider whether you should purchase or rent. Depending upon the area, buildings for purchase may be at a premium.

Consult with a local real estate agent familiar with the area. He or she will be able to provide you with valuable information about the location, the market, and will help you find suitable facilities for your restaurant.

Consult with business owners or other local resources about strategies for negotiating with real estate agents and/or building owners.

Consider ease of access to the restaurant – is the location convenient for your customers to get to? Also, will suppliers have easy access to deliver goods?

When comparing possible facilities, be sure to examine the sometimes hidden costs, such as maintenance, average heating and cooling costs, and adaptability. These factors can vary greatly from building to building, and from region to region.

Here are some books worth reading about opening a bar, restaurant, or nightclub.

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for Lesson 2! (Business Legal Requirements)

This 7 part series business tutorial was submitted by Hab from the Osaka car exportation company Hab Japan Limited. You can also learn more about the company by visiting their facebook page here.

• Can you use chopsticks?
• Wow, you can use chopsticks?
• Where did you learn to use chopsticks?

And the second most popular phrase or comment is about teaching English.

• Are you an English teacher?
• Can you teach me English?

If you get asked silly questions, you can easily reply in Japanese by learning some easy Japanese.

Which designs are more creative of the Japan and Western? The only way to find that out is to have lived in on and explored the other. That includes its culture and the likes. What makes designs creative is what it has to offer on the site. If there is a website that doesn’t have much information to offer, most likely the website will not attract visitors. One thing to consider is to look at small simple things like a menu at a restaurant. In Japan it’s normal for every menu to have a photo of the item next to the text. That’s something the western world often lacks.

Using a specific keyword for example, like Japan or Western can include pages and pages of website listings. You may click a blog website designed for personal use and realize that there is useful information. What ever you need to know about the Japanese culture and Japan it is on the website. There are web designers in London who have created Japan and Western designs website.

The blog websites can be designed for entertainment, personal, and business. Most blog website regardless of type, have valuable links to provide information or advertise services and products. The websites can be a social media for people to share experiences and real live stories of any topic. Visitors can find websites from various links to provide information. There are links for everything imaginable on some blog websites.

Links are important when it comes to attracting visitors. Many London web designers are well trained in SEO. People who have blog websites eventually discover that the more links, the likelihood or more traffic. There are all kinds of blog designers in Japan and the Western parts of the world. A Westerner can travel to Japan to work with a Japanese company and turn a website into a tool of power creating a social media of people sharing ideas, recipes, music, and advertising, and so on.

A power blog website needs a creative design. Regardless of Japanese or Western designs, the designs need to be powerful and make a statement. A web designer can creatively design a particular blog website base upon the topics, such as traveling. An individual may have traveled to Japan and discovered that he wanted to create a blog website for his personal use and it turned into magic. Some of the best designers over the world can create powerhouse designs. There are free and paid blog themes available these days, but it’s the unique designs that stand out the most.

Mix these guys with the Honda Asimo robot and you’ve got some crazy functionality! (Or a step towards a real Terminator?)

And check out this crazy stuff… you can kiss a TV and the image reacts to you.

Here’s the video Scream. Click view settings to change to HD.

30 Second CM for 2NE1′s “Collection” CD

• 2 large soft tofu cubes
• Paper towel or clean cloth
• Cutting board
• Medium bowl of water or two large food cans

Here’s what you need to make the marinade:

• 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• 6 tablespoons mirin
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• Optional: a pinch of shichimi powder

And now here are the cooking instructions:

1. Take the paper towel or heavy cloth and place on a hard flat surface.
2. Place the tofu on the cloth and cover with more paper or cloth.
3. Place the cutting board on top of the tofu and then place the bowl or cans on top of the board, making sure that the weight is equally distributed.
4. Let it sit for approximately 15 – 20 minutes.
5. Once the water has drained from the tofu, cut them into 2cm cubes.
6. In a shallow pan or ziplock bag, mix the marinade ingredients and place cubes tofu inside.
7. Let it sit for approximately 30 minutes.
8. Heat a pan over medium heat and add tofu with marinade.
9. Cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown and serve with freshly cooked rice.

Japanese Style Fried Tofu