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Practicalities in Japan

Arrival

Airports & Transfer Times

Haneda (HND) → Recommended

  • 30–40 min to Nihonbashi
  • Monorail or Keikyu → Tokyo Station
  • Taxi: ~25–35 min

Narita (NRT)

  • 60–75 min via Narita Express → Tokyo Station
  • Taxi not recommended (long & costly)

Getting around Tokyo

  • Google Maps: Fully reliable for transit directions.
  • Taxis: Safe and cashless-friendly. Apps recommended: GO Taxi or Uber Japan.
  • Tokyo’s public transportation uses rechargeable IC cards.The two main ones are:
    • Suica(issued by JR East)
    • PASMO(issued by Tokyo Metro & private railways)
  • You can use them for:
    • Metro & trains
    • Buses
    • Many taxis
    • Convenience stores
    • Vending machines
  • You simply tap in and tap outat ticket gates. Fare is automatically calculated.

Public transportation cards in Japan

Option 1: Add to Your Phone

  • If you have an iPhone (Apple Wallet supported):
    • Open Wallet
    • Tap “+”
    • Select Transit Card
    • Choose Suica
    • Add funds via Apple Pay
    • Tap your phone at ticket gates
  • No physical card needed.
  • Official Suicamobile info
  • Apple Wallet guide

Android Users

  • For international Android phones, mobile Suica will not work.

→ Recommended: buy a physical IC card at the airport.

Option 2:Physical Card

Best option for short-term visitors: Welcome Suica(no 500 yendeposit required)

  • Available at:
    • Haneda Airport
    • Narita Airport
    • Major JR stations
  • Valid for 28 days.
  • Charge and load with cash (around ¥1,000 is enough for 1 day)
  • Official page

Where to stay in TokyoBooking

Venue

Nihonbashi Life Science Building
2-3-11 Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0023

  • 1–3 min walk from Mitsukoshimae Station
  • 10–15 min walk from Tokyo Station
  • For taxi driver: 日本橋ライフサイエンスビルディング. 

Recommended Hotel Areas

  • Nihonbashi–3–8 min walk
    Tokyo Station / Marunouchi–10–15 min walk
    Ginza–    1 metro stop (5–7 min)
  • All within 15 minutes of the venue.
  • Unfortunatelywe cannot offer any discounts

Booking Tips

Book early —April is cherry blossom season and hotels fill fast.

Recommended Hotels in order

1. Hotel Kazusaya    ★★★

2. Hotel Villa Fontaine   ★★★

3. Horidome Villa Hotel  ★★★

What to bring and prepare

Weather

  • 10–20°C (spring)
  • Cool mornings/evenings
  • Light jacket recommended
  • Occasional rain

Bring:

  • Comfortable shoes, expect lots of walking
  • Business cards
  • Formal attire
  • Adapter (Type A, 100V, same as in US)
  • Carry some cash (¥10,000–20,000 recommended)

Connectivity

  • Wi-Fi is widely available.
    • Consider a pocket Wi-Fi or travel eSIM 

Safety & Payments

  • One of the safest major cities globally
  • Emergency: 110 (Police) | 119 (Ambulance)

Business meeting tips

Before

  • Research the company well
  • Be early on time, bring plenty of business cards and dress accordingly
  • If possible, figure out who will be in the meeting and from which departments
  • Have your company deck printed or present from your computer
    • You can also send the material in advance

During

  • Talk slowly and clearly, leave enough time for discussion
  • Have a clear call-to-action and what you are looking for in Japan
  • Take notes and suggest another meeting
  • Decisions are hardly made during the first meetings

After

  • Send a follow-up greeting with your company material within 1-2 days
  • Address the content of the meeting and possible next steps, avoid general emails
  • Send to everyone who joined the meeting (refer to the business cards)
  • Be quick to respond when you get replies 

Paper materials are still common in Japanese business culture

  • When having a 1 on 1 meeting, it is common to prepare a printed version of your presentation deck
  • Bring any brochures or hand-outs in English
  • Small company gifts (stickers, etc)

Business card is an important tool for networking and promoting your company in Japan

  • Consider buying a card holder (avoid loose cards in pockets)
  • Exchange cards at the start; take a moment to look at the card and acknowledge the name/company
  • Have the counterpart’s business card in your hand while having the conversation or keep the counterpart’s card visible on the table during the conversation (don’t write on it in front of them)