An Insider's Look at Business Travel in Japan

Readers of this blog might be familiar with the numerous travel articles about Japan that I have posted throughout the years. Aside from the "24 Hours in Japan" series, most were written for residents and visitors spending longer vacations there. Consider the plight of business travellers in Japan, though, who have little time for sightseeing but want to make the most of their stay. Having no such experience myself, I recently interviewed Cecily Rodriguez and Frank Gullo, both of whom have spent short bursts of time in Japan. Based on their experiences, you'll see that while business travel in Japan offers its own challenges, it is still possible to squeeze in some fun.

Over a Hedge: How many times have you travelled to Japan?

Cecily Rodriguez: I've been three times.

Shibuya, Tokyo (F. Gullo)

Frank Gullo: I've been once.

OAH: What was the average length of stay?

CR: The average was 3 days.

FG: My trip lasted 5 days.

OAH: Jet lag can be a real challenge. How soon after arriving were you expected to start working?

CR: I was expected to start working within 24-48 hours. I felt alert by day two.

FG: I did not experience jet lag.

OAH: No jet lag Frank! What's your secret?

FG: I didn't have issues either time I went to Asia. I simply stayed up until it was night in the new location and went to bed and awoke adjusted. For what it's worth, I did have problems adjusting when I visited Europe.

OAH: What were your favourite resources to prepare for business etiquette and cultural practices in Japan?

CR: My favorite resources were colleagues and people I knew who had moved there.

FG: I spoke with work colleagues who had previously traveled to Japan.

OAH: I find that as soon as a person starts to feel comfortable in Japan, that’s when the first mistake gets made. Any memorable faux pas that aren’t too embarrassing to share here?

CR: Not eating certain foods offered to me because I don't eat fish. My hosts were very gracious and I'm sure had low expectations of me given that I'm an American.

FG: Nothing comes to mind. The Japanese were very friendly and if I made any mistakes, I didn't know.

OAH: My first big culture shock in Japan was being greeted by convenience store employees every time I walked in to shop. What was your culture shock moment?

CR: My first culture shock was in the airport. Everyone moved so efficiently and all stood to one side to let each other pass whereas in the US everyone is all over the place so you have to weave around.

FG: Though different, Japan felt very modern and first world. Culture shocks were minor. Possibly the toilets with the built-in bidets. They seemed both advanced and a little intimidating, as if water could shoot out of anywhere at anytime.

OAH: What about reverse culture shock upon returning to the United States? I found the silence deafening the first time I entered a Canadian 7-11.

CR: Our lack of awareness and consideration about those around us was really annoying.

FG: The U.S. felt much more chaotic and disorderly when I returned from Japan.

Yokohama from the hotel window (F. Gullo)

OAH: My image of hotel accommodations for business travellers is like a scene out of Lost in Translation which was shot at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. What was your reality?

CR: I stayed in Yokohama and the hotel was similar to others I'd stayed in New York City and Europe - simple and small, but it had the basics that I needed.

FG: Comfortable, three to four star accommodations.

OAH: So you didn't meet any famous movie stars?

CR: Sorry, no movie star sightings but that could be because I don't know any Japanese stars.

FG: No, maybe next time!

OAH: Did your employer allow you to add some vacation days so that you could make the most of your trip?

CR: Yes, I was able to take vacation days.

OAH: What was your favourite part of Yokohama to explore?

A rare Daibutsu photo without tourists in the foreground (F. Gullo)

CR: My favorite part of Yokohama was Moog's office because it was in the heart of the city and had a perfect close-up view of the Ferris wheel - pretty cool.

FG: I most enjoyed taking the subway to Tokyo proper.

OAH: If a business traveller in Yokohama only had one full day off, where would you recommend spending that day, Tokyo or Kamakura?

CR: Kamakura for sure, hands down. To me Kamakura was the other part of Japan that you see less of. You always see Tokyo on TV or in movies. I loved the contrast of the overcrowded streets with the serenity and calm of the Japanese gardens. And the gardens were magnificent-they showed how much the Japanese care about the details of life.

A tribute to Hachiko outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo (F.Gullo)

FG: Tokyo, for the people and the teeming urban energy. It was incredible, like no other city I've visited save perhaps New York City.

OAH: Any advice for a businessperson making their first trip to Japan?

CR: Talk to people who have been there several times or who have lived there so you know about the culture and offend as few people as possible. Take your time in Japan, it's amazing.

FG: Talk to someone who knows Japan. Plan your trip.

OAH: Thanks for your time.

CR & FG: You're welcome!

Frank Gullo is the Brand and Business Innovation Manager for the Superior Group, a national workforce solutions firm. His writing has appeared in Business Insider, Computerworld, the SmartBlog on Leadership, Job Mob, and 12 Most, among others. Frank enjoys speaking to high school and college students, and presents about social media and personal branding throughout the year. In his spare time, Frank volunteers as a firefighter and EMT. Frank tweets @FrankGullo.

Cecily holds a BA in Journalism & Mass Communication from Kansas State University and a MS in Communication & Leadership from Canisius College. She is an adjunct professor at Canisius College, a member of Women Events Buffalo, former president of the Buffalo Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma and volunteers her time doing coaching and facilitation for a local private school. In 2012, she had the distinct honor of being chosen as a speaker for the inaugural TEDxBuffaloWomen and delivered a speech on keeping women in the pipeline for leadership roles by implementing flexible work arrangements.

If you have tips of your own to share with business travellers to Japan, please add them in the comments section below. I'm curious to hear if anyone got in trouble for not treating someone's business card with the appropriate amount of respect.