Congrats! You have just scored your dream internship in Japan.
Now all you have to do is hop on a plane and make your dream a reality.
Or is it? Well, before embarking on your adventure there are some tasks to be completed.We have listed 5 essential things to do BEFORE you start your internship in the Land of the Rising Sun.

1. Check your visa regulations

Sometimes visa regulations can even overwhelm the most seasoned traveller.

That’s why we advise you to carefully check if you need a visa to enter Japan and what kind of visa works best for you.

If you wish to do a compensated internship, you require a visa that allows you to work in Japan.

For more information contact your embassy or check International Travel Info.

2. Learn the basic etiquette and customs

As Japan has a unique culture with a very strict code of etiquette, showing respect is of high importance.

Becoming culturally fluent and adapting to the Japanese customs can be both challenging and fascinating.

Since some conventions may be regional practices, it is important to research the etiquette of the city you will be interning in beforehand.

To give you a first glimpse at the many facets of Japanese customs, we have compiled a few
crucial no-goes in Japan:

– walking and eating (rather eat inside)
– pointing at people or things
– speaking too loud in public, including in public transportation
– entering someone’s house with shoes on
– saying „no“ aggressively or abruptly
– leaving your chopsticks sticking straight up in your rice bowl
– (re)filling your own glass
– tipping (tipping is not common practice in Japan)

3. Make sure you have a business card

The importance of business cards in Japanese culture is a popular example in cross-cultural business trainings.

Having a critical eye, I asked a Japanese friend about it and his answer did indeed surprise me:

He told me that the very first assignment in his 4th grade computer class was to design business cards.

Now, he uses a case for every business card he receives and even has an app for it.

So if you do not have a so-called meishi koukan yet, it might be useful to get one before you dive into the Japanese business world.

4. Don’t rely on your card – take some cash!

Although Japan is often seen as THE most technologically advanced country, cash is still the
preferred payment method.

Many shops and restaurants do not accept international cards and even if they do, there is still a high chance that the machine will not let you complete your payment.

The best option is to change some of your currency to Japanese Yen or get an international credit card that you know will be accepted in Japan.

5. Learn some Japanese phrases and keywords

While learning Japanese might seem daunting, rest assured that you can get by with just
speaking English.

Yet, you might run into people who do not speak English, so knowing some phrases in Japanese may come in handy: