It’s all a question of translation. Following are websites you can bookmark to make planning meetings and conventions in Japan easier:
- Overview of the country:
Nothing beats a good guidebook to make sure you’re hitting all the must-see sites. Lonely Planet has got you covered; in addition to a country guide, the independent travel gurus offer useful city guides that help you find your way around town. For a quick overview of the country, check out a short country profile online.
- Japan National Tourist Organization:
This comprehensive website includes a special section for meeting planners complete with a list of local convention bureaus—information that will surely come in handy when organizing a trip to Japan. A CD with tips on how to plan a successful meeting or incentive program anywhere in the country is also available for order.
- Useful phrases:
Simple questions and answers that will help travelers communicate with locals. Print out the page and use the sentences written in Japanese characters if you’re having trouble.
- Etiquette:
What do you do when someone hands you a business card? And what table manners should you be sure to follow when invited over for dinner at a client’s house? Japanese etiquette rules can be tricky for the first-time visitor. Read up on proper manners for almost every situation you can run into while visiting the country.
