How to Open a Café in Japan as a Foreigner — Quick Guide

Opening a café here is exciting, but Japan has its own rules and steps. Here’s the roadmap:

1. Visa & Company Setup

Most founders use a Business/Management Visa and register a company (GK = LLC, KK = Inc.). You’ll need a physical business address and enough capital — and requirements are tightening, so check with an immigration lawyer early.

2. Find the Right Space

Choose an area that matches your concept and budget. Check if the space has enough electricity, water, and ventilation for your equipment, and confirm lease terms (deposit, key money, guarantor).

3. Permits & Compliance

Apply for a Food Establishment Permit at your local Public Health Center and appoint a Food Sanitation Manager. If serving alcohol after midnight, file an extra police notification. Also coordinate with the fire department for safety approvals.

4. Design & Construction

Plan your layout for smooth customer flow and efficient staff movement. Order long-lead equipment (espresso machines, refrigerators) early. Use contractors familiar with Japanese regulations to avoid delays.

5. Pre-Open & Launch

Hire and train your team, test your menu, run a soft opening to fix issues, then launch with local promotions and social media buzz.

Tip: Dine-in food = 10% consumption tax, takeout = 8% — set up your POS correctly from day one.

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We help foreign founders with design → permits → build, plus connections for visa, legal, and real estate.

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︎ SPACEHEAD / Kurojika Gnome

e-mail: info@spacehead.jp

Website: https://www.spacehead.info

Tel: 080-6627-5495（担当）

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