permits & Licensing support

Navigate Japan’s regulatory landscape with expert guidance

Who Is This For?

Entrepreneurs launching businesses in regulated industries, including:

• Hospitality (hotels, inns, vacation rentals)

• Food service (cafés, restaurants, food trucks)

• Wellness & medical (spas, beauty salons, clinics)

• Construction, dispatch, or other licensed sectors

Whether you’re starting a guesthouse or a local café, most businesses in Japan require multiple permits before operations can begin.

What We Offer

Licensing Requirement Mapping

• Custom checklists for your specific business type and location

• Step-by-step roadmap from application to inspection

• Explanations in plain English for non-Japanese speakers

Lodging Business Licenses

• Hotel business license (旅館業法)

• Minpaku permit (private lodging under 民泊新法)

• Fire safety inspection & reporting assistance

• Introduction to qualified architects for required layouts

Food & Beverage Licensing

• Food sanitation permit (飲食店営業許可)

• Kitchen setup compliance (equipment, layout)

• Fire code & waste management coordination

• Local health office application support

Wellness & Medical Fields

• Introduction to medical or quasi-medical license procedures

• Beauty salon/fire code registration for wellness operators

• Onsen registration (if applicable)

• Collaboration with certified professionals (doctors, estheticians, etc.)

Construction & Dispatch

• Support for dispatch business license (労働者派遣事業)

• Subcontracting registration and reporting (建設業許可等)

• Coordination with labor and safety inspectors

Typical Use Cases

• Foreign founder opening a café in Ito → Needs food permit, fire safety clearance

• Startup running a wellness guesthouse → Requires hotel license + beauty/fire licenses

• Boutique hotel operator → Needs full lodging permit + signage + waste management plans

• Foreign company in construction → Requires subcontractor registration and dispatch license

Process Overview

1. Business type consultation

2. License roadmap & eligibility check

3. Document preparation & inspection scheduling

4. On-site coordination with authorities

5. Final permit issuance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I apply for licenses before my business is fully registered?

A: Some licenses require a registered entity and a physical space. We advise case by case.

Q2: How long does it take to get a hotel or minpaku permit?

A: Typically 1–3 months, depending on zoning and fire/building code approvals.

Q3: Can I get all my permits through one office?

A: No. Licenses are handled by different government offices (health, fire, city, prefecture). We help coordinate across departments.

Q4: Do I need a Japanese-speaking person on-site?

A: Not always. We provide bilingual liaison support and connect you with local professionals.

Q5: Is it possible to change business use (e.g., from residence to minpaku)?

A: Yes, but it depends on zoning and structural compliance. We help you assess and modify if needed.

Q6: Do I need to submit documents in Japanese? 

A: Yes, most official applications must be in Japanese. We offer translation support and help ensure your documents meet local standards.

Q7: What documents are typically required for permit applications? 

A: It depends on the license, but generally includes business plans, property layouts, lease agreements, and ownership documentation. We’ll guide you based on your specific case.