🍽️Opening a Restaurant in Japan as a Foreigner: Professional Support to Overcome System Barriers

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At the Beginning

In recent years, Royal Office has received a great number of inquiries from foreigners who want to open a restaurant in Japan.

Japan attracts many tourists from home and abroad. Moreover, with the progress of globalization, it is transforming into a market where food cultures from various countries are accepted in daily life. While the restaurant industry is highly competitive, there is no doubt that it is still a field with great potential.

In such a context, many foreigners probably have aspirations like "I want to promote my country's cuisine in Japan" or "I want to run a business that leverages Japanese food culture."

However, when people actually try to open a restaurant in Japan, many end up stopping halfway. The reason is that, before even thinking about cooking or attracting customers, the "system barriers" are higher than expected.

Based on common worries and failure cases encountered in actual consulting scenarios, this article will specifically explain the following content for foreigners who want to open a restaurant in Japan.

・Common Challenges in Opening a Restaurant in Japan as a Foreigner
・Bridging the Gap Between Your "Ideal Restaurant" and a "Visa-Approved Business"
・Why We Recommend Franchises: Reducing Risks and Ensuring Sustainability
・Success Case

Common Challenges in Opening a Restaurant in Japan as a Foreigner

Based on Royal Office's experience supporting clients over the years, the following are the most common challenges foreigners face when opening a restaurant:

• Having nearly finalized a restaurant space but feeling anxious about whether the Business Manager Visa application will be approved due to unclear examination criteria.

• Possessing extensive restaurant experience in one's home country but being unsure how to explain to immigration officials how that experience can be replicated and applied in Japan.

• Progressing with company establishment and various permits/licenses only to have the process halted due to concerns raised about the rationality and consistency of the business plan.

• Lacking a concrete vision for day-to-day operations and personnel management after opening.

Among these, the most prevalent anxiety is: "Even if I can open the restaurant, will I really be able to sustain it, including renewing my visa?"

For foreigners operating a restaurant in Japan, the success of the business often depends not just on generating revenue, but also on meeting the following three criteria:

1. Consistently satisfying the requirements for the Business Manager Visa status of residence.

2. Being able to objectively demonstrate the sustainability and stability of the business.

3. Having a business plan that is understandable and rational to third parties such as immigration authorities and financial institutions.

Bridging the Gap Between Your "Ideal Restaurant" and a "Visa-Approved Business"

What many people initially envision is a fully original restaurant that reflects their own recipes and worldview. Wanting to bring the authentic flavors of their hometown to Japanese people, or to welcome customers in a unique space—these are natural aspirations.

However, when actually moving forward with the procedures, this is often the first major hurdle. During the Business Manager Visa examination, applicants must answer questions such as "Why did you choose this business format?" "Why are you capable of operating it without prior experience in Japan?" and "Why do you believe this will succeed in the Japanese market?" based on objective data and concrete plans.

While strong passion is appreciated by immigration officials, it is insufficient to prove the rationality of the business. As a result, many applications are disadvantaged because "the passion exists but the business plan is underdeveloped."

Why We Recommend Franchises: Reducing Risks and Ensuring Sustainability

Royal Office does not recommend franchises to everyone. However, for individuals in the following situations, franchises are often an effective option to "enhance business stability and reduce visa application risks," which is why we actively suggest them:

• No experience operating a restaurant in Japan.

• Anxious about on-site management and staff supervision in Japanese.

• Planning to bring family members and seeking long-term stable residency and business continuity in Japan.

The greatest advantage of a franchise lies in its "business persuasiveness and replicability." A proven business model, clear revenue structure and cost management system, comprehensive training and operational support from the headquarters, and established operational processes—all these elements provide strong support for visa applications and business plan explanations.

Royal Office recommends franchises not because "they are easy to open," but because "they help minimize risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of our clients' businesses."

Success Story: Mr. Manzoor (Pakistan)

【Client】Mr. Manzoor (Pakistan)

【Goal】Relocate family & start a business in Japan

　Challenges During Consultation　

Mr. Manzoor is a native of Pakistan, with years of experience living in several Asian countries with his family. Through multiple trips to Japan, his wife and three children all developed a strong desire to "live in Japan." However, he was unable to move forward with concrete steps due to unresolved core challenges: "What kind of business would be most suitable to start in Japan?" and "Can we balance stable family relocation with business operations in the country?"

While Mr. Manzoor himself had food and beverage experience in his home country, he lacked knowledge of Japan's systems, business customs, and consumer preferences. He couldn't determine which business format would be advantageous for visa approval and capable of generating long-term profits. In particular, the pressure of "the business choice directly affecting the possibility of family relocation" led him to delay his decision for a long time.

　Royal Office's Support & Recommendations　

Our business consultants deeply understood Mr. Manzoor's family's dreams and concerns. Over the past year, we arranged multiple video conferences and conducted in-depth consultations with him.

Mr. Manzoor's greatest concern was: "To secure long-term residency for myself and my family, the business must be stable for at least several years, but I cannot accurately grasp the fluctuations and competitive environment of Japan's restaurant market." He was unable to take action for a long time due to the fear that "even if I open the restaurant, if I cannot meet the revenue requirements when renewing my visa in a year, my dream of living in Japan with my family will be shattered."

Based on this, we recommended the "KAKAZAN Premium Tea Franchise," judging it to be the best fit for Mr. Manzoor's experience and needs. This franchise offers simple, beginner-friendly operations and comprehensive support from the headquarters—factors we believed would increase the chances of visa approval while supporting the stable operation of the business.

　Franchise Support　

After Mr. Manzoor decided to join the KAKAZAN Premium Tea Franchise, we provided the following full-package support:

• Materials & Equipment Support: Cooperated with the franchise headquarters to assist in procuring quality-assured tea raw materials and necessary equipment for store operations.

• Store Location Support: Assisted in selecting a store location in Osaka that matches the target customer base and is advantageous for visa approval.

• Staff Training: Conducted professional training on tea preparation methods, customer service etiquette, and store management.

• Visa Application Support: Fully supported the creation of the business plan and organization of relevant documents required for the Business Manager Visa application.

　Results　

Through this comprehensive support, Mr. Manzoor successfully obtained his Business Manager Visa and opened his KAKAZAN Premium Tea store in Osaka. Today, Mr. Manzoor has started a stable new life in Osaka with his wife and three children, and his business is operating smoothly.

Mr. Manzoor commented: "My dream of living in Japan with my family has come true, and I know this would not have been possible without Royal Office's professional support. Thanks to the franchise support and your advice, I was able to overcome the systemic barriers."

Opening a Restaurant in Japan: Understanding the System Determines Success

Opening a restaurant in Japan as a foreigner is by no means impossible. However, many people find themselves in irreversible situations because they "proceed with procedures without understanding the system" or "develop business plans based solely on ideals."

Royal Office's support philosophy goes beyond mere administrative assistance. We provide tailored recommendations based on each individual's circumstances and aspirations, focusing on whether the business can truly be sustained long-term.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to reach Royal Office's free consultation service.