Japan Business Hours To Know As A Customer or Business Owner

Whether you are opening a new business in Japan, already living here, or planning to visit, it’s important to be aware of Japanese business hours.

Knowing exactly what time shops are open will enhance your experience in Japan, especially if these operating hours are different in your home country.

General operating hours in Japan

Here is an overview of Japanese operating hours. Though these times can vary depending on the location and time of year, you can be sure that most stores will operate at these times.

Public transportation

Public transportation, especially in major cities like Tokyo, starts early in the morning and ends late at night. 

For example, Tokyo’s first morning trains can operate starting at 4 am with the last train running at midnight or 1 am. Public buses, however, will have a shorter operating time, usually starting at 6 or 7 am and ending around 6 pm.

In more rural areas, they will have shorter hours.

Business hours on national holidays

Japan has 16 national holidays where most workers will have the day off. But most stores, supermarkets, and amusement parks will operate at all times of the year. 

During these times, most places will be crowded especially during long holiday seasons such as Golden Week, Obon, and New Year where people will have multiple days off.

School holidays in Japan will also follow these national holidays, but they also have spring, summer, and winter breaks for the students. 

24/7 open stores

Japanese convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, are open 24 hours at all times of the year.

In major urban cities like Tokyo and Osaka, cafes, restaurants, karaoke, and fast food restaurants can also be open 24/7, though that will depend on the specific establishments.

Japanese public facilities’ business hours

Public facilities include government services, embassies and consulates, banks, and post offices.

Government services 

City and ward offices are open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 

There are a few exceptions where they will be open until 7 pm, such as Minato City, Akasaka Regional City Office, and Taito City Office on Wednesday. So be sure to check your local government website to confirm the times. 

In general, government offices will always be closed on the weekends, national holidays, and the New Year holiday from December 29 to January 3.

National embassies and consulates

Each country’s embassies and consulates have different operating hours. 

For example, the US embassy in Tokyo opens from 8:30 am to 12 pm, closes for two hours, and will open again from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. 

But the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines will open from 9 am to 5 PM.

So if there’s a specific embassy you need to go to, be sure to check their official time. 

Banks 

Banks will have two services: counter service and ATM services.

Most counter services at banks will operate from 9 am to 3 pm. Counter services often involve talking with a staff member to help with opening a bank account, changing your address, or getting a credit card.

Most ATM banks will operate from early morning to midnight. ATM hours can vary depending on the specific bank ATM you want to withdraw from. However, there are ATM services at Japanese convenience stores which are open 24/7.

Post offices

Japan Post handles all Japanese mail. Usually, their offices are open from 9 am to 5 pm on the weekdays and are closed on the weekends.

There are larger Japan Post facilities that will open from 9 am to 7 pm on the weekdays and are open from 9 am to 5 pm on the weekends. This operating time will vary, so check your local Japan Post office for more specific times.

Commercial shop business hours in Japan

Commercial shops like shops and restaurants will have different operating times in urban and rural areas in Japan. So please check the official site for the store you want to visit.

Department stores’ business hours in Japan

Department stores and malls in Japan have many retailers, shops, and restaurants.

But many of these shops will operate from 10 am to 8 pm. Restaurant areas or floors are open from 11 am to 10 pm.

So while the rest of the shops are closed, the restaurants will still be open for a couple more hours.

Retail and other shops

Many shops’ business hours in Japan will vary by store. If their shops are inside department stores and malls, they will have the same operating hours as the whole department. 

In general, retail and other shops will usually operate from 10 am to 8 pm.

Small, private-owned shops are also open during these hours. However, since they are privately owned, it will depend on the store’s owners when they are open and closed.

Restaurants

Most restaurants in Japan will not be open for breakfast. They will usually serve lunch starting at 11 am and lunch hour ends at 2 pm.

Dinner service will be from 6 pm to 11 pm with the last order either an hour or 30 minutes before. 

Depending on the establishment, some will close after lunchtime to take a break and prepare for dinner. 

Hospitals 

Many hospitals in Japan are open from 8:30 am to 5 or 6 pm. Some hospitals will be closed for an hour or two around lunchtime. Depending on the hospital, they might be closed on the weekend and public holidays, while others may be open from 9 am to 5 pm.

So be sure to check online for their official operating times.

You can use this website to help you search for medical help in Japan: https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html#search 

Attractions

Many of these establishments will open around 8:30 am and will close around 10 pm. But please check the official website for these facilities for the specific operating hours. 

For museums, zoos, aquariums, and theme parks, you can buy a ticket an hour or 30 minutes before closing time.

Choosing operating hours for your business in Japan

Depending on the industry of your business, there are many factors to consider when thinking about your operating times:

• Target audience: Who do you want to attract? When are they more likely to search for or need your product?

• Location: Is your business located in a busy downtown area or a quiet neighborhood? What is the foot traffic like? Or will it be online?

• Competitors: What are your competitors’ operating hours? You can follow the competition or deviate to stand out.

• Industry standards: What are typical operating hours in your industry?

• Staff: Do you have enough employees to work during your business’s operating hours?

• Personal preferences: What are your personal preferences for working hours?

All these factors will contribute to your business hours in Japan. For example, if you are opening a restaurant, then opening for breakfast is unique in Japan as most restaurants will start service at around 11 am for lunch. 

Frequently asked question

What time are shops open in Japan?

Most shops and retailers in Japan are open from 10 am to 8 pm. They tend to be open on weekends and holidays, particularly if they are a larger establishment. Check online for their specific hours.

In closing 

Knowing the various Japanese business hours and when they are open will greatly enhance your Japanese experiences as a consumer and as a business owner. Being flexible and adaptable for your business hours based on your observations and feedback will greatly contribute to your success in the Japanese market.