The 45 Best Business Ideas To Start In Japan [2024]

Interested in starting a business in Japan in 2024?

We put together 45 of the best businesses you can start in Japan today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

• Home-based businesses to start in Japan
• Profitable online business ideas
• Unique business opportunities for Japan
• Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
• Easy businesses you can start in Japan today

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Japan.

Here's the full list:

1. Start an online t-shirt business

Running a t-shirt business is an opportunity many entrepreneurs are looking into as a side hustle or even a full-time business opportunity. While having your own physical store is possible, online businesses are becoming extremely popular in this field.

Launching your own successful online t-shirt business may feel daunting, but with the guidance & insights from people who are already pioneering this industry, it’s simpler than you may think. You can start with selling customized quotes t-shirts, tie-dye prints/screen printing t-shirts, or solid color t-shirts. The opportunities for this industry are endless.

2. Start a wordpress plugin business

If you have used WordPress, you must know you cannot run a successful website without using a few plugins. Ideally, WP plugins help run the website successfully.

Selling WordPress plugins is one of the basic ways you can make money online. Thus, if you have found a solution to an issue, you can develop a plugin for it and earn income from the plugin.

If you are considering starting a WordPress plugin development business, ensure you focus on offering a solution to a particular need.

You can sell WP plugins at online platforms such as CodeCanyon., sell them on your blog, or create a separate website for the plugin.

3. Start a wallet brand

The wallet's market share is increasing at a CAGR of 8.87%, reaching $8.78 billion in a few years. As the demand for wallets keeps rising, starting your wallet brand creates a chance to earn a profit in the future.

To start your wallet brand, begin with complete market research focusing on identifying the gaps. Then, study the competition and come up with a unique wallet design that suits the lifestyle of your target customers.

4. Start a subscription box business

Subscription box businesses offer customers a niche set of products on a monthly basis.

They're in high demand as they add value to customer service, offer exclusive products and can be highly profitable.

To start a subscription box business, understand your niche market, provide quality products, perfect your box design, build a good relationship with fulfillment companies, and market your service.

5. Start a jewelry making business

The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.

The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.

If you know how to make jewelry in Japan, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.

6. Start a medical device company

If you are a medical practitioner and want to start a business, then you could consider starting a medical device company. There are many medical device companies started by individuals or small teams. Some of them were successful and became startups impacting the industry with their technology.

Starting a medical device company is an exciting venture that can lead to a successful business. If you're considering starting a medical device business, there are several factors to consider before putting a team together and setting out to reach your goals.

7. Start a fire safety business

The fire safety industry specializes in providing essential safety measures to both residential and commercial property owners.

This industry offers comprehensive solutions to protect homes, businesses, and public spaces from the devastating impact of fires.

From installing state-of-the-art fire detection systems to conducting safety audits and implementing preventive measures, the fire safety industry plays a crucial role in safeguarding lives and property.

As a prospective business owner, choosing to invest in this sector will enable you to address a critical societal need while also offering the gratification of contributing to community well-being.

8. Become a social media consultant

Social media has become popular due to its ability to link businesses to their target customers. Social media consultants are professionals who help their clients improve, optimize and grow their social media presence.
Becoming a social media consultant comes with work flexibility and higher earning potential, but it also takes time and work commitment to grow the business.

To become a social media consultant in Japan, you must first become adept at using social media platforms and industry tools. Take online or offline courses like content marketing, public relations, and communication skills. Social media experts can choose a general practice or opt to focus on a niche.

9. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

• Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
• 77% of internet users read blogs.
• Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

10. Start a 3D Printing Business

3D printing is a process that assembles objects layer by layer and starting a business in this industry can be a very creative venture.

You will need investment in the right equipment and materials, and the acquisition of 3D modeling and design skills. You will also need to regularly calibrate and maintain your 3D printers to deliver consistent results.

Plan how you'll handle shipping and logistics, and leverage technology to find new applications of 3D printing in all industries.

11. Start an IT company

12. Start a web design & online marketing business

If you know about website design and marketing concepts then starting your own web design and online marketing business could be the perfect opportunity for you to do so.

The online marketing industry is the second largest industry in the United States and continues to grow. The online marketing industry is massive. It is estimated to grow by 30% annually, reaching $400B in the next four years.

13. Start a food delivery business

In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.

The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.

You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.

14. Start a sports coaching business

Sports coaching is a fast-growing industry in all areas of the world.

If you have a sports coaching qualification and experience, you can turn those experiences into a profitable business.

You can offer coaching to teams or individuals depending on your preference and the nature of sports.

You may join sports associations or attend networking events to market your sports coaching abilities.

15. Start a food truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.

To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.

16. Become a real estate agent

Real estate agents are professionals who assist clients in marketing and selling their properties. They also assist the buyers in purchasing properties. Their services include meeting clients, advising them about market conditions, and providing guidance through the process of buying or selling properties.

A real estate career can be financially rewarding. However, the work requires good management skills, organization skills, customer service, handling complex paperwork and socially promoting yourself.

The pros of becoming a real estate agent include earning extra commission from clients and also setting your own working hours.

17. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography in Japan, research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

18. Start a hair salon

Hair salons offer a wide range of beauty services including hair-cutting, waxing, nail treatment, massages, and complementary care such as aromatherapy.

With the increased demand for high fashion beauty services, starting a hair salon could be a profitable venture.

To start a hair salon in Japan, you need a strong business plan and find a niche that attracts a local client base. To succeed, hire knowledgeable and experienced employees, and encourage them to maintain a good customer service culture,

19. Start a tour company

Starting a tour company is a great way to bring your love of travel to life. You can share your passion with others and help make their dream vacations come true!

There are many types of tour businesses, so choosing something you are passionate about and knowledgeable about is best. Here are a few of the most popular tour companies to start in Japan:

• Food & Drink Tours
• Adventure & Sporting Tours
• Sightseeing & Historical Tours
• Shopping Tours
• and many more!

It’s also essential to determine what mode of transportation you want for your tour company, as this will determine the initial startup costs needed for your company.

To get started, find out if you need a license to operate in your state. Some states require tour companies to be licensed, while others do not. If you are required to be licensed, talk with the licensing agency to find out what steps must be taken before you can apply for that license.

20. Become a social media marketer

Social media marketing is gaining website visitors or customers by promoting your company on social media. To succeed in social media marketing, you must regularly post tasty, entertaining, and engaging share material on your social media channels.

Everybody knows that social media is a tool that has become extremely important to businesses of all sizes. It allows them to connect with people worldwide and provides a platform for customer service. Social networks are changing the way we do marketing. They offer an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to reach millions instantly.

Nowadays, it is easy to earn money through social media marketing. You just need to invest some time and effort to make a profit. Social media has been an essential part of many businesses marketing campaigns, and it is expected to be a significant part of any company’s future.

21. Start an ecommerce retailing business

22. Start a language learning app

Language learning apps use different activities and methods to assist users to expand their vocabulary and develop correct linguistic skills and general communication skills. The demand for global language learning apps has recorded a massive rise in the past decade and is expected to rise beyond $21.2 in the next few years.

Therefore, if you love linguistics or you have a passion for building apps that teach people a new language, then the language app business idea is worth diving into.

Here are basic steps to guide you through the journey of building a language learning app:

• Come up with an application concept
• Make a unique business analysis
• Define the feature set and make the requirements list
• Choose the technology stack based on the platform
• Develop the application design
• Create the content
• Develop full application version or MVP of your choice
• User testing
• Market and advertise the application

From the ideation stage to the final stage of your app development, focus on ensuring that your language learning application will have the following features:

• Gamification to encourage learners and bring on the competition
• Break down the courses into small chunks
• Provides learners with timely and relevant tips
• Variety of content and activities
• User-friendly design and interface
• Create a users’ community so they can interact and share tips
• Ensure a simple sign-in
• Regular assessment to test and score learner’s progress

Examples of language learning apps include Duolingo, Memrise, and LinguaLift.

23. Start an investment advisory business

24. Start a property management business

Property management companies maintain a residence’s status quo by representing the property owners. The property management company markets the property and collects rent on behalf of the owners.

With the demand for housing increasing annually, the property management business is lucrative. Property managers earn commissions and have an opportunity to maximize profits by working for as many clients as they can handle.

25. Start a fertility business

Starting a fertility business from home can be quite profitable, but you need to do a lot of legwork before trying to sell yourself and your services to potential clients for the first time.

Being a highly specialist industry, with high turnover and profit margins, as well as an increased public awareness of the need for accessible fertility treatments, starting your own fertility business is something you ought to consider. Starting a fertility business gives you plenty of flexibility, but it's important to do your homework before making a huge decision.

26. Start a marketing agency

Marketing agencies can be a great option for businesses looking to advertise in different ways. For businesses, hiring a marketing company can help them achieve success as they don't have to spend money on employees or needed equipment. Marketing agencies are not inexpensive and there are many different variables that come into play when deciding which one is the best fit for your business.

You want to start a marketing agency, but don't know where to begin. You're not alone, there are thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe that have the same ambition. Luckily for you, compiled a list of how other agencies were able to grow their agency and scale effectively.

27. Start a virtual call center business

Do you enjoy helping people and talking on the phone? If you want a business that provides flexibility regarding working location and time, consider starting a virtual call center business.

A virtual call center can be a lucrative low capital and a work-from-home business. Here is a list of what you need to start a virtual call center business:

• Select a specialty area/niche
• Buy computers and call center software
• Find clients
• Focus on growing your business

When starting a virtual call center business, some clients may require you to use their defined call center software.

28. Start a social media marketing agency

Whether you want to clear your utility bills, finance your college education or save for a vacation, a social media marketing agency is one of the best ways to earn extra income. The advantage is that you do not need to commit so much time to automate using social media marketing tools. All you need to do is develop a good social media marketing strategy that will enable you to serve customers efficiently. Besides, you need to create an agency portfolio to market your services to target customers.

29. Start a handyman business

A handyman business covers a wide range of home repair and maintenance services, making it an easy entry into the industry.

You can start with minimal resources, and by providing valuable assistance to customers, you'll quickly establish yourself as a trusted professional in the field.

To start a handyman business on a budget, identify your skills and the services you can offer confidently.

Then, create a basic business plan outlining your services, target market, and pricing.

Next, obtain any necessary licenses or permits, and invest in basic tools and equipment.

Finally, promote your services through word of mouth, local advertising, and online platforms to attract customers and gradually grow your handyman business.

30. Start a restaurant

If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant in Japan, gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

31. Start an alternative health-care center

Alternative healthcare services are the health treatments not typically provided in traditional western medicine that depend on manufactured chemicals and pills to control the disease.

As an alternative healthcare consultant, your role will be to offer clients a path of health and wellness through natural means. Alternative healthcare centers also provide various services and treatments to help customers achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, exercise, and treatments.

If starting an alternative healthcare service, you can enter into a franchise arrangement or start your alternative healthcare center from scratch. Choose a niche you understand well, and advertise your business.

32. Start an aromatherapy business

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being.

To start a business, purchase oils, create blends, and develop products.

Marketing strategies include creating a website, collaborating with local wellness centers, and participating in trade shows. Customer service is key to building trust and loyalty. With proper planning and marketing, it can be a successful venture.

33. Start a hotels business

If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to implement your plan. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.

Here are some tips to consider before forming a hotel:

• Name your business
• Decide on a marketing strategy
• Start by renting out a room in your home.
• Hire a business capital broker
• Try Airbnb
• Make a marketing plan
• Offer complementary services

34. Start an in-home senior care business

With the busy lifestyle, family members are often absent and employ in-home caregivers to look after the elderly parents.

Caregivers assist the elderly with personal care routines, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and exercising. Caregivers also oversee medication & prescription usage and administer medicine.

Researchers anticipate a shortage of more than 100,000 caregivers for the elderly in the next decade. Therefore, starting an in-home senior care business is a great opportunity if you enjoy caring for the elderly and spending time with them. You can choose to work as an overnight caregiver or whichever work schedule suits you.

35. Start a daycare

Daycares provide educational, medical, and social services for the children of working parents either during school hours or when the parents are out of the home for an extended period of time. This can be a lucrative enterprise if you start a daycare in an area where it is needed.

As the growth of families has become dependent on two incomes, the need for quality daycare has skyrocketed. Starting a daycare business in Japan is challenging but rewarding. You will face many challenges but can overcome them as long as you are ready to make the sacrifices required.

36. Start a dance studio

The dance studio business idea involves providing a space for people to learn and practice various dance styles, such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and salsa. To start this business, you will need a space to hold classes, essential equipment, and instructors. You must schedule classes, advertise the business, manage finances, and create a positive student experience to operate it.

37. Become a graphic designer

Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.

Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.

38. Start a 3D animation using vr business

VR will change the game in so many industries. But the potential for it to affect animation is huge. VR allows animators to flourish and become involved in the ever-changing landscape of animators.

3D animation with VR allows animators to bring pose characters in a way that fits the story and create vibrant and life-like surroundings. Applying VR technology in creating and designing 3D animation will improve the interactivity of 3D animation and promote the animation industry to a higher level.

A 3D animation with VR business involves the creation of computer-generated experiences for animation clients.

39. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

40. Start a data mining consulting business

Data mining consultants extract information to uncover hidden patterns, market trends, customer preferences, and other critical business information. Data mining applications include:

• Financial data analysis
• Retail industry
• Telecommunication industry
• Biological data analysis
• Intrusion detection

Are you looking for a well-paying business opportunity in the data science field? Consider becoming a data mining consultant.

41. Start a facebook group

Facebook is one of the oldest and largest social networking sites out there. Facebook offers its users a Group feature where one can join a community of people with similar interests. As per statistics, around 1.8 billion people use Facebook Groups each month.

Groups allow the members to have organic discussions, post content, and share their valuable experiences & knowledge with each other. The shared knowledge helped startups, business owners, freelancers, and professionals with their social media growth, lead generation, and customer acquisition.

42. Start a landscaping business

A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.

For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.

Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.

43. Start a data mining and analytics tools business

44. Start a nanobrewery or micro brewery

A nano brewery is a brewpub that produces less than 15,000 barrels of beer annually and sells at least 75% of its beer off-site. Running a nano-brewery can be profitable if you understand how to brew high-quality beer.

To start a nano brewery, check your local laws and research if you have a good customer base. It would help if you also learned how to operate a brewery professionally because poorly brewed beer will ruin your business.

45. Start a car rental business

Starting a car rental business can be a profitable venture for those interested in the auto industry.

Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business in Japan, target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

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See exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

Join Starter Story

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See exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

Join Starter Story

Join Starter Story

See exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

Join Starter Story

Join Starter Story

See exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

Join Starter Story

Join Starter Story

See exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

Join Starter Story

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See exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

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