There are numerous reasons a business might be considering moving. Maybe your lease is up, or your organization expanded so much you need to find a new office. Perhaps your clients are all located in Tokyo, and operating out of Kyoto no longer makes sense. On the other hand, maybe you’re just bored of Kyoto and need a change of scenery. Whatever the case may be, moving your office from Kyoto to Tokyo isn’t an easy task. It will involve a lot of stress and hard work. Though, with careful planning, you can make certain tasks easier for yourself. Our moving specialists at Kokusai Express Japan are here to help you on your journey.

Define the reasons for moving your office from Kyoto to Tokyo

At the earliest stages of planning, you should ask yourself why you want to move to Tokyo. Moving a business, no matter how small, isn’t easy. Make a list of pros and cons to help yourself with this step. Next, define the exact reasons for moving. One possible reason could be growth. If your company is expanding, moving to the nation’s capital makes sense. You’ll be able to reach more customers and work closely with them. Furthermore, if your suppliers or contractors are based in Tokyo, it could speed up your business. Alongside that, if your warehouse Japan is located in Tokyo, it will be simpler to coordinate shipments. Almost every aspect of the business is going to be easier to do in such a huge, metropolitan city. 

Account for cultural differences between Kyoto and Tokyo

Before you start planning your move, consider the differences between the two cities. Life in Kyoto is easy-going and much slower in comparison. Adjusting to a fast-paced, modern city could be difficult, but you can get to know Tokyo in a month. Not only that, there are differences in the language too. While Kyoto uses the Kansai dialect, standard Japanese is most common in the capital city. Although the differences aren’t huge, it’ll still take some time to adjust. Next, Kyoto is surrounded by nature. Finding a spot to relax after a hard day’s work is a lot easier than in the capital. On the other hand, Tokyo has a much better public transport system. It’s well connected, fast, and reliable. The intricate network of approximately 500 stations reaches everywhere, so you can forget about biking to work.

Determine a budget 

As we’ve discussed above, there are many differences between Kyoto and Tokyo. For example, the cost of living is among the top three in the world. Everything is more expensive in Tokyo, from commuting to food to rent. However, the pandemic impact on property prices has been huge. For the first time in almost six years, prices dropped. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell how long this effect will last. Use it to your advantage while you can. Regardless of that, it helps to roughly calculate how much the move will cost. You can use our simple checklist to make sure you’ve thought of everything. Below we’ve listed common office relocation costs:

• moving company fees
• property purchase costs
• various legal business fees
• interior design costs
• how much new furniture will cost you 
• storage fees
• trash removal

Pick a new office space

Selecting a brand new office is probably the most important step. It’s all about the location. Tokyo has a few commercial districts: traditional Kyobashi, lively Shibuya, upscale Yotsuya, and finance-focused Marunouchi. Next, think about what kind of features are important to you. For example, an open floor plan could better communication. Consequently, productivity would go up. Maybe your last office never had enough meeting rooms. Try to ask your employees for their opinion as well. They’ll be able to give you good feedback. 

Choose a fresh design when relocating your office from Kyoto to Tokyo

The possibilities are virtually endless, depending on your budget. Before the move, look at floor plans and decide ahead how to organize. Choose a soothing color scheme, and don’t make it too dark. Scientists say color affects our productivity. Remember, the design is important for the happiness of your employees.

Hire a reputable moving company to relocate your office to Tokyo

Relocating your office without a reliable moving company is a risky business. There’s a lot of things that can go wrong. Without movers, you won’t know how to deal with the issues. Doing everything yourself is a lot of work, especially when you have a business to run. Additionally, professional movers will have the best equipment for the job. Not only that, they’ll know exactly how to package, seal and ship your belongings safely. But not every moving company is made equal. Make sure you do plenty of research before deciding on one. At the very minimum, they should be fully licensed and insured. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Online reviews can also come in handy. Lastly, take advantage of free quotes and estimates to get the best deal.

Finalize your office transfer

Moving day is approaching and there are a hundred different tasks left to do. You can stay on-site to ensure everything goes smoothly. In order to quickly complete the relocation, everything needs to be in working order. Double-check things like wifi, the IT network, phone connections, etc. Additionally, make sure the new office is stocked up. Essentials include hand sanitizer, toilet paper, tea, and coffee. On top of that, you can take this time to personalize the space. Add some art prints and plants, hang up your achievements and accreditations. A warm, cozy space is going to be much nicer to work in.

Finally, you’re done! Congratulations on taking the big step. Moving your office from Kyoto to Tokyo is certainly hard, as the two cities are very different from each other. Adjusting to life in the big city is no easy feat. With the move successfully completed, you can focus on growing your business and acclimating to your new environment.