Tokyo
Along with Milan, Tokyo is a market many models choose for their first modelling trip overseas. Tokyo is loved by almost every model and for good reason; the city is beautiful, the streets are pristine, the clients are nice, and the pay is the best in Asia. Tokyo is a market every model should aspire to try at least once in their career.
Market criteria
For female models to be successful in Japan they must fall into one of two categories:
1. Young, slim, “kawaii,” (cute in japanese) preferably with a round face
2. Cool and edgy with a very strong book
Age
13-21: It’s in a model’s best interest to start in the market as early as possible. Introducing yourself to the Japanese market early can help models forge strong relationships with their agency and they can return to the market again many times throughout their career.
25+: Agencies have declined to sign new models who are 25 because they’re already “too old” to be introduced into the market. But, models who are older who have traveled to Tokyo before can go back repeatedly, so long as they still look young and have developed a solid client base.
Seasons
The best season to come to Tokyo is from January – April and September – December.
During summer time there are lots of young models and not so many castings, meanwhile in November- December there are still good number of castings and not so many girls in town, so the competition is low.
Arrival info
Japan is one of the countries where agency don’t meet you at the airport, but don’t worry it’s one of the safest place on earth and easy to find everything. After you land you have to call your agency from a paid phone on the airport and than take a bus to the city center where your agency will meet you and pick you up.
There’s a good chance that if your plane lands in the morning or in the afternoon that you’ll have castings straight off the plane. To be prepared, have your grooming/makeup bag, shaving kit, casting clothes, high heels, and portfolio all either in your carry on or in an easily accessible part of your suitcase.
Transportation
Each agency has their own minivan and a manager who takes the models to the castings. You’ll most likely be sitting in the casting van for up to (if not more than) 8 hours per day. There is a lot of sitting in traffic and waiting around that goes on so bring a book, iPod, iPad, or your homework to use your time productively.
If you got a job you might need to use the subway to get there, because your manager will be busy with the castings. No worries, it’s easy to use the metro and as I mentioned before Tokyo is super safe! Your booker will give you a detailed map which will explain how to get to your job’s location and if you get lost (but almost impossible with the detailed instruction in your hand) or anything happens, just call your agency and they will help!
What to wear
Usually clients in Tokyo prefer simple model style – the best clothes are the best that fit your body – it can be a black dress and black tights, black jeans and simple shirts and commercial clients like cute, kawaii dresses so make sure you have some with you as well! Don’t wear make up or just really basic make up you should have on!
How to act on castings
When you come to the agency for a first time, bring something special from your country as a gift. The simple gesture of sharing something from your home will be greatly appreciated – think souvenir key rings, chocolate bars, and other treats only available in your country. Avoid expensive or flamboyant offerings. Always simile and be polite!
For Japanese is very important a first impression that starts..with a smile! The more you smile – the more clients will like you. Please note, that all European look alike for Asians, so on castings you have to capture clients interest. You can also learn something in Japanese, for example “my name is …,I am 16 years old”, this is how you can stand out from 100 models on the casting.
Shoes off! You might have a casting in a building, where has a sunken-foyer entrance (called a genkan), and there are rows or shelves of footwear by the door, it’s a clear sign you’re expected to remove your shoes. You’ll always have to remove footwear when entering a private home, traditional accommodation (minshuku or ryokan), and temple halls. Wherever you’re required to remove footwear, this is non-negotiable. When you take off your shoes, you’ll usually be given the option of a pair of slippers for walking around inside.
On the job
One of the most important rules is never be late from your job! Japanese people are really sensitive around this topic so get up early and make sure you are at the job 15 min before!
Please note that Japanese are slow, so if in China you shoot 100 clothes in 8 hours, in Japan you shoot 5 clothes in 8 hours. Keep smiling to the clients, tell that you love their clothes, and don’t forget to post on Instagram pictures form your job with nice comments how you appreciate that they have booked you. If clients like you, they will book you again!
Jobs in Tokyo tend to pay the highest in all of Asia, although rates have gone down over the past several years. There are a large variety of jobs including campaigns, editorial, runway, catalogs, and look books. Models hardly ever have any horror stories about Tokyo because most of the jobs are always very pleasant, well-paying, and clients treat models well.
Very successful models who have been to Tokyo multiple times have been able to earn between $20,000-30,000 USD net. However, these models have a lot of experience, great portfolios, and have established a loyal client base.
Lunch break notes: if you are working full day you will have a lunch break and more likely the client will order Japanese food for you. If you really don’t like japanese food or you are vegetarian or have some food allergy please notify them on time, before lunch time!
Sushi can be eaten using chopsticks or hands, and nigiri sushi should be dipped with the fish-side down into the soy sauce if required.
Chopsticks rules: There are a number of dos and don’ts related to the use of chopsticks. The main ones to keep in mind are to not leave chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice, or use them to pass food directly to another person’s chopsticks. These actions are reminiscent of rituals associated with funerals and the dead. Also avoid anything that might be considered ‘playing’ with your chopsticks (this includes using them as a spear, drumming on the table, waving them to get the waiter’s attention, and using them to get at that itch on your back).
Fashion Week
You have to be at least 176 cm to attend on the FW castings.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo (MBFWT) has two fashion weeks each year:
Fall/Winter – Middle of March – Castings start the beginning of February
Spring/Summer – Fall/Winter: October – Castings start the beginning of September