Nara startup

merits & demerits ?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Starting a Business in Nara

Starting a business in Nara may offer wonderful advantages! Surrounded by historical backgrounds and culture, there is a potential for thriving tourism and community-based businesses. You might find your heart healed by the rich nature, while also forging deep connections with the local people. Engaging in enterprises that contribute to the community can provide a special sense of satisfaction!

However, this also means that competition can feel intense at times… On the downside, even though it is a tourist destination, the demand is often limited! Especially when introducing a new business model, gaining the understanding of the local community can be challenging. You may struggle with fundraising and securing talent, and there could be frustrations from not being able to capture customers as you hoped. The tranquility of Nara can sometimes evoke feelings of loneliness… This is truly a dilemma!

Nara startup
merits

◎Historical Vibration

Starting a business in Nara means developing your venture in a unique setting wrapped in the history of the ancient capital. The chance to have your office right in front of Nara Park, boasting over 1300 years of history, immerses you in a feeling of superiority as if you've traveled back in time. To be able to express modern and innovative ideas while feeling the weight of history is nothing short of a dream, don't you think? Your business can enjoy the moment of being woven into the tapestry of eternity.

◎Leveraging Tourists

Nara is home to World Heritage sites such as Todai-ji and Horyu-ji, surrounded by beautiful nature, attracting millions of tourists year-round. There’s no way you can ignore this influx of tourists when it comes to your business! If you can use your creativity to provide products or services that make their "Nara trip" even more special, the business opportunities are limitless! By not only targeting the tourism industry but also meeting the needs of local residents, you can expect even greater strides.

◎Strength of the Community

The people of Nara are known for their strong sense of unity, even in a rural setting. Starting a business in such a homey atmosphere feels like receiving support that mimics family closeness. Networking among business owners becomes significantly easier, allowing you to collaborate on new projects or exchange information with local entrepreneurs. Indeed, it’s possible to nurture your business with the aid of community strength.

◎Low Cost of Business Development

Compared to major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, Nara's rent and labor costs are far lower, making it quite attractive. With reduced initial investment, you can minimize risks while freely testing your ideas. In other words, you can be liberated from financial pressure and fully immerse yourself in creativity, creating a wonderful environment! The classic story of "starting a business while carrying significant debt" is turned on its head in Nara!

◎Rich Nature and Excellent Living Environment

Nara's natural surroundings are filled with compelling charm. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers, the environment allows you to enjoy seasonal scenery, providing a solid foundation for focusing on business mentally. You might just find yourself liberated from the stress of urban life, with creativity exploding! Moreover, it’s a safe area that’s family-friendly, allowing you to pursue a high quality of life. Here lies the success rush that seeks harmony between "work" and "life".

◎Intersection of Culture and Art

Nara is a treasure trove of culture and art. Collaborating with local artists and craftsmen, you can develop innovative and unique products and services. By combining traditional techniques with contemporary ideas, you are guaranteed the birth of a unique business unlike any other. Incorporating local culture might just be the key to attracting attention both domestically and internationally! Isn’t it a wonderful prospect that your business could play a role in spreading Nara's culture?

Nara startup
demerits

×Limitations of Market Size

Nara is blessed with beautiful historic streets and rich nature, but this charm raises the question of how expansive the market truly is. When starting a business here, one finds themselves in a world far removed from the vibrancy of a bustling metropolis. Indeed, tourists do visit, but they are merely temporary guests, and the local customer base is limited. In other words, the potential for business growth feels like being trapped in a small house with no room to move. The dream of expansion appears as distant as a glimmer of light at the end of a tunnel.

×Shortage of Talent

Now, can you gather talented individuals to establish a business in Nara? This question brings challenges akin to carrying a heavy rock on a journey. Compared to metropolitan areas, talented and passionate personnel are as scarce as water droplets in a desert. In small companies, knowledgeable staff are indispensable, yet this remains a difficult reality in Nara. This may mean that you must wear multiple hats, raising doubts about whether such a path is sustainable as a career.

×Loneliness Due to Lack of Competition

Nara may be a region with little competition on a national scale. While the absence of competition may seem attractive at first glance, it also signifies a lonely battle. Interacting with clients and customers can feel as isolating as being thrown into the heart of a frigid winter. Furthermore, with few opportunities to share business ideas or engage in mutual growth, one must often rely solely on their intuition to carve a path forward. It is not uncommon to feel like you're facing giants all alone.

×Slow Development of Infrastructure

Moreover, there are various infrastructures that support businesses waiting to be developed. The infrastructure in Nara often feels non-existent, as if a lover has long ceased communication. Particularly, IT-related services and facilities are frequently lacking, which can hinder business operations. For instance, while you are frustrated with slow network speeds, rival companies may quickly realize new ideas. The feeling of being left behind in time resembles setting up a lonely camp in the middle of a desert.

×Overreliance on Tourism Resources

Finally, it is essential to mention the reliance on tourism resources when discussing Nara's entrepreneurial environment. While Nara's historical heritage draws global attention, businesses that cater to it are limited in number. Attempting to develop products and services for the general consumer often finds itself overshadowed by those aimed at tourists, with stakeholders predominantly focusing on tourism-related ventures. Balancing this situation is as complex as achieving the perfect mix in a dish made with heavy ingredients; it is no easy feat. Nurturing non-tourism-related businesses indeed poses a challenging journey ahead.

The Merits and Demerits of Starting a Business in Nara

There are many charms to starting a business in Nara! The joy of experiencing a treasure trove of history, encounters with deer, and indulging in delicious Nara cuisine are just a few examples. You can also enjoy blissful moments while being healed by the beauty of nature, and the high density of tourist attractions is a significant appeal! Through interactions with warm-hearted people, you can feel the strength of the local community, and it's a lovely point that you can expand your business at a low cost. You can also enjoy new discoveries at the crossroads of rich nature, excellent living conditions, culture, and art.

On the other hand, the demerits cannot be ignored. You cannot avoid the tragedy of getting caught in crowds and the stress caused by the deer battles! In a market overly reliant on tourist resources, feelings of regret may arise due to poor accessibility. The limitations of market size and the lack of human resources can hinder business expansion, and the thin competition can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, the slow development of infrastructure and the over-reliance on tourist attractions can cast a dark shadow over business operations...

Nara  merits and demerits?  [startup]  merideme