Facebook in Japan: Visiting the Tokyo Office

 

This post is not sponsored by Facebook. My visit was hosted through a personal connection. This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through these links. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

I freely admit that I never thought I’d ever have the chance to visit Facebook’s main campus. And even after my Facebook headquarters tour, I never imagined a visit to any other Facebook office was in my future. But it was and this past fall (November 1, 2019, to be exact…but who’s documenting? 😉) I found myself visiting Facebook in Japan!

Yes, that’s right! In my epic, bucket list trip to Japan just a few months ago, I added the Tokyo Facebook office to my itinerary!

Facebook in Japan

Just like the main campus in San Francisco’s Menlo Park, Facebook in Japan isn’t open to the public. You must know an employee and be hosted throughout your visit. However, unlike the main campus, Facebook in Japan isn’t a huge campus with a massive Disneyland-themed layout.

As you can imagine, the Tokyo office is in a high-rise and, as of my visit in November 2019, covered only two floors. But, in true Facebook fashion, Facebook in Japan had all the cool amenities, laid-back atmosphere, and fun toys!

Arrival

After meeting our host, “T”, we completed a few security checks. At the end of a brief elevator ride, we arrived at the entrance.

As a visitor who also isn’t an employee, I had to complete a check-in process…

and receive my temporary badge showing I had cleared both security/background checks and had permission to be on the premises.

Lobby Area

With all of the serious stuff out of the way, T took us through another set of double doors and we landed in a very familiar Facebook-like atmosphere. I absolutely love the cheery, colorful, open-concept plan. How does this not inspire creativity and a positive work environment?

How cute is this bear with its decorated paws?

I loved this “people over pixels” sign. It is a cute play on words that accurately describes Facebook’s approach to a healthy work environment.

Workspace

At the start of the “office area”, we were greeted by this fun logo sign.

Next, we walked through some of the workspaces with views of Tokyo out of the large windows. I loved how this employee’s coworkers decorated her desk to celebrate her wedding!

Fun Times

Moving on to the quirky, fun things you find in various places around a Facebook office. Although it was officially November 1st, Facebook was fresh off its month-long Hacktober campaign. This is where they have contests, talks, and workshops on the protection of the company and its users (us).

Oh, the vending machines at Facebook. They are honestly one of my favorite things to come across because you just never know what you might find in them!

Of course, I had to get an Instagram stamp!

What’s On Your Mind

Just like at the main campus in California, Japan also has the quite popular “What’s On Your Mind?” wall. And, in true Facebook form, you can write on that wall!

The Palo Alto-a redwood tree that serves as the mascot of Stanford University and the logo of the city of Palo Alto, California

Lots of people write and draw what’s on their minds and as you can see, someone is really talented!

Leaving my mark on Facebook in Japan.

Let The Games Begin

You didn’t think I would leave these goodies out, did ya?

I was not surprised at all to find Mario Kart videogames in the office. Definitely Japanese and definitely a fun break!

In addition to my Instagram stamp, I went bobbing for a stuffed “love”. Good thing I wanted the love because that’s what made up the majority. I never was good at “the claw” growing up and it took me three times to get my “love”. I love that “love”! 😍

Amusement & Appreciation

To make you laugh or just to appreciate pure talent…

You never know what you might find hanging on the walls at Facebook. It is usually something humorous, light-hearted, and positive. That second one though…whew, oh-so-true! Sometimes I feel like I forget my brain a lot while following my heart. And my brain never forgets to remind my heart who’s higher on the hierarchy (literally speaking, of course 🤣), but I digress. That’s a different subject for another post!

There were also a few murals here and there to admire. I love murals and the pure talent that goes into making them!

Lunch After Facebook

After we finished the visit, T took us to eat sushi to my absolute delight! Sushi is one of my favorite foods and of course, I thoroughly enjoyed eating it in its native country. You can now see it crossed off my bucket list!

Left: Our car coming out of “vending” Center: Sushi for lunch Right: Taiyaki for dessert

T called down to get his company car to take us to lunch. We went down to the “pickup area” and all of a sudden, that door on the left opened vertically and the car slid out to the right. It was like a car vending machine! Hey, Facebook has very unique items in its vending machines as I showed you in an earlier photo. So, a car vending machine wasn’t too far out of the realm of possibilities!

We jumped in and off we went!

After our yummy sushi, T took us to eat Taiyaki, a traditional Japanese dessert filled with a sweet red bean paste. At first, I was a bit skeptical since I don’t equate red beans with sweets.

However, I will try almost anything once and this is why…turns out I liked it! They are sweet but not overpoweringly so. Taiyaki makes the perfect dessert for those with the mantra “a little sweet goes a long way”. I actually fall into this category most of the time!

Saying Goodbye

And with that, our time with our gracious Facebook host came to an end. Before we parted ways, he walked us to a gigantic, popular mall where we could find any Japanese product our imaginations could produce…and then some. If you have been to Japan, you know exactly what I’m talking about!

Kim (right) and me “emoting” and “hashtagging” our time at Facebook Japan

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and as usual, it left a lasting impression. Thank you to T for showing us around and to my friend, Kim, for inviting me along!

PIN IT!

So, Facebook in Japan…pretty nifty, right? Let’s face it (pun intended 😜). Facebook anywhere on this earth is just a happy place. As I’ve now been to two different properties in two different countries on two different continents, I can attest!

If you ever get the rare invitation to visit Facebook anywhere, I highly recommend doing so. Just to see the unique working atmosphere is pretty amazing! If you have had the unique opportunity to visit a Facebook office, which one did you visit and what did you think?

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Heather