Nomikai
After-work drinks with the team. They're a big part of bonding, and people often relax and talk more openly there than at the desk.
For many foreigners in Tokyo, the office is where most of the week goes. Work can be a great place to find friends, but Japanese workplaces have their own rhythm. Here's how to navigate it, and why it helps to have a life outside work too.
After-work drinks with the team. They're a big part of bonding, and people often relax and talk more openly there than at the desk.
Some teams eat together, some eat alone at their desks. Asking a colleague to join you for lunch is an easy, low-pressure start.
Relationships with seniors (senpai) and juniors (kōhai) can feel more formal at first. Friendships often form more easily among people at a similar level.
Many people keep a clear line between colleagues and friends. It can take time before a colleague invites you into their personal life.
Buy Me a Matcha shows you people in Tokyo who speak English and also want new friends. Match, pick a café near work or home, and meet one-on-one over a matcha. A weekday lunch or a Saturday morning is enough. Free, and not a dating app.
Get it on the App Store