Language exchanges
Many Japanese people come to practise English and make foreign friends at the same time. How to find a good one.
Plenty of Japanese people would love an international friend, especially in Tokyo. Friendships here often start slowly and grow through shared activities and repeated meetings. Here's where to meet Japanese people, and how to turn a nice chat into a real friendship.
Many Japanese people come to practise English and make foreign friends at the same time. How to find a good one.
Sports, music, cooking or art classes, where you meet through a shared interest. Social clubs in Tokyo.
If you're a student, circles (サークル) are where Japanese students socialise.
Events that bring Japanese and foreign residents together. International events in Tokyo.
Colleagues and coworking communities, especially at lunch and after-work events.
Apps where Japanese people who speak English meet foreigners as friends. Apps to make Japanese friends.
Many Japanese friendships grow through doing things together repeatedly rather than one big night out. People may be polite and reserved at first, and invitations can be subtle. A second and third meeting, a shared hobby and being reliable go a long way.
Buy Me a Matcha helps you meet new people in Tokyo one at a time over a coffee or matcha. In English, friends only, free on iPhone.
Language exchanges, clubs and classes, university circles, international events, work and friend apps are the most common ways. Friendships usually grow through repeated meetings and shared activities.
It can take longer than in some countries because people may be reserved at first, but many Japanese people, especially in Tokyo, enjoy international friendships.
Not always. Many Japanese people in Tokyo speak English. Learning some Japanese still helps a lot.
Yes. Buy Me a Matcha is a friends-only app for meeting people in Tokyo one at a time in English, including English-speaking Japanese people.