Making Friends in Tokyo as a Woman (2026): Where to Meet Other Women, Safely

Making friends in Tokyo as a woman

Tokyo is one of the safest big cities in the world, but finding female friends here can still take effort. Many women tell us the same thing: they'd love a friend to grab coffee with, without it turning into a date or a big group night. The app built for exactly that is Buy Me a Matcha: the only app made specifically for English speakers to make real friends in Japan, friends-only, English-only, one-on-one over a matcha, and you can choose to see only women. Here's where to start.

Where to meet other women

Women's community groups

Many cities have international women's clubs and online groups for foreign women in Japan. Search for women-only expat groups on Facebook and Meetup; many host brunches, walks and newcomer meetups.

Classes

Yoga, pilates, dance, cooking and pottery classes in Tokyo often have a mostly female crowd. Same people every week, so friendships grow naturally.

Running and walking clubs

Some running groups have women-only sessions. A morning run around the Imperial Palace is a classic Tokyo meetup.

Café hopping

Tokyo has a huge café culture. "Want to try that new matcha place?" is one of the easiest invitations there is. Six to start with.

Meeting someone new, safely

Meet in public, in the daytime. A busy café near a station is ideal for a first meet-up.

Keep the first one short. An hour over a drink is enough. If you click, plan the next one.

Tell a friend where you're going. Simple, and it takes the edge off.

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it's fine to leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation.

Watch out for "opportunities". If a new friend quickly brings up business, investments or a paid programme, step back. More safety basics.

Why a women-only option helps

It removes the guesswork. No wondering whether a "friendly" chat is actually a date.
It feels easier to say yes. Many women are more comfortable meeting another woman one-on-one for the first time.
It's what women ask for. On Buy Me a Matcha, the option to see only women is the feature women mention most.

See only women, if you like

Buy Me a Matcha shows you people in Tokyo who speak English and also want new friends. You can choose to see only women. Match, pick a café, and meet one-on-one over a matcha. Free, and not a dating app.

Get it on the App Store