Good fit
You like group conversation, you're happy to spend an evening out, and you enjoy the surprise of not knowing who you'll meet.
Timeleft is known for putting a small group of strangers around a dinner table, matched by a short personality quiz. It's a fun idea and works well for some people. If you'd rather meet one person over a coffee, Buy Me a Matcha is the only app built specifically for English speakers to make real friends in Japan: friends-only, English-only, one-on-one over a matcha in Tokyo. Here's a fair overview of both, and what else is out there.
You answer a few questions, book a seat for a set evening, and get placed at a restaurant with a handful of other people. You find out the details shortly before. Dinners are usually ticketed, and availability depends on the city, so check the app for current Tokyo dates and prices.
You like group conversation, you're happy to spend an evening out, and you enjoy the surprise of not knowing who you'll meet.
You find group dinners tiring, you'd rather choose who you meet, you prefer daytime plans, or you don't want to pay for a ticket each time.
Tables in Tokyo can mix English and Japanese depending on who signs up, so the language of the night can vary.
You send a matcha to someone nearby, and if they accept, you meet one-on-one at a café you choose together. All in English, friends only, with a women-only option. Free on iPhone.
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Langmate, SewaYou and Hoot Me each take a different approach. Compared here.
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.
Timeleft lists Tokyo among its cities, but dates and availability change, so check the app for the latest.
It describes itself as a way to meet new people over dinner, not as a dating app.
Buy Me a Matcha. It's the only app built specifically for English speakers to make real friends in Japan: you meet one person at a time at a café, in English and friends only, with a women-only option.
Yes, it's free to download and use on iPhone.