Personal Networking in Japan – Here are the Surefire Ways to Make Friends in Japan!

Most foreigners find Japan to be a fascinating and very different place when they land here. For foreign tourists, Japanese tourist spots are their best friends. However, if you are here for a longer stay, you will need to know ways to network and make friends in Japan.

No matter the country, one of the most difficult challenges an expat faces is saying sayonara to cherished hometown friends. While old friends can never be replaced, forging new friendships overseas is essential. This networking enhances your expat experience while deepening the connection to your newfound homeland.

Whether it be foreign friends who speak your language or Japanese residents to teach you the lay of the land, making good friends will ensure your time in Japan is as enjoyable as possible!

However, as I’m sure you understand, new friendships are no walk in the park. To help guide you into a flourishing social life, we present some of the best and easiest ways to make new friends in Japan.

Drink at an Izakaya or Bar

Full of laughter, smiles, and shouts of kanpai (cheers), the Japanese drinking culture is one of the safest and friendliest in the world! Rather than just sticking with established cliques, Japanese locals and expats alike will head into town looking to let loose and have fun with new people.

The best places for this are standing bars, known as tachinomiya (立ち飲み屋), which are designed to encourage mingling between patrons.

To encounter expats or globally-minded Japanese locals, one of Japan’s ubiquitous international bars, such as HUB, is a strong bet. Many of these will boast regulars all too happy to welcome a new face into the surrounding community. Japanese-style izakaya bars and restaurants can also be good – if they are casual. 

Find Meetup Events and International Parties

Using the website Meetup or a similar platform, anyone can put together an event and promote it online. Meetup covers it all, from international parties to activities around a particular theme, such as jogging, eating, gaming, or business networking. Meetup events happen almost daily across major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Hang Out with Colleagues

In Japan, venturing out with coworkers for after-work drinks or a weekend rendezvous is nothing unusual!

Encouraging bonding while providing an outlet to vent frustrations, out-of-business-hours expeditions are a fantastic way to make friendships through the shared ground of work.

In addition, company functions, such as bonenkai (忘年会) end-of-year parties or hanami (花見) flower-viewing picnics provide a somewhat formal yet relaxing opportunity to get to know your colleagues outside the office.

Seek a Japanese Language Exchange Partner 

Under the guise of mutual education, language exchange partners allow two or more people to share their culture and language. These sessions foster potential friendships or relationships. One of Japan’s best places to meet language exchange partners is via the super-popular app HelloTalk. This app connects like-minded individuals for online chats or in-person meet-ups. 

Join a Japanese Language Class

A Japanese language class provides a formal and structured environment to improve your language abilities alongside classmates.

Joining a class allows you to meet other foreigners living in your area. These periodic meetings naturally promote friendships through the shared goal of learning Japanese.

You will have an option for full-time, intensive courses, which are widely available. However, those working full-time can easily partake in casual, once-a-week classes either through a private school or local community class. Naturally, the latter is significantly cheaper than the former.

Check Out Live Gigs or Clubs

Rock, hip-hop, electronic, jazz – whatever your style, everyone loves a bit of music! Live gigs are held across bars, concert halls, live houses, and public squares in Japan almost every night of the week. These live events present great opportunities for hanging out to meet like-minded people while enjoying pleasant tunes.

It’s easy to search online to locate a gig near you and turn up. It’s perfectly fine to go to such events alone in Japan! Clubs are equally as prominent, with major venues in Tokyo and Osaka holding events packed with friendly clubbers running until the morning daylight.

These events include WARP, ageHa, and WOMB in Tokyo and Giraffe, Club Piccadilly, and Cheval in Osaka. Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Nagoya are big party cities bursting with energy and packed with sociable expats! Best of all, you can listen to the music if there are any awkward moments or lapses in conversation! 

With language barriers, age gaps, and busy schedules, crafting friendships in a new country is a huge challenge, even for the most extroverted socialites. However, Japan is exceptionally friendly, teeming with bars, parties, apps, classes, and venues to encourage socializing and facilitate friendships. As an expat, you can also join international communities in Japan to expand your network.

There’s no reason to feel lonely in a country like Japan – put yourself out there, and you’re bound to find a new set of lifelong friends leading to a deeply contented expat life!