One of the biggest challenges when moving to a new country, whether it is for studies or work, is making new friends. Especially so in a country whose culture and language are so different from your own, as is the case with moving to Japan. However, with a little effort and an open mind, it is entirely possible to build a social network in Japan and make lasting friendships. 

Whether you are a Japanese language student, resident or tourist, we will explore some strategies for building relationships and connecting with others whilst in Japan.

Side note: If you are looking to join a language learning community, Coto Community has a Meetup group, which you can join for free by creating an account. You’ll get updated about our exciting online and in-person events without missing a beat. Join today!

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Yes and no, it really depends on the effort you are willing to make. Of course, for certain people, it is easier to do. For example international students in Japanese universities who have ample opportunity to make friends with other Japanese students. 

For other people, taking the time to visit social places or join activities, and keeping up with it in the initial stages of meeting new people is vital but a tiresome task. But once you have gained some connections and built friendships, it is much easier to keep up regular contact and go on outings. 

Another important point about making Japanese friends is of course having Japanese skills! In fact, you can even make friends and improve your Japanese skills at the same time by finding a Japanese language partner. Return the favor and teach them English too.

Staying in Japan as an international student is the best time to build connections and make lifelong relationships. Whether you are enrolled in a Japanese language school or a Japanese university, there are many, many opportunities for you to get close to your classmates. 

A lot of schools like the ones partnered with Coto welcome diverse students from around the world every semester. Oftentimes, this can be an overwhelming experience, but you will find that there is a stronger sense of community when you and your classmates are walking towards the same goal. If you would like help finding the right Japanese language school, you can contact us for free study abroad support!

Many Japanese universities offer student accommodation in the form of university dorms. Not only can you make friends with your dorm mates, the camaraderie of living, going to school, studying, eating and playing together makes for an unforgettable memory of university life. School dormitories can be quite expensive and vacancies are prioritized for first-year students, which is why many friends usually band together to move into a shared house. 

Aside from school dorms, staying at a shared house at the onset comes with many benefits. Not only are they cheaper to stay in, but you can also meet different people from many backgrounds, whether local Japanese or foreign. There are shared houses that are open to all people or some for students only usually run by the university. There are also some cons about staying at a shared house, it is basically a lottery so you may meet some great people or some not so nice ones. 

Want to meet other people with shared interests? Join a club or society at university and meet other like-minded people. Bonding over likes and dislikes, going on club outings, joining competitions and working as a team, many long-lasting friendships are made and sealed at clubs. Japanese universities usually have a large variety of circles and clubs (also known as bukatsu), like sports, drama, traditional culture, music, foreign language, etc. so you should have no problem finding something you like. 

This comes as no surprise but active participation in school events goes a long way in building connections with your peers and can be fun to attend with friends. 

The biggest event in Japanese universities is the cultural festival (文化祭; bunkasai) usually held from September to November. Circles and clubs in particular are heavily involved and use this opportunity to show what they’re made of. From choosing what to do, preparations for the big day, and finally the time to perform, the cultural festival can only be brought to life with teamwork and will make for great memories to reminisce with fellow friends at future alumni gatherings! 

Japanese language schools in particular like to organize social gathering events called “kouryuukai (交流会)”.  This can be between schools, in collaboration with local neighborhoods, or associations. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and in the case of neighborhood gatherings, Japanese locals. 

Having a part time job in Japan as a student not only helps support your living expenses and improve your Japanese language skills, but it is also a moment to meet and make friends with Japanese people. Unlike other countries, most Japanese students only start taking on part-time jobs when they begin university. This is because of Japan’s education system makes high school life very busy for students who go to cram school and prepare for university entrance examinations alongside regular classes and club activities. They simply have no time to work part-time. 

Do be careful to socialize during your break and free time only and not distract your coworker from their duties! If making friends is your priority, choose a workplace that is not too busy and requires socialization as part of your job like English conversation school (eikaiwa), support staff, and interpretation.  

The above is focused on international students in Japan, but what about when you’ve lived in Japan for a long time, or when you graduated from a school? Without a student environment, it can be more difficult to make friends and meet new people. Below, we introduce the best places to meet new people in Japan. 

Japanese Language Exchange Events and Meetups

Language exchange is the meeting of two (or more) people who are learning each other’s language and have agreed to practice it together. Joining a Japanese-English language exchange event is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We’ve made a list of where to find a language exchange event in Japan here.

Language exchange events can either be in a big group or just between another partner. You’re practicing listening and speaking simultaneously, so you’re going to be more engaged. However, a lot of times, you meet a Japanese language exchange partner through an online community, so while it’s a great way to make friends and learn Japanese, there are a few do’s and dont’s during your language exchange event.

Perhaps diving straight into the social pool is too difficult for you, but that doesn’t mean it’s now game over. In this case, try your hand at online communities that can be found on Reddit or Facebook. There are many foreigners living in Japanese communities available, usually separated by language spoken or originating country. With online communities, you can slowly test the waters first and see if this is a crowd you want to mix with before going further to join meetups. Speaking of meetups, there are communities that have regular meetings for their members.

There are also online communities for Japanese that want to practice their English or simply want to make friends with foreigners. If you are interested in making Japanese friends, this is a good way to go. 

If you have a pet dog, it is incredibly easy to make friends in Japan. Just visit a dog run or dog cafe with your prized pooch and mingle with other pet owners. High chances are if you are new in the area, particularly friendly people will go up to you to ask questions like “what breed is your dog?” and “is this your first time here?”, or simply just compliment how adorable and beautiful your dog is. From there, just frequent your visits, assimilate yourself with the regulars, and you and your dog have some friends! Expect invitations to visit other dog runs, dog cafes, and other dog-friendly establishments. 

Neighborhood events are common in Japan. To find out about what upcoming events and activities to participate in, just check the bulletin boards around your neighborhood or check with your local municipality or city office (区・市役所; kuyakushou, shiyakushou). Events may include anything from neighborhood cleanup and festivals to flea markets and food fairs. 

There are also neighborhood clubs and associations you can join, like gardening or other hobbies. Your best source of information for anything neighborhood related is of course the city office or their website. Have a browse and see what catches your eye.  

Everybody appreciates volunteers, and the volunteers themselves will appreciate having someone new on board. Like clubs, volunteer programs usually have a goal, like a city cleanup (trash picking), providing assistance at shelters, city revitalization, food collection, donation drives and charity events. You will have many choices to select from so pick something you want to dedicate your time to and have strong feelings for. Working together as a team with other people who share your same ideals is a great feeling as you make a difference in society. 

Part of the experience that comes with living and visiting Japan is the experience of traditional Japanese culture. Experiencing is one thing, but since you are living here and if you have the time for it, you can even hone a traditional Japanese skill. 

There are many traditional cultural classes being offered in Japan, some even run by the local municipality. Tea ceremony, flower arrangement, origami, dance, and more, there are many options available so choose one to your liking. Most classes will incur costs so be careful to check the price plan and class duration. Shared interests and hands-on activity is sure to get you talking with your fellow classmates. 

Aside from traditional culture classes, you can also join cooking classes which are frequented by ladies, or martial arts classes with children and adults alike. It is not uncommon for classmates to linger to talk after lessons, and some also continue their talks at coffee shops nearby. 

There is no better place to socialize than bars and izakayas. Not so much at chain izakayas, but at mom-and-pop izakayas, the owner is usually all too happy to chit-chat when it is not too busy. It is a common sight to see owners and regular customers enjoying banter at these places, and there’s no reason you cannot do the same! Find a place whose atmosphere you enjoy, not to mention the booze and food, and regularly visit. It may be difficult for a quiet introverted person, but if you are not afraid to voice your opinions and chip in on the conversation you will be one of the crowd in no time. 

To add to this, meet-up gatherings and similar events may be regular occurrences at some bars. Some of them are by invitation only, but there are also those that are open to the public. Attendees are usually also looking to meet new people and make friends so it is an easy and comfortable space to socialize.

Making friends in a new country can be difficult but not impossible with some effort. There are many places and settings in which you can meet new people in Japan provided you are willing to put yourself out there. An important thing to remember is to practice caution when meeting new people, this is the case in any country, even one as safe as Japan. Be careful of scams, pyramid schemes, and suspicious people. If possible, bring a friend with you and look out for each other.

If you plan to study in Japan, make new friends and explore your favorite city in Japan, Coto School can help you find schools and areas to fit your needs for the right study-abroad experience! Contact us today to get your Japanese-learning journey started.

The biggest challenge to making friends in Japan is the culture and language barrier. Before you navigate the social scene in Japan, it is best to first study Japanese social situations and social faux pas to avoid, plus have a decent level of Japanese abilities. 

Yes and no, it really depends on the effort you are willing to make. Of course, for certain people, it is easier to do. International students in Japanese universities who have ample opportunity to make friends with other Japanese students. When you are working, it might be more difficult to meet up with new people.

This can be easily done by finding social groups on social media like Facebook or Reddit. Quite a few social groups have regular weekly or monthly meetings to gather and mingle. Other ways include visiting foreign food events and fairs and dining at foreigner-established pubs and restaurants, these places usually have a crowd of foreigners. Do practice caution and pick your friends carefully.