How to Make Friends in Japan

Tips For Building Relationships Abroad

Moving to a new country can be a wonderful experience, but it also comes with challenges, one of the biggest being making new friends. Building meaningful relationships can greatly enhance your time in Japan. Therefore, we have created some of the best tips for you especially to make close friends in Japan. You might be wondering; do I really need to speak Japanese to make new friends? Although Japanese could be useful, not knowing how to speak fluent Japanese, will not affect the ability to make friends in Japan. The best thing you can do is to try learning basic greetings or phrases because most locals are already happy that someone is appreciating their culture. Just embracing the Japanese culture and showing a genuine interest in learning about its customs can go long way in building rapport with locals. It will not only help you with immersing yourself in the culture, but it will also demonstrate your respect and consideration to the Japanese culture, which people will appreciate.

Events

Go to meetup events, where foreigners and Japanese people often join to communicate in English or Japanese to make new friends. Often people come here with the same shared interests and these events have a structured environment, making it easier to break the ice. These meetup events can be found on social media where you can fill out an application form for attending.

Clubs

Another useful way to make friends is: joining clubs or communities embracing your hobbies. Whether you are passionate about hiking, photography, cooking, cultures, or gaming, communities can bring a sense of belonging and mutual interests. By immersing yourself in these communities, you not only can pursue your passions but also can connect with like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm. These communities are known as “hobby tribes”. While moving out of a new country may seem like an intimidating experience, remember that Japan is a land of endless opportunities for friendship and connection. For things such as embracing the culture, participating in social events, and pursuing your interests, you are not just navigating the environment – you are opening the door to a whole new world of possibilities. Therefore, it is important to approach with an open heart and willingness to engage, so you will soon find yourself surrounded by a circle of friends who make the experience of living in Japan an unforgettable one.