Making Japanese Friends: 5 Survival Tips Every Foreigner Must Know
Meta Description:
Making Japanese friends, why is it so difficult? Here are 5 practical tips that foreigners must know when trying to make friends in Japan.
1. Why is it so hard to make Japanese friends?
Recently, a Korean student who came to study in Japan posted an Instagram reel that went viral.
The subtitles in the video said:
👉 “I've been in Japan for a year, and I still don't have a single Japanese friend.”
Thousands of reactions flooded the comments.
“Becoming friends with Japanese people is really hard.”
“They seem kind on the surface, but it’s hard to get close.”
“Cultural differences prevent deeper conversations.”
👉 So if you want to make Japanese friends, how should foreigners approach it?
2. Survival Tip ① Distinguish Between Surface Kindness and Real Intimacy
Japanese people are polite and kind. But kindness does not equal friendship.
“Let's grab a meal” → This could be a polite greeting.
Not often reaching out first → This could mean refusal.
👉 Therefore, if you want to become friends with Japanese men/women, you must distinguish between surface kindness and genuine interest.
3. Survival Tip ② Lower the Language Barrier
The biggest obstacle to making Japanese friends is language.
If your Japanese is poor, deep conversations become difficult.
Using only Korean or English can lead to a breakdown in communication.
👉 Luckily, nowadays, you can lower the language barrier with apps that have automatic translation features.
4. Survival Tip ③ Utilize Common Interests
Japanese people are active in hobby-based gatherings.
Sports (tennis, basketball, badminton)
Music (bands, karaoke)
Food (cooking classes, food tours)
Language exchange meetings
👉 If you want to "make Japanese friends," don’t just wait for connections on the street; participate in hobby communities.
5. Survival Tip ④ Building Deep Relationships Takes Time
Korean-style quick bonding = burdensome in Japan
Japanese-style relationships = a structure of slowly building trust
👉 Don't misunderstand “Why are they keeping their distance?”; it’s important to understand that time is needed.
When you consistently show sincerity, whether it’s a Japanese woman or man, they will come closer as a true friend.
6. Survival Tip ⑤ Use Safe Platforms
Approaching randomly in the streets or at bars can be dangerous.
👉 As a foreigner, you need even more safe meeting routes.
Offline gatherings: Clubs, school or workplace events
Online platforms: Yoitoki and other verification-based meeting services
7. Yoitoki Insights: Practical Solutions for Making Japanese Friends
👉 Yoitoki is not just a dating app.
It’s a platform optimized for making Japanese friends, as well as for Japanese girlfriends/boyfriends.
Identity verification → Blocks fake accounts
Multi-language automatic translation → Allows conversation even without knowing Japanese
AI matching (心結び) → Considers hobbies, values, and conversation styles
Meeting purpose settings → Options for “dating/marriage/friends”
In other words, Yoitoki is a space where foreigners can truly build trustworthy friendships in Japan.
8. Conclusion: Making Japanese Friends is Strategy, Not Luck
📌 Summary:
The 5 survival tips you must know for making Japanese friends are
Distinguishing between surface kindness and real intimacy
Lowering the language barrier
Utilizing common interests
Building trust over time
Using safe platforms
👉 If you practice these five things, your life in Japan will be much richer and more enjoyable.
💡 Want true friends and deeper relationships in Japan now?
Start with Yoitoki. Safe and genuine encounters await you.
