This may sound like a silly post, but I’m looking for ideas of where to chat with Japanese people in Japan. I’ve lived here for about 2 months, and I have some go-to things I do to talk with Japanese folks (climbing gym 2-3x per week, in-laws, at shops) but I’m wondering if people have more ideas of where I could go to interact with random Japanese people.
Initially I was thinking to just go to the mall and talk to people at shops, but I find that the talking is really forced and simple, and often they just try to speak to me in English (I’m at N5 level). I also feel like its not really fair on the person I’m speaking to to use them solely for my practice when I have no plan on buying anything.
So I’m curious if anyone in Japan has some go-to things or places they go to practice talking Japanese.
Thanks!
6 comments
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Search /r/japanlife and /r/JapanResidents for posts about making friends with locals. You will get some ideas.
With extreme introversion in Japan, it is very difficult to have casual conversation with Japanese people you may not know well. Generally, places that serve alcohol are your best bet like izakaya or joining hobby groups. Join volunteer based community Japanese language classes.
Have you tried going to a park or other public area like a castle? And if you’re really looking for public places to talk with random people try to find festivals. Festivals are a good place to talk to random people and learn about culture at the same time!
I went to Sushi Ginza Onodera by myself and the office lady next to me chatted me up. Also, once I was just sitting on the metal bench in Shibuya and two girls started a conversation with me. They were not touts.
To be honest, I recommend you to go to a language school and improve your Japanese first. Get to at least N2 level. It’s really hard to have real conversations, and you end up with a lot of people who are just passionate to speak English with you.
Find a bar or a coffee shop that isn’t very busy and chat with the bartender/owner/barista. Just make sure you don’t keep talking when they have to attend to other customers.