Hello!
I’m in Japan for the first time after studying Japanese for about two and a half years. I’m here as an intern for two months, but the place I am working for is a small start-up where everyone is an foreign worker. I think only one person is half-Japanese, but that’s it. Since English is mainly used at the work place, I’m scared that I won’t be able to practice my Japanese much while I’m here since I don’t know many other ways of meeting people. The most I’ve said since I got here is just お願いします and ありがとうございます to the cashier at the convenience store.
Do you guys have any suggests for making Japanese friends while I’m here and hopefully making more opportunities to practice and learn Japanese?
Thanks!
6 comments
Check out events at your local community center, you can join a class that interests you and there might also be specific international meetups as well, geared towards cultural and language exchange.
Go to bars , have conversations. Go to any event . Go to a casual lounge for a drink.
Bars! Find a random bar you think seems good and go there. People will start talking to you just because of the fact you are a foreigner.
Izukayas, but you might need to brush up on izukaya etiquette and be the one to initiate conversation. If it’s a small casual one, the barman will probably chat with you too. As with anything, just be respectful and don’t stop drinking 😉
One to one conversation is much easier when you start, but it is hard in Japan. I believe the best you can do is just go shopping or do your groceries.
It will take a while for you follows a group conversation in a bar or in a group meeting. Unless you go to a foreign bar, where Japanese are already expecting to meet foreigners. They will just approach you and start speaking. Even if they don’t understand a thing you are saying they will still be interested in what you are trying to say.
Lived in Japan three times. Incredibly difficult to make friends there. Very normal there.