I just recently moved to Tokyo for an internship and will basically be here for the next 3 months. Unfortunately, I don’t have any friends here and my Japanese is abysmal. I thought being alone in Tokyo would be alright but honestly it’s getting a little depressing and lonely, with me just going to work and coming straight home with nothing to do everyday. Also, where I’m from, kids start drinking alcohol from the age of like 12 so I’m no stranger to alcohol at all (honestly I love drinking), but the legal age to drink here is 20, and usually the legal drinking age isn’t an issue because I don’t look young and can pass off for a 20 year old (so I don’t get ID’ed at most places except clubs), but all these Meet-up apps and events require you to be 20 to join, and that was honestly the only way I had in mind to make some friends, so now I’m back to square one. Any suggestions as to how I could make some friends while I’m here so I don’t go insane would be much appreciated, thanks!
2 comments
Hi. What about meet ups for things that don’t require you to be of a certain age/ don’t require drinking? Do you have any hobbies or interests that you enjoy and could continue in Japan, or, find something you’d like to try?
Example: Meetup lists various boardgame game groups around Tokyo that meet up regularly. These are low-pressure social events around a shared hobby but they are very friendly to new comers.
If you need any friends, you can start with other foreigners; there are a lot of meetings every week in parks or cafes where people hang out and make friends.
And I heart that some people use apps; honestly, I don’t know their names, but one app, something like Tinder but not Tinder, has a filter “looking for friends,” and you will get only options with your gender just to spend time together without any romance.