Just moved to Hiroshima and have absolutely no friends (Japanese or foreigners). Is there any specific app that japanese people use (except line) to make new friends?
I just want someone to talk and travel with. I can speak Japanese and understand most daily life conversations but it’s been tough interacting with people outside of work as no one really seems to care or even exchange greetings.
11 comments
everytime someone posts this the 1st recommendation is to “get a hobby” then you can interact with the people who share that hobby.
this has definitely worked for me.
The way Japan is on privacy, you will mostly need to meet people in person first.
Find community centers and see what they have going on, and if you live near an urban area (not sure if meant Hiroshima the City or Hiroshima the Prefecture) you can look for bars, cafes, and live houses (popular style of music venue).
After that you can exchange LINE, Instagram, and Facebook info. Discord is popular with the younger foreign crowd, but I haven’t met many Japanese using it yet.
Meetup. Find weekly events and make a habit of attending them regularly, saying hi to the other regulars.
My personal experience is that ironically, the meetups geared specifically to “meet new people” tend to be low quality for actually making friends (too many hookup bros and gaijin hunters). The meetups that are based around a sport or activity that people like are much more chill. Mix it up between things you already enjoy and things you’ve always wanted to try.
If you’re part of a religion, attend church/synagogue regularly.
Volunteering around your neighborhood is also a great way to get to know the locals.
HelloTalk
Been here 8 years, number of Japanese friends? 0. Number if international friends, around 6-7
* Engage in a hobby you can do in public or that has easily recognizable equipment: if it’s obvious you have a particular hobby when people see you, they may start talking with you. (Think guitar, tennis, or fishing, not piano, table tennis, or trainspotting.) Hobbies or pastimes that can only be done in groups are also good.
* Volunteer. Many volunteer groups (*e.g.,* those involving physical labor) do not necessitate high levels of Japanese, and membership in or engagement in them *ipso facto* shows you’re a good person.
* Say hello to your neighbors.
Just to reinforce what others have said: the most effective way to meet people, and from there make friends, is to join a group activity. Find something you enjoy or want to learn. Can be hiking, or playing an instrument. Or yoga. Or enjoying K-pop. There is guaranteed to be a “circle”, or club, or classes, or something in your area where people of similar interests gather.
Join one or a few of those, participate several times, and then branch out from there.
Some advice Sam gave me when I came to town. He told me to check out Hub. Not sure if there is one all the way down there.
Don’t focus on their nationality
Try HelloTalk. This is a great app to do language exchange with others nearby. With this common interest, it will lead to other activities if the chemistry between the two are good enough.
How often is a post of this kind coming here? Do people really dont know how to make friends? Is this a troll post?