Key segments were drawn from ASIA to JAPAN’s guide on how to find local communities in Japan: 日本で働く外国人のための「コミュニティ」の探し方をご紹介！
Moving to Japan for work can be an exciting adventure. Beyond advancing your career, it’s a chance to explore a new culture and meet people from all walks of life. But one question often lingers: how do you make friends in Japan as a foreigner 外国人 (gaikokujin)?
Finding a local community 地域のコミュニティ can make all the difference in adapting to life abroad. A strong support system provides a sense of belonging, making Japan feel like home. If you’re unsure where to start, you’re in the right place! In this guide, we’ll share practical tips for building connections in Japan, along with first-hand stories from foreign workers who have successfully found their communities コミュニティー.
The Foreign Talent Community In Japan Is Thriving | 外国人コミュニティは拡大中
In 2025, the number of foreigners residing in Japan reached a record high of 2.3 million [1].
However, from our experience helping foreign talents 外国人材(gaikoku jinzai) secure job offers 内定(naitei) from Japanese companies, we’ve observed that foreign workers 外国人労働者(gaikokujin roudousha) still make up a relatively small percentage of the overall workforce. And in many companies, it’s common to find just one or two foreigners 外国人(gaikokujin) in a department.
While some companies have systems to help connect foreign workers with local communities 域のコミュニティー, it’s also important to proactively build your own network. The good news is that there are many easy ways to do so!
How To Connect With Local Communities In Japan? | 地域のコミュニティと関わるにはどうしたらいい？
1. Search For Communities Online
Finding your fellow countrymen in Japan is easier than you might think. Just search for the name of your country and the word “community” (コミュニティ) in a search engine, and related organizations and social media groups will appear in the results.
One Indonesian salarywoman living and working in Osaka shares how connecting with her fellow Balinese friends in Japan made her feel less homesick. “I have three Balinese friends in Japan. Together, we speak Balinese and eat at Balinese restaurants. It’s a support system that helps us remember our native tongue,” she said. “We found this authentic Balinese restaurant in Osaka called Ubud Suci. I really recommend it! We’ve tried a lot, but this was the one that really hit the mark. When we come there, we can even talk to the chef to order off the menu, of the local homecooked dishes we’re nostalgic about. It’s really become a place we run to when we’re feeling homesick.”
You can also make friends in Japan as a foreigner by attending events and meet-ups arranged via SNS.
Below are the SNS apps you can download to meet potential friends who share common interests.
| SNS APPS For Networking in Japan | |
| Meetup ミートアップ | This web app allows you to find events where people with the same hobbies and interests can gather. It lists various communities, such as intercultural exchange events and language learning events, so you can make friends by communicating with people who share the same hobbies. |
| EatWith イートウィズ | This is a community site that lists food-related events. Search by location, number of participants, and date to display related events. You can also make friends through events. |
| Facebook フェイスブック | There are many groups for foreigners living in Japan. It’s perfect for casually building a network. |
| Kokuchizu Pro こくちーずプロ | This app lists events aimed at foreigners living in Japan. It’s a great way to make friends with people who share the same interests and hobbies. |
A computer engineer in Japan shares his experience making friends through clubs クラブ. “I’ve made friends through pursuing my hobbies. My company has clubs for different hobbies, including ones I’m interested in: motorcycles and badminton! Having friends and actively pursuing your social life in Japan is a must, especially for an expat plucked out of their comfort zone,” he said.
2. Attend Events Hosted By International Exchange Associations | 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryu kyokai)
Aside from connecting with fellow foreign workers, you can also network with locals by joining international exchange facilities run by organizations that promote multicultural coexistence. The purpose of these facilities is to foster connection and deepen intercultural understanding.
Here are some of the centers and organizations you can join as a foreigner looking to make friends in Japan.
Hokkaido/Tohoku Block International Exchange Associations 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryuu kyoukai)
- Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center (public corporation) 北海道国際交流・協力総合センター（公社）
- Sapporo International Communication Plaza (Public Interest Foundation) 札幌国際交流プラザ（公益財団法人）
- Aomori Prefectural Tourism and International Exchange Organization (Public Corporation) 青森県観光国際交流機構（公社）
- Akita International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 秋田県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Iwate International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 岩手県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Miyagi International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 宮城県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Sendai Tourism and International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 仙台国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Yamagata Prefectural International Association 山形県国際交流協会
- Fukushima International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 福島県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Niigata International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 新潟県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Niigata City International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 新潟市国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
Kanto Block International Exchange Associations 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryuu kyoukai)
- Ibaraki International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 茨城県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Tochigi Prefectural International Association 栃木県国際交流協会
- Gunma Prefecture Tourism and Products International Association 群馬県観光物産国際協会
- Saitama International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 埼玉県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Saitama Tourism and International Association (public corporation) 埼玉県観光国際協会（公社）
- Tokyo Tsunagari Sosei Foundation (Public Interest Foundation) 東京つながり創生財団（公益財団法人）
- Chiba City International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 千葉市国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Chiba International Convention Bureau (Public Interest Foundation) ちば国際コンベンションビューロー（公益財団法人）
- Kanagawa International Foundation 神奈川国際交流財団
- Yokohama International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 横浜市国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Kawasaki City International Association 川崎市国際交流協会
Tokai/Hokuriku Block International Exchange Associations 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryuu kyoukai)
- Toyama International Center (Public Interest Foundation) 富山県国際交流センター（公益財団法人
- Ishikawa Prefectural International Association 石川県国際交流協会
- Fukui Prefectural International Association 福井県国際交流協会
- Gifu Prefectural International Exchange Center (Public Interest Foundation) 岐阜県国際交流センター（公益財団法人）
- Nagano Prefectural International Association 長野県国際交流協会
- Yamanashi Prefectural International Association 山梨県国際交流協会
- Shizuoka International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 静岡県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Shizuoka City International Association 静岡市国際交流協会
- Hamamatsu International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 浜松国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Aichi Prefectural International Association 愛知県国際交流協会
- Nagoya International Center (Public Interest Foundation) 名古屋国際センター（公益財団法人）
- Mie Prefectural International Exchange Foundation 三重県国際交流財団
Kinki Block International Exchange Associations 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryuu kyoukai)
- Shiga International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 滋賀県国際協会（公益財団法人）
- Kyoto City International Foundation 京都市国際交流協会
- Osaka Prefectural Foundation for International Exchange 大阪府国際交流財団
- Kyoto Prefectural International Center (Public Interest Foundation) 京都府国際センター（公益財団法人）
- Osaka International House Foundation 大阪国際交流センター
- Hyogo Prefectural International Association 兵庫県国際交流協会
- Kobe International Community Center (Public Interest Foundation) 神戸国際コミュニティセンター（公益財団法人）
- Wakayama Prefectural International Association 和歌山県国際交流協会
Chugoku/Shikoku Block International Exchange Associations 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryuu kyoukai)
- Tottori Prefectural International Exchange Foundation 鳥取県国際交流財団
- Shimane International Center (Public Interest Foundation) 島根県国際センター（公益財団法人）
- Okayama Prefectural International Association 岡山県国際交流協会
- Hiroshima International Center (Public Interest Foundation) ひろしま国際センター（公益財団法人）
- Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation 広島平和文化センター
- Yamaguchi Prefectural International Association 山口県国際交流協会
- Tokushima Prefectural International Association 徳島県国際交流協会
- Kagawa Prefectural International Association 香川県国際交流協会
- Ehime International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 愛媛県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Kochi Prefectural International Association 高知県国際交流協会
Kyushu Block International Exchange Associations 国際交流協会(Kokusai kouryuu kyoukai)
- Fukuoka Prefectural International Exchange Center (Public Interest Foundation) 福岡県国際交流センター（公益財団法人）
- Kitakyushu International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 北九州国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Fukuoka City International Foundation 福岡市国際交流財団
- Saga Prefectural International Association 佐賀県国際交流協会
- Nagasaki International Association (Public Interest Foundation) 長崎県国際交流協会（公益財団法人）
- Kumamoto International Association 熊本県国際協会
- Kumamoto City International Foundation 熊本市国際交流振興事業団
- Oita Prefectural Arts, Culture and Sports Promotion Foundation 大分県芸術文化スポーツ振興財団
- Miyazaki Prefectural International Association 宮崎県国際交流協会
- Kagoshima Prefectural International Association 鹿児島県国際交流協会
- Okinawa Prefectural International Exchange and Human Resources Development Foundation 沖縄県国際交流・人材育成財団
3. Find Friends From Local Religious Communities 宗教コミュニティー In Japan
Shared beliefs can create a powerful bond. For instance, foreign workers in Japan who practice the same religion can connect through local mosques, churches, or other religious gatherings. These places offer not just spiritual support, but also a sense of community and belonging.
For Muslim foreign talents, here are some of the popular mosques in Japan.
Tokyo Camii 東京ジャーミイ – One of the largest mosques in Japan
Located in a quiet residential area near Yoyogi-Uehara Station 代々木上原駅 in Shibuya Ward 渋谷区, Tokyo 東京, the mosque is one of the largest in Japan. The original prayer hall was built by Turkish people who settled in Japan during the war. As the mosque deteriorated, donations were collected from all over Turkey under the Turkish Republic Religious Affairs Administration, and the current Tokyo Camii 東京ジャーミイ was built.
Kobe Muslim Mosque 神戸ムスリムモスク – Oldest mosque still standing in Japan
Kobe Muslim Mosque 神戸ムスリムモスク, located about a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya Station 三ノ宮駅 on the Yamate side 山手 along Pearl Street パールストリート, is the oldest mosque still standing in Japan. It was built in 1935 with funding from Turkish, Tatar, and Indian traders who lived in Kobe 神戸 at the time. It has survived World War II and the disasters of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 阪神淡路大震災, and continues to serve as a place of worship for Muslims in Japan.
“The Mosque is the perfect place to find other Muslim Indonesians. Their tips on finding Halal food can be a lifesaver,” says an Indonesian Aerospace Engineer working in Japan. He adds that the Indonesian Mart is a “treasure trove of authentic ingredients” and “beacon for homesick Indonesians.”
ASIA to JAPAN Helps Foreign Talents Build Meaningful Connections | ASIA to JAPANは外国人が有用なつながりを作ることを助けます！
Want to work and live in Japan as a foreign talent, but worried about not making meaningful connections? Join the FAST OFFER International program to receive support throughout your journey. From helping you match with the right job opportunities to providing job interview mentorship, ASIA to JAPAN’s program goes beyond just job placement — it continues to assist candidates as they settle into their new life in Japan after securing a position. FAST OFFER graduates can also attend exclusive networking events hosted by ASIA to JAPAN to help them make friends and build a network in Japan.
