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Being single in Japan can have many upsides and downsides. If you live in the countryside it could be hard to create relationships, whether it’s romantic or platonic. One may even go as far as to say that even in large cities like Tokyo and Osaka it’s difficult given the large concentrated population. As you may have noticed, the popularity of dating apps has sharply increased, with many finding their partners through them. Japan is no exception, with several Japanese companies releasing their own Japanese dating app.
These companies are actually what you would call “arranged marriage” agencies that specialize in matching people based on their personalities and interests. The culture of meeting organically almost seems like a myth given current events and the shift to online dating. Meeting organically seems almost impossible that it has even prompted the Japanese government to release an official Japanese dating app.
If you are more of an online dating kind of person then keep reading! We have listed some tips and popular Japanese dating apps for you to choose from.
Which Japanese Dating App Is Right For You?
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It’s important to first think about what it is you’re seeking. If it’s a life-long partner you would like then maybe you should try one of the Japanese dating apps created by a Japanese arranged marriage agency. If you are looking for something casual or seeking friends, apps like Tinder or Bumble are quite popular for not only casual dating but finding friends as well.
Finding a partner is difficult anywhere you go. But it’s important to do your research on dating culture in the respective country. In American dating culture, it’s not common to say “Will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend/partner?” whereas in Japan it’s standard to define the relationship. Be sure to do your research before you proceed.
Another thing to consider is your Japanese language level, some apps we’ve listed are in Japanese only and others are in English and Japanese. With any relationship, communication is key to form any kind of bond, keep this in mind when selecting an app.
Why You Should Use a Japanese Dating App
There are different online dating apps to choose from, but if you’d like to expand your dating pool using a popular Japanese dating app may be better for you.
Tinder and Bumble are popular apps around the world that includes Japan. You can meet Japanese and foreign users who are looking to casually date or find friends. As far as Japanese dating apps go, a particular app has become popular amongst Japanese. You may have seen ads on Youtube regarding the Japanese dating app Tapple.
Tapple is currently rated as the no. 1 dating app downloaded in Japan, its a trusted app and has even collaborated with a couple of wards like Edogawa ward and Himeji city. It is mostly popular amongst 20-year olds seeking a life long partner.
Japanese Dating App: Free But Not Free
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Most dating apps are free to download and create an account. For the most part, women have more free benefits than men. Its the idea that the more female users there are, the more male users will want to register. Apps like Tinder and Bumble are generally free for all genders, but Japanese dating apps are slightly different. With most having a fee for male users when they want to send messages. Be sure to read the fine print before deciding on an app.
Be Careful of Fake Profiles!
With the advancement in AI technology, knowing the difference between a real profile and a fake one could be hard. If you’ve ever used an online dating app, I’m sure you’ve come across a fake profile or two. It’s definitely important to be cautious when using an online dating app, as you could potentially fall into the hands of a scammer.
Online dating can be fun, but its important to know the red flags and to protect yourself from online scammers. Most of the apps mentioned here are safe to use, but be cautious as not all people come with the same intentions you do, use your judgement.
What Are Popular Japanese Dating Apps?
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With so many apps to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one to commit to. To give you a general idea of which Japanese dating apps are commonly used, we’ve listed some popular Japanese dating apps.
Omiai
Language: Japanese
Type: Serious relationships
Price: ¥3,900/ month for male users who would like to send more than two messages
Omiai is considered one of Japan’s most reliable and renowned dating apps. With a star rating of 3.9 on the Apple store and over 200,000 plus reviews, it is safe to say that it is a trusted app. If you are seeking a marriage partner this app would be perfect for you. Although they have since rebranded in terms of style (taking on a more Tinder-like appearance) it is still an app for people looking for serious relationships. Be advised that you will need either a Facebook account, Apple account or a phone number to register.
Omiai allows you to set your preferences like income and nationality when seeking a partner so you may need to include the same information. The app is all in Japanese so you will need to be close to native level to use it.
Pairs
Language: Japanese
Type: Serious relationships
Price: Free to sign up, male users need to pay ¥3,700/ month if they would like to send messages
Pairs is another popular Japanese dating app, mostly geared towards younger Japanese men. The interesting part about this app is that they use your initials instead of your full name, adding a bit of anonymity. On the Apple store it currently has 4.2 stars with 380,000 plus reviews. Its a good fit for those seeking a serious relationship. The app is in Japanese so your language level should be close to a native speaking level.
Not much is required to sign up, simply an Apple ID or a Facebook account. If this sounds like your ideal app, give it a try.
Happy Mail
Language: Japanese
Type: Friends, casual, serious relationships
Price: Free for female users, sign up is free for male users. Those who sign up are rewarded with points which for male users can be used to unlock many things. Points cost ¥10 but they can be bought in bulk.
Happy Mail was launched in 2011 and although a rather young app, it has garnered a large following. This app is perfect for those seeking a pen pal or a romantic relationship. It is also LGPTQ+ friendly allowing users to set their preferences.
One big advantage of using Happy Mail is the huge number of users in rural areas. While many users of other dating apps are mostly focused in central Tokyo, Happy Mail users are scattered all over Japan allowing you to connect with many users around Japan.
With
Language: Japanese
Type: Serious relationships
Price: Free to sign up but ¥3,600/ month for male users if they would like to sned messages and likes.
With a popular app amongst younger people, often used by university students and people in their 20s. This is a unique app as it has a psychological test that is free to take. Based on your results you are matched with people that would suit your personality and vice versa.
Although the app is used by younger people, do not let that fool you. This app is meant for those who are seeking a serious relationship, not necessarily for marriage though.
If you are a university student or in your 20’s why not give With a try?
PCMAX
Language: Japanese
Type: Casual
Price: Free to sign up. Female users can message for free. A similar payment method as Happy Mail for male users (¥10/per point)
PCMAX is another large app that you should know. Like Happy Mail, you will need to pay according to the number of mail you send to other users. There is a higher number of male users than female users with 70% male and 30% female. With a 4.1 star rating on Apple store it seems promising but it has around 90,000 plus reviews, less than the other apps previously mentioned.
Tapple
Language: Japanese
Type: Casual, Serious relationships
Price: Free to sign up, but male users need to pay ¥3,700/month to send messages
Another unique dating app, Tapple asks you to fill out what your interests and hobbies are. Based on your results you can find different groups to join. You are then shown several people who share the same interests and have the qualities that you seek in a partner. But be weary as some users often flake on dates, preferring to keep the “relationship” online.
If you are someone who likes to take it slow, perhaps Tapple is the perfect app for you. As mentioned before, it may take a while for users to go from online to in-person.
Zexy Enmusubi
Language: English, Japanese
Type: Serious relationships
Price: Free to sign up. If you would like to send more than one message you will need to pay ¥4,900/month.
ZEXY is a wedding planning magazine published by Recruit Co. It is a well-known wedding planning magazine in Japan.
ZEXY Enmusubi is an online dating app that specializes in helping people find their potential marriage partners. It has a rather high success rate amongst other apps, which makes it a trustworthy app to try if you are seeking marriage. They claim that 80% of users meet their soulmate within 5 months.
Try Using A Japanese Dating App
Now that we’ve approached the age in which technology is all around us, it’s no surprise that it’s playing an important role in human relationships. Although the stigma of using a dating app may be embarrassing or seen as something to be ashamed of, plenty of relationships have blossomed from dating apps.
As you may have noticed from this list, most of them require male users to pay. Therefore you should decide carefully before jumping into something.
If you are finding success in apps like Tinder or Bumble, some of the most popular apps across the world, then its alright to stick with them. But if you are having trouble finding what you’re looking for, then why not try using a Japanese dating app?
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