Japanese people are known to be conservative, reserved, and composed because of their traditional upbringing. This is also why things like online dating and hookups weren’t common in the country until recently.
Thanks to the internet and technological improvements today, however, many Japanese are starting to break the norm and introduce themselves to the world of dating sites and hookup apps. In fact, a recent survey by an insurance company revealed that 1 in every 5 newlywed couples met online.
If you’re thinking of using dating sites to meet your special someone in Japan, this guide is for you. We’ll cover all the best Japanese dating sites and apps to try for a successful love connection. Plus, we’ll go in-depth on their features, pros, and cons and give you a couple of tips to make sure your Japanese dating life is a success!
What Are the Best Dating Sites and Apps to Meet Japanese Singles?
People know about Tinder and Bumble, which are also famous in Japan. However, if you’re looking for other options that exclusively feature Japanese singles, you might want to consider our top ten recommendations below.
Top 10 Best Japanese Dating Sites and Apps
Most Japanese dating sites and apps work the same. You need to create your account, enter the necessary information, tell more about your passion and interests, and all the other basics. Now, when choosing the right dating site, go beyond these and look for additional features that can elevate your experience.
Below are ten of the best Japanese dating apps and websites and their corresponding features to give you an overview of what to expect from each option.
eHarmony
As far as dating sites go, it's hard to top eHarmony. It's one of the most popular dating sites today, especially for people who are looking for serious relationships as opposed to hookups.
While hookup culture is popular among younger adults in Japan, it's not as popular if you're on the more conservative site. If you're also at that age where you're expected to get married (and you'll get some pressure from Japanese oldies), finding a long-term significant other can get harder and harder.
This is where eHarmony comes in to help you find the one who's right for you. This app isn't just about swiping through a bunch of profiles until someone swipes back. eHarmony uses an advanced algorithm that's basically a matchmaker. Upon signing up, you'll need to answer an extensive questionnaire about yourself, your ideal partner, your ideal relationship setup, and more. Other users also go through this process.
Once done, eHarmony will then find ideal matches for you based on how you answered your questionnaire. By giving you only a handful of matches per day, you get to focus on each potential match and get to know each other better.
While everyone's used to the fast-paced dating apps where you can match with dozens of people in one day, eHarmony urges you to take it slow. After all, you don't want to rely on a gamified dating app to find The One!
Features:
- Advanced algorithm that matches compatible singles
- Up to 70% of users find their future spouse within one year of using the app
- Easy to use even for those who aren't used to dating apps
- An even ratio of men and women
Adult FriendFinder
Not all romantic connections need to lead to the altar. Sometimes you just want to have a little fun. If you're not into serious relationships but want to engage in a little hanky panky with other people, the easiest way to do this is through Adult FriendFinder.
AFF is the go-to dating app for hassle-free and non-judgmental hookups. Seriously, everyone's open about what they want behind closed doors, no judgment! The best part is that unlike on other popular hookup apps out there, AFF users aren't as looks-obsessed. They're on the site to find quick, simple hookups--no strings attached!
The best part about AFF is its security features. If you want to stay anonymous, it's possible to do this without compromising your success on the site. And take note that we're calling it a site. There is no dedicated app for AFF, so all you need to do to remove any traces of it is to close your browser.
Adult FriendFinder is currently running a free trial. Give it a shot and you just might find hookups tonight!
Features:
- User-friendly
- Everyone on the app is looking for hookups
- Ideal for no-strings-attached relationships
- Your security is a top priority
JapanCupid
JapanCupid, owned by Cupid Media, is an exclusive dating app for Japanese Singles. It’s currently one of Japan's most popular dating sites and features a large user community. This makes it easier to find your potential love matches.
One of the main advantages of using this app is its level of authenticity. This prevents users from making fake profiles and scamming other users. Verifying your identity is one of the first steps when creating an account.
Moreover, Japanese singles can also use this app to look for potential love connections in the US or elsewhere. It offers a free membership trial, where you can create an account and a member profile and upload at most five photos. You can also search your preferences and send interest to other users.
However, when you wish to start a conversation, you must purchase gold and platinum subscriptions.
Another JapanCupid’s valuable feature is its message translation service. This is perfect for non-Japanese singles looking for Japanese partners. Because of message translation, you can talk and establish an emotional connection with another user, regardless of nationality.
One downside of JapanCupid is that it does not have an app version for iOS users. But you’re free to use the site version. Another disadvantage is that starting a potential relationship is impossible when you only get the free membership trial.
Features:
- Free membership trial to create an account and set up a member profile
- Message translation service for non-Japanese
- User verification to ensure authenticity
Pairs
Another famous Japanese dating app with more than ten million users is Pairs. This homegrown match-making service has proven to be successful in connecting Japanese singles, especially young Japanese adult men belonging to the working class. Pairs have a site, Android, and iOS versions, unlike JapanCupid.
It only takes three steps to sign up and create an account, and it’s free! All you need is to connect your Facebook account to your profile, and you’re good to go. Pairs also feature biometric authentication to prevent scams and fake profiles through iris scans or fingerprints.
After linking your Facebook account and setting up your profile, you can now start searching! Pairs allows users to filter searches through their interests, preferred locations, and demographics.
More importantly, Pairs also asks you a series of questions that can make it easier to look for potential matches. Its algorithm asks questions about various topics, including books, music, food, and movies. Based on your answers, Pairs’ algorithm suggests users that match your desires.
Another valuable feature you can find on this app is its convenient communication. You can message other users with various communication tools, including video calls, sending virtual gifts, and instant messaging.
Features:
- Various communication tools to connect to other users easily
- Easy setting up of an account by connecting to your Facebook
- Contains an Android, iOS, and site version
- Compatibility test to easily match users
Apps Dating Experts Recommend to Men Who Aren't Good With Women
Whether it's your first real relationship or you have a string in your past there are a few apps that dating experts recommend consistently. These are apps where you can meet great girls that want something long-term as well as those just looking to keep it casual:
Tapple
Next on the list is Tapple, an ideal dating app for singles fluent in Japanese. One of Tapple’s main features is guaranteeing to connect you with a partner over the same events and hobbies.
Tapple works like a Japanese language app that provides potential match suggestions based on users' date ideas, desired activities, and other events they would like to experience during the first date.
After signing up and setting up your profile, you can freely swipe across various profiles and each user’s attached date plans. When you find someone with the same date idea as you, you match and can finally start communicating with one another to set up a date.
Tapple values security, safety, and privacy. Users need to input proper ID verification before they can message another user. Moreover, the user’s real name is also hidden to ensure privacy. Other security features include locking the user’s personal information and a strict policy on content moderation to prevent scammers from entering Tapple.
Unlike men, Tapple is especially beneficial for women because they don’t need to pay premium membership to access all the app’s features. Any user can swipe across various date plans and member profiles, and they can also freely post their date ideas.
Features:
- Date plans attached to member profiles
- ID verification to ensure privacy and security
- Japanese language app, ideal for pure Japanese singles
- Free membership for women
Omiai
Another famous Japanese dating site that needs a Facebook profile is Omiai. Everything is exclusively in Japanese, so you need a separate translation service when using the app.
Omiai specializes in connecting Japanese singles looking for serious relationships. When you create an account, you’re given 24 free points to filter search results based on interests, nationality, and income level. Today, Omiai rebranded to be an Instagram or Tinder-friendly app.
After setting up an account, you can automatically begin searching for potential love matches. Once you find someone you’re interested in, go ahead and start a conversation through Omiai’s instant messaging feature. You can also send virtual gifts and invite the user to a video call.
Like Tapple, Omiai is also free for women, even the premium plans.
Features:
- Easy account registration by linking to your Facebook profile
- Instant messaging that allows sending of virtual gifts
- Ideal for Japanese singles looking for serious relationships
Japan Passions
Japan Passions features a unique niche dating platform for singles seeking Japanese women for marriage. However, this dating app is more than looking for serious relationships. It also became a place to find new Japanese friends with the same interests as you. Basically, Japan Passions is an all-in-one dating site, chat room, and social network.
Japanese singles looking for friends, hookups, or serious relationships can set up their profiles for free and start exploring like-minded people. The Passion Network launched this free platform dedicated to bringing Japanese people and expats in Japan together. It aims to create a single platform for individuals who love Japanese culture.
What’s excellent with Japan Passions is it’s not restrictive to Japanese singles. International individuals can create an account and look for their love interests on the platform. Once your accounts are created, feel free to swipe through different users and send a message to individuals you’re interested in.
Aside from being a Japanese dating app, Japan Passions also serves as a platform for forums and discussions about whatever you can think about, including martial arts, expat experiences, football fandoms, and more.
Features:
- Central platform for dating and making friends through forums and chat rooms
- Not limited to Japanese singles
- Creating an account is free
Hatch
Hatch is one of the newcomers on this list, but it has also grown its community base among young Japanese university students and the international crowd.
If you know how Bumble works, getting used to Hatch won’t be difficult. Like the former, only women are allowed to start conversations on this famous Japanese dating app. When both of you are women, anyone can initiate the conversation.
Moreover, the conversation should start within 24 hours after the match has been done. Otherwise, it expires, and you won’t be able to contact the user anymore. Creating an account is easy on Hatch, similar to creating one on Bumble. After setting up your profile and listing your interests, you can start swiping!
What’s unique about Hatch is the Stop Light Color status system:
- Green: looking for some fun, long-lasting relationship, and more
- Yellow: exclusively looking for serious relationships
- Red: only looking for friends
Another unique feature is displaying the language you speak on your profile. So if you want to find a match in Tokyo, you can filter the language you prefer on the search bar. Hatch also has additional features you can enjoy once you pay the premium membership plan. But signing up, swiping interests and matching is totally free.
Features:
- Only women can initiate a conversation
- Stop Light Color status system to be clearer on what you’re looking for
- The preferred language displayed on your profile
- Free sign-up, swiping, and matching
OKCupid Japan
If you want a free Japanese dating app with no monthly fees, OKCupid Japan is what you’re looking for. It also features a compatibility questionnaire with 15 questions about your interests, passions, hobbies, and values. Then, OKCupid Japan uses its algorithm and your answers to match you to potential individuals.
After the app fixes its algorithm, you can start searching and looking for matches. If you find someone you want, just hit the like button. You can also go ahead and send a message to start a conversation. But here’s the catch: your potential match can only view your message when they like you too.
However, even though OKCupid Japan has no monthly fees, it still has premium membership subscriptions. These plans grant you access to more features to improve your online dating experience.
Because this platform is an international app, it’s an ideal Japanese dating site in USA. What we like about this app is that it supports several global languages, including Japanese and English.
Features:
- Supports global languages
- Compatibility questionnaire to find potential matches
- No monthly fees
Dine
Dine has a pretty unique concept, one that’s different from the rest on the list. As its name suggests, the app recommends famous restaurants where users can meet up and talk. It works like a blind date, but you already know the person’s face you’re meeting, thanks to the app.
What’s nice about Dine is you can look for good restaurants and potential matches simultaneously. When you find a potential partner on the app, go ahead and request them to Dine with you. Once they accept, there’s no need to start meaningless small talk and go straight for the first date right away!
Dine also features a "three-minute video chat" to help users get to know each other before meeting. This feature allows users to have a brief video chat to understand their potential match's personality and communication style.
More importantly, Dine's feedback system allows users to rate and provide feedback on their dates. This helped the app improve its matchmaking process and ensure quality experiences for users.
Features:
- Straight to the first date after matching on the app
- Restaurant recommendations and date ideas to spice up your first meet-up
- Three-minute video chat to get to know each other
- Feedback system to allow improvements
Some Tips for Using Japanese Dating Apps
Using Japanese dating apps can be a rewarding experience, primarily because Japan is known for being traditional and conservative. This is also why it's essential to approach them with useful tips to maximize your chances of finding a meaningful connection. Here are some valuable tips for using Japanese dating apps:
Make sure they are real.
Making sure the user you match with is real is critical in Japanese dating apps. One reason behind this is that it ensures user authenticity, promoting a safe and secure online dating environment. This reduces the risk of encountering fake profiles and scammers that can lead to malicious meet-ups.
Moreover, verifying user authenticity helps prevent catfishing, a prevalent online dating scam where individuals pose as someone they are not, safeguarding users from deceptive interactions.
Japanese dating apps also often require users to share personal information during registration. Verifying users' identities helps protect this sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.
Sometimes, it’s also easy to detect whether the users are real or not. Real users are likelier to engage in respectful communication that fosters honest interactions.
Keep a simple bio and introduction about yourself.
Many individuals often make the error of writing their entire life story in their dating app bio. Instead, embracing the "Keep it simple stupid" (KISS) approach is best. Dating app users prefer concise profiles they can browse quickly, especially with numerous profiles to explore.
To stand out in a matter of seconds, keep your bio short, snappy, and to the point. By doing so, you increase your chances of catching the attention of your potential partner amidst the vast array of profiles. Your future partner will undoubtedly appreciate your straightforward and easily digestible bio.
Additionally, Japanese dating app users often prefer quick interactions, and a short bio allows them to quickly grasp essential information about you without investing too much time.
Ultimately, keeping a short bio in Japanese dating apps is a considerate and efficient way to present yourself and increase the likelihood of engaging in meaningful conversations with potential matches.
Understand possible cultural differences.
Japanese culture places a high value on politeness and respect. Be courteous and mindful of cultural norms when interacting with others on the app. It might also help to learn a few basic Japanese phrases to help break the ice and show your interest in the culture.
When interacting with potential matches on Japanese dating apps, being aware of and respecting these cultural differences promotes sensitivity and openness. It allows users to communicate effectively, avoid misunderstandings, and foster a genuine appreciation for each other's backgrounds.
Ultimately, understanding cultural differences on Japanese dating apps creates an environment that makes meaningful relationships grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and a shared appreciation for the richness of Japanese culture.
Embrace the Japanese Culture with Japanese Dating Sites
Japanese dating sites serve as a way for Japanese singles to find their love matches online. And while some threats or risks come with online dating, it is starting to become a norm among young Japanese adults.
If you want to hop on the bandwagon and try your luck with dating sites and apps, don’t forget to check out our top recommendations. Each platform offers great features and compatibility algorithms, ensuring you get a potential love match for a serious relationship.
Use real photos and create short bios so your profile remains straightforward and engaging to potential matches. Plus, don’t forget about the cultural differences, especially when you’re a foreigner interested in Japanese singles.
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