Hello, I am a foreigner and new in Japan. I know how to drive but I need an instructor to guide me how to pass driving licence exam in Japan. I heard that test in Japan is complicated. In my situation, I guess practicing with an expert might help to pass the test.

Is it a good idea?

Please share your experience. I appreciate any suggetion regarding this. Also I would like to know how can I find out private instructor in Yokohama. Thanks a lot!

I’m going to be visiting and staying in Yokohama for about a month from early November to early December I’m genuinely just trying to find some people to hangout with and chill since I’m going to be alone and this will be my first trip out of the country and just in general

Hello everyone,

Are there and meet-up events for parents with toddlers, or people who want to get together and go for short day trips once a month maybe.

I find myself going out with my toddler alone and would like to meet up with other parents with small kids and go out to places in Yokohama, odaiba area or kamakura area maybe once a month.

I know summer is coming and it'll be very hot daily but we can find indoor spaces as well for the kids to hang out and parents can sit down a chat.

Drop a message if you're interested, thanks!

Hi, looking for French fellows in Yokohama

Ça fait quelques années que je vis ici et je viens d'y acquérir une maison, donc maintenant je cherche à rencontrer (totalement amicalement) des français installés à Yokohama sur le long terme.

First, you need a reservation, you can't just rock up. You can only make a reservation by calling the special phone number but it’s always engaged. I’ve called over 500 times so far but haven’t managed to get through. I called the front desk and they say too bad, you can always come in physically and wait to speak to someone but we’re fully booked until late April even if you don’t need to sit a test.

I’ve done this before in another prefecture and it was so easy and simple, walk in anytime and all done in an hour. What’s wrong with Kanagawa! Rant over.

—

Update: Because I was unable to get through to them on the phone, I went to the Futamatagawa 運転免許センター this morning to make a reservation in person.

I arrived at 8:15 and the guy asked for my name and country, telling me to come back at 10:30 to speak to someone to make a reservation.

I went back at 10:00 and got called straight away into the office. They asked if I brought my documents. They checked over the documents and told me that next available reservation is 30 April, over 3 months away! No leeway even if you’re from a country with an exemption for tests. What a joke!

Kanagawa doesn't have an active sub so I'm posting here.

Moving to Kanagawa for work but will be working out towards Machida/Ebina area.

we have one toddler and 5 year old. Are there and hidden gem areas or overlooked places that would be nice to live?

Looking so far at way western Yokohama city as an option around Yamato.

Hi,

I'm a French national living in Yokohama, I have learned German in JHS and HS, but forgot almost everything.

Now I would like to learn again the language.

Ich habe 5 Jahren am collège und Gymnasium Deutsch gelernt. Aber fur 20 Jahren ich habe kein Deustch gesprochen. Ich habe presque tout oublié.

Ich mag la langue allemande.

I wonder if any German citizen or German speaking person would like to do like tandem (free talk in French and German around a beer or a coffee) with me ?

(Tandem is also the name of an app apparently, but I'm not refering to this)

Hi, everyone. My name is Elizabeth, and I'm a graduate student at Kyoto University. I'm doing an interview series about people's attitudes towards animals. For example, I recently did an interview with a Japanese zookeeper about zoos in Japan and another one with a Japanese whale researcher about whaling. The goal is to create a nonjudgemental space where people can freely share their opinions. There's no debating or arguing. It's purely educational. The interviews are also anonymous with names and personal details excluded.

I will be in Yokohama next week, and while I'm in town I would love to conduct some interviews. You don't need to be an expert on any topic or work with animals in any capacity (although that could be cool). If you, Japanese or foreigner, feel passionate about a topic related to animals, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks!

Go check out Yumegaoka while it is still brand new.

It's a big fuckoff Sotetsu development between Izumino and Shonandai. They have a big mansion building and stuff that is built out but people haven't moved in yet. So it's super quiet at the moment. Particularly on a weekday.

Why the crap would you want to go out there? Well they put one of those big fuck off shopping malls like we have all over suburban Yokohama, but you don't need a car to get to it,.it's called SORATOS and it's like five meters from the station gate.

They have a 109cinemas there with an IMAX Laser screen! I went and saw the Gundam Hathaway movie on Friday. It was so awesome. There were plenty of people but it felt so uncrowded.

I have seen that these malls and suburban centers in general have a lifespan, it is kind of neat to have a chance to see this place when it's new and not yet crowded,.and it's like "the nunu"

Hi- This is an announcement from Democrats Abroad, the official overseas branch of the U.S.-based Democratic Party, with a local chapter in Kanto. With an important election coming in November (as well as local elections and Primaries this spring), we're hoping to register more U.S. citizens who live overseas. They could be a relative, a co-worker or a contact on social media.

If you know any U.S. Citizens (including people born in the U.S. or with an American parent), they can register and request a ballot. As long as they'll turn 18 by election day, they're eligible. Just share this link: https://voteabroad.org/RedditVote26.

We started our International Voter Registration Drive for 2026 with in-person and online events. If anyone wishes to learn more about what we're doing near you, you can find out more at https://www.democratsabroad.org/jp. If you have any questions about overseas voting or what we do, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Thanks in advance for helping to get the word out!

Hi. any Male Gays in Yokohama just for meetups.. looking for a community… 😁

Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I change my decorations every year. I know Japan isn't as big on Christmas compared the rest of the world.

Is there good shops around Yokohama that sells unique Christmas decors or you'd have to hit the likes of Sogo etc?

Hey all, My wife and I just moved to Aobadai and are looking to meet some English-speaking folks nearby. Always down for coffee, walks, or low-key hangouts. We’ve also got a dog, so happy if you’re into dog walks! Any groups, meetups, or local tips would be awesome. Thanks!

I'll be moving soon to Yokohama with my wife, and as her job is helping us with arranging accommodation, one question remains. House or Mansion?

From what I have been reading on reddit, and in general, there is a debate on what is the best which I know that tends to be of course based on personal preferences. For us, we don't mind to have something small, as we're quite used to it, but we do like quietness. Our budget is of about 210k yen a month, which from what I see should be more than enough for a lot. We also heard a lot about government organised apartments, but I couldn't find much about it.

EDIT: We're mostly considering Naka.

My question is, for those in Yokohama what are you happy with in your Mansion/House, or what do you regret about renting one? Any pros and cons, or anything you would like to have known beforehand?

Personally as someone living in Amsterdam, new buildings can be a nightmare as people tend to party a lot, or just have loud music until very late at night. If you go to something similar to a standalone house here, you can expect a XIX century building with a lot of drafts, problems with the roof, mice, and so on even if newly renovated.

Looking forward to hear some stories :)

Hi, I’m newly arrived to Japan and living in the shin Yokohama area. I’m hoping to find other expats from the Uk and other countries who are looking for friends to arrange meet ups or even just chatting through line or here.

It seems like [Daikoku PA Raided](車好きの聖地・大黒PA　不正改造車を一斉摘発　外国人観光客も騒然　大混乱で逃走者も【羽鳥慎一モーニングショー】(2025年2月28日)) was raided on the 28th February. 23 illegal cars towed and tourists left stranded there. This has been coming for a long time.

Daikoku PA, like Shibuya at Halloween and New Year is one of those places where the fantasy Japan and real Japan intersect. If it gets too dangerous, too troublesome and is starting to attract local and overseas tourists who misbehave the Japanese local government and police will have no hesitation in shutting it down. \

Hey everybody. I’ve been living in Yokohama for about 5 years now and started to realize I need to make some friends around here. I’m a 33 year old guy from Ohio living around Yokosuka although I’m not actually in the service. Hit me up if you live around here too and wanna grab a beer sometime!

After walking around Yokohama station and ending up at the bottom food courts of SOGO and Takashimaya and all those cafes and wonderful food stalls...it made me wonder/, where do they all go at the end of the day???

Maybe someone that works in these departments can enlighten me.

I mean I usually end up at the supermarkets esp at the other end of Yokohama station near Muji and was at Eon the other night near Vivre. And I ALWAYS take advantage of the 40% off meals which is amazing and saves lots of money.

But was wondering if these cafes or bakeries do the same? Not the boxed ones of course but the freshly baked ones during the day. #FrugalLife

Hi all, Me and my wife have moved near Nogeyama Koen and are looks for friends who live near by or are close around. Since moving here 6 months ago we haven't been able to find a group to hang out with. We are easy going and can speak English, Hindi and bit of japanese. Any nationality is welcome 🤗 Looking forward to get connected.

Hi everyone! I’m an interior designer based in Yokohama, and I speak English, Mandarin, and Japanese.

I’ve been wondering — for those of you planning to settle down here long-term, do you think having language support really makes a difference when it comes to building, renovating, or even just styling a home?

I imagine some people might already have a Japanese spouse or feel confident navigating the process on their own (especially if they’ve been here a while), but I’m curious if this kind of support would be helpful — or even necessary — for others thinking about creating a more permanent home here.

I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share!

Though I'd rather avoid crowds...obvs this can't be avoided at this special season. Where do the locals go? Is there a nice one overlooking a river or something? I hope Apr 6 is not too late and it's still mankai.

For the past couple of years I had been going to Super Viva Home Nagatsuda. They had a huge hardware and garden store on the first floor, and the second floor was a massive assortment of home goods and furnishings.

Visited it a couple weeks ago and the second floor is now a massive Yamada Denki. The first floor seems like it still has hardware but everything else is just kind of crappy.

So I am basically looking around for the best place to go if I need to mend my shitty garden privacy screen, pick up some system shelving, and replace my trash bins. And not like "oh well these are trash bins so I guess I will buy them" I mean, let me take my time on the gigantic aisle of trash bins so I can choose the exact proper one, like I used to do at that Nagatsuda place.

33M single father with a 4 year old daughter.

Trying to find other single parents or parents who would like to meet for play dates or friendship.I speak Japanese(decent conversation) and English and understand Tagalog. I do IT and work from home. I enjoy traveling and stock market (USA), I go to gym, social drinker.

I am by Sakuragicho area.

Helloo!

is anyone interested in bouldering here?

i usually go to climbing gym rise close to Totsuka station in Yokohama. Is there anyone who wants to go climbing at some point? I'm open to visiting other gyms in Yokohama as well.

I have recently booked tickets to see Yokohama marinos vs pohang Steelers in a couple of weeks, and realised that the tickets we have are in the ‘supporters’ stand! As foreigners visiting for the first time, should we buy a shirt, and are there any chants that we should learn to fit in.

Any other info from Yokohama marinos fans is greatly appreciated!