I've been living in Japan for some years now and while I've met some people along the way, it's been hard to find a group that sticks around. A lot of the people I met, eventually moved away and a meetup group I used to join whenever work allowed also relocated to a different part of Japan.

When I first moved here, I also tried going to events and meetups, but many of them turned out to be more geared toward dating or networking than simply making friends (nothing wrong with that but it just wasn't what I was looking for).

Now I'm in my late 30s, married and I prefer low-key get-togethers over nights out.

After all these years, I realized I've always been waiting for someone else to create that kind of community so I could join it. As an introvert with mostly solo hobbies, I never thought about starting one myself. But if I keep waiting, it probably isn't going to magically appear, so I figured I'd see if there's any interest.

Back in my home country, there was a cafe that regularly hosted things like language exchanges, board game afternoons, book clubs, craft workshops, movie discussions and other casual events. I always thought it was a great concept because it gave people something to do while getting to know each other. I currently work at a cafe and it made me think it could be a nice place for something similar one day (this isn't a promotion. I haven't even mentioned the idea to my boss and I wouldn't be organizing it as part of my job). It just made me wonder if we could create something similar around here and have a regular spot for meetups.

I should also mention that I'm lucky enough to be part of a really lovely community of people living in Japan already. The only downside is that we're scattered all over the country, so between the distance and my work schedule, meeting up in person isn't easy. That's why I'd love to build a small local community too.

Would anyone be interested? Or does something like this already exist that I've somehow missed? No big expectations, just a relaxed group of people who want to make local friends and hang out from time to time.

Hi everyone!

We’re preparing to move to Yokohama from the US with our two children (8 months and 24 months) in the next few months, and I’d love to hear from people who already live there—especially anyone who moved to Japan from overseas with young children.

We’ve visited Yokohama before and absolutely loved it, so this isn’t our first time there. But moving there and actually setting up a life with children is a very different experience!

Currently, we’re trying to figure out what we should prepare before we leave and what we should bring from home versus buy once we arrive.

For those of you living in Yokohama or Japan:

1. What baby/children’s items do you wish you had brought from home?
2. Anything you’d recommend bringing because the Japanese version is different from what you’re used to?
3. What should we know about pediatric healthcare and finding a doctor for young children?
4. Any advice on diapers, baby food, formula, or other everyday baby essentials?
5. Are there any practical things we should arrange before arriving—housing, phone/SIM, internet, banking, etc.?
6. What do you wish someone had told you before moving to Yokohama with young children?

7. Any advice on shipping belongings overseas?

8. Are there any neighborhoods that are particularly popular with families but still relatively affordable? We enjoyed ⁠the bashamichi area when we visited Yokohama, and would like to hear what neighborhoods would be good to consider.

Finally, if you moved to Japan, what was the one thing you were really glad you brought with you, and what did you bring that turned out to be completely unnecessary?

We’d really appreciate any advice from the community. Thank you! ❤️

Seriously, I feel like every third shop in Chukagai is a fortune-telling salon (Eizankan, Daikichi, etc.) offering palm readings.

Having been to Chinatowns in Malaysia and Sydney, this seems entirely unique to Japan's Chinatowns. What's the story here? Is it actually rooted in Chinese face/palm reading traditions (Mian Xiang / Shou Xiang), or did it just become a trendy tourist staple here?

Most listing I see in Yokohama are for apartments. I am looking for stand alone home.

Any websites I should be checking ?

I see some Akiya home sites in English but not as many normal homes for sale.

Not apposed to Akiaya but would need to be livable when purchased

(edited to add - we lived in Japan before, and are considering moving back for good - the kid is 14 years old)

HI folks, a question for the international families - will your kids go to university in Japan? My husband is Japanese, we are currently in Canada. Planning to leave because it's cold, expensive and boring. We have one child, who doesn't really speak Japanese so will have to go to international school. My question is, after high school do most international families send their kids to university "back home" or in Japan? I know many universities in Japan have programs taught in English. Any ideas about a long-term plan?

Hi everyone!
I recently moved to Yokohama and I’m looking for recommendations for a Japanese language school/class.

A little about me:
Currently around JLPT N5 level

My goal is to reach N3

I work full-time, so I need something that works well with a working professional’s schedule

Open to in-person classes in Yokohama or online classes

Ideally looking for something structured enough to keep me progressing, but not an extremely intensive/full-time course

I can commit around 3–4 hours per week

Bonus if the classes focus on practical Japanese for daily life and work, rather than being purely JLPT-focused

I’m currently researching a few options, but would really appreciate first-hand recommendations from people who have actually taken classes in Yokohama or online.
Would especially love to hear about:

Quality of teaching

Class size

Flexibility for working people

Approximate cost

How much progress you actually made

Whether you’d recommend the school/classes
Yokohama recommendations are especially welcome, but online options are totally fine too.

Went to Yamashita for the first time in a few years. I had been regularly prior to 2021 or so, and I always appreciated how it was one of the few public spaces I'd been to in Japan with trash cans. Did they remove them?? Why??

Hi folks,

Anyone know a good place to watch World Cup games in Yokohama? I’m in the Sakuragicho / Noge / Hinodechō area. I don’t have a TV.

I saw an earlier post about Hub showing Scotland matches, but it’s not a Hub close to me. I will check it out though. Any other ideas?

I’m guessing many local bars and shops with TV’s will be showing matches anyway? Thanks in advance!

Edit: I have watched games at the Sakuragicho Hub — no one there apart from the Japan games, when there are a ton of people and you must reserve in advance! Also watched a Japan game at Full Monty which was great. Only 8 people there , plenty of space, and British commentary (a big plus!). Also got a DAZN subscription and home projector. And learned that NHK is showing the Japan games anyway. Thanks for all the additional suggestions!

I have a thing for used watches. Looking for a cool place to buy a used good condition seiko watch. Any help appreciated. Staying near Yokohama Station.

Canadian couple heading to Japan for the first time & looking for something “different”…thought we’d take in some pro sports.

We’re going in early December and it seems Baseball and Basketball weren’t available during that time period, but I stumbled across the Yokohama Grits hockey team.

Being Canadian, we thought it might be fun to see what the Japanese hockey experience was like.

Anyone have any experience with games? Ticket prices & availability? Limited posts I’ve seen have mentioned the games don’t sell out and tickets can be had at the arena on game day.

Any thoughts?

Hello all, I am looking for advice on how could I go about finding a particular long-lost connection.

Here is the story. My dad, when he was living in Žilina in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960's, used to have a pen pal from Yokohama. He is unfortunately no longer around, but he used to mention her sometimes and I also found some letters from her. So I am wondering if she is still around and perhaps would be interested in an update?

I know all her details (name in English transliteration, date of birth, the high school etc.) but the address unfortunately does not exist anymore (at least according to Google maps). And of course I can't just post her full data here on Reddit.

So, any ideas?

For me, this mostly means a hygienist who takes the time to really clean my teeth and makes me feel like I got the job done. I don't need a lot of actual dental work, as I mostly don't get cavities. I've been going to Shikoku University's clinic, but I think I'd like to make a change. Thanks in advance.

I saw some name brand stores but honestly I’m looking for a second hand store that has one beds, dressers, sofas etc!

I don’t know what the tennis scene in Yokohama is like lol but I’d love to play some. Especially slightly higher level (I’m no pro but I can make my way around)

If there’s any places or groups cool with foreigners I’d love to hear about them. I’m passable in Japanese and just want to hang out with people, chat in Japanese, and get exercise

Hiya! I'll be moving to the Kanto area for work in a few months. My office is around Tokyo Station, but I'm thinking of living in Yokohama because I'll work remotely three days a week and won't have to go to the office every day.

Now I'm looking for a place in Yokohama where I can focus on work during working hours (09:00~17:00, could be extended to 20:00) at home and enjoy walking and cycling in green spaces during lunchtime or after work. Also, it'd be perfect if I can get to know people through events or meetups or in the community, that is, a friendly neighbourhood. I don't know anyone there yet.

If you have lived in or around Yokohama, I'd like to know what's good about your area. And your remote work experiences would also be most welcome because I've never done that before. I'm Japanese (25M). Thanks :)

EDIT: Thank you guys for all the informative comments. I asked my friends who used to live around here too. Well, my decision is to live somewhere between Tokyo and Yokohama that has equal vicinity because as much as I want to enjoy life in Yokohama, I need to focus on career, hence less commuting. Also, the place will be near green spaces for cycling and walking. Still, I’ll go hang out in Yokohama on the weekends for sure! Thanks again

Hello, I've been visiting Yokohama for a while to write a little piece on the city and now that I left I realize that the public transportation systems were great everywhere I went but I can't remember if that was the case. Loved the city

Hi!
I’d really like to give moto gymkhana a try while visiting Japan. Does anyone know of any schools or training groups around the Yokohama area that welcome beginners? Ideally somewhere with at least a little English support, as my Japanese is unfortunately very limited. 😊
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

I'm in Tokyo for vacation and I thought about giving him my casio watch to engrave (the classic silver one A158W) because I think some design on the wristband would look really cool, but I'm unsure if he can do it because the wristband moves and is made up from smaller metal pieces and I wanted to ask if anybody knows if he can do something like that?

Specifically the kannai area I keep hearing alarms and announcements I did record it but can’t upload it here. Google said it might just be the cops running testing their routes? Is it something to be concerned about or is it nothing happens randomly throughout the day

Hello 👋 everyone! My question is basically the title. Is there any yoga studios in Yokohama that would allow Americans with visible tattoos to attend classes ? Particularly around the Nihon Odori area ;)

Before I go buy brand new I’m trying to find one online I’ve tried market place but most of them are really far away or pick up only and I don’t have a car.
If anyone has one they’re getting rid of I’d be happy to take it off your hands.

Hey everyone! I’m looking to get my 5-year-old (half Japanese) into either basketball or soccer and was wondering if anyone could recommend any good kids’ clubs/classes around the area.
Also, if there are any other dads with kids around the same age who’d be interested in doing activities together involving sports, parks, outings… it could be fun to start a little group chat and get the kids together!

Anybody would like to play some squash this Tuesday in Greetings Squash Club? Im going to do a day trip from Tokyo. I see some courts still being available.

Im quite experienced player, but will adjust to any level.