Making Friends, Dating, and Nomikai Etiquette in Japan
The job and the visa are only half of it. Here's the honest answer on the part nobody puts in the brochure.
I've got a stable job, how do I actually make friends?
Nomikai and work friendships get you acquaintances, not friends. Real friendships come from repeated low-stakes contact: a gym on a schedule, a hobby class, a language exchange you actually keep showing up to.
I've got a stable job, how do I actually meet a partner?
Apps work, but the pool skews differently than back home. Where you live and what circles you're in matters more here than in bigger dating markets. This one depends heavily on your situation, worth raising on a call.
How do I not embarrass myself at a nomikai?
Pour for others before yourself, don't pour your own drink if someone's watching, don't skip the first round even if you barely drink, and don't be the loudest person in the room your first year. Nobody expects perfection, they're watching whether you try.
Still working out the job and visa side?
This page is the easy part. If you haven't nailed down how you're actually getting here or moving up once you're in, that's what the free call is for.
Or a quick question first? DM @notyoursensei1 on Instagram.