Find pen pals in Japan, on a map
Curious about everyday life in Japan? On Penpalmap you zoom in on Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto or a small town you have never heard of, open a profile and write straight away. It is free, ad-free, with or without an account.
Why write to someone in Japan?
Japan mixes very old traditions with very modern city life, and the best way to understand it is to ask someone who lives there: school and work, food, festivals, trains, music. A pen pal gives you answers no guidebook has, and you can tell them about your own country in return.
Practise Japanese, or help someone practise your language
Many people in Japan are learning other languages, and many people elsewhere are learning Japanese. An account can list the languages you speak and the ones you are learning, and a message you do not understand can be translated. Start simple: say hello and ask a question about their day.
Mind the time difference
Japan is nine hours ahead of UTC and does not change its clocks in summer. When it is morning in Europe it is already late afternoon in Japan, so a reply may arrive while you sleep. That is part of the charm of writing across the world.
How to meet people in Japan on Penpalmap
Open the map and zoom in on Japan to see who has placed a pin there. Open a profile, say hello and, if you get along, keep writing. You can start without an account in a few seconds. Exact positions are never shown: they are always blurred.
Questions about pen pals in Japan
Is it free to find pen pals in Japan on Penpalmap?
Yes. Creating a profile and chatting are free, and there is no advertising.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. You can write in your own language or in English, and translate a message you do not understand. An account can also say which languages you speak or learn.
Do I need an account to start?
No. A temporary profile only asks for a first name, an age, a gender and a position. A free account adds more photos, details about your languages and filters on the map.