Making Friends in Sapporo as a Foreigner
Let’s face it, if your Japanese isn’t up to scratch, making friends in a city where the majority of the population does not speak English fluently is quite a daunting task, but there are a couple ways that i have found that make it a bit easier.
In my experience, Japanese people are some of the friendliest, most helpful and kind people i have met while travelling.
I’m sure if you head to a Park, Izakaya or bar, and strike up a conversation with a Japanese person, they would be more than happy to have a chat, but unfortunately if your Japanese isn’t up to par, it’s going to be quite difficult to build a substantial friendship. So if your efforts to make friends with Japanese locals has not come to fruition, your next option is to make friends with other foreigners in Sapporo.
Social Networking
Social networks like Facebook, are a huge advantage travellers today have over previous generations when it comes to making friends abroad.
I’ve managed to stumble across a few Facebook pages for foreigners in Sapporo, but the one that sticks out, and is by far the most helpful is ‘Sapporo International Network (SIN)’. The group is designed for Foreigners living in Sapporo to network and make friends. A short survey is required to be filled in when requesting to join the group, simples questions such as ‘Why you chose to live in Sapporo?’ and ‘Reason’s for joining this Facebook group’.
The group’s conversations consist of many helpful topics like best places to get cheap products/food, leisure activities, and many meet ups are held for people with similar interests like hiking, cycling, sports or just having a few drinks together. The group’s admin is a considerate man, constantly giving advice on conversation threads, and organising events such as lunches with guest speakers.
If you’d like to join this Facebook group CLICK HERE
Foreigner Parties
Another way i’ve made some good friends in Sapporo is Foreigner parties in Sapporo.
A quick Facebook search for ‘foreigner party Sapporo’ should yield success with at least one event in the near future.
Foreigner parties are often held monthly and invite people to come to a nightclub or bar for a small fee to socialise with other like minded people. So far everyone i have met in a foreigner party spoke very good english, been extremely friendly and approachable, and i have made multiple solid friendships as a result of these parties.
Contradictory to what the name suggests, the Foreigner parties do not only include foreigners, many Japanese people attend the parties with intentions to improve their english, learn about different cultures and make friends just like everyone else! So if you attend one of these parties, don’t be shy to say hello to others, because chances are, many of the people there are in the same boat as you.
Conclusion
These are just a couple of ways i have found so far in my short time living in Sapporo to make friends, and on the whole I’ve found Japanese people and foreigners living in Sapporo to very friendly warm people.
So if you want to make some more friends, don’t be shy and try out a couple of these tactics I’ve mentioned!
If you have any more groups or methods to add, don’t be shy to comment them below!
