10 English-Friendly Meetups in Tokyo

There are plenty of events in Tokyo that cater specifically to expats and English-speaking locals. These Meetups offer an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and expand your social circle—not to mention making life in Japan that much easier! So let’s look at some of the best English-friendly Meetups in Tokyo right now.

Food Meetups

These are a great way for foreigners to make friends and, of course, eat delicious food! Most Meetups take place in people’s homes, making them an excellent way to make friends outside of the city center. As with any social event, it pays to do a bit of research before attending your first food Meetup. Check out the group’s website, Facebook page and Instagram profile to get a feel for the group’s vibe. The best groups are inclusive, friendly and welcoming to all food lovers.

Vegan Friendly

Eating vegan can be difficult in Japan, but the Tokyo Vegan Meetup group is intended to connect vegans and vegan-interested people in the Tokyo area. The group is run by volunteers who aim to grow the vegan community in Japan and worldwide. They host events almost every week and are open to anyone interested in meeting other vegans. This Meetup strives to provide a welcoming environment for everyone to learn about veganism and enjoy delicious food together. For more information, please check out their website for vegan shops, books, Facebook groups and recipes.

International Flair

For those who are passionate about Italian food, wine and culture, the Italian Wine and Food Meetup is a monthly event that will satiate your appetite for good Italian cuisine. Whether you’re a foodie, wine connoisseur or both, you’ll meet other like-minded people at each event to talk about the best that Italy has to offer. There’s always something to enjoy. Some of the past events include making Italian gelato, ravioli pasta, Italian bread and pizza. They also host other events such as wine seminars and Christmas parties. RSVPs and payments are required to attend.

Language Exchange Meetups

These gatherings offer a great way to learn Japanese or improve your speaking abilities. The idea is simple: you attend a Meetup with a group of people who are at the same level as you (beginner, intermediate or advanced). You then take turns speaking your native language, with the aim of helping each other learn.

Welcome Tokyo

The best language exchange Meetups in Tokyo have a wide range of events and activities, and the Welcome Tokyo Meetup is one of them. This Meetup group hosts language exchange events every day of the week. They also have a full events calendar for a wide range of activities, such as kickboxing, happy Sunday drinks, karaoke, Japanese sweets making, Japanese calligraphy and art and pizza nights. The Welcome Tokyo Meetup has 17 organizers, which is a sign that their events tend to be well run and more established. Their events take place in cafes and pubs in Tokyo, with some events being held online.

English Only Café

This Meetup group is the only “study abroad cafe” in Tokyo. The group hosts events and informational sessions for international exchange and English learning. They also have language exchange events for people interested in learning Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Spanish. The English Only Café is a great place to learn a language or meet new people. Other events in their calendar include board games, sushi parties, travel talk, programming, cherry blossom viewing and drawing.

Fitness Meetups

Japan is a great country for fitness enthusiasts and offers a huge range of activities. From hiking, surfing, and skateboarding to indoor sports such as rock climbing, yoga, Pilates, and squash, there are plenty of different ways to stay active in Tokyo.

Shape Up

The largest international fitness group in Tokyo, SOGO Fitness is aimed at people who are passionate about health and fitness. It offers many activities, including outdoor bootcamps, indoor bouldering, yoga, swimming and running. All these activities cater to different fitness levels, so there is something for everyone. Within the SOGO group, there are sub-communities for climbing and hiking, Tokyo Spartans, healthy cooking club, body and mind and martial arts. SOGO Fitness Meetups have a full calendar of events and excursions, making it easy to find something that matches your interests and schedule.

Kicking Around

Football enthusiasts interested in meeting new people on and off the field will fit right in with Futsal Tokyo. The popular Meetup group has more than six thousand members. The group is made up of expats, tourists and locals. Men and women of all skill levels are welcome. If you want to play football, meet people and join a growing community, then Futsal Tokyo might be what you’ve been looking for! Although most games are played in English, there are also many Japanese speakers. The group has two levels. The standard level is for advanced and competitive football players, and the mixed level is suitable for beginners and those who want to play football for fun.

Networking Meetups

Japan is famous for its strong business culture, and networking events are a great way to find new connections and make the most of your time in Tokyo. These events usually take place in company or coworking spaces or conference centers. They are often aimed at people from specific industries or professions.

State of the Art

Digital marketers in Tokyo looking for events in English and Japanese can check out Tokyo Digital Marketers—the events cover everything from content marketing, PPC and SEO to web design, project management and running small businesses. The group usually hosts these events once a month, and the admission fee is around ¥1,000. The monthly event includes a presentation and time for networking, followed by drinks at a nearby bar. The atmosphere is casual and easygoing, and the presentations are insightful and informative. Make sure you bring your business card!

Talent in the City

For international graphic designers, UX and UI designers and anyone interested in the design world, Creative Tokyo is the perfect group to be a part of. Creative Tokyo is a hub for creatives to meet with other like-minded people who share the same passion for design, share ideas, gain resources to advance in their careers and possibly collaborate on projects. Creative Tokyo is one of a few English-friendly design Meetups in Japan.

Art Gallery Visits

If art and culture are more your thing, why not join an art Meetup? These events are often organized by art lovers and creatives. They can be a great way to discuss current exhibitions. Most art gallery visits are held on weekends, making them easy to fit into your social calendar.

Art Meets Culture

Joining the Tokyo Art ± Culture Meetup is an excellent opportunity to socialize, learn about new things and make connections. With museum visits, excursions to art exhibitions and outings to art shows, it offers many ways to enjoy art. This Meetup also focuses on learning about different cultures and practices through art events that can help deepen your understanding of a particular topic. When it comes to art and culture, there’s always something new to discover!

Art in All Its Diversity

With a community of more than three thousand art lovers, Tokyo Art Lovers Meetup provides a platform where people can share their passion for art. Some of the events include film screenings, photography exhibits, gallery openings and musical performances. Tokyo Art Lovers embraces all art forms, including graphic design, video art, conceptual art, painting, photography and performance art.

RECOMMENDED: 4 Tokyo Gyms Offering English Language-Friendly Fitness Classes and 5 English-Friendly Food Delivery Services in Japan