Helping people make real friends in Tokyo since 2015
TIFE brings expats, Japanese locals and travellers together through language exchanges, sports, karaoke, parties and trips, in English and beginner-friendly.
💡 Why TIFE exists
Tokyo is exciting, but making real friends here can be surprisingly hard. Language barriers, long work hours and cultural differences mean many people spend months in the city without finding their people. Japanese locals who want international friends often face the same wall from the other side.
TIFE was created to break that wall: regular, low-pressure events where locals and internationals meet naturally, whether you arrived yesterday or have lived here for twenty years.
🎯 What we do
Language exchange
English, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese and Taiwanese exchanges, from about ¥500.
Explore → 🏆Sports & fitness
Kickboxing, yoga, bachata, social dance, bootcamp, AR sports and airsoft.
Explore → 🎤Karaoke & music
International karaoke parties several nights a month in central Tokyo.
Explore → 🍻Casual & social
Parties, foodie dinners and easy weekly meetups for making friends.
Explore → 🇹🇼在日台灣人 community
日台交流 and support for Taiwanese living in Japan.
Explore → 🌎Latinos en Tokio
Intercambio and community for Spanish speakers in Tokyo.
Explore →📸 Real TIFE events
📜 Our story
- 2015 · Peter Chen founds Tokyo International Friends & Events to help people meet across cultures in Tokyo.
- 2020 · After COVID-19 paused social life, TIFE focuses on rebuilding Tokyo’s international community.
- 2022 · TIFE is officially registered as a business.
- Today · 50+ events a month across Tokyo, plus dedicated communities for Taiwanese and Spanish speakers.
✅ How it works
- RSVP free on Meetup
- Show up, alone is fine. The host introduces you
- Pay the event fee at the venue (from about ¥500)
- Residents can join the LINE group for updates
📅 Coming up
👤 Meet the founder
Peter Chen
Born in Taiwan and raised in Costa Rica from age 8, Peter has lived in Japan for over 18 years. He speaks English, Japanese, Spanish and Mandarin, studied hospitality and business at Oberlin University (桜美林大学) and worked as a hotel General Manager before building TIFE into the community he wished had existed when he arrived.
⭐ What people say
Verified reviews from our TripAdvisor page (written about our outdoor rafting trip).
“The organisation was perfect and the atmosphere in the group great. Absolute recommendation!”michael_goesswein · TripAdvisor
“It was my first time to do rafting and was awesome! They organized the event very well.”Andreas P · TripAdvisor
「私はあまり英語が得意じゃなくても海外の人と楽しめました。」あや · TripAdvisor
Been to a TIFE event? Leave a review on TripAdvisor.
🧭 What we stand for
- Everyone welcome: no nationality or language level required
- Real connections over networking
- Beginner-friendly: every event works for first-timers
- Consistency: events every week, year after year
🤝 Work with us
Sponsor or advertise
Reach expats, travellers and locals in Tokyo through events and content.
See options → 🗂️Media kit
Audience, channels and past collaborations.
Open media kit → 💼Jobs for members
Submit your CV and get matched with roles in Tokyo.
Submit CV → 🙋Volunteer
Host events, create content or welcome newcomers.
How to apply →❓ About TIFE: FAQ
Is TIFE only for foreigners?
Can I join if I come alone?
Do I need to speak Japanese?
How do I join TIFE events?
Who runs TIFE?
More answers on the full FAQ page.
Your Tokyo community starts here
Pick one event this week. RSVP free, come alone if you like, and leave with new friends.