🇬🇧 English🇯🇵 日本語
Practise a language in Tokyo, leave with friends
TIFE runs café language exchanges where Japanese locals, expats, students and travelers talk in small groups and help each other practise. All levels are welcome, most people come alone, and it costs ¥500 to ¥1,000.
Reserving is free. You pay at the door and order one drink.
4.6 from 5,161 ratings of TIFE on MeetupHosting events since 2015Participants from 69+ countriesTIFE and its founder on Nスタ, ZIP! and ヒルナンデス!
Which language exchange is for you?
Quick answer: TIFE’s English–Japanese exchange runs every Wednesday evening in Nippori for ¥1,000, and the Spanish–Japanese Intercambio runs most Saturday afternoons in Jimbocho for ¥500.
| Exchange | When | Where | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| English ⇄ Japanese | Every Wednesday, 7:15 to 9:00 pm | Sakura Cafe Nippori, Sendagi | ¥1,000 (regulars ¥700) + drink |
| Spanish ⇄ Japanese | Most Saturdays, 2:00 to 4:00 pm | Sakura Hotel & Cafe Jimbocho Annex | ¥500 + drink |
| Chinese ⇄ Japanese | Changes each session | Cafés and restaurants in Tokyo | ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 + drink |
| Fiesta Latina | One Saturday a month, 3:00 to 6:00 pm | 300 Bar Next, Ginza | ¥500 women and Spanish speakers, ¥1,000 men |
Every TIFE language exchange
🇬🇧 English and JapaneseEvery Wednesday at Sakura Cafe Nippori. About 40% Japanese and 60% international participants. Small groups that rotate every 10 to 15 minutes.
🇪🇸 Intercambio, Spanish and JapaneseMost Saturdays in Jimbocho, with conversation tables, games and group activities. Plus a monthly Fiesta Latina in Ginza.
🇨🇳 Chinese and Japanese (日中交流会)For Chinese speakers learning Japanese and Japanese people learning Chinese. Venue and time change each session. ¥1,000 to ¥1,500.
🇹🇼 Taiwanese and Japanese (日台交流会)A separate exchange for Taiwanese people in Japan and Japanese people who love Taiwan. Next date coming soon.
How a TIFE language exchange works
- Reserve for free
RSVP on Meetup or on the event page. You pay at the door.
- Arrive and order a drink
Tell the host it’s your first time and you’ll be seated with a friendly group.
- Talk in small groups
Three to five people per table, with topic prompts. Spend about half the time in each language.
- Rotate and meet more people
Hosts mix the tables during the event, so you meet many people in one session.
- Swap contacts
Exchange LINE or Instagram with the people you clicked with, and come back next week.
Coming up
Next sessions, updated automatically from TIFE’s Meetup group.
🇯🇵🇨🇳 日中交流会 X 在日華人｜中国語初心者歓迎！友達作り・国際交流イベント
October 31, 2026 02:00 pm
ココロゴトカフェ - Shibuya, 2 Chome−9−9 ＳＡＮＷＡ青山Ｂｌｄｇ 1F
Tokyo Latinos : Fiesta Latina @ Ginza / スペイン語コミュニティ交流会@銀座
October 31, 2026 03:00 pm
Ginza 300 Bar Next - Chiyoda City, Yūrakuchō, 1-chōme−2−１４ 紫ビル B1
English & Japanese Language Exchange @Nippori / 英語&日本語のランゲージ・エクスチェンジ＠千駄木/日暮里
November 4, 2026 07:15 pm
Sakura Cafe & Restaurant Nippori - 3-chōme-43-15 Sendagi, Bunkyo City
Intercambio Japonés/español@ Jimbocho / 【📕】スペイン語⇔日本語のランゲージ・エクスチェンジ@神保町
November 7, 2026 02:00 pm
Sakura Hotel Jimbocho - 2-chōme-21-4 Kanda Jinbōchō, Chiyoda City
Tips for your first language exchange
- Arrive at the start.Groups form in the first 15 minutes, so it’s the easiest time to join a table.
- Tell the host it’s your first time.They’ll seat you with a friendly group.
- Bring two or three easy topics.Where you’re from, your favourite Tokyo food, a trip you want to take.
- Split your time fairly.Roughly half in each language so everyone gets practice.
- Swap LINE with one person.That’s how a one-off event turns into a friend.
- Come back next week.Seeing the same faces is what turns acquaintances into friends.
Language exchange in Tokyo: common questions
What is a language exchange?
A language exchange is a casual meetup where people with different native languages practise with each other. At TIFE you sit in small groups at a café, switch between languages, and change tables during the event. There’s no teacher and no textbook.
Where is the English and Japanese language exchange in Tokyo?
Every Wednesday at Sakura Cafe & Restaurant Nippori, 3-43-15 Sendagi, Bunkyo City, about 3 minutes from Sendagi Station. Arrive at 7:15 pm; the conversation starts at 7:30 pm and ends around 9:00 pm. Full details.
How much does a language exchange cost?
The English–Japanese exchange in Nippori is ¥1,000 (¥700 for regulars) and the Spanish–Japanese Intercambio in Jimbocho is ¥500. Each venue also asks you to order one drink. Reserving is free.
Do I need to be good at the language?
No. Every TIFE language exchange welcomes complete beginners. Mistakes are expected, and you can switch to a language you’re comfortable in.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Most people come alone, especially the first time. Tell the host it’s your first visit and they’ll seat you with a group.
Is there a Spanish language exchange in Tokyo?
Yes. TIFE’s Intercambio runs most Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Sakura Hotel & Cafe Jimbocho Annex for ¥500, and Tokyo Latinos holds a monthly Fiesta Latina at 300 Bar Next in Ginza. Intercambio details.
Is there a Chinese language exchange in Tokyo?
Yes. TIFE’s 日中交流会 (Chinese–Japanese language exchange) is held at different cafés and restaurants in Tokyo, with the venue and time listed on each event page. The fee is ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 depending on the venue. See details and sign up.
Is there a Taiwanese language exchange in Tokyo?
Yes. TIFE runs a separate 日台交流会 for Taiwanese people in Japan and Japanese people who love Taiwan. The next date will be announced on the 日台交流会 page.
Who comes to TIFE language exchanges?
A mix of Japanese locals, expats, international students and travelers. At the Wednesday Nippori exchange, roughly 40% of participants are Japanese and 60% are international.
Can I use the free ticket from the TIFE LINE raffle?
The LINE Official Account raffle coupon can be used for many TIFE events, but not for the Wednesday English–Japanese language exchange at Sakura Cafe Nippori.
More ways to make friends in Tokyo
Pick a night and just show up
Reserve for free, walk in, order a drink, and the host does the rest. Join the TIFE LINE chat to hear about every new event.
Please read the event terms and conditions before joining. TIFE (Tokyo International Friends & Events) has hosted community events in Tokyo since 2015, founded by Peter Chen.