Almost everyone who reads about Japan's rental friends ends up with the same question: could I do that on my trip? The answer is yes, but the phrase "rent a friend in Japan" covers two quite different things, and choosing the right one decides whether it works for a visitor.
For the background — why the industry exists, who uses it and what cast members earn — start with Japan's rental friend industry. This guide is the practical part.
The two routes#
| Rental-friend agency | Local friend (e.g. Roavi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Japanese clients | Visitors |
| Language | Mostly Japanese; English on request | Languages shown on each profile |
| Arranged by | The agency, by form, phone or LINE | Messaging the person directly |
| Notice | A few days, more in wedding season | Depends on the person |
| Best for | A role: wedding guest, stand-in, company | Seeing the city with someone who lives there |
| Payment | To the agency | Agreed directly with the person |
Route 1: an agency#
Agencies are the Japan you've read about: vetted, trained cast members who play a part in your day, from a wedding guest to a companion for a festival. The process is formal. You describe the situation, the agency matches someone, and payment goes through the company.
For a foreigner, three things matter:
- Language. Most agencies work in Japanese. English-speaking cast members exist, mostly in Tokyo, but they're a request, not a default, and usually cost more.
- Notice. Same-day is rare. Plan on a few days, and more around weddings.
- Rules. Strictly platonic, in public, no contact outside the agency, and often limits on seeing the same person again.
Prices and packages are in the industry guide; how much it costs to rent a friend explains what drives them.
Route 2: a local friend#
If what you want is the city, not a role, a local is the better fit. You browse people who live there, see the languages they speak and what they like to show, and message one directly. The plan is yours: a neighbourhood, a meal, an evening at a bar you'd never find alone. Rent a local friend in Tokyo describes what a day looks like.
It works the same way outside Tokyo, though fewer people are available the further you go from the big cities.
What to put in your first message#
- Your dates and roughly how many hours.
- What you'd like to see or do: food, a neighbourhood, nightlife, a bathhouse, just walking.
- Your language, and whether you speak any Japanese.
- Who pays for what: trains, entry, meals. Settle it before you meet.
Is it weird? Is it safe?#
It's common enough in Japan that nobody there finds it strange, and is renting a friend weird? takes the question head-on. Japan is one of the safest countries to travel in — see is Japan safe — and the rules are the ordinary ones: meet in public, check the profile, keep the conversation on the platform until you've met, and tell someone your plans.
Before you go#
You don't need Japanese to get around (do you need to speak Japanese in Tokyo?), but a few rules of etiquette go a long way: Japan etiquette rules that actually matter. Tipping isn't customary, so an agreed rate is the rate.
Meet a local in Tokyo who speaks your language.
Browse Local FriendsPlanning for spring? Cherry blossom season in Japan 2027: when, where and how to do hanami.
Live in Japan and want to be on the other side of this? How to become a rental friend in Japan, including the visa rules for foreign residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners rent a friend in Japan?
Yes. Japan's rental-friend agencies accept foreign clients, though most operate in Japanese and English-speaking cast members are a special request that usually costs more. Platforms like Roavi, where you message a local directly, are built for visitors and show each person's languages on their profile.Do rental friends in Japan speak English?
Some do. At agencies, English is usually a request rather than a default, most available in Tokyo. On Roavi, each Local Friend lists their languages, so you can choose someone who speaks English before you message.How far ahead do I need to arrange it?
Agencies usually need a few days' notice, and more around wedding season. With a Local Friend you message directly, it depends on the person; a few days ahead is sensible, and your first message should include your dates.What are the rules?
Rental friendship is platonic and happens in public. Agencies set strict rules: no romantic or physical contact, limits on repeat bookings, and payment only through the company. The same common sense applies with any local: public places, clear plans, and conversation kept on the platform until you've met.Is an agency or a local friend better for a tourist?
For a staged role, such as a wedding guest or a stand-in, an agency is the only option. For seeing the city with someone who lives there, a local friend fits a trip better: it's arranged directly, often in English, and built around what you want to see.
