Dating Apps in Japan for Foreigners: Pairs or Tapple?
Hi, I'm Daniel Nishi, editorial director at Matching App University (マッチングアプリ大学). I've used more than 70 dating apps.
This guide is for anyone living in Japan who wants a Japanese partner, regardless of gender.
Here's the short answer: start with either Pairs or Tapple. Both are major Japanese dating apps, and both officially accept a residence card for ID verification.
Which one is for you?
If neither works for you, Tinder is another option.
This guide is based on each app's official help pages, terms of use and App Store listings as of October 2026, plus what our team saw when we checked the apps in August 2026.
We haven't tested the sign-up process with a non-Japanese citizen, so we clearly separate what each app officially says from what we couldn't confirm.
- How to choose between Pairs and Tapple
- Which ID documents each app accepts if you're not Japanese
- How much men and women pay
- How to write a profile and your first message in English and Japanese
Daniel has used more than 70 dating apps and interviewed many couples who met through them. He is the lead instructor on the YouTube channel "Matching App University TV" and taught a dating app course for Kanagawa Prefecture's "Koi-Kana!" program (October 2025).
Last updated: October 2026
Pairs or Tapple: Which Should You Choose?
To choose between them, consider three things: the app's language, the ID you have, and how you'd like to move from matching to a first date.
| Pairs | Tapple | |
|---|---|---|
| Good if you want to… | get to know someone through messages and find shared interests and values | find someone to meet soon, based on what you'd like to do together |
| Languages listed on the App Store | English, Japanese, Korean | Japanese only |
| Residence card for ID verification | Accepted | Accepted |
| ID with a foreign passport | Generally not accepted (some exceptions) | Accepted |
| Messaging for men | First message free, paid from the second | Paid |
| Messaging for women | Free once your ID is verified | Free |
Languages are based on the Japanese App Store. ID and pricing information is based on each app's official help pages as of October 2026.
If you're still not sure, use this guide:
- Not confident using an app in Japanese → Pairs (it's the one that lists English)
- Your only ID is a foreign passport → Tapple (Pairs generally doesn't accept IDs issued outside Japan)
- You'd rather make plans to meet than message for days → Tapple
- You want to filter for people with the same hobbies or who speak English → Pairs
Signing up is free on both. You can install both and compare who shows up in your area before you decide.
Pairs: A Major Japanese App With English Listed in the App Store
Pairs suits you if you want a major Japanese app and would like to try it in English. On the Japanese App Store, it lists English, Japanese and Korean.
We haven't confirmed how much of the app appears in English.
Two features that help if you're not Japanese
- Languages: You can list the languages you speak on your profile and search for people by the languages they speak. For men, the language filter requires a paid plan (checked by our team in August 2026).
- My Tags: You can add tags for your hobbies and the things you like, and search for people who share the same tags. This gives you an easy topic for your first message.
ID verification and pricing
For ID verification, Pairs accepts a driver's license, passport, My Number card or residence card, as long as it was issued in Japan. IDs issued outside Japan are generally not accepted (with some exceptions).
However, IDs issued outside Japan are generally not accepted (with some exceptions), so a foreign passport may not work. If you have a residence card, use that.
Men can send their first message for free, but you need to verify your ID before you can send messages. From the second message on, men also need a paid plan.
A one-month plan costs 4,100円 (円 = yen) on the web or 4,800円 through the App Store or Google Play, tax included.
For women, messaging is free, including the second message and beyond, once your ID is verified.
Pairs is for single people aged 18 or over (not high school students) who live in Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. You can't access it from outside those three places.
- More details (in Japanese)
- Pairs reviews and pricing
Tapple: Make Plans to Meet Someone Soon
Tapple suits you if you can have everyday conversations in Japanese and want to find someone based on what you'd like to do together, like going to a café or seeing a movie.
Start with a date plan using "Odekake"
Tapple has a feature called "Odekake" (おでかけ, "going out"). You choose and post a date idea, then look for someone to meet within 24 hours.
It's a good fit if you'd rather make plans to meet than message for days.
You can list the languages you speak on your profile and filter by language when you search. For men, this filter requires a paid plan (checked by our team in August 2026).
ID verification and pricing
Of the major apps we looked into, Tapple's official help pages are the clearest about ID for people who aren't Japanese citizens.
IDs Tapple accepts if you're not a Japanese citizen
A passport, a residence card or a special permanent resident certificate. Foreign driver's licenses and similar IDs issued outside Japan are not accepted.
Men need a paid plan and ID verification to send messages or use Odekake. A one-month plan starts at 4,400円 on the web or 4,900円 in the iPhone and Android apps, tax included.
For women, messaging, Odekake and calls are free.
You can only create a new account in the app, not on the website.
On the Japanese App Store, Tapple is available in Japanese only, so you'll need to be comfortable using it in Japanese.
- More details (in Japanese)
- Tapple reviews and pricing
If Pairs and Tapple Don't Work for You: Tinder
Maybe you can't use an app in Japanese, but you also don't have an ID that Pairs accepts, like a residence card. In that case, Pairs and Tapple will both be hard to use.
Tinder is another option. The Japanese App Store lists English for Tinder.
You look at someone's photos and profile, then swipe right if you're interested or left if you're not. If they swipe right on you too, it's a match.
Tinder still requires an ID check. In Japan, you have to verify your age before you can message your matches.
Tinder's help page lists a driver's license or a passport as accepted IDs, and says a residence card is not accepted. It doesn't say whether passports issued outside Japan are accepted.
Chatting with your matches on Tinder is free, and its paid plans (Tinder Plus, Gold and Platinum) are optional. Prices are shown in the app.
Some people on Tinder want a serious relationship, and some don't. If you're looking for a partner, say so in your profile and check that the other person's profile says the same before things go further.
- More details (in Japanese)
- Tinder reviews
Can You Use Dating Apps in Japan Without Speaking Japanese?
On Pairs, partly. Pairs and Tinder list English on the Japanese App Store, but Tapple is Japanese only. And using an app in English isn't the same as talking to people in English.
English App Menus vs. English Conversations
Apps that list English may follow your phone's language setting. On an iPhone, you can also set the language for one app only: go to Settings, tap the app's name, then Language.
This option usually appears only if you've added more than one language to your iPhone. We haven't checked how much of each app actually appears in English.
Even if the app is in English, most people's profiles and messages will be in Japanese. If you want to talk in English, look for matches this way:
- Add both English and Japanese under the languages you speak on your profile.
- Use the language filter to search for people who speak English.
- Start with people whose profiles include some English.
Being Clear About Your Japanese Level
Be honest on your profile about how much Japanese you speak. A single line like "I'm still learning Japanese, but I can handle simple conversations" helps the other person know how to talk to you.
Using a translation app is fine. But if all your messages are in fluent, translated Japanese, the other person may be surprised when you meet in person and can't speak at that level.
Let them know early on that you use a translation app.
How Much Do Dating Apps in Japan Cost?
On Pairs and Tapple, men pay about 4,000–5,000 yen a month to keep messaging. Women can message for free on both (Pairs requires ID verification first).
| App | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs | First message free. Paid plan from the second message (one month: 4,100円 on the web / 4,800円 in the app) | Messaging free once your ID is verified |
| Tapple | Paid plan for messaging and Odekake (one month: from 4,400円 on the web / from 4,900円 in the app) | Messaging, Odekake and calls free |
| Tinder | Chatting with matches is free. Paid plans are optional; prices are shown in the app | |
Official prices as of October 2026, tax included.
If you're a man, check these three things before you pay:
- Where you pay: On both Pairs and Tapple, paying on the web is cheaper than paying through the App Store or Google Play.
- Prices on longer plans: Longer plans often show a monthly equivalent, but you generally pay the full amount upfront.
- Auto-renewal: Paid plans usually renew automatically unless you cancel.
You can sign up for free first and see who's on the app in your area before you decide to pay.
Getting Started: ID Verification and Your Profile
Checking Which ID Documents You Can Use
Japanese law requires online dating services to check that users are 18 or older before they can exchange messages. That's why Pairs and Tapple ask for an ID, and Tinder does too in Japan.
This is a common sticking point for people who aren't Japanese.
| App | Residence card | Passport | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pairs | Accepted | Japanese passports accepted. Passports issued outside Japan are generally not accepted (some exceptions). | Driver's license, My Number card |
| Tapple | Accepted | Accepted | Special permanent resident certificate accepted. Foreign driver's licenses not accepted |
| Tinder | Not accepted | Accepted (the help page doesn't say whether passports issued outside Japan are OK) | Driver's license accepted |
Based on each app's official help pages as of October 2026.
Writing a Profile in English and Japanese
Include these points in your profile to make it easier for people to message you:
- The area you live in (city or ward only; never your address)
- Where you're from and how long you've lived in Japan
- How well you speak Japanese and English
- Your job, hobbies and what you do in your free time
- What kind of relationship you're looking for
Writing your profile in both English and Japanese makes it easier for people who aren't confident in English to understand. Here's an example:
Hi! I'm from Canada and have lived in Osaka for three years. I work in IT and spend my weekends hiking or trying new ramen shops. My Japanese is good enough for everyday conversation. I'm looking for a serious relationship.
はじめまして。カナダ出身で、大阪に住んで3年になります。IT関係の仕事をしていて、休みの日は山登りやラーメン屋めぐりをしています。日本語は日常会話くらいなら話せます。真剣にお付き合いできる人を探しています。
*This example was written by our team. It isn't a real person's profile.
Don't put your visa type, residence card number or any other details from your ID on your profile.
Choosing Photos That Show Your Everyday Life
Make your first photo a recent one that clearly shows your face. Avoid photos where sunglasses or a hat hide your face, and group photos where it's hard to tell which one is you.
For your other photos, choose ones that show your hobbies and your life in Japan. Photos of places you like to go or trips you've taken also give people something to message you about.
From Your First Message to Your First Date
Starting with Something from Their Profile
In your first message, mention something from the other person's profile and ask one easy question. If you only write "Hi" or "こんにちは," they won't know what to say back.
Hi Yuki! I saw you like hiking too. Have you been to Mt. Takao? I'm thinking of going next month.
ゆきさん、はじめまして。山登りが好きなんですね。高尾山には行ったことがありますか？来月行こうと思っています。
Hi! Your photo from Kyoto is beautiful. Which temple was that? I'd love to visit Kyoto in autumn.
はじめまして。京都の写真、すてきですね。どこのお寺ですか？秋の京都に行ってみたいと思っていました。
*These examples were written by our team.
If they reply in Japanese, it's usually best to reply in Japanese too. If you're not sure which language to use, just ask: "Which is easier for you, English or Japanese?" (英語と日本語、どちらが話しやすいですか？)
Suggesting a Simple First Date
After you've exchanged a few messages and they say they'd like to meet, suggest a day and place. For a first date, an hour or two at a café or over lunch in a busy area is a safe choice.
Most people in Japan use LINE for messaging, but keep chatting inside the dating app. Pairs and Tapple both prohibit exchanging LINE IDs or other contact details in app messages.
If a match pushes you to move to LINE right after you match, be careful. Moving the chat off the app quickly is a common sign of a romance scam.
If they stop replying, don't chase them; move on to someone else.
If someone asks to borrow money or pressures you to invest, treat it as a scam, especially if you haven't met yet.
Every app lets you report a user.
FAQs About Dating Apps in Japan
Do I need a Japanese phone number?
It's safest to have one. Pairs and Tapple both let you sign up with a LINE, Apple or Google account as well as a phone number.
However, neither officially says you can sign up without a Japanese phone number.
If you sign up for Tapple with a phone number, it has to be one that can receive text messages.
Can I use these apps outside Tokyo?
Yes. But on every app, the number of people you see depends on where you live.
Since signing up is free, check how many people show up in your area before you pay.
Can I use both Pairs and Tapple?
Yes. Signing up, sending likes and matching are free on both.
If you're a man, compare who shows up on each app and pay only for the one where you want to keep messaging.
