For foreigners, dating in Japan has always been difficult. Queer dating can be even more complicated. Thankfully, dating apps are everywhere in Japan! These apps can move you past the awkwardness of meeting someone out in the world. And for non-native Japanese speakers, an app allows you to craft the perfect intro and ensure your kanji is correct. Not all dating apps are created equal, though. Each one has its own niche that may or may not work for you. The site has 7 million users in total, including 4 million paid users.
In Japan, though, the site is used a little differently. There are some downsides, though. And like in the US, the pool of people skews younger, with most users in their 20s and 30s. Other users report a lot of fake profiles on the site. If you already have a Bumble account, it might be worth it to use it here. This is designed to weed out some of the crasser messages women get online, hopefully making it a more pleasant experience.
It also fits well with Japanese views of dating, where the woman is supposed to make the first move. Some may appreciate the lower-stress socialization, while others might find this a bit dull.
Most Bumble features are free for men and women, though you can pay for more matching options and sophisticated filtering. That means starting a new account can seem a little daunting since it requires up to 45 minutes. Many foreigners also use OkCupid, so it may not be the best place to escape the ex-pat scene. Most features on OkCupid are free for both men and women, though a paid membership allows you to see who likes you and gives you more search options.
Tapple looks and feels a lot like Tinder; you find people by swiping left and right on a pool of images. The result is the fun of Tinder, but with matches that you hopefully have some more in common with. People who have used Tapple say that matches tend to take it slow and want to spend a long time talking online before meeting IRL.
