# Japanese pen pals [Sea Pals](https://seapals.app/) › [Pen pal app](https://seapals.app/pen-pals) › [Japanese pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/japanese) Updated 11 October 2026 You can meet Japanese pen pals on Sea Pals through shared interests and languages. Letters give you a way to get to know each other through everyday stories, from a favourite snack to a quiet weekend. ## Sample letter 今日はお茶を飲みながら手紙を書いてるよ。そっちはどんな一日だった？ Translation: I’m writing this over a cup of tea. How was your day? ## Sea Pals at a glance - Price: Free - Works on: iPhone, Android and the web - App languages: English · 한국어 · 日本語 · Deutsch · Português (Brasil) · Español · Русский · Türkçe · Bahasa Indonesia · Tiếng Việt · ไทย · Italiano · Français · Polski - Minimum age: 13+ · 14+ in South Korea · 16+ in Australia - Translation: Built-in, on supported devices and language pairs ## Choose your interests Reading, cooking or another hobby can give your first letter a starting point. Add the languages you use or are learning to help Mochi look for Japanese pen pals. ## Write in English or Japanese Share an ordinary part of your day and ask about theirs. Let your friend’s interests guide the conversation as you get to know each other. ## Make a friend Accept a letter to become friends and let the conversation grow from what you both enjoy. Write in a shared language, with a little Japanese if you like. ## What to write about To get to know a Japanese pen pal, exchange everyday stories and give your friend room to talk about interests beyond Japan. - Describe a snack you like and ask what your friend enjoys. - Explain a small seasonal tradition in your own home. - Share something you are reading. - Ask how your friend uses a greeting you have come across. - Describe a relaxing day. ## Words you’ll see Everyday Japanese words between friends include thanks, encouragement and casual goodbyes; a first letter can use the more polite forms. Japanese words between friends | Term | Reading | Meaning and use | | --- | --- | --- | | ありがとう | arigatou | Thanks; ありがとうございます is more polite. | | お疲れさま | otsukaresama | Acknowledges someone’s effort; often used after work or an activity. | | またね | mata ne | See you; a casual goodbye. | | 本当？ | hontou? | Really? A casual question expressing surprise. | | いいね | ii ne | That’s nice, or I like that. | | 友達 | tomodachi | Friend. | [More Japanese phrases for a first letter](https://seapals.app/guides/japanese-phrases) ## Pen pal privacy and age rules - Someone new never sees your birthday, exact location or username. - Social handles and links can’t go in letters. - Teens 13–17 only meet other teens. Country minimum ages apply. [How we keep it safe](https://seapals.app/safety) ### Can I choose Japan? Shared interests and languages can help you meet Japanese pen pals. You cannot choose a country or a particular person. ### Do I need to speak Japanese? No. You can start in English or another shared language, and use the app’s translation feature to help you read replies. ### Is it safe for teens? Teens 13–17 only meet other teens, subject to country minimum ages. ## Related pages - [Pen pal app](https://seapals.app/pen-pals) - [How to make Japanese friends](https://seapals.app/guides/japanese-friends) - [BTS fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/bts) - [K-pop fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/kpop) - [Korean pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/korean) - [Korean practice with friends](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-korean) - [K-drama fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/kdrama) - [Anime fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/anime) - [Learn Japanese](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-japanese) - [English practice](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-english) - [Adult pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/adults) [Open in your browser](https://seapals.app/app) ## Pen pals for… - [BTS fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/bts) - [K-pop fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/kpop) - [Korean pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/korean) - [Korean practice with friends](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-korean) - [K-drama fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/kdrama) - [Anime fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/anime) - [Japanese pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/japanese) - [Learn Japanese](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-japanese) - [English practice](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-english) - [Adult pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/adults) ## Legal - [Otter maker](https://seapals.app/make/otter) - [Four-cut photo booth](https://seapals.app/booth) - [Friendship book](https://seapals.app/book) - [Sea creature quiz](https://seapals.app/quiz) - [Letter paper](https://seapals.app/letter) - [Friendship quiz](https://seapals.app/friendship-quiz) - [Virtual pet app with friends](https://seapals.app/doori) - [Friends in other countries](https://seapals.app/lagoons) - [Pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals) - [Safety](https://seapals.app/safety) - [Guides](https://seapals.app/guides) - [Friends widget app](https://seapals.app/widgets) - [Memory book & photo journal](https://seapals.app/memory-book) - [Long-distance friends](https://seapals.app/long-distance-friends) - [Culture](https://seapals.app/culture) - [Long distance relationship app](https://seapals.app/long-distance-relationship-app) - [BTS fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/bts) - [K-pop fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/kpop) - [Korean pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/korean) - [Korean practice with friends](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-korean) - [K-drama fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/kdrama) - [Anime fans](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/anime) - [Japanese pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/japanese) - [Learn Japanese](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-japanese) - [English practice](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/learn-english) - [Adult pen pals](https://seapals.app/pen-pals/adults) - [Help](https://seapals.app/help) - [Privacy](https://seapals.app/legal/privacy) - [Terms](https://seapals.app/legal/terms) - [Community guidelines](https://seapals.app/legal/guidelines) - [Child safety](https://seapals.app/legal/child-safety) - [About](https://seapals.app/about) City data from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)