Chat with Japanese AI characters and practice
expressing yourself the way real friends actually talk.
— Free to start · No sign-up needed —
You've studied Japanese. You know hiragana, katakana, maybe some kanji — maybe even keigo and honorifics. But somehow, when a real Japanese person is in front of you, you freeze. You overthink. You know the rules so well that you're afraid to break them.
Real connection in Japanese isn't just grammar or vocabulary. It's about stepping outside your comfort zone, pulling out whatever Japanese you already have, and being brave enough to use it in a real conversation. Then adjusting as you go — noticing what lands, what doesn't, and what to work on next. Tomodachi in Japanese is a practice space for exactly that.
The goal isn't perfect Japanese. It's taking what you already know, squeezing it out of your brain, and stringing it together. Each conversation shows you how much you can actually say — and points you toward what to study next.
After each conversation, AI feedback helps you notice patterns — how much you share, how naturally you respond, how your Japanese sounds to a native speaker.
This app is a stepping stone, not a destination. The goal is to give you the confidence to have real conversations with real people — in Japan, or wherever you are.
Freelance graphic designer based in Matsumoto, Nagano. Loves hiking the North Alps, photography, and her morning coffee ritual. Her older sister studied in Australia — so she's curious about English speakers.
City hall worker in Saitama, born and raised in Omiya. Into anime, manga, retro games, and sci-fi. Quiet at first, but talk anime or sci-fi and he won't stop.
✦ Characters adjust to your age group
Select your age range first — the characters will adjust to match. Then pick whether you'd like to chat with Sumire or Kenji.
Choose from three levels: Getting Started, Everyday Talk, or Going Deeper. You can start anywhere — no need to go in order.
Type your message and hit send. Stuck? The hint button works two ways: tap it with an empty box to get a general example based on the conversation so far. Or type a word or two you want to use first — in Japanese or English — then tap hint, and it'll build an example around your idea.
When the chat wraps up, you'll receive feedback built entirely around your conversation — so it's unique every time. You'll also get a curated list of expressions from the chat. Consider keeping a dedicated notebook: it's a great way to build your own personal Japanese phrase collection.
NAWADA MEGUMI (なわだ めぐみ)
PROFILE
I work as a content creator and back-office member in the language industry, Japanese and English. I'm not a Japanese teacher myself, but I work closely alongside educators and understand the business side of language learning well. The way this app handles register and social distance is shaped with input from language professionals, including a linguistics specialist and a certified Japanese teacher, so the design rests on more than just my own view.
I've been involved in running language learning communities for many years, and I'm a language learner myself (English is my second language). I know the walls you hit. I've hit them too.
I'm based in Yokohama, Japan — with past experience living and working in Australia and Singapore. I value honesty and integrity in everything I do, including how I build this app.
MESSAGE
First — thank you for being here. The fact that you're learning Japanese, a language spoken by 99% of its speakers within one country, says something about your curiosity and commitment. That genuinely means a lot to me.
Learning Japanese means taking on a lot — grammar rules, keigo, honorifics, layers of formality. All of it matters. But sometimes, the more you learn, the harder it gets to actually speak. The hesitation, the fear of getting it wrong — that's not weakness. That's what happens when you care about doing it right.
I built this app to give you a space where you can bring that original curiosity back. The excitement you felt when you first decided to learn Japanese — that spark. Talk to the characters like they're real friends. Don't hold back. Make mistakes. Enjoy the conversation.
And one day — please graduate from this app. Go find real people, real conversations, real connections.
I've been working in global environments for 15 years, in the language industry for 8, and in the Japanese learning space specifically for 4.
One thing I want to be honest about: no app — not even the most famous, most polished one out there — can take you all the way on its own. Mine included. I've put a lot of time, care, and expert input into building this, and I still believe that real fluency needs real-world practice too.
That's why I built Tomodachi Circle, a small community alongside this app. It's not a classroom. It's a space where learners support each other as friends, peers, and fellow adventurers. It's still growing, and I'd love to grow it together with you. If that sounds like you, come join us.
If you don't have Japanese friends yet — I'll be your first. Not as a teacher. As a friend.
よろしくね！
Unlock more conversations
Everyday Talk and Going Deeper topics — 18 conversations across both characters — are available to members. Support this app and keep practicing with a monthly membership on Ko-fi.
The higher tier also unlocks TonariWords, a dictionary that shows each word together with its neighbors. Browse 30 free sample cards →
Questions, feedback, or just want to say hi! Feel free to reach out. I am also open to collaborations with teachers and fellow creators.