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 in the language industry, Japanese and English. I'm not a Japanese teacher myself, but 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. I'm a language learner too (English is my second language), based in Yokohama with past experience living in Australia and Singapore. More about me →
MESSAGE
First, thank you for being here. The fact that you're learning Japanese, a language spoken almost entirely within one country, says something about your curiosity. That means a lot to me.
Learning Japanese means taking on a lot. Grammar, keigo, layers of formality. All of it matters. But sometimes the more you learn, the harder it gets to actually speak. That hesitation is not weakness. It is what happens when you care about doing it right.
So here, talk to the characters like they're real friends. Make mistakes. Enjoy the conversation.
And one day, please graduate from this app. Talk to someone. Come visit Japan. If something you practiced here turns into a real conversation out there, that would make me happy.
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.
Membership also includes TonariWords, a dictionary that shows each word together with its neighbors. Browse 30 free sample cards →
No app can take you all the way, mine included. If you want to build your foundation or keep studying alongside your chats here, these are the resources I'd point a friend to.
Questions, feedback, or just want to say hi! Feel free to reach out. I am also open to collaborations with teachers and fellow creators.