First dates in Japan more budget-friendly than you'd expect

If you're navigating the dating scene as an expat in Japan, a new survey suggests first dates here are generally far more low-key than flashy!

According to a survey by the dating app HappyMail, cafes are overwhelmingly the most popular choice for a first date in Japan, with 71% of respondents picking them as their ideal spot. Italian restaurants followed behind, while casual Japanese dining and izakayas also ranked highly. It seems like people value comfort and conversation over expensive meals, which I thought was a great thing!

Lunch dates were especially popular, particularly among women, with 68% saying they preferred meeting during the daytime rather than dinner. A casual lunch or coffee date may simply feel less pressured for a first meeting, especially when getting to know someone for the first time.

When it comes to budgets, the results were pretty reasonable, with most respondents saying the ideal spending range was between 1,000 and 3,000 yen per person. Very few people chose luxury price points above 5,000 yen, suggesting expensive first dates are not really the norm in Japan.

The survey also found that most couples prefer deciding on the restaurant together rather than leaving it entirely up to one person.

As for first date mistakes, poor manners ranked high for both men and women. Smartphone use during the meal, chewing loudly, being rude to staff, or showing little effort in planning the date were all commonly mentioned turn-offs.

Have you had to navigate the dating scene here in Japan? Cost-wise, do the survey results match up with your own experiences?