I Rented a Girlfriend in Japan — Here’s What Happened

An honest review of Japan’s “Rental Girlfriend” culture

🎌 Renting a Person? It’s a Real Thing in Japan

If you’ve ever traveled to Japan, you know the country is full of surprises — but one of the most unique cultural experiences might be this:

You can rent a girlfriend.

Yes, that’s right. You can literally book a time to meet, eat, walk, and talk with someone — just like a date — but with zero emotional strings attached.

It sounds strange at first.

You might ask: Is this legal? Isn’t it just a hidden dating service? Is it safe?

So I decided to find out for myself.

🧳 The Setup: Booking My Rental Girlfriend

I booked the experience near Miyashita Park, Tokyo, through a verified platform.
The woman I matched with? The platform’s #1 ranked rental girlfriend in Tokyo.

✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Profile photos and details
✅ Appointment-based meeting in a public place

From the start, it felt surprisingly legitimate — more like booking a private guide than hiring a date.

☕️ First Impressions Over Coffee

We met right on time and headed to Starbucks before lunch.

Her name was Yumi
She was polite, a bit shy at first, but very professional
We chatted in a mix of English and Japanese

She even asked if it was okay to be recorded on video — which shows how clear the service boundaries are.

💬 So… Why Do People Use This Service?

I asked her directly:

“What kind of people use rental girlfriend services?”

She explained:

Some are lonely and just want someone to talk to
Some are curious about the experience
Some specifically request her — for her conversation skills or personality
Others just want a companion to eat, walk, or visit an amusement park with

One surprising fact:

Many clients are in their 40s to 60s.
Yes — it’s not just for young guys!

She personally takes about 3–4 appointments a month, and even works a remote job on the side.

🍱 Lunch, Laughter, and… Bong Bong?

After Starbucks, we headed to a Korean restaurant where she tried soft tofu stew (순두부찌개) and Bong Bong grape soda for the first time.
We talked about:

Makeup and skincare
MBTI personalities
Cultural differences
Favorite foods
Ideal types in men

It felt like hanging out with an old friend, not someone I had just met through a service.

💸 How Much Does It Cost?

The standard rate:

Around $50–$60 per hour
Longer dates (like 12 hours) = about $650 USD

Note:
You pay for her meals, tickets, and transportation.
Even holding hands is an optional add-on (around $35).

There are also clear rules:

No hugging, kissing, or physical contact beyond what’s agreed
No romantic implications unless stated
All interactions are professional and respectful

🧠 What I Really Think About This Experience

Pros	Cons
✅ Professional, respectful service	❌ Price can be high
✅ Surprisingly comfortable & fun	❌ Emotional detachment may feel awkward
✅ Great for cultural exchange	❌ Not every “rental” is the same quality

Honestly, it was better than I expected.
It wasn’t awkward at all — in fact, it was refreshing.

Yumi was thoughtful, polite, and present.
She even said, “Thanks to you, I want to learn Korean.”

🚀 Final Thoughts: Renting a Relationship Isn’t Always Strange

Let’s face it — modern life is lonely.
It’s hard to meet people, especially when traveling, living abroad, or simply tired of dating apps.

In that context, rental friends and girlfriends offer a safe, no-pressure alternative for:

Socializing
Language exchange
Cultural connection
Temporary companionship

It’s not about replacing real friendships —
but about filling small, empty moments with genuine human interaction.

TIMEET: The Rental Friend App Expanding Across Asia 🌏

Inspired by this idea, platforms like TIMEET are bringing this concept to Southeast Asia, with a strong focus on safety and simplicity.

✅ 100% verified users
✅ Public meeting locations only
✅ Time-based booking
✅ Honest, review-based system
✅ No dating pressure

Whether you’re traveling alone,
craving human connection,
or just want to meet someone local over coffee…

TIMEET helps you meet someone — the safe way.

📲 Download TIMEET now and find your rental friend nearby.

[App Store] [Google Play]