Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, currently both Travelers and Guides can use the service completely free of charge. No payments are processed through the platform.

Anyone aged 18 and over can register. Travelers are intended to be foreigners visiting Japan, and Guides are intended to be Japanese locals in Tokyo who want to interact with foreigners. A single account can be used to act as both a Traveler and a Guide.

Yes. To receive requests as a Guide, you must complete identity verification using a driver's license, passport, or My Number Card. Submitted IDs are reviewed only by operations staff and are not shown to Travelers.

To prevent impersonation and maintain a safe environment, Guides verify their phone via SMS at the time of profile creation, and Travelers verify before sending their first request. Phone numbers are not disclosed to other users.

A Traveler browses the Guide list, picks an available time slot from a Guide's published availability, and sends a request. Once the Guide accepts, matching is established and you can fine-tune details via the in-app chat.

Guides have the right to accept or reject requests. They may decline due to schedule or compatibility. Please feel free to send requests to other Guides.

Yes, either side may cancel after matching. However, a reason is required. Last-minute cancellations affect the other party's schedule, so please cancel as early as possible.

Absolutely. You can set your language level (Native / Fluent / Conversational / Basic) on your profile so Travelers know what to expect. Even "want to practice English" is welcome.

We strongly recommend public places with foot traffic such as train stations or cafes for the first meeting. Avoid private or isolated locations. You can specify a Meeting area and an optional Specific meeting spot when sending a request.

GuideMate Tokyo is a free service and Guides share their time voluntarily. Tips are entirely optional. Some Travelers give a small thank-you after meeting. There's no fixed amount — buying tea or lunch is also appreciated. GuideMate Tokyo is not involved in tip transactions.

Before matching, only one message at the time of the request is sent to the Guide. After matching, you can communicate via in-app chat (text only, up to 1,000 characters). For safety, sharing phone numbers or social media handles is not recommended.

Within 72 hours after the session ends, both parties can submit reviews (1–5 stars with optional comment). Reviews use a double-blind format: they are revealed when both have submitted or when 72 hours pass.

From the user's profile, choose "Block". They will no longer be able to view your profile or send requests. If the behavior is clearly violating the rules, please also "Report" them.

First, move to a safe place and contact the police or relevant authorities if needed. Then please file a report to our team via the report feature. GuideMate Tokyo does not manage offline interactions, but reported incidents will be investigated.

Go to Settings → "Delete Account". After withdrawal, your personal information is generally deleted, though some data may be retained for up to 3 years for compliance and trouble resolution (see the Privacy Policy for details).

No. It is not a dating or romance matching service. It is a casual platform for friend-like interaction while exploring Tokyo. Sexual or romantic use and inappropriate messages are prohibited; violators are subject to suspension or banning.