Where bonds bloom
across cultures. 絆 — Kizuna

Two apps in one. You choose.

Kizuna connects Japanese people and foreigners — for dating, friendship, or language exchange. Pick your intent. Get a feed built for that — not a blurry mix.

What are you here for?

Reserve Your Spot How does it work?
2
Distinct Modes
EN · JA · +
Live Translation, 30+ Languages
100%
Cross-Cultural
The honest design

Dating apps with friendship modes are dishonest. Friendship apps that creep romantic are worse.

So we built two distinct experiences. You opt into one or both. Users in dating mode never appear to friendship-only users. No mixed signals — by design.

Dating Mode · 恋愛モード

Romantic, focused, fast

Classic swipe deck — but only for users who chose romance.

A familiar swipe deck for people clearly looking for romance. Compatibility scoring across cultures, languages, and intent. Kokuhaku — a Japanese-style love confession — when you're ready to make it real.

  • Swipe right to like, left to pass
  • Mutual likes become matches
  • Only see other dating-enabled users
  • Kokuhaku & seasonal love letters
Dating feed preview
Yuki, 26 · Tokyo
anime 82%
✕
双

Pick both? You get two separate feeds — dating on one tab, friendship on another. They never blend. People who picked friendship-only never see you in their feed unless you also enabled friendship.

How matching works

Here's exactly how we score every match.

Every profile in your feed is scored 0–100 against yours, across four dimensions. Same algorithm in both modes — what changes is who's in the pool to score.

RULE 01

Cross-cultural pairing always

Japanese users see foreigners. Foreigners see Japanese users. Never within the same group — Kizuna is built for crossing cultures, not duplicating them.

RULE 02

Mode-aware filtering

In dating mode, you only see users who explicitly enabled dating. In friendship mode, you only see users with friendship, language exchange, or travel intent active. The filter is enforced at the database level — not just hidden in the UI.

RULE 03

Already-swiped, blocked, connected — gone

Users you've swiped, blocked, or already connected with don't reappear. Mutual blocks are also removed automatically. You see fresh, relevant people every session.

RULE 04

Travel mode unlocks the city you're in

Travelling to Tokyo next week? Set your itinerary and your feed shifts to Tokyo for those dates. Locals who match your interests rise to the top — before you even land.

The 0–100 compatibility score

Every card shows a compatibility number. Here's exactly what feeds it.

Shared interests
40 pts
Shared intents
30 pts
Shared languages
20 pts
Cross-cultural bonus
10 pts
What's inside

Built for real connection,
not just metrics

話

Barrier-Free Chat

Real-time DeepL translation, voice messages, reactions, read receipts. Language is never the reason a conversation ends.

季

Living Seasonal Themes

The app re-skins with Japan's calendar — sakura, festivals, koyo, snow. Not just colours: seasonal icebreakers, events, and Kokuhaku editions.

守

Verified, Moderated, Safe

Video verification, AI profile and bio moderation, safety check-ins with emergency SOS contacts, full report and block flows.

旅

Travel Mode (Tabibito)

Heading to Japan? Set your dates and itinerary — your feed shifts to that city. Connect with locals before you arrive.

智

AI Icebreakers

Stuck on the first message? AI suggestions personalised to your match's profile, interests, and language — and culturally aware.

映

Voice & Video Calls

Voice calls free at any bond level. Premium unlocks HD video — meet face-to-face long before meeting in person.

告白 — Kokuhaku

Say it with a seasonal letter

Inspired by Japan's tradition of 告白 — the confession of feelings. When you're ready to take a connection deeper, send a handcrafted letter that unfolds like origami.

🍁 Koyo Autumn Edition
告
A Kokuhaku for You

"Every conversation with you feels like finding a word I didn't know I needed. I'd like this to become something more."

Not a super-like.
A confession.

In Japanese culture, 告白 is the moment you put your feelings into words. Kizuna turns that into a trifold letter — seasonally designed, personally written, with a 7-day window to respond.

📜

Trifold Unfold Animation

Opens panel by panel — anticipation built into the design.

🌸

6 Seasonal Editions

Hanami, Tsuyu, Matsuri, Koyo, Fuyu, and Golden Week — each with unique art and washi textures.

💛

Accept → Bond

An accepted Kokuhaku creates a special bond — unlocking deeper features as your relationship levels up.

🌸 Hanami ☔ Tsuyu 🎆 Matsuri 🍁 Koyo ❄️ Fuyu 金 Golden Week
絆レベル — Bond Levels

Relationships grow here

Every message, call, and shared experience earns XP. Watch your bonds level up from strangers to 絆 — the deepest connection.

壱
Acquaintance
0 XP
弐
Friend
150 XP
参
Close Friend
400 XP
四
Best Friend
800 XP
絆
Kizuna
1500 XP
文
Messages
+2 XP
声
Voice Calls
+8 XP
映
Video Calls
+15 XP
会
Meet Up
+25 XP
告
Kokuhaku
+50 XP
守
Safety Check-In
+10 XP
Safety & Trust

Cross cultures safely

Connecting across languages and cultures requires real trust. Kizuna is built with safety at every layer.

安

Safety Check-In

Meeting someone in person? Set a timed check-in. If you don't confirm you're safe, an automatic SOS message goes to your emergency contact.

Twilio SMS
認

Video Verification

Optional face-verification via a short video. Verified profiles get a visible badge so you know who's real before you connect.

✓ Verified Badge
盾

Content Moderation

AI-powered screening for profile photos and bios. A 3-strike system enforces community standards — keeping the space respectful for everyone.

AI-Powered
Language Bridge

Language is never the barrier

Real-time translation, inline language breakdowns, and a fully bilingual interface. Talk to anyone — and learn while you do.

訳

DeepL Translation

Every message is auto-translated in real time. See both the original and translation side by side — powered by DeepL for natural, human-quality results.

解

Kaisetsu (解説)

Tap any message for a full language breakdown — word-by-word, grammar notes, and cultural context. Learn Japanese naturally through your conversations.

双

EN ↔ JA Interface

The entire app is fully bilingual. Switch between English and Japanese at any time — menus, notifications, onboarding, everything.

I'd love that! I've been wanting to try that new matcha place in Harajuku too 🍵
Translated
ぜひ！原宿の新しい抹茶カフェにも行きたかったんです 🍵
Japan's seasons

A living, breathing app

Kizuna transforms with the rhythm of Japan's cultural calendar — not just colors, but the emotions, events, and conversations each season brings.

🌸
春
Spring · 春
花見 — Hanami
Mar 25 – May 31

"Sakura falls, and something new begins."

In Japan, spring means more than cherry blossoms — it's the season of 卒業 (graduation) and 入学 (new beginnings), the bittersweetness of 青春. Hanami picnics under sakura trees are where bonds are made.

🌸 Hanami picnics 🎓 New beginnings 青春
☔🎆
夏
Summer · 夏
梅雨 & 祭り — Tsuyu & Matsuri
Jun 1 – Sep 30

"The rain ends, the festivals begin."

Summer opens with 梅雨 — the rainy season, cosy and intimate. Then the heat explodes into 祭り culture: fireworks, yukata, matsuri dancing. Summer in Japan is felt, not just seen.

☔ Rainy season 🎆 Fireworks 🏮 Matsuri
🍁🍱
秋
Autumn · 秋
紅葉 — Koyo
Oct 1 – Nov 30

"Red leaves, the best food, warm company."

They say 食欲の秋 — "autumn, the season of appetite." Japan's harvest brings sanma, matsutake, sweet potatoes, and persimmons. Koyo leaf-viewing is as beloved as hanami. Autumn is when Japan tastes best.

🍁 Koyo leaves 🍱 食欲の秋 🐟 Harvest flavours
❄️🎍
冬
Winter · 冬
雪 — Fuyu
Dec 1 – Mar 24

"Find someone to stay warm with."

Winter in Japan spans worlds — from snowy Hokkaido ski slopes to mild Tokyo winters. It holds Christmas, 年末年始, and 初詣. In Tohoku and beyond, winter is an entire culture of warmth, hot springs, and festivals of light.

⛷️ Ski & snowboard 🎍 年末年始 ♨️ Onsen