Afar, A Retrospective: The Incredibly True Story of Renting a Friend in Tokyo

Unpacked by AFAR

This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar’s 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen.

A day in the life of a rent-a-friend can run the gamut of fake romance, crying at funerals and a 30-second selfie with a teenager. In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, contributing writer Chris Colin travels to Tokyo to rent a friend.

At first, he expected nothing but kitsch. But as he navigates his newly forged—and reasonably priced—friendships with Miyabi,Yumi and Yusuke, what he learns changes the way he views Japan and his friendships back at home.

A Day In the Life of A Rent-A-Friend

In this episode you’ll discover:

• The values and issues of Japanese society that created Client Partners, a rent-a-friend company.
• The various reasons why Japanese locals are renting friends.
• How you can rent a friend in Japan during your next solo trip.

Kodoku: The Lonely Gap

Don’t miss these memorable moments:

[06:11] Real life fake engagements and other rent-a-friend scenarios.

[10:47] Hikikomori and a nation’s spiritual health: A conversation with Client Partners’ CEO.

[16:22] Clarity, okonomiyaki and a genuine connection with a professional friend.

A Cultural Phenomenon or A Cure for Loneliness?

When writer Chris Colin first rented a friend in Tokyo, he was expecting something kitsch and wacky, like a cuddle or owl cafe. Instead, he found genuine connection and clarity about the elusiveness of friendship in his own life.

What are the issues in society that create a commercial market for friendship and what does this reveal about the connections we are able to create?

Resources:

Read Chris' original story and check out his other work.

Explore Afar's travel guide to Tokyo.

Learn more about Client Partners, the rent-a-friend company that Chris visited.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.