Get help from a native Japanese speaker.
日本語でのサポートが必要ですか？
OD Japan offers personal consultation and assistance for non-Japanese speakers to navigate the language, systems, and everyday situations that don't come with an English manual — daily life, business, culture, and travel. One friendly person to ask, whenever you're unsure what you're supposed to do next.
Personal reply · usually within 24 hours · 個人で返信します
Based in Fukushima — helping non-Japanese speakers feel at home in Japan.
About
A Personal Helper, Not a Hotline
個人でサポートします
I'm a Japanese native who can step into confusing situations with you!
I help non-Japanese speakers who are living in or visiting Japan — people who run into a letter they can't read, a call they have to make, or a situation they're not sure how to handle.
日本での生活や旅行で困っている方を、個人的にサポートします。As a native Japanese speaker, I can explain things clearly, help you communicate in Japanese during conversations, calls, and appointments on your behalf, and bridge the language gap — in Japanese, English, and with simple icons so nothing gets lost.
Native speaker
日本語ネイティブ
Bilingual support
バイリンガル対応
Personal & flexible
個人・柔軟に
Any topic welcome
どんなことでも
What I can help with
Primary Needs
幅広いサポート
Daily Life & Living
日常生活・語学
Understanding city hall and/or local governments. Reading mail and forms. Making phone calls. Navigating everyday situations (apartments, utilities, daily problems).
Business & Admin
ビジネス・手続き
Understanding business communication. Explaining the content of contracts and administrative procedures in plain language. Sending Japanese emails. Translating meetings. Recognizing cultural expectations in government and ward offices.
*This service provides language guidance, interpretation, translation, and accompaniment support only. We do not prepare or submit official documents on your behalf, nor provide legal advice — these require licensed professionals (gyoseishoshi, judicial scriveners, or lawyers). You will complete and submit your own forms; we explain the content and guide you through the process. For contracts or legal matters, we may recommend consulting a licensed specialist.
Cultural Guidance
文化案内
Understanding customs and etiquette, and making sense of the social rules that shape life in Japan (written and unwritten)
Travel Navigation (Visiting Japan)
旅行サポート
Planning transportation logistics and itineraries (reservations, train stops, etc.) Understanding signs and instructions. Resolving unexpected problems.
How it works
Three simple steps
簡単3ステップ
Send your request
リクエストを送る
Fill in the form with what you need help with. Any topic is welcome.
Get a reply & pick a time
返信を受け取り、日程を決める
You'll get a personal reply from a native speaker, and together we choose a time to talk.
Talk or meet
相談する
We connect by message, phone, or in person — whichever is easiest for you.
Pricing
Simple, transparent pricing
料金について
Every request is different. Simple requests can often be handled at the starting price, while complex or time-consuming requests may receive a custom quote. You'll always know the price before we begin.
Everyday Help
From $20
For everyday situations in Japan — reading Japanese mail and forms, understanding everyday Japanese, navigating confusing situations, and general language assistance.
Phone Call Assistance
From $20
Help making or participating in Japanese-language phone calls — understanding what is being said, preparing what you need to say, or assisting with communication during the call.
Documents & Translation
From $20
Help understanding Japanese letters, forms, instructions, notices, and other everyday documents. The starting price applies to straightforward documents; longer, technical, or more complex documents may require a custom quote.
Cultural Guidance
From $20
Help understanding Japanese customs, etiquette, social expectations, and situations that may be difficult to understand from the outside.
Travel Navigation
From $20
Personal assistance with transportation, reservations, travel questions, understanding Japanese instructions, and unexpected situations while traveling. This is assistance and navigation support, not a traditional guided-tour service.
Business & Administration
From $35
Support with business communication, Japanese business correspondences, linguistically understanding contracts and documents, administrative matters, and communication with Japanese organizations or businesses. More complex or time-intensive work may receive a custom quote.
Language support for government office visits and forms (interpretation & explanation only)
From $35
Assistance with language and communication support for navigating ward/city office procedures, government forms, administrative correspondence, and administrative interactions. You will always receive the final price before work begins.
In-Person Assistance
From $50/hour
Personal, in-person assistance in Japan — accompanying you to an appointment, helping navigate an unfamiliar process, in-person language assistance, or helping communicate with a business or organization. Transportation costs are additional and clearly disclosed before the service begins.
Final price always confirmed before work begins · 作業前に料金を必ずお知らせします
FAQ
Common questions
よくあるご質問
Proof
Real outcomes, not promises
実際の成果
< 24h
Typical first reply
通常24時間以内に返信
10+
Consultations handled
相談対応件数
2
Languages (EN / JP)
英語・日本語対応
100%
Would recommend
「人に勧めたい」
Figures reflect consultations handled to date · これまでのご相談実績
Session highlights & people I've helped
ご利用いただいた方々の声
An inquiry for a specially designed engagement ring box couldn't be made to the requested craftsman.
New resident couldn't complete the registration forms or follow the counter instructions.
Business was done in a single call, with request and design specifics communicated in Japanese. Contact info of the English speaker was exchanged and all parties can now communicate together.
"1 day ago I felt so helpless and like I couldn't move a mountain. You did it like it was literally nothing. Thank you for that kindness."
Robert D'Angelo-Cosme
Customer from America
A race registration page was Japanese language only and race day logistics were confusing to an aspiring participant.
Race registration was complete, individual was greeted and escorted to course start, and race logistics translated for the runner at the starting line.
Fast, friendly, and patient. Helped me get registered, to the starting line, and not get lost before the gun went off. I'd have never gotten to enjoy my hobby overseas with your help!
Raymond O.
Visitor from Virginia
Japanese business and government procedures were confusing and forms were delayed / rejected.
Accompanied by phone through the appointment; guidance on how to fill in the forms was provided afterwards. Follow-up the same day and week to ensure no forms were returned again.
Having someone native to double-check my legal documents gave me real confidence. I finally stopped worrying about writing the wrong thing and going to the wrong person.
Patrick O.
Newlywed
Founder & Coordinator
OD Japan’s services are provided directly by Yukari O’Donnell.
Originally from Fukushima, Japan, Yukari studied international relations and global studies at university and has more than eight years of experience working in international exchange, community development, and multicultural communities in both Japan and the United States.
Bridging Japan and the World
Having worked in international exchange and community development in Japan, as well as lived and worked in the United States, Yukari understands the different perspectives and cultural contexts on both sides.
Drawing on these experiences, she values people-centered coordination that goes beyond simply translating or introducing, serving as a bridge between people, communities, and cultures while working closely with each client.
Contact
Ask OD Japan (Request a Consultation)
ご相談はこちら
Prefer to reach out directly? Pick whichever is easiest for you.
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メールで連絡
odjapan28@gmail.com