Your Local Ally in Japan.
Post what you need — restaurant reservations, hospital escorts, paperwork help — set your own price, and a verified Japanese supporter will take care of it.
See How It WorksWhy LO-PAL Works
A platform designed around fairness, safety, and simplicity.
You Set the Price
Name your budget when you post a request. That's the total you pay — no hidden fees, no service charges on your end.
ID-Verified Locals
Every supporter completes government ID verification through Stripe before they can accept any task.
Your Payment Is Protected
You pay upfront, but funds are held securely and only released to the supporter after you confirm the task is done.
What Can a Local Help You With?
From quick phone calls to in-person support — locals handle what language barriers make difficult.
Daily Life & Travel Tasks
Resident & Expat Hurdles
Get Help in 3 Simple Steps
1. Post Your Request & Set a Price
Describe what you need and name your price. Payment is securely held by Stripe at this point — not charged to the supporter yet.
2. Match & Chat with a Supporter
A verified local supporter accepts your task. Chat with them to share details, ask questions, or coordinate timing.
3. Task Done — Confirm & Release Payment
Once your supporter completes the task, you confirm it's done. Only then is the payment released. Simple and safe.
Example Pricing
You set the final price, but here are some common examples to give you an idea. No hidden fees, ever.
Restaurant Reservations
¥1,000 - ¥1,500
($7 - $10)
For phone-only bookings at that spot you've been wanting to try.
City Hall Escort
¥2,000 - ¥3,000
($13 - $20)
In-person help with official paperwork and procedures.
Hospital Escort
¥5,000 - ¥10,000
($33 - $67)
In-person interpretation and support during your hospital visit.
Built on Trust
Every interaction is backed by real safeguards — not just promises.
ID-Verified Users
All supporters complete government ID verification through Stripe before accepting any task.
Escrow Payments
Your payment is held securely until you confirm the task is complete. No risk of losing money.
Dispute Resolution
If something goes wrong, our team steps in to mediate and find a fair solution — including refunds.
In-App Chat
Communicate directly with your supporter through our built-in chat. No need to share personal contact info.
A Note From Our Founder
Years ago, while living in the UK, I found myself completely lost — unable to open a bank account, register for healthcare, or navigate a system I didn't understand. At my lowest point, it was the kindness of local strangers that got me through. That experience changed me forever.
After returning to Japan, I began helping foreign patients at a hospital and saw the same struggles I'd faced: language barriers, confusing systems, and the fear of not knowing where to turn. I built LO-PAL so that no one has to face those moments alone. A simple connection with a local can make all the difference.
Taku Kanaya
Founder, LO-PAL
Frequently Asked Questions
You pay when you post your request. The payment is securely held by Stripe and only released to the supporter after you confirm the task is complete. If a task is cancelled, you receive a refund minus a small system fee.
Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, a global payment platform used by millions of businesses. Your card details are never stored on our servers. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, and more.
Every supporter must complete identity verification with a government-issued ID via Stripe before they can accept any task. You can also see their profile and ratings before you match.
Contact LO-PAL support and we'll step in to mediate. We work towards a fair resolution, including a potential full refund.
The platform is available in English and Japanese. Many supporters are bilingual, and some also speak Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other languages.
You can cancel a request before a supporter accepts it for a full refund. After matching, cancellations are handled on a case-by-case basis — contact our support team and we will work with you to find a fair resolution.
Don't Navigate Japan Alone.
Post your first request and get matched with a verified local supporter.
Explore Requests