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. It is a guide, not a fixed price — you settle the final amount with your supporter before 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 when you choose your supporter, but the funds are held securely and only released to them 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 a guide price. Posting is free — you only pay when you choose a supporter, and you can adjust the amount before you do.
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 price, and it is only a guide — the final amount is agreed with your supporter before you pay. 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
Yes. The amount on a request is a guide, not a fixed price. Talk it over in chat first — what the task actually involves often becomes clearer once you do. The requester then confirms the final amount just before paying, and it is recorded in the chat. After the task is done they can also add a tip on top.
Posting is free. You pay when you choose a supporter for your task — and just before paying you confirm the amount, so you can match it to whatever you agreed with them. 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 for free at any time before you choose a supporter. Once you have chosen one and paid, the request cannot normally be cancelled — but if the task has not been completed you can request a refund. The supporter has three days to respond, and if they do not, the refund is approved automatically. Refunds are 93% of the amount, with 7% kept as a system fee.
Don't Navigate Japan Alone.
Post your first request and get matched with a verified local supporter.
Explore Requests