Tsunagu - You’re not alone in life abroad.
You’re Not Alone in Life Abroad.
Tsunagu (つなぐ - “to connect” in Japanese) is a community marketplace for Japanese people living in Southeast Asia. Live, Work, Buy, Connect — everything you need for life abroad, in Japanese, on one platform.
What Makes Tsunagu Special
Designed for Overseas Japanese Living
- All-in-One: Housing, jobs, buy/sell, and community info in one place
- Japanese UI: The entire interface is in Japanese for comfortable use
- Trusted Community: Connect safely with fellow Japanese in the same situation
- 6 ASEAN Countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines
- Post Without an Account: Guest posting with email verification is supported
6 Categories to Organize Information
- Real Estate: Apartments, houses, roommate matching, short-term stays
- Jobs: Full-time, part-time, freelance, internships
- Buy & Sell: Furniture, electronics, Japanese products, baby items, free giveaways
- Services: Offer or request various services
- Community: Events, circles, language exchange, travel companions
- Q&A: Get advice on visas, healthcare, banking, daily life from experienced expats
Built for Safety and Trust
- Rating & Review System: Mutual reviews after transactions help identify trustworthy users
- In-Platform Messaging: Communicate without sharing personal information
- Report & Block: Flag suspicious users or listings
- AI Auto-Moderation: AI automatically checks posts to detect inappropriate content
Key Features
Posting & Search
- Category-Based Posting: 6 categories with subcategories for detailed classification
- Photo Upload: Up to 10 images per listing
- Full-Text Search: Filter by keyword, category, region, and price range
- Map Integration: Google Maps location search and display
Communication
- Real-Time Chat: Direct messaging between users
- Reactions & Replies: React to messages or quote-reply
- Comments: Public comment threads on listings
- Notifications: In-app and email notifications so you never miss updates
AI Features
- AI Post Moderation: Claude AI automatically reviews text and images to maintain a safe community
- AI Description Generator: Auto-generate product descriptions from your title and images, with tone options (friendly/polite) (free usage limits apply)
- AI Nickname Check: Automatically detects inappropriate nicknames during registration
More Convenient Features
- Favorites: Bookmark listings you’re interested in
- View History: Access recently viewed listings anytime
- Guest Posting: Post with just email verification — no account required
- Google Sign-In: Quick login with your Google account
- OGP Auto-Generation: Beautiful preview images automatically created when sharing on social media
Supported Areas
Currently available in 6 countries:
- Japan Classifieds in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and more
- Japan Classifieds in Singapore: Island-wide coverage
- Japan Classifieds in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and more
- Japan Classifieds in Indonesia: Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, and more
- Japan Classifieds in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and more
- Japan Classifieds in Philippines: Manila, Cebu, and more
Technology Stack
A secure platform built with modern technologies:
Frontend
- Next.js: Fast, SEO-optimized web application
- React + TypeScript: Type-safe, maintainable codebase
- Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui: Polished, responsive design
Backend & Infrastructure
- Supabase: PostgreSQL database, auth, storage, real-time communication, Edge Functions
- Vercel: Hosting and deployment
- Resend: Transactional email delivery
AI & Security
- Anthropic Claude API: Powers post moderation and description generation
- Google Maps API: Location search and map display
- OAuth2 Authentication: Secure login via Google
- SSL/TLS: All communications encrypted
Pricing - Completely Free
$0/month - Free for all users
Whether you’re an individual or a business, all features are free:
- Browse and search listings
- Post in housing, jobs, buy/sell, services, community, and Q&A
- Direct messaging between users
- Favorites and view history
- AI description auto-generation (free usage limits apply)
- Post and read ratings & reviews
- Guest posting (no account required)
Get Started with Tsunagu Today
Connect with the Japanese community in Southeast Asia. Find housing, jobs, buy/sell items, and build your community abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Tsunagu only for Japanese people?
A: Tsunagu is primarily designed for Japanese expats in Southeast Asia, but anyone is welcome to use the platform. Local businesses and individuals also use Tsunagu to connect with the Japanese community.
Q: Is it safe to make transactions?
A: Multiple safety measures are in place:
- Rating & Review System: Check transaction partner ratings beforehand
- Report & Block: Flag suspicious users or listings
- AI Auto-Moderation: AI detects inappropriate posts automatically
- In-Platform Messaging: Communicate without sharing personal information
Q: Can businesses post on Tsunagu?
A: Yes. Real estate agencies, recruitment firms, retailers, service providers, and more can use Tsunagu for free. You can post job listings, services, and other business offerings.
Q: Which countries and cities are supported?
A: Currently available in 6 countries:
- Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and more)
- Singapore
- Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and more)
- Indonesia (Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, and more)
- Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and more)
- Philippines (Manila, Cebu, and more)
Q: Is there a mobile app?
A: Currently available as a responsive web app. Simply visit tsunagu.it.com from your smartphone browser for a mobile-optimized experience. Native iOS and Android apps are coming soon.
Q: Do I need to create an account?
A: You can browse listings without an account. Posting and sending messages require registration, but you can also use the guest posting feature to post with just email verification.
Join the Tsunagu Community Today
Find housing, jobs, buy/sell items, and connect with the Japanese community in Southeast Asia.