
FRIEND SERVICE GUIDE
Compare 4 friend stand-in services by purpose. Hangout partner, social media, group dates, karaoke — find the friend you need right now.
Friend rental and friend stand-in service is a service where professional staff take on the role of a friend on your behalf. Family Romance's friend rental offers 4 types of friend stand-in services based on your purpose: friend stand-in, social media lifestyle stand-in, group date energizer, and karaoke companion. Friend stand-in is ideal for weekend hangouts, friend rental's social media service for Instagram content, and friend stand-in's group date energizer for party headcounts.
All friend rental and friend stand-in services start at ¥12,000 for 3 hours, with friend stand-in staff matched by hobbies, age, and personality from over 5,000 registered members. Our friend stand-in staff are communication professionals who can instantly build rapport even at first meeting. For friend rental and friend stand-in services, trust Family Romance with over 98% satisfaction rate.

Professional
FRIEND SERVICE GUIDE
Individual services tailored to 4 distinct purposes: hangout partner, social media content, group date headcounts, and karaoke.
All 4 services start at ¥12,000 for 3 hours. Switch between services based on your purpose with no additional charges.
Staff are matched based on specialized skills — conversation ability, photography, energy, or vocal talent — tailored to each service.
Our professional stand-in service can solve these challenges.

What's the difference between 'Friend Stand-in' and 'Social Media Lifestyle'? Is 'Group Date Energizer' separate from friend stand-in? With similar-sounding service names, it's natural to feel confused. This page clearly distinguishes each service's target scenarios, staff skills, and ideal users to eliminate uncertainty.

Do you need a great singer, someone with a good eye for photos, or a conversationalist who can work the room? The required skills differ completely by purpose. Understanding the skill sets associated with each service helps you find the person closest to your expectations.

Two-rider attractions, doubles tennis, karaoke duets, events with group discounts — there are surprisingly many activities that are awkward or physically impossible to do alone. Friend stand-in services exist to solve these 'can't do it alone' moments.

Some worry that a one-time use will result in only a superficial connection. At Family Romance, you can continue requesting the same staff member, so as meetings accumulate, hobby conversations deepen, regular hangout spots develop, and a relationship resembling genuine friendship takes shape.

Barbecues, sports tournaments, festivals, group dates — events that require a group to join or truly enjoy. But you don't have enough friends to invite. Multiple staff members can be arranged simultaneously to create a lively group experience.

Can I really spend time like friends with a stranger? Will conversation flow? Won't it be awkward? These first-timer anxieties are perfectly natural. Our staff are trained communication professionals who can break the ice instantly with anyone. Your hobbies and preferences are shared through advance briefings, so you'll never run out of things to talk about.
Our stand-in services can be utilized in a wide variety of events and situations.

Theme parks, cafe hopping, movies, shopping, walks, museums — even without a specific purpose, simply having someone to spend time with makes weekends fulfilling. When you want a companion to enjoy time with freely, we match a friend suited to your hobbies and personality. By requesting the same staff member through ongoing use, you can even cultivate a relationship that feels like genuine friendship.

For Instagram and TikTok photos and videos, a partner with a natural, fun expression is essential. We provide total support for lifestyle content creation — cafe hopping, event attendance, trendy location shoots. Leave camera angles and pose suggestions to us too.

Gender ratio adjustment, headcount filling, mood setting — a service specialized in guest arrangements for group dates and drinking parties. Staff skilled in conversation read the room and naturally facilitate the evening, easing the organizer's burden. We flexibly accommodate even day-before or same-day headcount changes, with same-day arrangements within hours achieved in urban areas.

Duet partner, scoring battle opponent, new song practice buddy, or simply a friend to sing and have fun with — our music-loving staff answer your singing needs. Genre preferences can be matched too, covering J-POP, anime songs, Western music, enka, and more.

Ideal for those who have just arrived in an unfamiliar city due to a job transfer or move. Local staff guide you through recommended restaurants, sightseeing spots, and hidden gems while exploring together. Having a friend who knows the area dramatically accelerates your adjustment to the new environment and helps alleviate feelings of isolation.

Language practice partner, golf improvement buddy, a friend who teaches cooking — many of our staff possess specific skills and knowledge. Beyond simple companionship, they can serve as 'skill friends' you learn from and grow with together. Also popular as companions for trying new hobbies and as study partners for certification exams.
* For privacy and confidentiality, specific event names are withheld; only service names are listed.
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Compare all 4 services — Friend Stand-in, Social Media Lifestyle, Group Date Energizer, and Karaoke Companion — across multiple dimensions: target scenarios, staff skills, recommended headcount, and user demographics. Grasp the 'horizontal differences' at a glance that individual pages can't show, enabling you to choose the optimal service via the shortest route. Switching between services is free, making this convenient for those who want to try a different service next time.
From over 5,000 registered staff nationwide, we match the ideal person based on your purpose, hobbies, age, and personality. Since the prioritized skills differ by service — vocal ability for karaoke, conversational skills for group dates, visual sense for social media — highly specialized matching is achieved. Gender and age range specifications are available, with staff spanning from their 20s to 60s.
All our staff are trained communication professionals. Within 30 minutes of a first meeting, they establish a natural conversational rhythm, drawing out the other person's stories while creating a comfortable atmosphere. Even for shy individuals, staff take the lead proactively to ensure a relaxed experience. With dialogue skills honed through over 3,000 friend stand-in engagements annually, we maintain a satisfaction rate above 98%.
All 4 services adopt a unified pricing structure starting at ¥12,000 for 3 hours, eliminating price-driven confusion between services. Extensions are ¥2,000 per 30 minutes, stated upfront — no charges beyond the estimate will ever arise. Food, drink, and admission costs are borne by the client, but we provide approximate estimates in advance for peace of mind.

The most fundamental service — a "friend" who accompanies you in everyday situations: weekend outings, drinking parties, shopping trips, and conversations. Enjoy theme parks and cafes together, chat freely about work and hobbies at an izakaya, get outfit advice while shopping, or join for sports and hiking. Without limiting the purpose, we flexibly arrange a "fun friend to be around." Staff matching your hobbies, age, and personality are selected from a network of 5,000+, with communication professionals who break the ice instantly even at first meeting. By requesting the same staff member through ongoing use, a relationship resembling genuine friendship develops over time. Frequently used for combating loneliness after a job transfer and as a sympathetic listener for life advice.

A service centered on supporting photo and video creation for Instagram, TikTok, X, and other social media platforms. Trendy cafe hopping, group shots at popular spots, fun moments at events — we co-create content with a natural "having a great time with friends" atmosphere. The key difference from the standard friend stand-in is the emphasis on visual support with photography in mind. Staff skilled in social media aesthetics handle angle suggestions, lighting utilization, and pose advice. Some staff even assist with post-shoot photo selection and filter recommendations, making this popular with content creators and influencers. Of course, beyond just shooting, making the time spent together genuinely enjoyable is a hallmark of this service.

A service specialized in headcount adjustment and atmosphere creation for group dates, drinking parties, and events. Not enough people for a sudden group date, need to balance the gender ratio, worried the party won't be fun — our professional communicators solve these organizer headaches. Staff adept at reading the room naturally lead conversation flow, creating an atmosphere everyone enjoys. They know the timing for toasts, how to steer topics, and how to energize games, bridging gaps between first-time acquaintances. Last-minute requests — even the day before or the day of — can often be accommodated, with same-day arrangements within hours achieved in urban areas. Staff can also serve as event coordinators managing the entire flow, with options for handling everything from venue reservations to after-party arrangements.

A service delivering the joy of "singing with someone" that solo karaoke can't provide. Need a duet partner, want scoring battle excitement, need someone to practice new songs with, or simply want to sing and have fun together — we answer every "I want to sing" need. Among our registered staff are former band members, vocal school graduates, and karaoke competition winners, so selection by vocal ability is possible. Genre preferences can be matched: J-POP, anime songs, Western music, rock, enka, K-POP, and more. Also popular as a harmony practice partner. We support diverse karaoke-centered activities — stress relief, vocal improvement, year-end and New Year party entertainment practice. The standard arrangement is female clients with female staff or a male-female pair of two staff members.
Confidential — Nationwide — Free
Contact us via email, phone, or LINE. Anonymous consultations are welcome.
Base Price
Extension Rate
Estimated Total (excl. tax)
* Transportation and option fees are separate.
* Option details and pricing vary by service.
First time using a friend stand-in service? Rest assured — from selecting the right plan among our 4 services to matching the ideal staff and coordinating the day, a dedicated coordinator provides attentive support throughout.

We learn about your purpose via email, phone, or LINE

We recommend the best plan from our 4 services

Select the ideal companion by hobbies, age, and skills

Pay after confirming details No hidden charges

Your professional companion delivers a genuinely fun time
"I was torn between Friend Stand-in and Karaoke Companion, but this page clarified the differences. I started with Friend Stand-in for a casual cafe chat. We hit it off talking about hobbies, and next time I switched to Karaoke Companion to sing together. Being able to freely choose between services is great."
"I used the Social Media Lifestyle service to grow my Instagram following. The staff suggested shooting angles and poses, resulting in photos of a quality I could never achieve alone. Friends started telling me 'You seem like you're having so much fun lately,' and my social circle actually expanded."
"I was in charge of organizing a group date but came up one guy short, so I panicked and called the day before. The next day, a staff member with amazing conversation skills joined and perfectly managed everything from the toast to the games. The women praised me, saying 'You really know how to pick your crew,' saving my reputation as the organizer."
The 4 services differ in the key skills required from staff. Friend Stand-in emphasizes broad communication ability, Social Media Lifestyle values visual sense and photography cooperation, Group Date Energizer requires conversation skills and room-reading ability, and Karaoke Companion demands vocal talent. Some staff handle multiple services, but generally we match staff with skills suited to your requested service.
For those unsure, we recommend starting with 'Friend Stand-in.' It covers the widest range of scenarios, so you can try it with casual activities like cafe conversations, shopping, or walks. Once more specific needs emerge, smoothly transition to Social Media Lifestyle or Karaoke Companion.
Yes, it's possible. For example, 'morning cafe hopping with friend stand-in + social media shooting, then afternoon karaoke' combinations work. Depending on the case, the same staff member may handle everything or different staff may be assigned per service — please consult in advance. Pricing is calculated based on total usage time.
Depending on staff availability, we have many cases of same-day arrangements within hours in urban areas. For urgent requests, calling us is the fastest option. However, for specific conditions — such as a karaoke companion skilled in a particular genre — we recommend booking with extra lead time.
Yes, we can arrange from 1 to 10+ staff simultaneously. For group date headcounts, specifications like '3 males + 3 females' are available. Large group arrangements for BBQs, sports events, and more are also accepted. We consider compatibility among staff and adjust for group cohesion.
Exchanging personal contact information between staff and clients is not permitted. Future bookings, including requests for the same staff member, are made through our office. This policy exists to protect the privacy of both staff and clients.
Yes, switching services within the same day is possible. For example, you can enjoy friend stand-in at a cafe in the morning and switch to karaoke companion in the afternoon. If the same staff member can handle both, they continue; if specialized skills are needed, we arrange a different staff member. Pricing is calculated based on total usage time, so no extra charges arise from the switch.
Friend Stand-in has the highest repeat rate. Its wide range of applications means many people start with 'let me try friend stand-in first,' which frequently leads to ongoing use. Karaoke Companion ranks second, with some clients using it regularly 2-3 times per month. Social Media Lifestyle tends toward one-off uses for photo shoots, but some clients book seasonally.
We have registered staff in all 47 prefectures. We can arrange local staff even for regional events.
Tokyo / Kanagawa / Chiba / Saitama / Ibaraki / Tochigi / Gunma
Osaka / Kyoto / Hyogo / Nara / Shiga / Wakayama
Aichi / Shizuoka / Gifu / Mie / Nagano / Niigata / Toyama / Ishikawa / Fukui
Fukuoka / Saga / Nagasaki / Kumamoto / Oita / Miyazaki / Kagoshima / Okinawa
Hokkaido / Aomori / Iwate / Miyagi / Akita / Yamagata / Fukushima
Hiroshima / Okayama / Yamaguchi / Tottori / Shimane / Kagawa / Tokushima / Ehime / Kochi
We have been featured in numerous TV shows, films, books, and international media.
Directed by Werner Herzog. Official screening at Cannes Film Festival. CEO Yuichi Ishii appears as himself.
A feature film based on Yuichi Ishii's book. Released nationwide in 2023.
Written by CEO Yuichi Ishii (Tetsujinsha).
Featured on multiple NHK programs highlighting the social significance of stand-in services.
Featured on numerous news and variety shows.
Covered in news programs and documentaries.
Featured on talk shows and news programs.
Covered by BBC, CNN, Reuters, and other major international outlets.
Directed by Werner Herzog. Official screening at Cannes Film Festival. CEO Yuichi Ishii appears as himself.
A feature film based on Yuichi Ishii's book. Released nationwide in 2023.
Written by CEO Yuichi Ishii (Tetsujinsha).
Featured on multiple NHK programs highlighting the social significance of stand-in services.
Featured on numerous news and variety shows.
Covered in news programs and documentaries.
Featured on talk shows and news programs.
Covered by BBC, CNN, Reuters, and other major international outlets.
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Consultations are completely free and strictly confidential.
For urgent inquiries, please call us at {phone}.0120-949-341