Konkatsu（婚活）－marriage actibity (marriage/partner hunting)

Konakatu (marriage hunting) has become a big trend among Japanese singles and it is a growing business in Japan. People in their late 20s to early 40s are try to find a marriage partner. These days elderly people are living alone and there have been reports of bodies being found long after their death at the home, so young people are starting to be concerned about being alone in their future.

What are kontatsu activities like?

Coupling parties - both women and men who are singles sit facing each other in two concentric circles.  They introduce themselves to each other for about 5 minutes then change partners and start over.

Cooking events - small group of women and men join a cooking event and talk while cooking food together.

Registered matchmaking companies - There are many companies offering match making services. After people register their personal information and their preferred partner, the system finds a suitable match from their members and sets up a meeting. The members fees are quite high.

Go to a "Singles bar" -  Usually you show your ID or business card to enter and have a chat with other members while drinking.

Shared experience events - Such as agriculture, trips etc

Attend the seminar - At these meetings people learn about how to succeed at Kontatsu.


In the past, it used to elderly people, relatives or neighbors, who set up meetings (Omiai) if people were not married in a certain age, but this kind of tradition is disappearing and man and women are busy working so young people don't have much chance to meet other singles outside of work.