[samurai007]

I often had people just eager to talk with me because I was the first (or one of the 1st) foreigners they'd ever met. Many wanted to just practice their English, such as the restaurant delivery man, the night clerk at the Lawson's, and the accountant at one of my schools. They approached me or talked to me, and I ended up talking with them and we became friends.

Then there was the local Interpreter and Guide Club. I taught them English, and in return they taught me Japanese and showed me around as practice for "real foreigners". We had pot luck parties, etc, and they became some of my best friends.

Finally, there were co-workers (Japanese English Teachers) who I became friends with, initially through work.

I didn't go to bars because I don't drink alcohol, but I still made lots of friends. Just be friendly, outgoing, and seize every opportunity that presents itself!