When you think of Japan’s latest tech trends, you might picture cutting-edge robotics or gaming. But right now, one of the coolest things among Japanese teens and young adults is something a little more down-to-earth: a casual location-sharing app called whoo.
What is Whoo?
whoo is a Japan-made social app that lets friends share their real-time location on a map.
It’s kind of like the beloved Zenly, which many users around the world mourned when it shut down. But whoo picks up where Zenly left off—offering a fun, colorful, and easy-to-use map where friends can see where each other are without having to constantly message.
Why Is It So Popular in Japan?
Japanese teens love whoo because:
- 📍 They can see where their friends are in real time (No need to text “Where are you?” anymore!)
- ⏰ They can check if someone is still at home, or already on the way
- 🔋 You can even see your friend’s battery level—perfect for those who always forget to charge
- 💬 Fun chat features and cute stamps make conversations lively and light-hearted
- 🔐 Privacy settings let you pause sharing whenever you want
It’s used casually for meeting up with friends, keeping tabs on loved ones, or just having fun seeing your circle moving around the city.
A Homegrown Trend for Japan’s Digital Youth
Unlike most popular social apps that come from the U.S. or China, whoo is developed in Tokyo.
The company behind it, LinQ Inc., aimed to create a playful, lighthearted way for friends to stay connected without the pressure of constant messaging.
The app quickly caught on among Japanese Gen Z students, especially after Zenly’s shutdown. Now it’s climbing the app rankings and starting to catch international attention.
How to Try It Yourself
If you’re curious, whoo is available worldwide on iOS and Android.
Even if you’re not in Japan, it’s a great way to casually stay in touch with your closest friends in a more visual, fun way.
コメント