Questions you might have about Machi.

1. What is Machi?

   Machi is a city-life app for people living in Japan: local notes, jobs, homes and secondhand, meetups and events, and Life & Travel, plus guides to life in Japan and Machi AI. The iOS app is on the App Store, and the web version works in any browser.

2. Which company runs Machi?

   Machi is developed and operated by XICO AI, a company based in Guangzhou, China. Its full name is Zhixike Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., and its website is xicoai.com. Machi's founder, Yao Kai, is the company's legal representative and came to Japan in 2019.

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3. Is Machi a dating app?

   No. Meetups are for finding people to eat, play sports, study or swap languages with. Machi doesn't offer romantic matching or set up dates. If someone uses a meetup or a message to sell paid companionship or adult services, please report it.

4. Is Machi a visa agent or a recruiter?

   No. The Guide and Machi AI help you work out what to prepare and in what order, but applications go to official offices such as the Immigration Services Agency. You apply for official job listings on the employer's own site, and Machi never collects your résumé.

1. Does it cost anything?

   Downloading and everyday use are free. Machi Verified is an optional paid membership, and some paid content is bought with Machi Coins.

2. What does Machi Verified include?

   A verified badge, more Machi AI questions and the Pro model, posting for jobs, homes and services (three per category each month), a ranking boost, post insights and priority review. Join on iOS or the web and use it on both. Posting jobs, homes or services requires membership.

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3. How do I cancel?

   If you joined on iOS, it's an auto-renewing Apple subscription you can cancel anytime in your iPhone or iPad's subscription settings. On the web you pay once through Stripe for a month or a year; it doesn't renew and simply ends when the period is over, so there's nothing to cancel.

4. What are Machi Coins?

   Your in-app wallet. Buy coin packs in the app and spend them in the Guide shop and elsewhere; members receive coins every month, and inviting friends earns more. One coin counts as one yen.

1. Which languages are supported?

   The interface comes in English, Simplified Chinese and Japanese; there's no Traditional Chinese interface. You can filter posts by language, and Korean, French, Spanish and other posts carry language tags too.

2. Can posts be translated?

   On iOS 18 and later, you can tap Translate on Chinese, Japanese and English posts in the post view and the timeline. Apple's on-device translation does the work, and the result is labeled as AI translation. It's there to help you understand the original. Post translation isn't available on the web.

3. Where can I use Machi?

   Anywhere in Japan: pick any of the 47 prefectures and the cities, towns and wards within them. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Yokohama are where we've gone deepest first. The Guide and the school and company libraries cover Japan only.

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4. When will other countries open?

   South Korea, Canada, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and others are in preparation. They aren't open yet, and we don't promise launch dates.

1. Is there an Android app?

   It's in development. For now, use Machi on iPhone or iPad, or open the web version in a phone or computer browser.

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2. How is the web version different from the app?

   Your account and membership work on both. Post translation is iOS 18 and later only, and Sign in with Apple is iOS-only.

3. Can I use JLPT practice and mock exams yet?

   Not yet. Right now you'll find N5–N1 level guides, eight study-route articles, and exam dates with a countdown for test sites in Japan. Online practice, mock exams and placement tests are not yet open, and neither are the EJU zone or general Japanese study.

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4. Where do job listings come from?

   Official listings come from employers' public recruitment pages; applying opens the employer's own site, and Machi never collects your résumé. Community posts come from verified members, and you can message them in the app. Each job shows an at-a-glance summary first, then the original Japanese, which is what counts.

5. Does the Specified Skilled Worker filter mean a company will hire me?

   No. A Specified Skilled Worker field is an industry category, not a promise from the employer. Labels like visa support and work-visa-eligible roles should also be confirmed with the company.

1. What should I do about harassment or a scam?

   Take screenshots, report the person in the app and block them. If you're in danger, call 110 (police) or 119 (ambulance) first.

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2. What does a verified badge mean?

   Verification confirms identity and details. It doesn't mean Machi vouches for a service, home or job, or guarantees how a deal turns out.

3. Can I delete my account?

   Yes. Delete it from Settings in the app or on the web; you'll be asked to confirm. Once it's deleted, your posts, comments and messages can't be recovered.

1. Can businesses post on Machi?

   Yes. Businesses can apply for verification and post services, deals, jobs and homes; posting jobs, homes and services requires Machi Verified. Machi doesn't guarantee reach, inquiries or sales.

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2. How do I contact Machi?

   For help, feedback and partnerships, email hi@machicity.com. For other business with XICO AI, email hi@xicoai.com.

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Write to us with your question. It helps to mention your platform (iOS or web) and include a screenshot.