Here you can share your experience of Japan with others who have visited or lived there, or find out about Japan if you haven't been there yet. People who are learning Japanese can practice their language skills and those who are already proficient can usually find a number of native speakers to converse with.

For Japanese visitors and students there is the opportunity to meet local people with an interest in Japan and to speak English with native speakers, as well as meeting other Japanese people who are staying or living in Bristol. You can find out about local places of interest and events and perhaps get some help with English language problems.

We have occasionally had guest speakers, demonstrations and Japanese food evenings at our monthly meetings but the emphasis has always been on personal contact rather than organized events. The atmosphere is completely informal so you can choose to chat with just one person or a whole group of people. Usually somewhere between 20 and 40 people attend each month and there is a wide range of ages and occupations. Making new friends is an important aspect of  the club - many long-lasting friendships have started here and although we are not trying to be a dating agency, at least one marriage has resulted from a couple meeting at Bristol Japan Club.

Bristol Japan Club at the Polish Club - 2nd Wednesday of each month
Bristol Japan Club meetings take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month throughout the year - see the Meeting Dates page for a list of this year's dates. We meet at the Polish Club, 50 St Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol. St Paul's Road is off Whiteladies Road, near the BBC television studios. To see a map and directions to the club, click here. We start at 8:00 pm and finish around 11:30 pm but you can arrive and leave when you like between those times.

The Polish Club is a private members' club for Polish ex-servicemen which lets us use its facilities once a month. On Japan Club nights we usually have the place pretty much to ourselves, although occasionally there is a concert or other Polish Club function happening on the same evening. There is a bar selling a range of drinks at less than pub prices. Sometimes we have also had sushi and other Japanese food available free of charge. To get an idea of who goes to the Japan Club and what the Polish Club is like, please take a look at the Photo Gallery page.

Bristol Japan Club at Obento - last Tuesday of each month
Since March 2006 Bristol Japan Club has also been meeting at Obento Japanese restaurant, 69 Baldwin Street, Bristol. Obento is next to St Nicholas Market, near Bristol Bridge. We meet there on the last Tuesday of every month from 8:00pm. In 2006 we had a launch night at Obento with a superb Japanese tasting menu and drinks for a bargain price, followed by an Okonomiyaki Party later in the year. We plan to continue these special events at Obento on a regular basis.

There is no formal membership of Bristol Japan Club and no entrance fee except for special events at Obento when there is a set charge. Anyone interested is very welcome just to come along to the Polish Club on the second Wednesday of any month or to Obento on the last Tuesday of any month.