Japan Society North West was founded on 6th May, 2004 but its roots stretch back much further than that, to 1996, with the formation of its predecessor, The UK Japan Society of the North West.

Our Society covers a wide geographical area, including Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire, and Lancashire. We organise a wide variety of events. Recent events have included Taiko and Ikebana workshops, Sushi-making, a bonsai talk, and a talk about koi carp by a local dealer. We’ve also hosted several visits by the prominent Japanese garden designer, Professor Fukuhara. And of course, no Japanese Society event programme would be complete without the tea ceremony and kimono dressing.

We hold a very popular monthly Japanese conversation evening, alternating between Manchester and Liverpool. This event started at the suggestion of a member, and turned out to be a great social event. Many members, regardless of their Japanese speaking ability, get together and enjoy conversation over Japanese food at a local Japanese restaurant. Bonenkai (end of year party) is also a popular annual event. It usually starts with a cheerful toast with Sake, followed by a feast of freshly-cooked Japanese food prepared by our special Japanese chef, Taka. After everybody enjoys their dinner, we hold some entertainment, such as an Origami workshop, a photo contest, quizzes, and a Japanese cooking demonstration.

Our Society produces a full-colour quarterly Newsletter for its members. The Newsletter reports past events with lively photos, and it features interviews with members at the various events. The member interviews have been popular, as they help members learn about each other.

Our Society aims to provide various opportunities to learn more about Japanese culture, meet other like-minded individuals, or experience hands-on fun activities. If you are interested in Japanese culture and are living in the North West of England, don’t miss the opportunity! We are here for you! Visit us at http://jsnw.org.uk/

For information on the Japan Society North West's Japan Day, click here

Yuko Howes

Japan Society North West