About Bristol Japan Club
Bristol Japan Club is a society for people living, working or studying in the Bristol area who are either Japanese or have an interest in Japan. For nearly 20 years the Japan Club has offered a regular get-together where people can make new friends, meet old friends, talk and drink in an informal atmosphere. 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 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 about 20 people attend each time (sometimes fewer, sometimes as many as 50) 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 two marriages have resulted from couples 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. 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. We start at 8:00 pm and finish around 11:00 pm but you can arrive and leave when you like between those times.
The Polish Club is a private members' club (originally 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 very occasionally there is live music or some other Polish Club function happening on the same evening. There is a bar selling a range of drinks at less than pub prices. BJC special events at the Polish Club have included film nights, sushi tasting and martial arts demonstrations.
Bristol Japan Club at Obento - last Tuesday of each month
Since 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. Obento serves a wide range of Japanese dishes but although most people order a meal, it's not obligatory. If you just want a drink and a chat, that's fine. BJC special events at Obento have included a Japanese tasting menu night and an Okonomiyaki Party.
How to join
There is no formal membership of Bristol Japan Club and no entrance fee. 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.
Bristol Japan Club is a society for people living, working or studying in the Bristol area who are either Japanese or have an interest in Japan. For nearly 20 years the Japan Club has offered a regular get-together where people can make new friends, meet old friends, talk and drink in an informal atmosphere. 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 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 about 20 people attend each time (sometimes fewer, sometimes as many as 50) 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 two marriages have resulted from couples 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. 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. We start at 8:00 pm and finish around 11:00 pm but you can arrive and leave when you like between those times.
The Polish Club is a private members' club (originally 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 very occasionally there is live music or some other Polish Club function happening on the same evening. There is a bar selling a range of drinks at less than pub prices. BJC special events at the Polish Club have included film nights, sushi tasting and martial arts demonstrations.
Bristol Japan Club at Obento - last Tuesday of each month
Since 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. Obento serves a wide range of Japanese dishes but although most people order a meal, it's not obligatory. If you just want a drink and a chat, that's fine. BJC special events at Obento have included a Japanese tasting menu night and an Okonomiyaki Party.
How to join
There is no formal membership of Bristol Japan Club and no entrance fee. 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.