The Japan Society
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09/03/2026ONLINE EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: Spring Castle by Michiko Ishimure

09/03/2026

Spring Castle is the epic story of Japan's bloody Shimabara Rebellion, told through the eyes of the peasants and former samurai who rose up their oppressors with extraordinary bravery.

16/03/2026Reconsidering the Samurai - with Rosina Buckland

16/03/2026

In this lecture, Rosina Buckland, Head of the Japanese Section at the British Museum, will explain the thinking behind the British Museum exhibition on the iconic global figure of the samurai.

21/03/2026FREE Manga Drawing Workshop for 12-18s at Manchester Central Library

21/03/2026

Join The Japan Society at Manchester Central Library for a FREE fun and hands-on manga drawing workshop led by professional artist Inko, for young people ages 12-18!

01/04/2026ONLINE EVENT - The Japan Society Film Club: A Pale View of Hills directed by Kei Ishikawa

01/04/2026

Join us for our April Film Club to explore Kei Ishikawa’s evocative 2025 drama A Pale View of Hills, a haunting reflection on memory and post‑war Japan.

07/04/2026Japanese Conversation Group

07/04/2026

The Japanese Conversation Group provides a friendly and informal atmosphere for Japanese speakers of all nationalities to come together and speak Japanese. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month.

13/04/2026IN-PERSON EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: The Kobe Hotel - Memoirs by Sanki Saito

13/04/2026

The Kobe Hotel: Memoirs recounts poet Sanki Saitō’s wartime exile in Kobe after he was censored by Japan’s Special Higher Police and lived in a run-down hotel alongside bar hostesses, drifters, and foreign residents.

05/05/2026Japanese Conversation Group

05/05/2026

The Japanese Conversation Group provides a friendly and informal atmosphere for Japanese speakers of all nationalities to come together and speak Japanese. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month.

09/05/2026Inter City Shogi Cup 2026 - London

09/05/2026

The Japan Society is pleased to co-host the Inter City Shogi Cup 2026 London, bringing the second edition of this unique European competition to London. Following the success of our Discover the World of Shogi – Japanese Chess workshops in 2025, we are delighted to continue nurturing interest in shogi and supporting its growing community in the UK.

10/05/2026Shogi - Japanese Chess Workshop for Beginners

10/05/2026

To coincide with the Inter City Shogi Cup 2026 in London, The Japan Society is delighted to co‑host a beginner‑friendly workshop led by Yasushi Ishikawa, a certified Teaching Professional 4dan. Taking place within the main tournament venue, the workshop will run alongside matches played by other participants, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the lively and friendly atmosphere of the event. Building on the success of our Discover the World of Shogi  in 2025, the event will offer a wide range of participants the chance to explore and enjoy the engaging world of shogi. 

11/05/2026ONLINE EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: Point Zero by Seicho Matsumoto

11/05/2026

Point Zero centres on a woman searching for her husband after his sudden disappearance. As she uncovers hidden pasts and shifting identities, the novel exposes deception, social pressure, and the precarious position of women in postwar Japan.