About the Association
The Czech-Japanese Association is a non-profit organisation that creates a space where Czech and Japanese cultures can meet and promotes mutual understanding, exchange and cooperation between the Czech Republic and Japan.
Our aim is to present Japan in all its diversity – from traditional culture and the arts to language, history, social issues and contemporary Japan. At the same time, we seek to create opportunities for people from both countries to meet and to support projects that connect Czech and Japanese communities.
A tradition that continues
The roots of organised Czech-Japanese friendship in the Czech lands reach back to the first half of the 20th century. The Czechoslovak-Japanese Association was founded in 1946, but its activities were discontinued in 1948. It was briefly revived in 1969 before being suspended once again.
This tradition was continued in 1990, when the Czech-Japanese Association was re-established and gradually developed into the organisation we know today. In addition to providing a meeting place for friends of Japan, its activities expanded to include regular educational and cultural programmes, courses, lectures, festivals and cooperation with Czech and Japanese institutions.
In 2011, the Czech-Japanese Association received a commendation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan for its outstanding contribution to the promotion of relations between Japan and the Czech Republic.
You can learn more about the history of the Association on our History page.
What we do
We bring Japan closer to the Czech public. We organise festivals, concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, talks, workshops and other cultural and social events. Our activities cover traditional disciplines such as calligraphy, the Way of Tea, ikebana, martial arts, traditional music and theatre, as well as contemporary Japanese culture and society.
We educate. We offer Japanese language courses as well as courses in other Japanese disciplines, creating opportunities to explore Japanese culture in greater depth under the guidance of experienced teachers. Our programme also includes lectures, seminars and encounters with experts and guests from both the Czech Republic and Japan.
We connect people. We provide a meeting place for people who share an interest in Japan – whether they work with Japan professionally, study its language and culture, or are simply fascinated by the country. We also promote connections between Czech and Japanese communities and cooperate with the Japanese community living in the Czech Republic.
We collaborate. Our projects bring together artists, teachers, experts, schools, cultural and public institutions, non-profit organisations and companies. We work with partners in both the Czech Republic and Japan and help create programmes that present Japanese culture authentically and with respect for its context.
Our events
Throughout the year, we organise and co-organise a wide range of regular and one-off events. Our long-running projects include the Eigasai Festival of Japanese Film and Culture, Tanabata celebrations, Hanami, Budō Matsuri and Japanese Days in Průhonice. Alongside these larger events, we also organise smaller lectures, concerts, workshops, exhibitions and gatherings.
Through cooperation with Czech and Japanese artists and experts, we are able to introduce Czech audiences not only to familiar aspects of Japanese culture, but also to subjects and disciplines that are rarely encountered in the Czech Republic.
Who we are here for
The Czech-Japanese Association is not only for experts on Japan. We are open to everyone who wants to discover and learn more about Japan.
Our members and supporters come from different generations and professional backgrounds. They include students of Japanese, people interested in traditional arts and crafts, martial arts, film, literature, history and contemporary Japanese society, as well as those whose connection with Japan has developed through personal or professional experience.
Membership, however, is not required to participate in most of our activities. Everyone with a desire to discover Japan is warmly welcome at our events and courses.
Japan in the heart of Europe
We do not want to present Japanese culture merely as something distant or exotic. We aim to create opportunities to discover it, experience it and understand it – and, above all, to meet the people who create, study, practise and pass it on.
We believe that genuine understanding between cultures grows through personal encounters, shared experiences, education and long-term cooperation.
We would be delighted to have you become part of this continuing story.
Visit us in Prague
Our Cultural and Information Centre is located in the heart of Prague, just a few steps from Wenceslas Square.
It serves as the home of the Czech-Japanese Association and a meeting place for our members, students, lecturers and visitors. Japanese language and cultural courses, lectures, workshops and smaller events are held here throughout the year.
Whether you live in Prague, are staying in the Czech Republic for a while or are simply visiting, you are welcome to discover our programme and join our activities.
