Japanese Conversation Table
Practice your Japanese and meet cool people at the conversation table. We welcome beginning students of Japanese, native speakers, and everyone in between. Say what you know how to say, learn what you don't know how to say, and enjoy everyone's company, no judgments made. Joining us at the table doesn't count for your cultural credit, but it will definitely help you learn how to converse!You can find an up-to-date conversation table schedule in the Student Resources section.
Movie Nights
Join students and faculty for popular Japanese movies — and the occasional classic monster or horror movie — showing aspects of life in Japan and what the Japanese think makes a good story.Volunteering in Japanese Garden
Join members of the Japanese Garden Society every Tuesday morning at 9:00 for weekly care and clean-up of Birmingham’s exquisite Japanese Garden in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (2612 Lane Park Road). Officially opened by the Japanese Ambassador to the United States in 1967, this 7.5-acre site is actually an interwoven collection of gardens built in the Japanese style, replete with traditional architectural and garden elements.For the experience of regular volunteers, see The Three Docs in the Garden's blog. (Note that the article mentions volunteers gather on Monday mornings, but this has been changed to Tuesday mornings.)
Art Exhibits and Demonstrations
Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Botanical Gardens, and the Birmingham Public Library System. All have hosted Japanese-themed events and exhibits in the past, including:- Lethal Beauty: Samurai Weapons and Armor
- Haiku workshops
- Sushi-making classes
