Overseas Karuta Clubs
Competitive Karuta is played outside Japan by clubs and communities in North America, the UK, and elsewhere. Below are real clubs you can contact for practice, events, and tournaments. Information is current as of our last update; please check each club’s website for the latest schedule.
Why Join a Club?
Clubs offer regular practice with real cards and a reciter, help with memorizing the 100 poems, and chances to play in local or online matches. Many welcome beginners and provide loaner cards. Finding a group makes learning karuta easier and more fun.
United States — US Karuta Network
The US Karuta Network (USKN) is the first nationwide competitive karuta association in the United States. It connects players across the country and supports growth of the sport.
Boston Nakamaro Karuta Club
Established in 2011. Meets every Saturday and Sunday in the Greater Boston area. Hosts demonstrations at local universities, high schools, and Japan Festival Boston.
Boston Nakamaro (Google Sites)KarutaNYC（ニューヨークかるた会）
New York’s first competitive karuta club, founded January 2019. Practices twice a month (typically weekend afternoons). Participates in and organizes tournaments; has held demonstrations at Sakura Matsuri, AnimeNYC, and Japan Society.
Seattle Competitive Karuta Club
Founded in late summer 2022. Meets monthly at Seattle Public Library branches (Northgate and Beacon Hill). Hosts demonstrations at events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Washington DC Inishie Karuta Club（ワシントンDCいにしへ会）
Established January 2013 under the nonprofit Go! Karuta (Virginia). Competitive practice on Sundays 3:00–6:00 p.m.; online karuta class for children on Tuesdays; in-person class at Washington Japanese Language School on Saturdays. Participates in JapanFes (GWU), Sakura Matsuri (April, DC), and school visits.
For US-wide news and resources: US Karuta Network (uskaruta.net)
Canada
Toronto Takinooto-kai（トロントたきのおと会）
One of the longest-running competitive karuta clubs in North America. Started in 2002 at Nichibei Gakuen (Japanese school in Toronto) and became an official club in 2004. Runs a karuta dojo and has hosted tournaments, including the first competitive karuta tournament in North America (March 2006). The site also offers English resources on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu card game and competitive karuta rules.
United Kingdom
London Karuta Club
Currently the only established competitive karuta club in the UK. Welcomes beginners and experienced players; you can start with cards that show recognizable syllables without memorizing all 100 poems. Practice at Centre 151 in Hoxton (e.g. Saturday afternoons). No membership fee; first visit free, then around £5 per session to cover the room. Has members across the country and can help connect you with practice partners elsewhere in the UK.
Other Regions
Competitive karuta has been played at international events by participants from South Korea, China, Thailand, Singapore and elsewhere. If you know of a club or group in your country that is not listed here and would like to be added, please contact the main Karuter site (Japanese). We also recommend checking the All Japan Karuta Association and regional Japanese cultural centers for local events and introductions.
Listing Your Club
If you run an overseas competitive karuta club and want to be listed on this page, please get in touch via the main Karuter site (Japanese). Include your club name, region, website or contact, and a short description of activities.