Find AA Meetings in Japan

Sourced from official AA intergroups

Find AA meetings across Japan. There are 252 meetings listed in 94 cities, open to residents and visitors alike. Click any city below to see meeting times, locations, and directions.

Japan has the largest AA presence in Asia, with meetings across the country in both Japanese and English — Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa in particular host regular English-speaking groups serving expats, military communities, and travellers.

Active filters:
Friday
Now onwards (12 PM+)

Browse all online meetings available in Japan throughout the week.

Online AA Meetings in Japan

Showing Today's Online AA Meetings - Friday
Fridays1:30PM - 2:45PM
Online
Tokyo
Meeting Types & Format:
OpenWomenJapanese
Meeting Notes:

開催間隔:毎週金曜日 開催時間:13:30~14:45 ミーティング内容 ・テーマ ・その日によって「今日を新たに」などの文献を使うこともあります。   AAにつながったばかりの方、オンラインが...

Fridays7:30PM - 8:30PM
Online
Tokyo
Meeting Types & Format:
OpenAs Bill Sees ItEnglish
Meeting Notes:

・開催日:金曜日 ・開催時間:19:30~20:30 ・区分:音声・映像あり ・チェアマン(ホスト)/グループ:湘南グループ ・連絡先(※パスワード等、事前に問い合わせ用):shonangroupjp...

Fridays8:30PM - 9:30PM
Online
Tokyo
Meeting Types & Format:
ClosedJapanese
Meeting Notes:

毎月 第1金曜日20時30分〜21時30分 ●オンラインの女性クローズドミーティングです。 飲酒に問題があると考える女性であればどなたでも参加できます。 Zoomにて開催します。 Zoom...

Fridays9:00PM - 10:00PM
Online
Tokyo
Meeting Types & Format:
OpenEnglish
Meeting Notes:

Format: studying the AA recovery program. Reading with discussion and Q&A. Please bring your own Big...

AA Meetings in Japan by the Numbers

Across Japan, the 252 listed AA groups are concentrated in Tokyo (75 meetings), Osaka (24), and Kyoto (12), with active groups in 94 cities in total. Saturday is the busiest day for meetings, and evening (5–9 PM) sessions are the most common. About 53% of groups (133) offer an online or hybrid option.

Largest AA communities in Japan

When AA groups meet in Japan

  • Sunday48
  • Monday37
  • Tuesday39
  • Wednesday47
  • Thursday45
  • Friday49
  • Saturday53

Meetings per day of the week across Japan. Saturday has the most scheduled groups.

What members read between meetings

A.A.'s own literature does most of the heavy lifting between meetings in Japan. These are the books most often spotted on a member's bookshelf, with a short note on what each one is for. Each card is tagged with its language.

The book Bill W. and Dr. Bob wrote first, in 1939. Most members pick up a copy in their first week or two and keep it close.

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Bill W.'s longer essays on each Step and each Tradition. The usual companion read once the Big Book starts to feel familiar.

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A short, practical book about the day-to-day of staying sober. Often the one a sponsor suggests in the first month.

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One short A.A. reading for each day of the year, with a thought to carry into it. Members often keep a copy on the kitchen counter.

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Brief passages from A.A.'s co-founder, arranged by topic. Some groups read one aloud at the top of every meeting.

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Members' own short accounts of what "a Power greater than ourselves" came to mean to them. Helpful for anyone wary of the word God.

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The same 12&12 essays in a larger typeface. Often the edition kept for reading aloud or for easier eyes.

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Browse the wider shelf of A.A.-approved reading — Living Sober, Daily Reflections, the Grapevine collections, and more.

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About AA in Japan

AA in Japan

AA took root in Japan in the 1970s and now operates through the Japan General Service Office, publishing Japanese-language AA literature and coordinating groups nationwide. Japanese-language meetings form the majority, concentrated in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and other major cities.

English-speaking meetings

Tokyo and Yokohama have a long-established circuit of English-speaking meetings, and areas with international communities — Okinawa, Yokosuka, and the Kansai region — also host regular English groups. Meeting listings on this directory note the language where available; when in doubt, English-speaking groups are usually explicit about it in the meeting name.

For visitors

Attending in Japan works the same as anywhere: arrive early, no registration, first names only. If you are travelling and cannot find an in-person English meeting nearby, several Japan-based English groups meet online and welcome overseas participants.

Finding AA Meetings in Japan

Alcoholics Anonymous has groups across 94 cities in Japan, with 252 meetings listed in this directory. Whether you are looking for a group near home or need a meeting while travelling, the listings below include times, addresses, and format details to help you find the right fit.

Meeting Types Available in Japan

AA meetings in Japan run in several formats. Here is a brief overview:

Open Meetings

Open to the public. Family, friends, and anyone curious about A.A. are welcome to attend.

Closed Meetings

For people with a desire to stop drinking. What is shared stays in the room.

Speaker Meetings

A member shares their story of "experience, strength, and hope." Often a good starting point for newcomers.

Step Study Groups

Groups that read and work through the 12 Steps together, applying the principles to everyday situations.

Major Cities with AA Support in Japan

Tokyo is Japan's most active AA community with 75 meetings. Other cities with an AA presence include Osaka, Kyoto, Minato City.

For Travelers and Visitors

Visiting Japan?

  • • English-speaking meetings in major cities
  • • No advance registration required
  • • Just show up and introduce yourself
  • • AA is the same worldwide - you'll feel at home

For Residents

  • • Find your local home group
  • • Multiple meeting times throughout the week
  • • Online meetings available for flexibility
  • • Connect with the local AA community

Online AA Meetings in Japan

Online AA meetings in Japan follow the same format as in-person meetings: shared readings, personal shares, and open discussion. They are a practical option for people in rural areas, those with mobility constraints, or anyone whose schedule makes regular travel difficult.

Benefits of Online Meetings

  • • Attend from anywhere in Japan or abroad
  • • No transportation required
  • • Ideal for rural areas with limited options
  • • Same confidentiality as in-person

How to Join Online

  • • Look for "Online" or "Hybrid" meetings
  • • Click "Join Online" for meeting link
  • • Most use Zoom or similar platforms
  • • Camera optional - participate comfortably

Getting Started with AA in Japan

First-Time Attendees

Anyone can walk into an AA meeting in Japan without prior registration. You are not expected to speak, and you only need to give your first name if you choose to. Many groups keep printed material on hand for people attending for the first time.

Language Considerations

While many meetings in Japan are conducted in the local language, major cities typically offer English-speaking meetings. Check the meeting details for language information or contact the local AA intergroup for guidance.

AA membership has one requirement: a desire to stop drinking. Japan's meetings are open to anyone who meets it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Other Countries in Asia with AA Meetings

Back to all countries in Asia