Sendai International Exchange Group — Miyagi Prefecture Recognized

Haginokai

International Student Exchange in Japan

Haginokai is a group where international students and Japanese people passionate about cultural exchange come together. Many lasting friendships have been formed, continuing even after students return home.

Join Us Learn More

2002

Founded

80+

Members

Events / Year

20+

Countries

Miyagi Int'l Association Partner

Our Mission

Grassroots International Exchange from Sendai.

Connecting hearts across borders since 2002

Haginokai is a voluntary organization committed to grassroots world peace through international student exchange — connecting people one friendship at a time.

Founded in November 2002 with the support of Miyagi International Association. Starting with around 25 members, it has grown to 35 international students and 45 Japanese members.

Former students maintain connections long after returning home. Monthly events focused on Japanese traditional culture are held with lunch, and personal host family connections are treasured.

🏛

Founded November 2002

📍

Location Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

🎌

Recognition Miyagi Prefectural Government Recognized

💬

Language of Events Japanese (students are proficient)

Our Four Aims

We introduce the traditions and customs of Japan
We foster exchange for international understanding
We give moral support to international students living in Sendai
We offer conversational Japanese practice to students who join us

In the Media

2004年2月2日 Yomiuri Shimbun Our participation in the Setsubun Festival at Naritasan with international students was featured.
2004年11月 Club MIA (Miyagi international newsletter) Our activities were introduced.
2007年2月 Sendai TV Our attendance at the Setsubun Festival was broadcast.
2007年2月3日 Tohoku TV 17 students from Asia experienced bean-throwing at Naritasan in Aoba-ku, Sendai. It was broadcast the same evening.
2007年 Asahi Shimbun Hagi no Kai was featured in an article on the 2007 Setsubun Festival.

Events

Monthly Traditional Japanese Culture Experiences.

Sample Annual Event Schedule

January January

Karuta Card Game

Traditional New Year card game

February February

Setsubun Festival

Bean-throwing festival

March March

Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival)

Traditional doll festival

April April

Hanami & Japanese Dance

Cherry blossom viewing with dance

Hibuse Tiger Dance Viewing

Traditional fire-prevention dance

May May

Bamboo Shoot Picking

Spring foraging in the hills

June June

Yanagiu Washi Papermaking

Handmade Japanese paper workshop

International Cooking Class

Students cook dishes from home

July July

Taiko Drum Performance & Workshop

Watch and try Japanese drums

August August

Bon Odori Dance

Summer festival dancing

Tanabata Festival & Yukata Dressing

Sendai's star festival in yukata

September September

General Meeting (for Japanese members)

Annual meeting for Japanese members

October October

Imoni (Taro Stew) Party

Riverside stew gathering

November November

Japanese Classical Dance Viewing

Traditional dance performance

December December

Prayer for Peace & Christmas Party

Wishing for world peace together

Participating Countries

From Around the World to Sendai.

Countries of international students we have welcomed

🌏 Countries We Have Welcomed

🇧🇩Bangladesh

🇧🇷Brazil

🇨🇳China

🇩🇪Germany

🇮🇳India

🇮🇷Iran

🇲🇾Malaysia

🇲🇽Mexico

🇲🇳Mongolia

🇵🇰Pakistan

🇵🇪Peru

🇰🇷South Korea

🇸🇪Sweden

🇹🇼Taiwan

🇹🇷Turkey

🇺🇸USA

🇬🇧United Kingdom

🇻🇳Vietnam

🇫🇮Finland

🇮🇹Italy

🇲🇦Morocco

🇳🇱Netherlands

🇵🇬Papua New Guinea

🇷🇺Russia

🇱🇰Sri Lanka

🇪🇸Spain

🇹🇭Thailand

🇯🇵 Japan

Join Us

Together, let's connect with the world.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or background

🌍

Meet International Friends

Connect directly with international students from around the world. Japanese is fine!

🎎

Japanese Culture Enthusiasts

Enjoy origami, koto, tea ceremony, flower arranging, and more Japanese traditions together.

🏠

Become a Host Family

Right in Miyagi, you can become a host family for an international student — go on outings, share Japanese meals, and exchange languages.

💬

Practice Foreign Languages

Many international students love to converse in their native language. A perfect opportunity for language exchange.

Enrollment Fee (one-time) ¥5,000

Annual Membership Fee ¥1,000

Non-member Event Fee ¥1,000

Contact & Apply for Membership

FAQ

Answers to Your Questions.

Click a question to see the answer

Q. How much are the membership fees?

Enrollment Fee (one-time) ¥5,000 / Annual Membership Fee ¥1,000 / Non-member Event Fee ¥1,000.

Q. I can't speak English. Is that a problem?

Not at all. Gestures go a long way, and many of our international students speak Japanese well, so there is no need to worry.

Q. Can I visit an event before joining?

Yes. For a guest fee of ¥1,000 you can take part on a trial basis.

Q. How do I apply?

Please use the contact form in the "Join Us" section. We will reply to you, and you can then join us at your first event.

Q. From what age can children join?

Children are welcome from birth, as long as an adult accompanies them.

Q. Where does Haginokai hold its activities?

Mainly in Sendai City and throughout Miyagi Prefecture. We hold a traditional Japanese culture event about once a month.

Q. Which countries do the students come from?

In our early years most students came from Asia, such as Korea and Vietnam. Today many come from Central America and the Middle East.

Q. May I introduce a product or business opportunity to your members?

No. Haginokai does not permit any form of business solicitation. This applies between members as well, and anyone found doing so will be asked to leave the group.

Memories

Precious memories we made together.

４月１３日

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Shiroishi Castle

Despite the chill, the cherry blossoms were stunning. We watched and tried traditional Japanese dance.

５月１１日

Bamboo Shoot Picking

We were amazed by the bamboo shoot dishes at the Ohtsuki household. Who dug up the biggest shoot?

６月１５日

Japanese Sweets Making & Tea Ceremony

We tried making easy Japanese sweets, then enjoyed a tea ceremony with our fresh creations.

８月３日

Bon Dance Festival

Dressed in yukata, we tried traditional Japanese dancing. We did great! How do we look in yukata?

９月２８日

Dance Party

A Japanese-member event. Under the guidance of member Usui, we danced social dances, rhumba, and cha-cha-cha, and enjoyed wine over lunch.

１０月１４日

Imoni (Taro Stew) Party

We cooked imoni stew by the riverbank. Which is tastier — Yamagata or Sendai style?

１１月１４日

Ikebana — Flower Arranging

Our first ikebana experience. Japanese culture is wonderful! We think we did a great job.

１２月１４日

Christmas Party

The long-awaited gift exchange. Who should hand them out first? Everyone smiled receiving their gifts.

２月１日

Setsubun Festival

"Fuku wa uchi!" — we threw beans in samurai style at Naritasan. Exciting!

３月１６日

Hina Matsuri at Sai Yashiki

We saw antique hina dolls at Sai Yashiki in Marumori for the first time. Japan's culture is amazing!

Outings with Host Families

Apart from our monthly meetings, host families and students have travelled freely together to experience culture across the Tohoku region.

Gagaku (court music) concert
Kabuki theatre
Soma Nomaoi samurai horse festival (Fukushima)
Cherry picking (Tendo, Yamagata)
Sansa Odori dance festival (Morioka, Iwate)
Tachineputa giant floats (Goshogawara, Aomori)
Tea ceremony at a host family home
Maiko dance at a historic house (Yamagata)
Sightseeing in Matsushima and fresh oysters

Other Past Activities

Origami workshop
Mini bus tour (Shiroishi Castle, temples, Edo-period buildings)
Gatherings at Tohoku University International House

Rules & Regulations

Haginokai — Articles of Association

Article 1 — Name

This association shall be called 'Sendai International Exchange Group — Haginokai', hereafter referred to as 'Haginokai'. Haginokai was established on November 16, 2002. The fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.

Article 2 — Purpose

The purpose of this association is as follows.

① To operate as a volunteer group.
② To deepen intercultural exchange with international students through regular meetings and promote international friendship.
③ To introduce Japanese traditional events and customs, and carry out exchanges for international understanding.
④ To encourage members to become host families. Open to members of at least 6 months.
⑤ To offer foreign language classes for members: English, Chinese, Korean, and others.
⑥ To maintain ongoing exchanges with students who have returned home, including reunion trips.

Article 5 — Organization & Officers

① Representative (1): Oversees all affairs
② Vice-representative(s): Assist the representative; act in their absence.
③ Public Relations / External Affairs: Conduct activities to enhance the association.
④ Event Planning: Produce and execute the annual event (September).
⑤ Secretariat: Handle all administrative communications.
⑥ Treasurer: Handle accounting for income and expenses.
⑦ Auditor: Audit income and expenses.

Article 7 — Term & Selection of Officers

① Officers serve 3-year terms. Reappointment is permitted.
② The representative is elected by members. Self-nomination and nomination by others are both permitted.

Article 8 — Operating Fees

① Annual membership fee: ¥1,000 (pro-rated for mid-year joiners)
② Enrollment fee: ¥5,000 (one-time only)

Article 9 — Condolence & Get-well Gifts

① A get-well gift of ¥5,000 is given when a member is hospitalized due to illness or injury.
② A condolence gift of ¥5,000 is given to members.

Article 10 — Prohibited Matters

As a volunteer group, the following are prohibited.

① Soliciting personal business or conducting transactions among members is prohibited.
② Defaming others goes against the volunteer spirit and is prohibited.
③ Relationships among members based on personal gain undermine trust and are not permitted.

※ Non-member guests (family, friends) attending regular meetings are asked to pay ¥1,000 per person on the day. Children not yet of school age are exempt.