What It's Like to Visit a Toastmasters Club in Japan
When you travel abroad, most people seek out famous landmarks, local cuisine, and cultural experiences. I did all of that on my recent three-week trip to Japan — but I also did something a little different. I attended a Toastmasters meeting in Osaka. Specifically, I visited the Shin Osaka Leaders Toastmasters Club, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of my entire trip. From the warmth of the members to the courage on display at every speech, here's what I discovered.
Why Osaka?
Osaka is a beautiful city and quickly became one of my favourite places we visited on the trip. It's known for its incredible food, its vibrant drinks scene, and its electric nightlife. Many people described Osaka to me as a "blue-collar city," and while I'm sure that's an overgeneralisation, I found the people to be remarkably friendly, kind, and welcoming. I had wonderful conversations during my stay, and it felt like the perfect place to experience a Toastmasters club from the other side of the world.
Getting There: Accessibility and Warm Welcomes
The Shin Osaka Leaders Toastmasters Club meets every first, third, and fifth Tuesday of each month at CoCo Plaza, which is less than a ten-minute walk from Shin Osaka Station. A special shout-out goes to Lehani, the club's VP of Membership, who sent me all sorts of helpful information before the meeting — directions, what to expect, and everything I needed to feel prepared walking in.
At the time of the meeting, I was actually staying in Kyoto, but thankfully that's only about a half-hour train ride away. I easily made it to Shin Osaka Station, found CoCo Plaza, and arrived early. Standing outside the building, I felt that familiar excitement I always get before visiting a new Toastmasters club. There's something uniquely thrilling about experiencing how clubs in different countries and cities approach the same mission.
A Club That Gets the Basics Right
When I walked into the meeting room, I was immediately struck by how many members were already there, helping set up the space. They had prepared a name tag and a tent card at a designated seat for me. Every person I introduced myself to was warm, welcoming, and genuinely interested in learning about my Toastmasters experience back in Canada.
There were about four other guests at that meeting as well, which told me this club is doing an excellent job of attracting new faces — a sign of a healthy, thriving Toastmasters community.
My Table Topics Answer: The One About My Mom and Technology
I was hoping to get a Table Topics question, and I did — though it was a tough one. All of the questions that evening were themed around Mother's Day, and mine was: "What is one thing you would change about your mom?"
That's a difficult question for anyone, and especially for me, because my mom is one of the sweetest, most caring people I've ever known. The kindness and patience I try to bring to my life are absolutely a product of her upbringing. But thankfully, I had a story tucked away in the back of my mind that fit perfectly.
Here's the gist of what I shared:
If I could change one thing about my mother, I would increase her knowledge when it comes to technology. I told the audience about the time I tried to get my mom to sign up for MSN Messenger when I went off to college. She was reluctant, but she finally caved and created an account. For months, I never saw her online. Then one day, she logged in — the only person on my contacts list without a profile photo, just the default icon.
I typed, "Hey Mom." After a long pause, the screen read "Wendy is typing…" and then that disappeared. Finally, her response came through: "Wade, is that you?" I confirmed it was me and asked how she was doing. Her reply? "If that's really you, how many brothers and sisters do you have? What are their first names?"
She asked me a security question before she'd continue the conversation. I considered throwing out a fake answer just to tease her, but I thought better of it — she might never use technology again. So I answered truthfully. And then she hit me with a second security question: "What town did you grow up in?"
Only after I passed both questions did she say, "Okay, we can talk now."
I wrapped up by saying my mom has taught me patience, kindness, and the importance of listening more than talking — but she could use a little improvement when it comes to technology. The club generously awarded me the Best Table Topics prize for that answer. Perhaps they were being kind to a guest, but I'll take it.
The Most Impressive Thing: Speaking in a Second Language
What truly blew me away at this meeting was something I think deserves far more recognition in the Toastmasters world. For most — if not all — of the members at the Shin Osaka Leaders Toastmasters Club, English is not their first language. Japanese is. There were also members from the Philippines and other countries, but the point remains: these speakers are delivering speeches, evaluations, and impromptu answers in a language that isn't their mother tongue.
Think about how nerve-wracking it is to stand up and deliver a speech in your primary language. Now imagine doing that in your second, third, or even fourth language. The added pressure is immense. You're not just worrying about:
- Remembering your content and structure
- Managing your nerves in front of an audience
- Applying all the fundamentals of great speaking
You're also navigating vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in real time. To every Toastmaster around the world who speaks in a language that isn't their first — hats off to you. It's an incredible act of bravery, and the members of the Shin Osaka Leaders Toastmasters Club embody that courage beautifully.
Conversations with Club Officers
After the meeting, I had the chance to sit down with a few of the club's officers and learn more about what drives this club forward.
Maro — Club President: Maro shared that she joined Toastmasters because she was terrified of public speaking. She'd had a bad experience speaking in front of an audience — her voice trembled, and she knew she wanted to overcome that fear. As president, she sees her role as overseeing the officers, providing a strong platform for members, and ensuring everyone has the speaking opportunities they need to accomplish their goals. Her advice for the next president? "Respect what each member wants to achieve, and lead the team."
Lehani — VP of Membership: Lehani has been a member for about a year, but her Toastmasters journey started much earlier — she was a youth Toastmaster at age sixteen, and the experience stayed in her heart for years. Her goal as VP of Membership is to maintain a healthy club size of around 22 to 24 members while preserving the warmth and sense of community that makes the club special.
Maho — VP of Education: Maho's focus is on encouraging members to set goals and pursue them. Whether someone wants to deliver more speeches or develop specific communication and leadership skills, she works to assign roles and opportunities that align with each member's ambitions.
A Club Worth Visiting
If you're in the Osaka region and looking to join a Toastmasters club, or if you're simply visiting Japan and want to experience Toastmasters in a new setting, I wholeheartedly recommend the Shin Osaka Leaders Toastmasters Club. The members are welcoming, talented, and deeply committed to growth. They are impressive speakers, wonderful hosts, and a shining example of what makes the global Toastmasters community so special. Visiting their club reminded me that no matter where you are in the world, the desire to communicate better, connect with others, and push past your comfort zone is truly universal.