1.
neighborhood association; town council
A local community organization at the town or block level that handles neighborhood affairs such as festivals, cleanup activities, and communication with local government.
町会に入る。
To join the neighborhood association.
町会の会合に出席した。
I attended the neighborhood association meeting.
引っ越してすぐに町会の回覧板が回ってきた。
A neighborhood association circular came around right after I moved in.
A grassroots community organization found throughout Japan, typically organized at the block or neighborhood level. Members share responsibilities such as organizing local festivals, managing garbage collection schedules, and relaying information from the local government.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 町会費: neighborhood association dues
- 町会長: neighborhood association president
- 町会の行事: neighborhood events
- 町会に加入する: to join the association
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 自治会: residents' association — essentially the same organization; the name varies by region, with 町会 more common in eastern Japan and 自治会 in western Japan
- 町内会: neighborhood association — a near-synonym that emphasizes the geographic scope within a particular 町