There are current four official US karuta teams in Boston, New York City, Seattle, and Washington DC.
Boston Nakamaro Karuta Club
Established in 2011, we meet every Saturday and Sunday in Greater Boston Area, including the City of Boston and a few suburban towns, serving the community as a hub for exchanging and learning Japanese culture through Kyougi Karuta.
In addition to our regular practice sessions, we are frequently invited by the local universities and high schools to demonstrate and introduce Kyougi Karuta on site. We are also hosting a Karuta presentation at Japan Festival Boston which hosts 10000 visitors annually.
https://sites.google.com/site/bostonnakamaro/welcome?authuser=0
KarutaNYC（ニューヨークかるた会）
Established in January 2019, KarutaNYC is New York’s first competitive karuta club!
Club Activities
Regular practices to play the game and teach new players.
Participation in and organization of tournaments.
The club has hosted demonstrations at events such as Sakura Matsuri, AnimeNYC, and the Japan Society.
Website/Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
Email: karutanyc@gmail.com
Regular Activities
We practice twice a month, typically on weekend afternoons.
For details, please follow and message us on Instagram.
Seattle Competitive Karuta Club
Seattle Competitive Karuta Club was founded in late summer 2022 primarily to facilitate friendly karuta practice between Seattle-area players and enthusiasts. We meet monthly and currently oscillate between Seattle Public Library branches in Northgate and Beacon Hill.
Our website is https://seattlekaruta.club/ and our email is seattlekaruta@gmail.com
Washington DC Inishie Karuta Club (ワシントンDCいにしへ会)
Established in January 2013
The club is under the umbrella of “Go! Karuta,” a non-profit organization based in Virginia.
Activities of the club and Go! Karuta
Introducing Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta in the US and around the world. Organizing competitive karuta practice sessions and tournaments. Offering in-person and online karuta classes for school children. Introducing Japanese culture, with a focus on Hyakunin Isshu, including the introduction of kimono and hakama. Building and maintaining a network of competitive karuta players overseas.
Website
GO! KARUTA, Inc. (non-profit)
World of Kyogi Karuta (explanation of Hyakunin Isshu in English and textbook download)
Facebook (Go! Karuta)
Contact : Mutsumi Stone gokaruta@gmail.com
Regular Activities
Sundays, 3:00-6:00 p.m.: competitive karuta practice sessions
Tuesdays 4:30~5:00 p.m. Online karuta class for children
Saturdays 3:45~5:00 karuta class at Washington Japanese Language School (WJLS) as an after-school activity
Annual activities
JapanFes of Japanese Cultural Association of George Washington University
SakuraMatsuri Japanese Street Festival (every April, Washington, D.C.)
Visiting Japanese classes at local high schools and colleges