About the YWCA -- Empowering Women

The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a global network of women in 125 countries worldwide. It is the world's largest women's organization.

It advocates for peace, justice, health, human dignity, freedom and care of the environment, and has been at the forefront of raising the status of women since it was founded in London in 1855.

The YWCA develops women's leadership to find local solutions to the global inequalities women face. Each year, it reaches more than 25 million women and girls through its work in 22,000 communities. This grassroots development experience shapes the organization's global advocacy agenda.

The YWCA's work is inspired by Christian principles and a commitment to women's full and equal participation in society. It is a volunteer membership movement, inclusive of women and men from many faiths, backgrounds and cultures.

The World YWCA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Established in 1923, the Kyoto YWCA is a grassroots non-profit community service organization working for the empowerment of women -- offering services focused on the needs of women, their families and foreign immigrants to Japan.

Note: The YWCA ("W" = Women) and the YMCA ("M" = Men) are separate unrelated organizations and are sometimes confused with each other because of their similar names. The Kyoto YMCA's website can be reached here.（http://www.ymcajapan.org/）

Services of the Kyoto YWCA

Telephone Helpline for Foreign Residents -- APT

If you are a foreign resident living in the Kyoto area and you are having difficulties, you can all the APT Telephone
helpline at 075-451-6522
Mondays --13:00-16:00
Thursdays -- 15:00-18:00

We have counselors who speak Japanese, Chinese, English, French, Tagalog, and Thai. We can also arrange for interpreters of other languages.

While our focus is on assisting women and their children -- including dealing with domestic violence and escape from the sex trade -- we can try to help anyone.

For more information click here. (link)

Mothers and Infant/Toddler Program -- Kokokara

We have a Japanese language child development program for mothers with their infants and toddlers.

Click here for more details in Japanese.

Meeting Room Rentals

We have several rooms available to rent for events, such as lectures, parties, workshops or classes. Click here for more details in Japanese.

Affordable Japanese Language Classes with Child Care -- Rakuraku

We have several affordable Japanese language classes available

Click here for more details.

English Conversation Classes

We have both adult and children's English conversation classes -- including classes for mothers with their small children.

Click here for more details in Japanese.

Other Foreign Language Classes

We also offer Chinese, French, Korean and Thai language classes.

Please click here for more details in Japanese.

Food Shop

While we are famous for our cheese, we have lots of healthy foods and fair trade products on sale.

Thrift Shop -- Recycle and Reuse

We have our Thrift Shop sales on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month 11:00 - 14:00
(except August and the Christmas/New Years holidays)

Our Big Bazaars are held on the 1st Saturdays of June and December from 10:00 - 15:00

Click here for more details

English Paperback Book Exchange

We have a free English Paperback Book Exchange.

Browse through our selection of used books which you can take for free.

We only ask you to bring in books of your own for exchange.

Tell your friends. The more people when have bringing in books, the better the selection.

Please, only books in good condition.

Located in the Lobby of the Main Building.1F

Promotion of Women and Foreign Resident's Rights

Social Advocacy on Local and International Levels