Kaikan

Kaikan is a Japanese term commonly written with the kanji 会館, meaning "assembly hall" or "cultural center." The first character 会 conveys meeting or association, while 館 refers to a building or hall. Together, the word denotes a building designed to host gatherings, events, or organizations.

In usage, kaikan refers to multi-purpose venues used for conferences, performances, community activities, and exhibitions. They are commonly operated by local governments, educational institutions, religious bodies, or associations. Facilities typically provide spaces such as auditoriums, conference rooms, galleries, and ancillary services like reception areas.

Kaikan also appears in proper names of venues and institutions, with the word forming part of the official name. In such cases, the specific function and facilities depend on the particular organization or building.

Across East Asia, terms with similar meanings exist in Chinese (huìguǎn) and Korean (hoe-sil), reflecting a shared concept of organized gathering spaces used for cultural, civic, and social activities.

See also: Cultural center, Community center, Convention center.