640 Lodge Star in the EastNo. 640 · Yokohama · Est. 1879

For brethren arriving in Japan

Freemasons moving to Japan

Posted to Yokohama or Tokyo for work, or to Yokosuka, Camp Zama or Atsugi with the forces? You do not have to put Freemasonry on hold. Star in the East has welcomed brethren from overseas since 1879, and works in English.

Visit first

Brethren from any Grand Lodge in amity with the Grand Lodge of Scotland are welcome at our meetings, on the second Tuesday of each month from September to June at 7:00 pm. Write to the Secretary a week ahead with your name, your lodge and its number, and your Grand Lodge, and bring your Grand Lodge certificate and proof that your dues are current. Details for visiting brethren →

Join as an affiliate

A Master Mason in good standing can join Star in the East as an affiliate member, sitting in lodge as one of us for as long as you are in Japan. In outline:

  1. Get to know us. Visit a few meetings and dinners so the members get to know you, and you us.
  2. Gather your papers. Your Grand Lodge certificate and a certificate of good standing (or clearance) from your lodge.
  3. Petition. Complete a petition for affiliation, signed by a proposer and seconder from the lodge.
  4. Ballot. The petition is read in open lodge and the members ballot on it.

There is an affiliation fee and an annual subscription. The Secretary will give you the current figures and explain anything particular to Scottish practice, such as the Mark degree, which Scottish lodges work as part of the Craft.

Keeping your home lodge

Many brethren keep their membership at home while they are here. Whether you can hold membership in two lodges depends on the rules of your own Grand Lodge, so check with your Secretary at home before you petition.

Service members

American servicemen have been part of this lodge since the occupation: the lodge’s Roll lists 170 members of the US Army, 27 of the US Navy and 5 of the US Air Force. The temple is near JR Yamate Station on the Negishi Line, within reach of Yokosuka, Camp Zama and Atsugi by train.

Write to the Secretary

Not yet a Freemason? See becoming a Freemason.