About us
In the mid-2010s, Tokyo was home to one of the world’s most active international Bitcoin communities.
Developers, entrepreneurs, hackers, and early adopters gathered every week. Some participants went on to lead major global companies and projects, while others built infrastructure that remains important to Bitcoin today. For better or worse, with events including the rise and collapse of Mt. Gox, Tokyo became one of the key cities in Bitcoin’s early history.
NOT A MEETUP is an attempt to bring that energy back—reimagined for Tokyo in the 2020s.
Today, powerful technology companies are becoming increasingly intertwined with governments, finance, and surveillance infrastructure. Technology that was once expected to liberate individuals is often used instead to strengthen large platforms and institutions.
Open and decentralized technologies such as Bitcoin and Nostr point in another direction.
This event is not only about introducing new technology. It is about returning power to individuals—and exploring the ideas, music, art, and independent culture surrounding that goal.
Upcoming events
1

NOT A MEETUP ~Nostr Night for English Speakers in Japan~
Tokyo Bitcoin Base, 東京都新宿区四谷本塩町2−8, Shinjuku City, JP# Nostr Night for English Speakers in Japan
This is not a meetup. It’s only freedom.
An English-language night in Yotsuya, Tokyo, exploring Nostr, Bitcoin, privacy, open protocols, cypherpunk culture, and individual freedom.
The entire event—including the talks and networking—will be conducted in English.
You do not need to be a native or fluent English speaker. Anyone interested in discussing technology and culture in English, or connecting with Tokyo’s international community, is welcome.## ABOUT
In the mid-2010s, Tokyo was home to one of the world’s most active international Bitcoin communities.
Developers, entrepreneurs, hackers, and early adopters gathered every week. Some participants went on to lead major global companies and projects, while others built infrastructure that remains important to Bitcoin today. For better or worse, with events including the rise and collapse of Mt. Gox, Tokyo became one of the key cities in Bitcoin’s early history.
NOT A MEETUP is an attempt to bring that energy back—reimagined for Tokyo in the 2020s.
Today, powerful technology companies are becoming increasingly intertwined with governments, finance, and surveillance infrastructure. Technology that was once expected to liberate individuals is often used instead to strengthen large platforms and institutions.
Open and decentralized technologies such as Bitcoin and Nostr point in another direction.
This event is not only about introducing new technology. It is about returning power to individuals—and exploring the ideas, music, art, and independent culture surrounding that goal.
After the talks, the night continues with music, drinks, and open networking.# PROGRAM
Times and session lengths may change. All sessions will be presented in English.
## 8:00 PM — OPENING TRANSMISSION
A short introduction to the background of NOT A MEETUP and the international community we hope to build from Tokyo.
## 8:05 PM — NOT A MEETUP Justin
Why We Are Not Building Another Institution
5–10 minutes
Justin will introduce the philosophy behind the event.
What would a community look like if it belonged to the individuals participating in it—not to a company, platform, or institution?
A short keynote exploring permissionless communities and how technology and culture can support individual freedom.## 8:15 PM — BUZZ: THE POST-SLACK WORKSPACE Kohei
Nostr, AI Agents and the Future of Collaboration
15 minutes
Recently introduced by Jack Dorsey, Buzz is a Nostr-based next-generation workspace where humans and AI agents can collaborate within the same channels and projects.
Kohei was a speaker at Nostrasia 2023, where Jack Dorsey also appeared, and has deep technical knowledge of Nostr and its ecosystem.
Using Buzz as a case study, this session will explore how Nostr may expand beyond social media, how humans and AI agents could collaborate through open protocols, and what it might mean to reduce our dependence on centralized workplace platforms.## 8:30 PM — NOSTR.BUILD fishcake
Building Media Infrastructure for an Open Network
10–15 minutes
nostr.build is a media-hosting service for images, video, audio, and other content used across the Nostr ecosystem.
fishcake, the developer behind nostr.build, will discuss the problems the service was created to solve, its integration with Nostr clients, privacy-conscious media delivery, and the practical experience of building and operating infrastructure for an open network.## 8:45 PM — MUSIC, DRINKS & OPEN NETWORKING
After the talks, the night continues with music, drinks, and open networking.
Meet Nostr users, Bitcoiners, developers, AI builders, artists, founders, cypherpunks, and others interested in technology and individual freedom.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available.## 10:00 PM — END
The relay stays open.
# EVENT INFORMATION
Date Friday, August 14, 2026
Time 8:00 PM–10:00 PM
Venue Tokyo Bitcoin Base
Location Yotsuya, Tokyo
Language English only
Drinks Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available.# WHO SHOULD JOIN?
No technical expertise or development experience is required.
Anyone interested in Nostr, Bitcoin, privacy, cryptography, AI agents, open protocols, cypherpunk ideas, music, art, individual freedom, or international交流 in English is welcome.
Curiosity and respect for the people around you matter more than credentials.# COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Different opinions and open discussion are welcome.
Please ask for consent before photographing or recording other participants.
Harassment, aggressive solicitation, excessive promotion, token marketing, and corporate sales pitches are not welcome.
Never share your Nostr private key or nsec with anyone.
Technology should increase the power of individuals—not institutions.
No permission. No central authority. No forced consensus.# NOT A MEETUP.
# ONLY FREEDOM.
NAM = 南無 = respect
1 attendee
