of Japan, specifically at the universities in and close to Kyoto.

I was a little surprised to come on a picking session during 'club day' at the university where I was studying (in between Osaka and Kyoto) in 1992. All those guys were completely rote players but some of them were way better than me (esp. way back then) and more up-to-date with current bluegrass than I was - I specifically remember that being the first time I heard 'Maggie Won't You Go' by Killbilly, which was new that summer. Too bad I didn't have my tub bass.

I didn't join the club, but knowledge of this scene actually tied into my later life twice that make me think it's beyond conicidence:
-when I went back to Japan to work, I was way up in northern Honshu, but my neighbor Hiroshi had gone to college in Kyoto and picked up banjo there. He had a beautiful banjo made by Vega or someone (EDIT: I'm positive on reflection that it was a Gibson of somewhat recent vintage) that wound up on semi-permanent loan to me for a year or so.
-first job I interviewed with back home was with a US division of Mitsubishi. One of the guys that interviewed me was a Japanese expat (from Kyoto) who came to the US because he loves bluegrass so much. During the interview we talked about my hobbies and interests and he offered to drive me around town since I'd be moving. He took me to his house and broke out a guitar and mandolin and we played a couple tunes. Unfortunately he turned out to be an asshole, but I aced the interview.

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so I'm in a band now:
album ---> http://greenwoodburns.bandcamp.com/releases
Soundcloud ---> http://soundcloud.com/greenwood-burns

my own stuff -->http://soundcloud.com/lonesomedstringband

avy by buckshot_defunct