noun
meeting place; club; assembly hall
General term for a place where people gather for meetings, social activities, or club events. Can refer to a physical venue or a group's regular meeting spot.
町内会の会所は公民館の隣にある。
The neighborhood association's meeting place is next to the community center.
趣味のサークルの会所としてカフェを
We use a café as the club's meeting place for our hobby circle.
noun
workplace (Edo period); office (historical)
Historical term for a workplace or office during the Edo period, especially for officials or merchants. Not used in modern Japanese for a regular office.
江戸時代、町奉行の会所は評定所とも呼ばれた。
In the Edo period, the town magistrate's office was also called a hyōjōsho.
Compound of 会 (kai, 'meeting') and 所 (sho, 'place'). The historical Edo-period sense developed from the idea of a designated place for official gatherings and work.