LEADING U.S.-JAPAN EXCHANGE IN HOUSTON FOR 57 YEARS
Session IV of the JASH Japanese Language Program begins on Monday, August 11, 2025. Registration is open for all levels on the Japanese Class Schedule and Class Descriptions pages.
NOTE: All Japanese Language Courses are currently being held remotely through Zoom Meetings.
Click on the button below to register:
Experience the wonder of Japan in Levy Park on the first Wednesday of every month with JASH at Japan Junction. Kids of all ages will enjoy expanding their cultural horizons through kamishibai “paper drama” storytelling and fun crafts that highlight Japanese traditions from origami to woodblock print making and more!
ヒューストン日米協会（JASH）は、毎月第1水曜日にLevy Parkで日本の素晴らしさを体験できるイベント“Japan Junction”を開催します。日本の昔話を紙芝居で紹介し、そして折り紙から木版画まで様々な日本の伝統文化を感じられるクラフト作りを通して、子供たちが楽しみながら文化的な視野を広げる機会を提供します。
October 1: “The Bamboo Princess” and Magical Bamboo
Join us for a delightful Kamishibai reading of "The Bamboo Princess" as we celebrate Jugoya, Japan’s harvest moon festival!
A beloved autumn tradition for centuries, jugoya invites people across Japan to admire the harvest moon’s beauty. Families gather to enjoy tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings) and make wishes for happiness beneath its soft glow. To honor this tradition, we will timeless tale of “The Bamboo Princess” -the story of a magical princess born from a bamboo stalk who must ultimately return to her home on the moon.
Following the reading, participants can create their own magical bamboo inspired by the enchanting story.
10月1日：紙芝居「かぐや姫」ととびだすかぐや姫工作
秋の行事といえば、十五夜、今年は10月6日が十五夜の日です。日本では昔から月を愛でる文化があり、月を見ながら月見団子を食べ、月にお願いをします。1000年以上前に作られた“かぐや姫”のお話を読んだ後は、竹からとびだすかぐや姫の工作を一緒に作って十五夜をお祝いしましょう！
The JASH office will be closed for two days to allow staff to rest and recover following Japan Festival Houston. Normal operations will resume Wednesday, September 17.
Join us for a special session focused on one of Japan's most comforting one-bowl meals, oyako donburi! You'll learn to create this dish of tender chicken and sweet onions, simmered in a savory dashi-based sauce, all held together by a gently cooked egg and served over a warm bed of rice.
To complement this satisfying meal, we'll be creating a side of tangy daikon pickle. We'll also be making a refreshing bubbly matcha lassi, a drink that perfectly balances the earthy notes of matcha with the creamy tang of yogurt.
We'll provide you with some great hacks, as well as the work-arounds you need, if you don't have the specialized cooking equipment.
The class will be taught by Debra Samuels, lead curriculum and recipe developer for Wa-Shokuiku, a program by Table for Two. The recipe card with ingredient list and Zoom link will be provided a few days before the event.
Members of other Japan/Japan America Societies—please enter your society’s discount code at checkout for member pricing. Advance ticket purchase required. One registration per family.
$10 JASH Members / $15 Non-members. JASH members use code "houston" to register.
Debra Samuels leads the program content and curriculum development of TABLE FOR TWO USA’s Japanese inspired food education program, “Wa- Shokuiku -Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!”.
She was a food writer and contributor to the Food Section of The Boston Globe and has authored two cookbooks: “My Japanese Table,” and “The Korean Table.” She curated the exhibit, “Obento and Built Space: Japanese Boxed Lunch and Architecture,” at the Boston Architectural College (2015) and co-curated “Objects of Use and Beauty: Design and Craft in Japanese Culinary Tools,” at the Fuller Craft Museum (2018). Debra also worked as a program coordinator and an exhibition developer at the Japanese department of the Boston Children's Museum (1992-2000).
Debra has lived in Japan, all together, for 12 years and specializes in Japanese cuisine. She travels around the country and abroad teaching hands on workshops on obento, the Japanese lunchbox. During Covid 19 she is teaching live online cooking programs to youth and adults.
This program is made possible by:
Program Note: Photographs may be taken during the event for the records of the program host and for use in public media outlets. Registering for the event generally signifies acknowledgment that your likeness may be used in these ways.
Join JASH at Evelyn’s Park on the second Saturday of every month to experience the art of origami!
Each session will have a theme highlighting a specific Japanese holiday or celebration. Participants of all ages can enjoy mastering this artform through three designs of various difficulty. From beginners to advanced practitioners, there is an origami pattern for everyone.
September Theme: Lucky Animals for the Elderly
Japan celebrates Respect for the Aged Day on the third Monday of September. This year, the holiday falls on September 15. To honor this special day, we’ll fold animals that represent the values we cherish in our elders.
Three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy. Try your hand at making an owl of wisdom, a turtle of longevity, and a crane of good fortune—each symbolizing qualities like knowledge, health, and happiness.
Fold with care and gratitude as we celebrate the elders in our lives through the traditional art of origami.
PROGRAM PARTNER:
Experience the wonder of Japan in Levy Park on the first Wednesday of every month with JASH at Japan Junction. Kids of all ages will enjoy expanding their cultural horizons through kamishibai “paper drama” storytelling and fun crafts that highlight Japanese traditions from origami to woodblock print making and more!
ヒューストン日米協会（JASH）は、毎月第1水曜日にLevy Parkで日本の素晴らしさを体験できるイベント“Japan Junction”を開催します。日本の昔話を紙芝居で紹介し、そして折り紙から木版画まで様々な日本の伝統文化を感じられるクラフト作りを通して、子供たちが楽しみながら文化的な視野を広げる機会を提供します。
September 10: “The Magic Rice Paddle” and Thanks Card Rice Paddle
Every year, Japan celebrates “Keiro-no-Hi (敬老の日),” which is the day people show their respect and gratitude to the elderly people.
Join us for a kamishibai reading of “Fushigi na Shamojii” or “The Magic Rice Paddle” to discover the courage and wisdom of grandmothers in this heartwarming story!
Following the kamishibai presentation, make your own Rice Paddle Thank You Card decorated with cranes and turtles - traditional symbols of longevity in Japan. Demonstrate your respect and gratitude to someone you cherish - and wish them a long, healthy life!
9月10日 : 「不思議なしゃもじ」としゃもじ型敬老の日メッセージカード
９月１５日（ ９月第３月曜日）、敬老の日！お世話になっている高齢者に感謝を伝える日です。紙芝居「不思議なしゃもじ」では、おばあさんがどんな知恵と知識を使って困難から抜け出すのでしょうか。紙芝居に出てくるしゃもじの形のメッセージカードに、長寿の縁起物の鶴と亀をデコレーションして、おじいちゃん、おばあちゃん、そしてあなたの大切な人に感謝を伝えましょう！
We invite you to join us for Japan Festival Houston 2025, a vibrant weekend celebration of Japanese culture, community, and friendship—held in the heart of Houston’s Hermann Park.
This year’s festival marks a special convergence of past and present as we honor not only the deep cultural connections between Japan and Houston but also the 35th anniversary of the 1990 G7 Summit, hosted in Houston and attended by Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu.
On July 8, 1990, during the G7 Summit, a historic ceremony was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Houston’s Galleria area to commemorate Japan’s contribution to the city. Prime Minister Kaifu and his wife, eight members of the Japanese Diet, Ambassador Murata, and Consul General Hori joined American dignitaries and business leaders in unveiling the model for what would become the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park. At that ceremony, Prime Minister Kaifu announced a gift from the Government of Japan to help fund the construction of an azumaya (garden pavilion)—a lasting symbol of peace, beauty, and friendship between Japan and the United States.
What to Expect:
Traditional and contemporary performances
Delicious Japanese food & refreshing beverages
Martial arts, tea ceremony, ikebana, cosplay, and more
Family-friendly activities, cultural exhibits, and vendor markets
Expanded festival footprint and exciting new partnerships
Join thousands of visitors from across Texas and beyond in celebrating Japanese arts, heritage, and the long-standing ties between Japan and Houston.
Admission is free, and all are welcome!
Stay tuned for more event details, performer announcements, and volunteer opportunities.
📍 Location: Hermann Park, Houston, TX
🗓️ Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 6–7, 2025
🌐 Website: www.houstonjapanfest.org
The annual Japan Festival of Houston is co-sponsored by the City of Houston and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
Photo by 面髙 真琴 Makoto Omodaka, provided courtesy of Umeda Arts Theater
Experience 110 years of Takarazuka history through the music, dance, and theatrical brilliance of esteemed Takarasienne alumni.
A dazzling and artistic spectacle awaits as Takarazuka alumni take you into the enchanting world of the Takarazuka Revue.
Rooted in the timeless motto of founder Ichizō Kobayashi—“Modesty, Fairness, Grace”—Takarazuka’s all-female productions seamlessly blend traditional Japanese elegance with modern theatrical grandeur, creating a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience.
The special Houston performance stars the renowned Wataru Kozuki, celebrated for her iconic roles in major Takarazuka productions such as The Rose of Versailles. Joined by fellow Takarasienne alumni—each with years of stage mastery, the magic of Takarazuka will be brought to life in a way that is fully accessible to non-Japanese viewers.
The stunning revue-style show will feature a selection of beloved songs from renowned Takarazuka musicals inspired by Japanese manga, reimagined with fresh direction and breathtaking choreography.
The Houston performance serves to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the founding of the troupe and promises to captivate and delight both devoted fans and first-time viewers alike.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a spectacular celebration of Japanese beauty, tradition, and theatrical artistry.
Performances are sponsored in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.
All performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE!
Now you can get your tickets for the covered seating area online and on your smart phone! Limit 4 per person.
Any unclaimed tickets that remain after 7:50 p.m. will be released to the public.
As always, open seating on the hill. The show goes on rain or shine.
For more information on tickets and seating click here.
We invite you to join us for Japan Festival Houston 2025, a vibrant weekend celebration of Japanese culture, community, and friendship—held in the heart of Houston’s Hermann Park.
This year’s festival marks a special convergence of past and present as we honor not only the deep cultural connections between Japan and Houston but also the 35th anniversary of the 1990 G7 Summit, hosted in Houston and attended by Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu.
On July 8, 1990, during the G7 Summit, a historic ceremony was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Houston’s Galleria area to commemorate Japan’s contribution to the city. Prime Minister Kaifu and his wife, eight members of the Japanese Diet, Ambassador Murata, and Consul General Hori joined American dignitaries and business leaders in unveiling the model for what would become the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park. At that ceremony, Prime Minister Kaifu announced a gift from the Government of Japan to help fund the construction of an azumaya (garden pavilion)—a lasting symbol of peace, beauty, and friendship between Japan and the United States.
What to Expect:
Traditional and contemporary performances
Delicious Japanese food & refreshing beverages
Martial arts, tea ceremony, ikebana, cosplay, and more
Family-friendly activities, cultural exhibits, and vendor markets
Expanded festival footprint and exciting new partnerships
Join thousands of visitors from across Texas and beyond in celebrating Japanese arts, heritage, and the long-standing ties between Japan and Houston.
Admission is free, and all are welcome!
Stay tuned for more event details, performer announcements, and volunteer opportunities.
📍 Location: Hermann Park, Houston, TX
🗓️ Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 6–7, 2025
🌐 Website: www.houstonjapanfest.org
The annual Japan Festival of Houston is co-sponsored by the City of Houston and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
Join JASH this summer as we work together to ensure the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park looks its best before Japan Festival 2025!
From cleaning the teahouse and raking leaves to recovering the trails and weeding -- there is so much to be done and only a short period of time to do it in! Tools & instructions will be provided by the Hermann Park Conservancy staff. Volunteers are encouraged to bring your own gloves, individual water bottles, sunscreen, and insect repellent, if needed.
NOTE: If you would like to register as part of a group, please email JASH Volunteer Coordinator Ikuyo Katayama directly at ikatayama@jas-hou.org before completing the form below.
Complete the form below to register:
夏の日本庭園清掃を、8月23日（土）午前8:00時より 実施致します。当日は、公園スタッフの指導のもと、落ち葉集め、除草、通路の清掃などの作業を分担して楽しく行う予定です。清掃に必要な道具はすべてHermann Park Conservancyより提供されます。屋外での作業となりますので、各自お飲み物、日焼け止め、虫除け等をご準備されることをお勧めします。ご家族、お友達をお誘いの上、是非ご参加ください！
※ グループとして登録をご希望の場合は、JASHボランティアコーディネーターの片山（ikatayama@jas-hou.org）まで直接メールでご連絡ください。
Experience the wonder of Japan in Levy Park on the first Wednesday of every month with JASH at Japan Junction. Kids of all ages will enjoy expanding their cultural horizons through kamishibai “paper drama” storytelling and fun crafts that highlight Japanese traditions from origami to woodblock print making and more!
ヒューストン日米協会（JASH）は、毎月第1水曜日にLevy Parkで日本の素晴らしさを体験できるイベント“Japan Junction”を開催します。日本の昔話を紙芝居で紹介し、そして折り紙から木版画まで様々な日本の伝統文化を感じられるクラフト作りを通して、子供たちが楽しみながら文化的な視野を広げる機会を提供します。
August 13: “Sadako's Paper Cranes and Lessons of Peace” and Paper Crane Wreath
In Japan, August is a meaningful time for reflection. Families honor their ancestors during a holiday called Obon, and many people also take time to think about peace, especially on the anniversary of the end of World War II.
This year marks 80 years since the war ended—and 80 years since a new friendship began between Japan and the United States.
Join us as we explore the story of Sadako Sasaki through a kamishibai (Japanese paper theater) reading of Sadako’s Paper Cranes and Lessons of Peace. Discover how Sadako’s story inspired a powerful symbol of peace around the world—and how her legacy connects to Houston.
After the reading, children are invited to create their own colorful paper crane wreaths to share their hopes and wishes for a more peaceful world.
8月13日：紙芝居「禎子の折り鶴と平和のレッスン」と折り鶴リース
日本の8月はお盆や終戦記念日があり、ご先祖さまを思い出したり、歴史を振り返ったり、平和について考えたりする月です。今年は、戦争が終わってから80年。そして日本とアメリカの新たな友情が始まってからも、ちょうど80年です。アメリカの小学校では教材として取り上げられることもある佐々木禎子さんの物語と、彼女の強い思いがここヒューストンにも届いていることを紙芝居を通じて一緒に学びましょう。そしてあなたの平和への思いを込めた折り鶴リースを作りましょう。
Experience the art of origami in Evelyn’s Park on the second Saturday of every month with JASH. Each session will have a theme highlighting a specific Japanese holiday or celebration. Participants of all ages can enjoy mastering this artform through three designs of various difficulty. From beginners to advanced practitioners, there is an origami pattern for everyone.
August Theme: Matsuri, Summer Festival
Celebrate the lively spirit of Japanese matsuri—colorful summer festivals full of fun and tradition. Bring your family and enjoy folding origami inspired by matsuri favorites!
Try folding a kakigori shaved ice treat, a goldfish and scoop, and a yukata (summer kimono)—each pattern capturing the joy of matsuri through festival food, games, and traditional clothing.
Join us for a fun, hands-on experience perfect for all ages, and celebrate summer matsuri together with origami!
PROGRAM PARTNER:
Photo courtesy of night.sky.creative.
Steeped in legend, Tanabata (七夕/ star festival) honors the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi.
According to folklore, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.
With the stars aligning for this reunion, wishes are destined to come true. Therefore, on this day, Japanese write their own wishes on colorful paper (tanzaku) and hang them from bamboo branches.
JASH, in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan (CGJ) in Houston, will be giving young Houstonians an opportunity to make a wish and learn more about Tanabata on Sunday, August 3 at the Children’s Museum Houston (CMH).
Join us in helping run the Tanabata activity stations that will be available! All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Shifts will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sign up to volunteer below by Sunday, July 27.
All volunteer positions have now been filled.
We invite you to join us for a day of fun at the Children’s Museum of Houston on Sunday, August 3!
Image courtesy of FX
JASH and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) proudly present works by Akira Kurosawa during the August film serices Akira Kurosawa: The Eternal Master.
Explore the canon of Japan’s legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa with new 4K digital restorations of classics including historical dramas, gripping thrillers, and of course samurai action.
Tickets are available for $9 General Admission; $7 MFAH Members, students with ID, and seniors (65+). Click the button below to learn more and purchase:
JASH Members receive reduced pricing with discount code F26PAR.
Please note these films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
Film Screening Line-Up:
Stray Dog (Noru Inu)
Friday, August 1, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Stray Dog goes beyond a crime thriller, probing the squalid world of postwar Japan, and the nature of the criminal mind. Rookie detective Murakami (Toshiro Mifune) has his gun stolen on a hot, crowded bus. Desperate to right the wrong, he goes undercover, scavenging Tokyo's sweltering streets for the pickpocket whose desperation has led to a life of crime. The cop’s and criminal’s lives become more intertwined and the investigation becomes an examination of Murakami's own dark side.
Ikiru
Sunday, August 3, 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Ikiru shows the director at his most compassionate—affirming life through an exploration of death. Takashi Shimura beautifully portrays an aging bureaucrat with stomach cancer who is impelled to find meaning in his final days. Presented in a radically conceived two-part structure and shot with a perceptive, humanistic clarity of vision, Ikiru is a multifaceted look at what it means to be alive.
The Hidden Fortress (Kakushi-Toride No San-Akunin)
Saturday, August 9, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Toshiro Mifune is a general charged with guarding his defeated clan’s princess as the two smuggle royal treasure across hostile territory. Accompanying them are a pair of bumbling, conniving peasants who may or may not be their friends. This rip-roaring ride is among the director’s most beloved films and was a primary influence on George Lucas’s Star Wars. The Hidden Fortress delivers Kurosawa’s trademark deft blend of wry humor, breathtaking action, and compassionate humanity.
Yojimbo (Yôjinbô)
Sunday, August 10, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Toshiro Mifune again stars in the visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo. To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily, masterless samurai Sanjuro (Mifune) turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage. Remade twice, by Sergio Leone and Walter Hill, this exhilarating genre-twister remains one of the most influential and entertaining films of all time.
Sanjuro (Tsubaki Sanjûrô)
Friday, August 22, 7:00 - 8:45 PM
In this sly companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan’s evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a “proper” samurai on its ear. Less brazen in tone than its predecessor but equally entertaining, this classic character’s return is a masterpiece in its own right.
High and Low (Tengoku to jigoku)
Sunday, August 24, 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Toshiro Mifune is a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a cold-blooded kidnapper in Kurosawa’s highly influential domestic drama and police procedural. Adapting Ed McBain’s detective novel King’s Ransom, the film moves effortlessly from compelling race-against-time thriller to exacting social commentary, creating a diabolical treatise on contemporary Japanese society. Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest is a reinterpretation of High and Low, set in the music industry and starring Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky.
Japanese summers are known for being steamy (mushiatsui)! But people forget the humidity as soon as they get into their summer yukata and enjoy the street food at their local festivals, or matsuri.
Join the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C July Ouchigohan cooking session as we make these popular matsuri dishes: yakisoba (fried noodles), takoyaki (grilled octopus fritters), and refreshing strawberry kakigori (shaved ice).
We'll provide you with some great hacks, as well as the work-arounds you need, if you don't have the specialized cooking equipment.
The class will be taught by Debra Samuels, lead curriculum and recipe developer for Wa-Shokuiku, a program by Table for Two. The recipe card with ingredient list and Zoom link will be provided a few days before the event.
Members of other Japan/Japan America Societies—please enter your society’s discount code at checkout for member pricing. Advance ticket purchase required. One registration per family.
$10 JASH Members / $15 Non-members. JASH members use code "houston" to register.
Debra Samuels leads the program content and curriculum development of TABLE FOR TWO USA’s Japanese inspired food education program, “Wa- Shokuiku -Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!”.
She was a food writer and contributor to the Food Section of The Boston Globe and has authored two cookbooks: “My Japanese Table,” and “The Korean Table.” She curated the exhibit, “Obento and Built Space: Japanese Boxed Lunch and Architecture,” at the Boston Architectural College (2015) and co-curated “Objects of Use and Beauty: Design and Craft in Japanese Culinary Tools,” at the Fuller Craft Museum (2018). Debra also worked as a program coordinator and an exhibition developer at the Japanese department of the Boston Children's Museum (1992-2000).
Debra has lived in Japan, all together, for 12 years and specializes in Japanese cuisine. She travels around the country and abroad teaching hands on workshops on obento, the Japanese lunchbox. During Covid 19 she is teaching live online cooking programs to youth and adults.
This program is made possible by:
Program Note: Photographs may be taken during the event for the records of the program host and for use in public media outlets. Registering for the event generally signifies acknowledgment that your likeness may be used in these ways.
Experience the art of origami in Evelyn’s Park on the second Saturday of every month with JASH. Each session will have a theme highlighting a specific Japanese holiday or celebration. Participants of all ages can enjoy mastering this artform through three designs of various difficulty. From beginners to advanced practitioners, there is an origami pattern for everyone.
July Theme: Sea Animals
The third Monday of July is Marine Day or Umi no Hi in Japan. This national holiday was established to show appreciation for the ocean's bounty and to consider the importance of the ocean because Japan is an island nation.
Three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy. Stop by and fold origami sea creatures to celebrate Marine Day!
PROGRAM PARTNER:
Image courtesy of FX
JASH and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) present a screening of Masayuki Suo’s Shall We Dance? as part of their Summer Film Series.
Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) has a high-paying job, an exquisite home, and a caring wife and daughter he loves dearly. However, he feels something is missing in his life. One day while commuting on the train he spots a beautiful woman staring wistfully out a window and eventually decides to find her. His search leads him headfirst into the world of competitive ballroom dancing. An “infinitely touching” (The Washington Post) box-office sensation upon its initial release, Shall We Dance? is presented in a new 4K restoration of the original film, available uncut for the first time in North America.
Tickets are available for $9 General Admission; $7 MFAH Members, students with ID, and seniors (65+). Click the button below to learn more and purchase:
JASH Members receive reduced pricing with discount code F26PAR.
Please note this film is in Japanese with English subtitles.
Friday, July 11, 7:00 - 9:15 PM
Saturday, July 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Sunday, July 13, 5:00 - 7:15 PM
In observance of Independence Day, the JASH offices will be closed Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4.
We will reopen on Monday, July 7.
Experience the wonder of Japan in Levy Park on the first Wednesday of every month with JASH at Japan Junction. Kids of all ages will enjoy expanding their cultural horizons through kamishibai “paper drama” storytelling and fun crafts that highlight Japanese traditions from origami to woodblock print making and more!
ヒューストン日米協会（JASH）は、毎月第1水曜日にLevy Parkで日本の素晴らしさを体験できるイベント“Japan Junction”を開催します。日本の昔話を紙芝居で紹介し、そして折り紙から木版画まで様々な日本の伝統文化を感じられるクラフト作りを通して、子供たちが楽しみながら文化的な視野を広げる機会を提供します。
July 2: “The Story of Tanabata” and Tanabata Ornament
Join us in exploring the legend behind Japan’s Star Festival with a kamishibai reading of “Tanabata Monogatari,” or “The Story of Tanabata.”
Dreams are said to come true on the seventh day of the seventh month, as Princess Orihime and Prince Hikoboshi reunite in the starry sky.
Following the kamishibai performance, make your own Tanabata decoration! Write your wish on a colorful tanzaku strip and decorate it with fun papers and stickers. Let your heart’s wish float to the stars and connect with loved ones near and far.
7月2日： 紙芝居「七夕ものがたり」と七夕飾り
7月7日は七夕。織り姫と彦星が1年に1度だけ会える日です。紙芝居「七夕ものがたり」のあとは、あなたの願いを星に届ける七夕飾りを作りましょう！短冊に書いたあなたの願いが叶うように素敵にデコレーションした七夕飾りで今年の七夕をお祝しましょう。
Image courtesy of JSNC & JapanCraft21.
Join Japan Society of Northern California for an exploration of one of the world’s oldest and most diverse traditions of master craft textiles presented by Steve Beimel from JapanCraft21. Textiles have existed in Japan long before recorded history, including those made from wisteria, banana leaf fiber, elm, alder, ramie, hemp, and kudzu, and later on from silk, cotton, and ramie. Beyond the rich history of textiles from the 7th century to present, the presentation will also cover the practice of dyeing and decorating textiles — sakizome, textiles made from pre-dyed yarn, and atozome, textiles dyed or decorated on woven white cloth.
Beimel and his team at JapanCraft21 are passionately committed to revitalizing traditional Japanese arts. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Japanese master craft textiles, from ancient history to present day.
This event is FREE with registration. Click the button below to register:
7:00-7:05 PM Opening Remarks
7:05-7:45 PM Presentation by Steve Beimel
7:45-7:55 PM Moderated Discussion led by Steve Pollock
7:55-8:15 PM Q&A
8:05-8:10 PM Closing Remarks
Steve Beimel | Founder, JapanCraft21
Longtime Japanese resident Californian Steve Beimel has been involved with Japanese culture since the early 1970s. In 2018, he founded JapanCraft21 to identify viable but vulnerable traditional Japanese crafts and assist in their revitalization. They started Shinmachiya Juku, a free-of-charge school in Kyoto that teaches traditional construction skills to working carpenters and plasterers, and a program that supports apprenticeship in vulnerable craft genres. Additionally, they hold national contests in support of talented craftspeople. Their Craft Leader Program promotes the work of their 30 contest winners to date. Steve recently retired from Esprit Travel and Tours, a U.S.-based Japanese culture-focused tour company that he founded in 1992. At Esprit, he connected travelers from around the world with talented and gracious Japanese people, enabling them to encounter the richness and beauty of Japanese culture. Prior to that, Steve ran a large U.S.-based wholesale plant growing operation with Japanese partners, serving the landscape construction industry during California’s construction boom years. He holds an M.A. in Applied Counseling Psychology, and he currently lives in the Kyoto foothills with his wife of over 42 years, Ritsuko, an ikebana instructor.
Moderator – Steve Pollock | President, Japan Society of Northern California
Steve Pollock is the President of Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC). Apart from his management responsibilities, he is also an avid consumer of JSNC’s diverse programming on topics ranging from Japanese arts and culture, to business and innovation, healthcare, and policy and economics. Prior to leading JSNC, Steve worked for many years advising Japanese and US companies about cross-cultural business and market entry, while also traveling and reading widely about Japan. He has lived and worked in Japan with his family, and has a passion for sharing and discussing interesting Japan-related content with others.
Experience the art of origami in Evelyn’s Park on the second Saturday of every month with JASH. Each session will have a theme highlighting a specific Japanese holiday or celebration. Participants of all ages can enjoy mastering this artform through three designs of various difficulty. From beginners to advanced practitioners, there is an origami pattern for everyone.
June Theme: Insects
June 4 in Japan is known as Mushi no Hi or Insect Day, owing to a clever combination of the words for six (read, mu) and four (read, shi). Together, they make up mushi — the Japanese word for bugs! Join us for a special origami program in celebration of Mushi no Hi!
Three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy. Try your hand at making a lovely Ladybug, a beautiful Butterfly, and a playful Praying Mantis.
PROGRAM PARTNER:
Experience the wonder of Japan in Levy Park on the first Wednesday of every month with JASH at Japan Junction. Kids of all ages will enjoy expanding their cultural horizons through kamishibai “paper drama” storytelling and fun crafts that highlight Japanese traditions from origami to woodblock print making and more!
ヒューストン日米協会（JASH）は、毎月第1水曜日にLevy Parkで日本の素晴らしさを体験できるイベント“Japan Junction”を開催します。日本の昔話を紙芝居で紹介し、そして折り紙から木版画まで様々な日本の伝統文化を感じられるクラフト作りを通して、子供たちが楽しみながら文化的な視野を広げる機会を提供します。
June 11: “The Oni Who Sank to the Bottom of the Sea” and Father’s Day Wind Chime
In Japan, Father’s Day—like in many parts of the world—is a day to celebrate and honor dads, grandpas, and the special father figures in our lives.
Join us for a special kamishibai performance of The Oni Who Sank to the Bottom of the Sea, a heartwarming tale of fatherly (and grandfatherly!) love. This story reminds us of the quiet strength and deep care that family members share across generations.
After the story, create your own Father’s Day furin (Japanese-style wind chime)! The hanging tanzaku paper, which has been shaped to resemble a necktie, is the perfect place to write a personal message. The gentle sound of the wind chime will bring a refreshing feeling—just right for the start of the summer season.
Make a one-of-a-kind gift that will brighten Dad’s day and help him stay cool all summer long!
6月11日：紙芝居「うみにしずんだおに」と父の日ふうりん作り
6月15日は「父の日」。お父さん、おじさん、先生など、いつもお世話になっている身近な大人に「ありがとう」の気持ちを伝える日です。
親子の絆を描いた心あたたまる紙芝居「うみにしずんだおに」のあとは、「ありがとう」を伝える風鈴―その名も「父（ふう）鈴」―を作ります。ネクタイ形の短冊にはメッセージを書いてね！これから始まる暑い夏にぴったりの涼しい音色をメッセージといっしょにとどけよう！
Graphic courtesy of Sister Cities International.
Join Sister Cities International (SCI) for an online 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit Virtual Info Session ahead of the U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit.
Get the inside scoop on the 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit, hear about the incredible experiences being planned, and learn how to maximize your time in Japan this September. There will also be travel tips, hotel info, and time for Q&A.
This event is FREE with registration. Click the button below to register:
The U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit will be held September 16-19, 2025 in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture. All 460 U.S.-Japan Sister City partners will be invited along with government entities, NGOs, elected officials, affinity groups, and other key stakeholders to:
Memorialize and reaffirm the U.S.-Japan friendship “for the next 170 years”
Strengthen current bilateral partnerships and develop new relationships
Rejuvenate dormant U.S.-Japan sister city relationships still on pause from COVID
Honor citizen diplomats who have been key to U.S.-Japan relations
Cultivate the next generation of leaders and cultural bridge builders
Explore opportunities for economic development between countries
Participate in programming at the Osaka World Expo
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Legacies, Empowering Our Future レガシー、そして未来へ”. Programs and speakers for each day of the summit will focus on the following words/concepts:
Honor 〜感謝を込めて | Tuesday (9/16)
Bridge 〜つなげよう | Wednesday (9/17)
Reimagine 〜新しいビジョン | Thursday (9/18)
Empower 〜そして未来へ | Friday (9/19)
The summit will be in both English and Japanese, with a goal of securing 800 attendees from the U.S. and Japan. Through the U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit, Sister Cities International intends to advance the shared missions of SCI, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: cultivating people-to-people ties to foster mutual understanding and peace with other countries.
Join the Japan Society of Boston for the June edition of our family-friendly online Japanese home cooking class, おうちごはん Ouchigohan. Cook along with us or just watch from your own kitchen.
Let's try another trending food hack from Japan! Popular among busy Japanese homecooks is this healthy and practical method of cooking a whole meal in one large pan or skillet. A main dish, sides, and even dessert are wrapped in parchment paper, set in simmering water, covered and steamed. Kansei 完成! Dinner is cooked in just 15 minutes!
This session, learn how to make a delicious meal with minimal clean-up and maximum flavor and nutrition! Different from Western sheet pan meals, the Japanese way is faster, healthier, and allows for more variation and moisture retention. We will show you a typical example using this method and then experiment at home for endless variations!
Menu:
Salmon in Ginger Miso Sauce with Cabbage and Mushrooms
Okra or Asparagus with Wasabi Soy Sauce
Baby Potatoes with Carrots with Butter and Soy Sauce
Japanese Sweet Potato and Apples Dessert
*If you don’t have one frying pan large enough, you can use two.
The class will be taught by Debra Samuels, lead curriculum and recipe developer for Wa-Shokuiku, a program by Table for Two. The recipe card with ingredient list and Zoom link will be provided a few days before the event.
Members of other Japan/Japan America Societies—please enter your society’s discount code at checkout for member pricing. Advance ticket purchase required. One registration per family.
$10 JASH Members / $15 Non-members. JASH members use code "houston" to register.
Debra Samuels leads the program content and curriculum development of TABLE FOR TWO USA’s Japanese inspired food education program, “Wa- Shokuiku -Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!”.
She was a food writer and contributor to the Food Section of The Boston Globe and has authored two cookbooks: “My Japanese Table,” and “The Korean Table.” She curated the exhibit, “Obento and Built Space: Japanese Boxed Lunch and Architecture,” at the Boston Architectural College (2015) and co-curated “Objects of Use and Beauty: Design and Craft in Japanese Culinary Tools,” at the Fuller Craft Museum (2018). Debra also worked as a program coordinator and an exhibition developer at the Japanese department of the Boston Children's Museum (1992-2000).
Debra has lived in Japan, all together, for 12 years and specializes in Japanese cuisine. She travels around the country and abroad teaching hands on workshops on obento, the Japanese lunchbox. During Covid 19 she is teaching live online cooking programs to youth and adults.
This program is made possible by:
Program Note: Photographs may be taken during the event for the records of the program host and for use in public media outlets. Registering for the event generally signifies acknowledgment that your likeness may be used in these ways.
Session III of the JASH Japanese Language Program begins on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Registration is open for all levels on the Japanese Class Schedule and Class Descriptions pages.
NOTE: All Japanese Language Courses are currently being held remotely through Zoom Meetings.
Click on the button below to register:
Circa 1904, rice farmer Seito Saibara, wearing straw hat, standing beside his 600-foot deep water well on his farm in Webster. UTSA Special Collection-Institute of Texas Culture.
Join members of the Fairview Cemetary Group, Inc. and the Galveston County Historical Commission for the unveiling of the new historical marker.
Seito SAIBARA was one of the first Japanese immigrants to Texas. Saibara, a highly respected Tokyo lawyer, President of Kyoto’s Doshisha University, and member of the Japanese parliament, was invited to Texas to bring rice farmers to the state following a devastating freeze that destroyed Texas’ existing rice crops.
Saibara arrived in 1903, with a group of 30 colonists. He purchased 304 acres of land in Webster, just outside of Houston, and established a pioneering rice farming colony. His first crop—grown from seed gifted by the Emperor of Japan and harvested in 1904—was distributed across Texas and Louisiana, helping to launch the Gulf Coast rice industry and paving the way for future generations.
Saibara passed in 1939 and was buried in League City’s Fairview Cemetery, followed by several family members. Other settlers would go on to purchase a large block of lots across from the Saibara graves.
On Memorial Day, the Galveston County Historical Commission and the State of Texas will be commemorating Saibara’s achievements and those of the first Japanese settlers in our region through the placement of a new historical marker at Fairview Cemetery, where Saibara and nearly 50 of the first Japanese settlers are laid to rest.
This tribute honors the first Japanese settlers to our region and their lasting impact on agriculture, community, and U.S.-Japan friendship.
In observance of Memorial Day, the JASH offices will be closed Monday, May 26.
We will reopen on Tuesday, May 27.
Courtesy of Harris County Precinct 4 | Commissioner Lesley Briones
Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones is proud to announce Precinct 4’s very first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration. The event will feature live cricket matches with Triggers Cricket Club, along with a cricket clinic for kids ages 6-15, offering a chance to try out the world’s second most popular sport—no experience required!
In addition to the cricket action, there will also be a variety of activities lined up, including:
Live DJs
Henna, watercolor, and balloon artists
Carnival games & inflatable games
Face painting
Foam party
South Asian snacks & food trucks
For more information about the event , please click the button below:
JASH is excited to participate in the Harris County AAPI Month Celebration with a special origami booth highlighting Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi)—a cherished tradition in Japan celebrated every May 5th.
We'll be teaching eventgoers how to fold origami kabuto samurai helmets, while sharing the history and meaning behind this fun cultural craft. Our booth will also feature a vibrant display of Japanese koinobori (carp streamers)—symbols of strength, courage, and the hope for children's bright futures.
We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help us engage the public, lead origami activities, and share the joy of Japanese culture. No prior origami experience required—just a passion for cultural exchange and a willingness to learn!
Come be a part of this unique celebration and help us inspire curiosity, creativity, and community spirit.
Sign up below no later than Thursday, May 15.
NOTE: If you would like to register as part of a group, please email JASH Volunteer Coordinator Ikuyo Katayama directly at ikatayama@jas-hou.org before completing the form below.
Join Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia this May for the family-friendly online Japanese home cooking class series おうちごはん OUCHI GOHAN and cook along or just watch from your own kitchen! On the menu this month is SUPER SANDO SPECIAL!
Like almost everything about Japanese food, Japanese Sandos are next level! Beautiful, delicious, eclectic combinations all describe the wonderful world of what Japanese put between two slices of bread. Combeni (Convenient) Store sandos are legendary. Join us as we put together a picnic bento of sandos that includes: Pork, Chicken or Tofu Katsu, the Kyoto specialty fuwa-fuwa fluffy Dashi Tamago Sando and special dessert, Fruits Sando with strawberries and blueberries on a cloud of whipped cream. Add asparagus spears with wasabi soy sauce and you are all set for summer.
Members of other Japan/Japan America Societies—please enter your society’s discount code at checkout for member pricing. Advance ticket purchase required. One registration per family.
The recipe card with ingredient list and Zoom link will be provided a few days before the event.
$10 JASH Members / $15 Non-members. JASH members use code "Houston" to register.
Debra Samuels leads the program content and curriculum development of TABLE FOR TWO USA’s Japanese inspired food education program, “Wa- Shokuiku -Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!”.
She was a food writer and contributor to the Food Section of The Boston Globe and has authored two cookbooks: “My Japanese Table,” and “The Korean Table.” She curated the exhibit, “Obento and Built Space: Japanese Boxed Lunch and Architecture,” at the Boston Architectural College (2015) and co-curated “Objects of Use and Beauty: Design and Craft in Japanese Culinary Tools,” at the Fuller Craft Museum (2018). Debra also worked as a program coordinator and an exhibition developer at the Japanese department of the Boston Children's Museum (1992-2000).
Debra has lived in Japan, all together, for 12 years and specializes in Japanese cuisine. She travels around the country and abroad teaching hands on workshops on obento, the Japanese lunchbox. During Covid 19 she is teaching live online cooking programs to youth and adults.
This program is made possible by:
Program Note: Photographs may be taken during the event for the records of the program host and for use in public media outlets. Registering for the event generally signifies acknowledgment that your likeness may be used in these ways.
Experience the wonder of Japan in Levy Park on the first Wednesday of every month with JASH at Japan Junction. Kids of all ages will enjoy expanding their cultural horizons through kamishibai “paper drama” storytelling and fun crafts that highlight Japanese traditions from origami to woodblock print making and more!
ヒューストン日米協会（JASH）は、毎月第1水曜日にLevy Parkで日本の素晴らしさを体験できるイベント“Japan Junction”を開催します。日本の昔話を紙芝居で紹介し、そして折り紙から木版画まで様々な日本の伝統文化を感じられるクラフト作りを通して、子供たちが楽しみながら文化的な視野を広げる機会を提供します。
May 14: “Peach Boy” and Koinobori Kendama
May 5th in Japan is Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day—a national holiday that celebrates the happiness and unique strengths of children.
Join us for a special celebration featuring a fun kamishibai performance of Momotaro, also known as “Peach Boy”—one of Japan’s most beloved folk heroes, who reminds both kids and grown-ups that great things can be achieved with courage and perseverance.
After the story, make your own koinobori kendama—a playful twist on a traditional Japanese toy. The koinobori (colorful carp streamers) symbolize strength and determination, while the kendama, celebrated on Kendama Day (May 14th), help build hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and focus.
Celebrate two unique days in Japanese culture with one creative, hands-on activity!
5月14日：紙芝居「ももたろう」とこいのぼりけん玉
5月5日は「こどもの日」。子どもたちの健やかな成長をお祝いする日です。紙芝居「ももたろう」で、勇気とやさしさのあふれる冒険物語を楽しんだ後は、紙コップを使ってこいのぼりけん玉を作ります。
そして5月14日は「けん玉の日」！
自分で作ったカラフルなこいのぼりけん玉でたくさん遊んで、この２つの日本の文化を一緒にお祝いしよう！
Join JASH at Evelyn’s Park on the second Saturday of every month to experience the art of origami!
Each session will have a theme highlighting a specific Japanese holiday or celebration. Participants of all ages can enjoy mastering this art form through three designs of various difficulty. From beginners to advanced practitioners, there is an origami pattern for everyone.
May Theme: Children’s Day Origami
May 5 is Kodomo no Hi or Children’s Day in Japan. The national holiday is celebrated to wish for the healthy growth, happiness, and prosperity of all boys and girls. Children’s Day is known for its unique decorations including koinobori or carp streamers, gogatsu-ningyo or samurai dolls along with their armaments, and kabuto or samurai helmets. A symbol of both strength and durability, the kabuto is used to inspire Japanese youth to do their best and succeed.
The three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy. Stop by and craft three different styles of kabuto to experience Children’s Day at the park
PROGRAM PARTNER:
JASH will be joining Texas Medical Center (TMC) in celebrating the arrival of spring with an evening outdoors at Helix Park.
Flutter & Fly invites families, nature lovers, and community members to explore the park’s newest addition—a dedicated butterfly garden designed to attract and support pollinators.
Throughout the evening, guests can participate in hands-on crafts, enjoy food from local vendors, and connect with Houston-based community organizations focused on conservation, education, and the arts. Houston Children's Book Author Valerie Sweeten will host a live storybook reading, bringing the magic of storytelling to the open air.
Stroll through the park, learn about the role of pollinators, and enjoy an evening of creativity, storytelling, and community. This event is free and open to the public.
JASH will be on hand to introduce koinobori carp streamers, which also flutter in the Japanese sky during May.
Please park in either the Parcel I or TMC3 garage located at 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77030.
