JAA Open House
118-year-old service organization to have open house
JAA Open House
Friday, September 19, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
JAA Hall – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
Admission: $20 General Public | Free to JAA Members
The Japanese American Association of New York, a 118-year-old service nonprofit, is hosting an open house this Friday, September 19. The Rino Aise Band will provide live music, and there will be Japanese food and wine to enjoy.
Non-members are encouraged to attend to learn about how the organization supports the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York. To RSVP, please send an email to info@jaany.org. (Full disclosure: The author is a JAA member and serves on the board of directors as one of the vice presidents.)
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Celebrate Japanese Culture at Columbia
Experience a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture with delicious food, captivating performances, and engaging activities. Since 2006, Matsuri has brought the Columbia community and New Yorkers together for an unforgettable day of cultural exchange.
Columbia Japanese Students Association Matsuri 2025
Friday, March 28 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Columbia University Low Plaza – W. 116th and Broadway
Admission: Free
The Japanese Students Association of Columbia University presents its Matsuri 2025 this Friday, March 28. JapanCulture-NYC is honored to be one of the sponsors Matsuri 2025 and to support the students of JSA who are bringing this dynamic cultural event to life!
Matsuri, the Japanese word for “festival,” embodies the spirit of community celebration through food, entertainment, and cultural exchange. Since 2006, JSA’s Matsuri has evolved into one of Columbia University’s most anticipated cultural events, transforming the heart of campus into a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture. Drawing nearly 1,000 attendees to the iconic Low Plaza each spring, Matsuri is more than just a festival; it’s a landmark event that brings together students, faculty, and New Yorkers.
Attendance is free, and guests can sign up through Columbia JSA’s Eventbrite link. However, due to current restrictions to access campus, people not affiliated with Columbia University and anyone without a valid Columbia University ID MUST fill out this form as well by today, Wednesday March 26. Columbia will send a QR code to your email. Please bring the QR code and a valid form of ID when you arrive, or you will not be able to enter campus.
What can you expect at this year’s Matsuri 2025?
Cultural Performances
Traditional taiko drumming echoing across campus
Martial arts demonstrations
Powerful Sōran Bushi (traditional Japanese song) performances
Culinary Journey
Authentic Japanese street food vendors
Traditional and modern festival treats
Interactive food demonstrations
Games and Activities
Photo booth with props
Traditional Japanese matsuri games
Japanese drinks and snack prizes
Food Vendors
Dokodemo
Inari Zushi
Karl’s Balls
Mr. K Katsu Sando
Mu Cha
Musubin
Rai Rai Ken
Sam’s Fried Ice Cream
Yakitori Tatsu
Cultural and Community Vendors
Golden Gate Global
Vision USA
Taro’s Origami Studio
Performance sCHEDULE
6:30 p.m. - 6:40 p.m. CU Goju Karate
6:40 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. CU Taiko
6:50 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CU Naginata
7:00 p.m. - 7:10 p.m. Kendo
7:10 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. Columbia Pops
7:20 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Columbia Pops
7:30 p.m. - 7:40 p.m. Upper West Side Kenshikai Karate & BJJ
7:40 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. Kogyoku Yosakoi
7:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Kogyoku Yosakoi
8:00 p.m. - 8:10 p.m. CU Lion Dance
8:10 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. CU Lion Dance
8:20 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CU Wushu
8:30 p.m. - 8:40 p.m. Columbia Taekwondo
8:40 p.m. - 8:50 p.m. Columbia Taekwondo
8:50 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. JSA 48
Location of JSA Matsuri 2025
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TOMODACHI NIGHT AT CITI FIELD
Tomodachi Night – Boston Red Sox vs New York Mets
Tuesday, September 3
Pregame Events: 6:40 p.m. — Game: 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field — Flushing, Queens
Admission: $28 to $91.25
Enjoy a special Tomodachi Night as the New York Mets host Masataka Yoshida and the Boston Red Sox in an Interleague matchup. Extend your Labor Day Weekend with baseball!
Special pregame events include
Ceremonial First Pitch by Koji Sato, President of JAANY
Amazin’ Awards to be presented to leaders of Japanese American community organizations
Unforgettable opportunity for 500 members of our community to stand on the warning track at Citi Field to watch the national anthem.* Be sure to wear red and white!
Please purchase tickets through this link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/tomodachi
A portion of ticket sales will be donated to The Japanese American Association of New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Nippon Club, Japan Society, U.S.-Japan Council, and the Japanese American National Museum.
*Please note that you MUST purchase tickets using the special online link that the Mets have created specifically for this game in order to be invited onto the field for the pregame festivities. Approximately one week before the game, you will receive an email with instructions about where and at what time to assemble. This privilege is first come, first served and limited to 500 fans, so please arrive early!
Warning Track Salute Timeline*
Meet up time: 6:00 p.m.
Meet up location: Left Field Ramp (right inside Left Field Gate)
Begin lining up at the ramp: 6:15 p.m.
Line closed: around 6:30 p.m. depending on the size
Arrive at the Warning Track: between approximately 6:45 to 7:00 p.m.
Exit by the staircase to Section 135 after the anthem
*weather permitting
Amazin’ Awards
JAA — Julie Azuma
JCCI — Maasaki Maeda
USJC — Susan McCormac (I’m honored to represent the New York region of the U.S.-Japan Council!)
JANM — Kathryn Bannai
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Join the Kaede Scavenger Hunt and Search for the One Piece
Kaede Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 a.m.
Venue given upon registration
Admission: Free
Kaede Kimonos is hosting a special and exciting scavenger hunt throughout the city. They’re calling on all pirates to join, so read their message below and register today!
Message from Kaede Kimonos
Ahoy, New York City! On November 4th, gather your courage and join us for an epic adventure of a lifetime. This ain't your ordinary scavenger hunt – it's a treasure hunt fit for a true pirate!
Whether you're a solo pirate, a captain in search of a loyal crew, or a ready-made crew of three, this is your chance to experience the thrill of the Grand Line right here in the Big Apple.
As a solo pirate, conquer the challenges ahead, unravel mysteries, and claim your victory on your own terms. Embrace the spirit of freedom and cut through the waves of excitement!
Want to be a captain and build your very own crew along the way? Well, fear not, fellow explorer! Gather your “nakama” (that means “friends” in pirate-speak) and choose the captain option. Build your crew as you navigate uncharted territories, bond through teamwork, and unleash your pirate awesomeness!
And for those who are already a powerhouse team of three, set sail together and let your synergy shine! The dynamics of trust, camaraderie, and synchronized attacks will be your key to triumph on this unforgettable treasure hunt.
Expect mind-bending puzzles, cunning riddles, and challenges that will test your mettle. Immerse yourself in the world of One Piece as you uncover clues hidden across the city. This is your chance to step into the shoes of a real pirate and make memories that will last a lifetime!
So, mateys, don your pirate hats, grab your maps, and sign up for the pirate themed scavenger hunt on November 4th. Swords will clash, bounties will be claimed, and legends shall be written!
Head over to our website to secure your spot and choose your pirate path—solo, captain looking for his crew, or three-member crew. Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
Remember, it's not just about the treasure, it's about the journey itself. Mark your calendars, assemble your crew, and prepare for the One Piece scavenger hunt in the heart of New York City. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
But just as a tease the One Piece treasure includes and XBOX S Series bundle and more.
So, are you ready to conquer The Grand Line? Join us on November 4th and let's set sail, New York!
P.S. – Don't let the Marines catch you.
Special Thanks to Senpai Project and Anubis House Productions.
NOTE: We are not affiliated with Toei Animations or Netflix, and this is not an official event put on by them.
Official Rules
All teams (Except Individual Captains), must have a minimum of 2 team members and a maximum of 3 members.
All teams/individuals must complete a waiver form to participate in the Scavenger Hunt.
If you are a minor, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent for you to participate.
Team members must remain together throughout the race and must check in at every checkpoint before and/or after each challenge (unless specified otherwise). You may not split up to “divide” Scavenger Hunt tasks or enlist others to help complete your tasks.
Individuals can add/recruit a team member along the way. Max team is 3. All recruiting must be done before the 5th Challenge.
All teams/individuals must be courteous and respectful to all participants and volunteers.
Each team/individual will be provided with a "Passport." The goal of the scavenger hunt is to complete all challenges and find the final location.
Scavenger Hunt clues are NOT required to be completed in order. However, teams or individuals must have all challenges completed before going to the final location
All teams have 8 hours to complete the race.
All teams must stop and get to the finish area by 6:00 p.m. and turn in team’s passport (full) to a volunteer at the Scavenger Hunt end.
There will be Marines searching for you. If you or a team member is caught. That person or crew will be "locked up" for 30 minutes. You will be able to continue after your release. The Marines will also get all the info you gathered to use to beat you to the end.
To register, please fill out this Google Form or visit Virtual Nippon’s Eventbrite page.
This listing is a paid advertisement on JapanCulture-NYC.com by Kaede Kimonos. If you’re interested in sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please send an email to info@japanculture-nyc.com.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field
Japanese Heritage Night
Friday, August 25 – Pregame activities at 5:00 p.m. (First pitch at 7:10 p.m.)
Citi Field – 41 Seaver Way, Flushing, Queens
Admission: $35.50 to $127.50
Kodai Senga and the New York Mets host Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels in this celebration of Japanese heritage! The Japanese American Association of New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan Society, the U.S.-Japan Council, the Consul-General of Japan in New York, and the Japanese American National Museum are collectively organizing what promises to be an Amazin’ night at Citi Field.
Senga, a five-time Japan Series champion with the SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball, signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets last December and has been dazzling fans with his “ghost forkball.” Shohei Ohtani, the über-talented two-way star who won the American League MVP in 2021 and led Samurai Japan to the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship, is having another MVP-caliber season and is currently leading the American League with 43 home runs.
But this will be more than just a game. On August 25, with two Japanese All-Stars opposing each other at Citi Field, the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York will come together to celebrate our rich culture and the important contributions we make in this city each day. Before the game begins, sensational all-female taiko drumming group Cobu will give their trademark energetic performance in the Mets Plaza (between the Mets/Willets Point 7 train station and the Jackie Robinson Rotunda) at 5:30 p.m. Inside the park on Citi Field’s massive centerfield scoreboard, the Mets will show a video about our vibrant community and the MLB team’s connection to Japanese baseball players. Afterward, six community leaders representing each of the Japanese Heritage Night organizations will receive Mets Spirit Awards at a ceremony at home plate, followed by musical theater actress Rina Maejima singing the national anthem. Finally, Ambassador Mikio Mori, Consul General of Japan in New York, will throw the honorary first pitch to JAA President Koji Sato. Disclosure: As a Vice President of JAA and a member of USJC, I am part of the committee that is organizing Japanese Heritage Night.
Pregame Activities
Cobu performs in Mets Plaza
Dedicated Japanese and Japanese American community video played on the big scoreboard
Presentation of the Mets Spirit Awards to six community leaders:
Ambassador Mikio Mori – Consul General of Japan in New York
Koji Sato – President, The Japanese American Association of New York
Tomonori Wada – President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Terry Suzuki – New York Regional Chair, U.S.-Japan Council
Gary Moriwaki – Member of the Board of Directors, Japan Society
Kathryn Bannai – Member of the Board of Trustees, Japanese American National MuseumThe national anthem sung by Rina Maejima
Honorary first pitch thrown by Ambassador Mikio Mori to Koji Sato
Purchase Discounted Tickets
The Mets have designated seating sections throughout Citi Field specifically for the Japanese and Japanese American community at a discounted rate. Purchase through this online offer and receive a Limited Edition 2023 Japanese Night Mets Hat while supplies last! To redeem your hat, go to the Group Sales Redemption Booth behind Section 130 before the end of the fifth inning, and an attendant will scan your digital ticket. Limit one hat per ticket. Please note: You MUST purchase your ticket through this special link to receive your hat!
Let’s show the Mets, Senga, and Ohtani that our New York community loves baseball. Once again, to purchase tickets at the special discounted rate, please click here.
To purchase group tickets of 15 or more, please contact Young Choi at 718-559-3027 or YChoi@nymets.com.
The Mets are also having a special giveaway on August 25. The first 15,000 fans who enter the stadium will receive a Kodai Senga Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Fork Ball. This giveaway is open to all fans at Citi Field and not exclusive to the Japanese and Japanese American community.
Ghost Fork T-shirt by Athlete Logos
Celebrate NYC-Japan Friendship at 2nd Annual Japan Parade
Japan Parade
Saturday, May 13 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Central Park West from 81st Street to 67th Street
Admission: Free
The second annual Japan Parade in New York City will be held on Saturday, May 13, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Starting on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 67th Street, the parade will celebrate, express, and bring awareness of the friendship between New York City and Japan with a thank you from the Japanese community. Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will be the Parade’s Grand Marshal. Former NY1 reporter Sandra Endo, current news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News, and a feature reporter for Good Day LA, will serve as Emcee.
Official Japan Parade poster by art contest winner Gary Bitsicas
This year’s Japan Parade will feature a live performance by the cast of The 2.5-Dimensional show from Japan, “Live Spectacle ‘NARUTO.’” NARUTO is one of the most internationally recognized and popular manga series of all time. The franchise has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide to date. Written and illustrated by creator Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first published in Shueisha’s magazine Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, where it was serialized and ran for 15 years.
ⒸMasashi Kishimoto, Scott/SHUEISHA/Live Spectacle “NARUTO” Production Committee 2022
JAPAN Fes at Japan Parade
Concurrently with the Japan Parade, the Japan Street Fair will be held on W. 72nd Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
The Japan Street Fair will feature tents offering entertaining and educational cultural activities including calligraphy, water balloon yo-yo fishing, origami, photo opportunities, and a giveaway. In collaboration with JAPAN Fes, one of the largest organizers of Japanese food festivals in the world, hosting more than 20 Japanese food fair events a year in New York City, the Street Fair will also feature about 20 tents serving authentic Japanese food. The latest information on Japan’s many tourist destinations will be made available at other tents, and as with last year, there will also be a tent where visitors can donate to charitable causes that support victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The Japan Street Fair is your chance to experience a Japanese festival, or matsuri, unlike any other.
“I am truly honored to act as Grand Marshal for this year’s Japan Parade. My Japanese heritage is something I’m proud of and I’m happy to celebrate the goodwill of our relationship with Japan and the engagement and solidarity with the Japanese American community.”
—Kristi Yamaguchi
Participating groups include Anime NYC, COBU (Drum), Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir, International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan, The Japanese Folk Dance of NY, Katsura Sunshine (Rakugo Comedian), Midori & Friends (Music Education Group), Soh Daiko (Drum), TATE Hatoryu NY (Sword Fighting), Yosakoi Dance Project 10tecomai, Young People's Chorus of NYC, and many more.
The Diamond Sponsors of this year’s Japan Parade (as of April 5) include All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Hisamitsu America, Inc., Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited. The Platinum Sponsors include ITOCHU International Inc., Marubeni America Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., Nomura America Foundation, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation, and Tokio Marine America.
Photo Credit: AP
"The Japan Parade is a huge 'Arigato!' from the Japanese community to New York City," says Honorary Chairman, Ambassador Mikio Mori, the Consul General of Japan in New York. "It will be the second annual celebration of Japanese culture and the many vibrant connections between Japan and this great city. We plan to outdo the inaugural parade in terms of marchers, contents, and food tents all highlighting the uniqueness of Japan, while also solidifying with Asian communities during AAPI Heritage Month. We hope that these festivities bring the Japanese and all of New York City even closer together, adding to our friendship for generations to come.”
“After the huge success of last year’s inaugural Parade, we are very excited to be back in New York City for our second year, demonstrating the diversity and pride of the Japanese community,” said Japan Parade Executive Producer Kumiko Yoshii. “Last year, we had a crowd of over 20,000 with approximately 2,400 participants, marching down Central Park West. We look forward to building on this success and showcasing more groups from New York and Japan. We especially want to thank our sponsors and supporters, without whom this event would not be possible.”
“The Japan Parade’s utmost goal is to be a foundation to forge new connections, and to be an inspiration to strengthen existing relations between Japan and the United States, as well as between the Japanese American community and the people of New York City,” said Japan Day Chairman of the Board of Directors, Daisuke Ugaeri, who represents the notable Japanese and Japanese American companies that make up the Japan Day Inc. Board of Directors. “To that end, I am humbled and empowered by the invaluable support of our sponsors, the trust placed in us by our parade participants, and the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers who all truly believe in the good our event is capable of achieving. It is my greatest hope that all who visit, experience, and immerse themselves in Japan Parade 2023 will not only enjoy themselves to the fullest, but also walk away with a newly cultivated or renewed appreciation of the unique wonder and beauty of Japanese culture.”
Go early to enjoy the street fair and grab a spot along the parade route. Enjoy a full day of Japanese culture at Japan Parade! For more information, please visit Japan Parade’s website.
About Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristi Yamaguchi captured the gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. She is also a two-time World Champion and US National Champion. Yamaguchi is a member of the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic Hall of Fame. She recently received the USOPC Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award for “serving as a powerful force for good in society.”
Following a long and successful career in professional figure skating, which included ten years of touring with Stars On Ice, Yamaguchi took to the dance floor to win the mirror ball trophy with partner Mark Ballas in season six of the popular TV show Dancing With The Stars.
In 1996, she founded Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, whose mission is to give children from low-income families access to high-quality books in the home environment. The organization aims to close the opportunity gap and digital divide with an innovative, family engagement literacy program. For her work with her Always Dream organization, Yamaguchi received the 2019 Heisman Humanitarian Award.
In 2012, Yamaguchi added New York Times Best-Selling author to her list of achievements by introducing her first children’s picture book, Dream Big, Little Pig!, and then following up with It’s a Big World, Little Pig! and Cara’s Kindness. Kristi resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two-time US Olympian and Stanley Cup Champion, Bret Hedican, and their daughters, Keara and Emma.
About Sandra Endo
Sandra Endo is a television news correspondent on KTTV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News. Endo covers breaking news in feature reports for a Good Day LA. Prior to moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles, Endo spent most of her career on the East Coast a political reporter, host, and anchor for NY1. She covered a wide array of campaigns, the transit strike of 2005, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Later, as a Washington, DC-based reporter for CNN, Endo’s stories appeared on primetime shows such as AC 360 with Anderson Cooper. She reported on the devastating tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, as well as the international conflicts in Egypt and the US involvement in Libya.
Endo is a second-generation Japanese American whose grandfather was interned during WWII. She believes it is important to teach her two young children their cultural heritage to keep traditions alive and to learn from the past.
About Japan Day
Japan Day Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the primary organizer of the Japan Day @ Central Park festivals since 2007 and of the Japan Parade and the Japan Street Fair since 2022. Japan Day Inc.’s activities are made possible by the support of the local leading Japanese American companies that compose Japan Day Inc.’s Board of Directors; the Consulate General of Japan in New York; and all the individuals, organizations, and companies that sponsor, donate, or volunteer and be a part of this great celebration.
Announcing the japanculture•NYC membership program!
Since 2011 JapanCulture-NYC.com has been your English-language resource for All Things Japanese in New York City. We have a fresh look, and now we’d like to announce our new membership program! For only $5 a month, you’ll have access to exclusive content and cool benefits.
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benefits of membership
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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Our first discount is to the Globus Film Series Rites of Passage: The Films of Shinji Somai that begins at Japan Society on Friday, April 28. To receive the code for $2 off any General Audience ticket, become a member of JapanCulture•NYC today! (This code for Rites of Passage cannot be used for additional discounts on Student/Senior/Japan Society member tickets.)
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