AkumuFest Hits Japan Village Brooklyn
Kaede Kimonos and JapanCultureNYC are collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! This Saturday, October 25, Japan Village will come alive with Yokai in this immersive celebration of Japanese horror, fashion, folklore, and fandom.
AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience
Kaede Kimonos and JapanCultureNYC are collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! This Saturday, October 25, Japan Village will come alive with Yokai in this immersive celebration of Japanese horror, fashion, folklore, and fandom.
AkumuFest merges Japanese horror aesthetics with modern fandom through immersive storytelling, folklore-inspired fashion, and interactive experiences. Attendees are invited to dress in Japanese horror cosplay, kimono, or original yokai-themed attire.
Event Details
📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025
🕘 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm
🌑 AkumuFest After Dark: 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
📍 Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
🎟️ Admission: Free
Presented By
👘 Kaede Kimonos & JapanCultureNYC
🎌 Under the patronage of Japan Village
Main Highlights
📖 Japanese Storytelling
👹 Cosplay Contest
🏮 30 Unique Vendors
BaobDraws
Sushito Clothing
Radlab Art Studio
XIseeno
Vandel M Studios
Summeresque Crochet
Partulla
CupNewdles
CleanPlum
Unlicensedkarebear
The Dark Fae Collaborative
P-GLiTCHii Studio
tiny little guys
Oishiri Sauce
Cute Tangerinie
glitched_rena
SteamCatKimono
Anubis House Productions
Kazaria3
Pucci Ropa Jewelry /Hanatural.
Crafts by Wing
Little Song’s Workshop
Natalie Anna Jacobsen – Author of Ghost Train
PlusHii Kawaii
GRINNIES /Fragrant Olive
Clucludie
JOGI NO YUME
JapanCultureNYC
Ravishing Admire
KikiPenguins
🥐 Akumu Café – Located in the courtyard in front of Panya!
🎤 Live Performers
Liana Kurogi
OMNY Taiko
Rino Day performance (Solo/Duo)
Rino Band
Let Hair Down
Edamovement Lab
Akari Village
Quantum
🏯 Brooklyn’s First Night Parade of 100 Yokai
After Dark
✨ Stay with us for AKUMUFEST AFTER DARK ✨
🎶 Live Performances • 🎭 Comedians • 🎤 Special Guests
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Get ready to scream, because the Chainsaw Man Movie Trailer will be shown at AkumuFest! swing by the Chainsaw Man booth for bloody-good giveaways (while supplies last)!
Are you brave enough to step into the chaos?
For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series. Denji worked as a Devil Hunter for the yakuza, trying to pay off the debt he inherited from his parents, until the yakuza betrayed him and had him killed. As he was losing consciousness, Denji’s beloved chainsaw-powered devil-dog, Pochita, made a deal with Denji and saved his life. This fused the two together, creating the unstoppable Chainsaw Man. Now, in a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, a mysterious girl named Reze has stepped into his world, and Denji faces his deadliest battle yet, fueled by love in a world where survival knows no rules.
VIP Pass
Step into the shadows with our exclusive VIP Pass, designed to give you the ultimate AkumuFest journey.
As a VIP, you’ll receive:
🍱 One Deluxe Bento Box – Choose from a curated selection of Japanese bento, each served with 2 classic side dishes.
🍬 Authentic Japanese Snack bag – Handpicked festival treats to enjoy throughout the day.
🥤 One Refreshing Drink – Choose from tea, soda, specialty drink or bottled water.
🎴 Up to Two Interactive Experiences – FREE – Whether you dare to take on the Cursed Experience Challenge or join the Yokai Hunt Tour, you can unlock up to two of these immersive adventures at no extra cost.
Your VIP pass doesn’t just give you food and perks—it grants you deeper access to the eerie, immersive world of AkumuFest. Enter, if you dare, by clicking here.
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!
Chainsaw Man in NYC Theaters October 24
For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
For the first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an epic, action-fueled adventure that continues the hugely popular anime series. Denji worked as a Devil Hunter for the yakuza, trying to pay off the debt he inherited from his parents, until the yakuza betrayed him and had him killed. As he was losing consciousness, Denji’s beloved chainsaw-powered devil-dog, Pochita, made a deal with Denji and saved his life. This fused the two together, creating the unstoppable Chainsaw Man. Now, in a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, a mysterious girl named Reze has stepped into his world, and Denji faces his deadliest battle yet, fueled by love in a world where survival knows no rules.
Where to Watch
Here are just a few places where you can see Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc in New York City. As you look through the screening times, make sure to check which ones are subtitled or dubbed into English.
The Devil Hunters arrive at AkumuFest!
Get ready to scream, because the Chainsaw Man Movie trailer will be shown at AkumuFest this Saturday, October 25 at Japan Village in Brooklyn! Festival Hours: 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. | After Dark: 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Plus—swing by the Chainsaw Man booth for bloody-good giveaways (while supplies last)!
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!
Course on Artists of Japanese Ancestry
Joseph Tokumasu Field, an art historian and educator, has developed CrossCurrents, an exciting new course that is centered around twentieth-century artists of Japanese ancestry.
CrossCurrents
Mondays from October 13, 2025 through November 3, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. EDT
Virtually on Zoom
Admission: $80
Joseph Tokumasu Field, an art historian and educator, has developed CrossCurrents, an exciting new course that is centered around twentieth-century artists of Japanese ancestry.
Meeting on four consecutive Monday evenings beginning October 13 through November 3, Field and attendees will deep dive into the inspiring lives and work of the selected artists: Toshiko Takaezu, Atsuko Tanaka, Miné Okubo, and Henry Sugimoto. Using the newest scholarship, this course celebrates the important contributions to visual art, design, education, and political activism of these Japanese and Japanese American luminaries.
With an emphasis on lively discussions and shared discovery, the class will occur online through Zoom and will be recorded for participants to view/review in their own time. The cost is $80, which includes the four classes along with a further reading list, class schedule, weblinks, and other provided materials. Registrants who mention JapanCulture•NYC will receive a 25% discount, bringing the total to $60! Scholarships and other accommodations are available upon request.
To register and for more information, please contact Field at joetokumasufield@gmail.com.
Course Schedule
Toshiko Takaezu
Week 01 – Monday, October 13 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Toshiko Takaezu
American artist Toshiko Takaezu (1922–2011) was born in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents Shinsa and Kama Takaezu. One of eleven children, she was raised in a traditional Japanese household whose values, as well as the surrounding Hawaiian landscape, strongly underscore her artistic practice. During her five-decade-long career, the artist worked in many media including painting, fiber, and bronze. However, her primary medium, and that for which she is best recognized, was ceramics. Takaezu was instrumental in the post-war reconceptualization of ceramics from the functional craft tradition to the realm of fine art. Her signature “closed form” merged the base form with glazed surface painting to create a unified work. From the Toshiko Takaezu Foundation
Atsuko Tanaka
Week 02 – Monday, October 20 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Atsuko Tanaka
Born in Osaka, Japan, Atsuko Tanaka (1932-2005) was an innovative artist whose work gained prominence among the flourishing postwar Japanese avant-garde. Interested in understanding the relationship between the body, space, and time, her works challenged traditional notions of art and performance. While a member of the groundbreaking Gutai group, Tanaka created Electric Dress (1956), a garment made from 200 colorful blinking light bulbs which the artist wore in performance. From the 1960s onward, Tanaka produced mainly abstract paintings with colorful compositions at once organic and ordered. From Glenstone
Miné Okubo
Week 03 – Monday, October 27 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Miné Okubo
Miné Okubo (1912-2001) remains best known as a narrator and artist of the Japanese American camp experience, most famously in her 1946 book, Citizen 13660, a graphic memoir of her confinement at Tanforan and Topaz. However, Okubo considered herself first and foremost a painter, and she devoted seven decades to perfecting her art. Her work is currently on view at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) in the exhibition Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo through January 4, 2026. From Densho
Henry Sugimoto
Week 04 – Monday, November 3 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET
Featured Artist: Henry Sugimoto
Henry Sugimoto (1900–1990), a Japanese-born artist who studied in Los Angeles and France, achieved largely posthumous fame for his paintings documenting the official wartime confinement of Japanese Americans by the U.S. government. Sugimoto lived and worked in New York City, and his works are held in many major institutions/collections. From Densho
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Immersive ONE PIECE Exhibition at Mercer Labs in Downtown NYC
Legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, unveiled ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise.
Image courtesy: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation
ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS
Thursday, October 9, 2025 through Sunday, November 30, 2025
Mercer Labs – 21 Dey Street (between Church Street and Broadway)
Admission: $75 VIP | $55 General Admission | $50 for Students, Seniors (65+), and Children (4-17)
On Thursday, October 9, legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, unveiled ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise. Taking place at Mercer Labs (21 Dey Street, in downtown Manhattan), this highly anticipated experience will open to the public through Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Based on the globally beloved and best-selling manga of all time created by Eiichiro Oda and brought to life by Toei Animation, the iconic ONE PIECE episodic series follows pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew on their epic quest to find the “One Piece,” the legendary treasure of Gol D. Roger, former King of the Pirates. Now more than 25 years since the series debuted on Japanese TV in 1999, ONE PIECE has taken its place in mainstream pop culture as one of the most successful and enduring anime franchises of all time, attracting millions of fans of all ages around the world. Today, the franchise currently spans 15 feature films, multiple video games, a trading card game, and an ever-growing catalog of licensed merchandise and location-based entertainment.
“At Mercer Labs, we’re revolutionizing the art experience — and for me, that begins with forging bold, creative alliances that shatter conventions,” says Nasir Dean, manager of special projects at Mercer Labs. “Partnering with Toei Animation on ONE PIECE was an instinctive choice — it’s a legendary brand that has ignited imaginations worldwide. Now, we’re inviting fans to immerse themselves in its universe through a dynamic fusion of culture, cutting-edge innovation, and breathtaking sensory exploration.”
“This partnership is a true meeting of worlds — legendary storytelling and next-generation technology,” said Roy Nachum, co-founder and Creative Director of Mercer Labs. “With ONE PIECE, we're not just displaying animation. We’re inviting fans to experience the artistry, imagination, and enduring spirit of the series in an entirely new way.”
Image courtesy: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation
The ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS exhibition will include exclusive installations, behind-the-scenes production artwork, immersive digital environments, and interactive experiences that celebrate the epic saga of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Mercer Labs to create ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS and bring this cutting-edge immersive ONE PIECE location-based entertainment experience to fans in New York City,” said Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc. “For over 25 years, ONE PIECE has been delighting audiences of all ages around the world with the imaginative storytelling and colorful characters by Creator Eiichiro Oda. And now, ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS will offer guests an exclusive limited-time opportunity to be immersed in the world of ONE PIECE and experience it like never before. Whether an existing fan or newcomer, you will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind and truly unforgettable ONE PIECE event!”
Ticket Pricing Breakdown
VIP: $75 (includes free mochi, a customized beverage, and a commemorative poster)
General Admission: $55
Students, Seniors (65+) and Children (4-17): $50
Groups of 10+ are 10% off. For group questions, contact Groups@mercerlabs.com.
Individual tickets for ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS are on-sale now. For tickets, visit www.mercerlabs.com, or call the box office at 212-600-9009.
Mercer Labs Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
ABOUT TOEI ANIMATION
Toei Animation Inc. is based in Los Angeles and manages the distribution of Toei Animation’s top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, ONE PIECE, Digimon, Saint Seiya, and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, Toei Animation’s Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.
ABOUT MERCER LABS
Mercer Labs is a cultural institution that pushes the boundaries between art and technology. A space for experimentation and innovation, Mercer Labs is committed to redefining the museum experience, where art and technology constantly progress, serving as a center for the convergence of art, culture, and technology through immersive exhibitions, interactive experiences, and forward-thinking collaborations. As a collaborative platform, Mercer Labs fosters partnerships with artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and creatives creating an ecosystem where diverse forms of creative expression thrive. For more information, please visit www.mercerlabs.com.
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Free Tickets to Mamoru Hosoda’s SCARLET
Our friends at Film at Lincoln Center is generously extending free tickets to Scarlet by Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Digimon: The Movie) to followers of JapanCulture•NYC. The screening, part of this year’s New York Film Festival, will take place Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 9:00 p.m., so act quickly! The screening will feature a Q&A with Hosoda.
Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 9:00 p.m.
Film at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall – 1941 Broadway at W. 65th Street
Admission: Free with Special Link from Film at Lincoln Center
Our friends at Film at Lincoln Center is generously extending free tickets to Scarlet by Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Digimon: The Movie) to followers of JapanCulture•NYC. The screening, part of this year’s New York Film Festival, will take place Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 9:00 p.m., so act quickly! The screening will feature a Q&A with Hosoda. To redeem your free tickets, please visit this special promo link from Film at Lincoln Center. PLEASE NOTE: If the ticket reservation page indicates a price, click the PROMO button on the top-right portion of the screen (to the left of the shopping cart icon) and enter Promo Code 2840.
Refunds cannot be issued on previously purchased tickets. All tickets are subject to availability. Please arrive 15 minutes before the screening.
Still from Scarlet, a Sony Pictures Classic Release
About Scarlet
Mamoru Hosoda | 2025 | 111 minutes | Japanese with English subtitles
In his towering new achievement, animator-director Mamoru Hosoda transports viewers to jaw-dropping fantasy worlds, combining weighty Shakespearean themes with wondrous anime imagery as he conjures a phantasmal riff on Hamlet.
After attempting to avenge the brutal death of her father at the hands of her power-hungry uncle Claudius in 16th-century Elsinore, the princess Scarlet awakes in the Land of the Dead. In this forbidding purgatory of mountains and desert, governed by a powerful godlike dragon, Scarlet must fight for her own soul and body while still vowing to defeat Claudius. Yet her plans are complicated by the presence of the handsome Hijiri, a saintly hospital nurse from our contemporary world who refuses to accept that he’s dead—or that revenge can end history’s cycles of violence.
Hosoda has made an epic fantasy that weighs the human impulse for revenge against the need for care, forgiveness, and survival.
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Learn About Historic Japanese Farmhouses
The Kominka Preservation Alliance is hosting a free seminar entitled Giving Japanese Kominka Farmhouses & Other Traditional Structures a Second Life in Japan & Overseas at RESOBOX.
The Kominka Preservation Alliance Seminar
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
RESOBOX – 91 E. 3rd Street (at 1st Avenue)
Admission: Free
The Kominka Preservation Alliance is hosting a free seminar entitled Giving Japanese Kominka Farmhouses & Other Traditional Structures a Second Life in Japan & Overseas at RESOBOX. Japan’s kominka (traditional farmhouses), kura (storehouses), and other heritage wooden structures represent centuries of craftsmanship, local culture, and community life. Yet many of these architectural treasures face demolition due to depopulation, changing lifestyles, and economic pressures.
Image credit: Hotaruan Kayabuki Minka owned by Haruo Nishio
What the Seminar Will Explore
The history, cultural significance, and unique architecture of kominka
Traditional materials and time-tested building methods
Current challenges and preservation efforts in Japan
Experiences of living and working in a rural kominka
Creative reuse in Japan and abroad—from homes to guesthouses and cultural spaces
Stories of relocating and restoring kominka and kura storehouses
Practical ways for individuals and communities to get involved
This seminar welcomes anyone with an interest in Japan’s culture and heritage—from traditional architecture and craft to rural life and community revitalization. It will offer both inspiration and practical insights into the preservation and creative reuse of Japan’s historic wooden structures. The event is free, but space is limited, so reservations are required. To register, scan the QR in the graphic below or visit kominkapreservationalliance.com.
About the Kominka Preservation Alliance
The Kominka Preservation Alliance is a collaborative platform dedicated to preserving Japan’s traditional architecture, crafts, and rural communities through a wide range of events, initiatives, and activities. To learn more, please visit their website.
The Kominka Preservation Alliance Members
Kominka Collective | kominkacollective.com | contact@kominkacollective.com
Toda Komuten | todasanchi.com | kou-toda@todasanchi.com
Kominka North America | kominkanorthamerica.com | info@kominkanorthamerica.com
Minka Preservation Society | minkasociety.com | info@minkasociety.com
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New Ramen Website to Host First Meetup
Best Ramen NYC to host its first meetup at Marufuku Ramen
Best Ramen NYC Meetup – Marufuku Ramen
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Marufuku Ramen NYC – 92 2nd Avenue (between 5th and 6th Streets)
Admission: Free
Best Ramen NYC is hosting its first meetup at Marufuku! Marufuku serves authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen: rich pork broth, ultra-thin noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu.
The small group will meet to share bowls, swap recommendations, and connect with fellow ramen lovers in New York. Admission is free, with guests covering their own food and drinks.
This event the first meetup in Best Ramen NYC’s monthly ramen series, where they’ll spotlight different ramen shops across the city. To RSVP, please visit Best Ramen NYC’s website.
Marufuki Ramen from Best Ramen NYC
About Best Ramen NYC
Best Ramen NYC is a new website dedicated to sharing knowledge about, well, the best ramen in NYC! Explore featured restaurants, editor’s picks, and various ramen categories from vegetarian options to late-night spots to wallet-friendly offerings. Learn more at ramen-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!
Kanpai in NYC: 6 Ways to Toast World Sake Day
Celebrate World Sake Day at six different events in NYC
From Pairings to Parties, Here’s Where to Sip Sake This October
October marks the beginning of the sake brewing season in Japan, arriving just after the September rice harvest and leading into winter, the ideal time for fermentation. In 1978, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association officially designated October first as Nihonshu no Hi, or World Sake Day.
Here are six fantastic events in New York where sake lovers can raise a glass and say “Kanpai!” to the rich traditions of Japanese sake.
How will you celebrate World Sake Day?
SAKE DAY 2025 at Bin Bin Sake
29 Norman Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $10 - $15
Greenpoint-based Bin Bin Sake, a liquor store specializing in sake and natural wine, will host its second World Sake Day celebration.
Highlights
Tickets include admission, unlimited tastes of sake, a small ochoko (ceramic sake tasting cup), and a special discount at the bin bin shop for take-home bottles
Each sake being poured has been selected by the Bin Bin team in collaboration with its distributors, showcasing the team’s favorite products
Vendor market featuring incredible local art and Japanese crafts, as well as a food vendor and DJ
Go to Bin Bin’s Eventbrite page to purchase tickets.
Sake Revolution Podcast
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.-ish
6:00 p.m. – Taproom Opens
7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. – LIVE Sake Revolution recording
9:00 p.m.-ish – Taproom closes
Brooklyn Kura – 34 34th Street, Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Admission: $15
Be part of a LIVE studio audience recording of America's first sake podcast, Sake Revolution! Hosts John Puma and Timothy Sullivan will be live and in person at the Brooklyn Kura taproom and invite you to join in the studio audience.
Highlights
Interview and sake tasting with Byron Stithem, owner and master brewer of Proper Sake in Nashville, Tennessee. Guests will taste two kinds of Stithem's sake and explore his philosophy and point of view on the making of his unique and delicious brand.
Audience members will be able to submit questions to be answered live during the broadcast
Purchase tickets at Brooklyn Kura’s website. Admission includes admission for one, plus two tasting pours of sake. Snacks and additional sake will be available for purchase.
World Sake Day NYC
Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
The W Loft Rooftop – 240 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Admission: $65
The mission of World Sake Day NYC is to elevate awareness and appreciation of the rich history, dedicated people, and vibrant culture behind Japanese craft sake. This annual event brings guests face-to-face with the artisans and experts of the sake world, offering a unique opportunity to taste, learn, and connect directly with the makers of this traditional beverage.
Highlights
Premium sakes from more than 30 Japan and US breweries
Admission includes 15 tasting tickets, souvenir sake glass, and tote bag
Complimentary Bluefin Sampling Curated Japanese food vendors ($10–$20 per dish)
Meet Michelin Starred Sommelier Steve Kim of Restaurant l'abeille
Original cocktail designed by award-winning bartender Takuma Watanabe of Martiny's
Exclusive catering of Japanese appetizers and snacks by Tabetomo
Installation art by Ikuma design
Portraits pop-up by Japanese artists Hiroshi Masuda and Remi Yamamoto
Asian artisanal vendor market with crafts, ceramics, candles and more
To see the complete list of participating brewers and to purchase tickets, please visit World Sake Day NYC’s website.
Kato Sake Works Sake Day Party
Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m.
Kato Sake Works – 379 Troutman Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Admission: Free (sake for sale)
Kato Sake Works, a small but mighty craft sake brewery in Bushwick, will celebrate World Sake Day with music, food, art, and a brand new sake. The event will serve as KSW’s official launch NY Jizake (NY Local Sake), a Junmai sake made with Akitakomachi rice grown by Great Joy Family Farm in Pine Bush, New York.
For more information, please visit @katosakeworks on Instagram or their website.
Sake Day Brooklyn 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura – 34 34th Street, Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Admission: $50
Since one Sake Day celebration isn’t enough, Brooklyn Kura is hosting a Community Sake Day at their taproom in Industry City.
Highlights
Premium Sake Tasting all night
Interactive Brewery Tour
Shizuku Drip: Taste freshly dripped sake
DJ playing all night
Raffles and giveaways for sake classes and swag
Food pop ups in the courtyard
There will be two rounds of tastings, each featuring dozens of brands. Sake distributors will also be on hand to pour sake from all over Japan.
Premium Sake Tasting Round 1 – 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Dassai
Heavensake
Kato Sake Works
Komé Collective
Mutual Trading
Proper Sake
Sake Discoveries
Skurnik Wines & Spirits
World Sake Imports
Premium Sake Tasting Round 2 – 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura
Hakkaisan
Joto Sake
Kikusui
Niigata Sake Selections
Origami Sake
Wismettac
To purchase tickets, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.
SAKECON
Friday, October 10, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The Mezzanine – 55 Broadway, New York
Admission: $85-$120
Round out the Sake Day (week+) at SAKECON, presented by Upstairs NYC, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting friendly relations between New York and other countries through cultural exchanges.
Highlights
Theme: All White – Dress in white (not required) as a nod to “shinpaku,” the snow-white center of sake rice
Ultimate Premium Sake Selections: More than 40 breweries and 65 sake
Free sample of Dassai Blue Sake Mille Crêpes by Lady M (while supplies last)
Mouthwatering Japanese food and special cocktails by NR (Food is available for purchase)
Japanese marketplace
Original sake glass that is yours to keep
Giveaway: Original Izak Zenou tote bag
Live Entertainment: DJ and LED Electric Violin performance by global artist Sarina The Violin Diva
Part of the proceeds will be donated to sake breweries in Ishikawa Prefecture, impacted by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Upstairs NYC’s website.
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!
What’s the Latest at Expo 2025 in Osaka?
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Expo 2025 Talk #6: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Thursday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. PT | Friday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, since it began in April. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this fascinating global event.
In Talk #6, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 30! She will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!
🚀 Taking the Expo Conversation Across Platforms
Since our last talk in early September, Yvonne has shared her Expo insights through a variety of media outlets. Check them out:
📰 Featured in an article on Forbes.com
🎙️ Guest on Joan Michelson’s Electric Ladies podcast
💻 Guest on the Engaging Virtual Meetings Podcast with John Chen, where she discussed everything from architecture to technology at the Expo
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-6withcross-culturalcon7378471677707309056/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up on YouTube and LinkedIn
Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/
Talk 5: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/
All About Yvonne
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
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!
Shunzo Ohno Presents “Soaring Higher” at Joe’s Pub
Internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter and composer Shunzo Ohno returns to The Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. with the debut of his bold new project, Soaring Higher.
Soaring Higher – Shunzo Ohno in Concert
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Joe’s Pub – 425 Lafayette Street
Admission: $40
Internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter and composer Shunzo Ohno returns to The Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. with the debut of his bold new project, Soaring Higher. Known for his fearless artistry and transformative sound, Ohno has long been regarded as one of the most influential trumpeters of our time. With Soaring Higher, Ohno explores resilience, transformation, and joy through tender melodies, euphoric funk, and global rhythms. The evening promises an immersive journey where bold innovation meets heartfelt soul.
Ohno will be joined by an all-star ensemble: Clifford Carter (keys), Thierry Arpino (drums), Kip Sophos (bass), Quintin Zoto (guitar), SUNY Music Conservatory graduate Sasha Ono (cello), and the extraordinary Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista. Together the genre-defying dynamic powerhouse ensemble transcends categories, crafting a live experience of fearless musical exploration.
To purchase tickets, please visit The Public Theater’s website. There is a two-drink or one-food minimum per person.
Jazz visionary Shunzo Ohno. Photo by Crystabelle Tan.
About Shunzo Ohno
Born in Gifu, Japan, Shunzo Ohno began playing trumpet at age 13 and by 19 was already Japan’s leading jazz trumpeter. His career took flight under the mentorship of legendary bandleader Art Blakey, leading to collaborations with jazz greats including Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Machito’s Afro-Cuban Orchestra. He is featured on Grammy Award–winning recordings with both Machito and Gil Evans and has released 16 albums as a leader and appeared on more than 30 as a sideman.
Ohno’s journey is extraordinary—not only a testament to musical mastery but to the human spirit itself. Having survived a devastating car accident in 1988 and, years later, a life-threatening battle with throat cancer, he reimagined both his technique and his artistic vision, forging a sound that is uniquely his own—one that resonates with resilience and hope. His inspiring story is captured in the film Never Defeated: The Shunzo Ohno Story, narrated by long-time friend Buster Williams.
Ohno is a recipient of numerous international awards for his contributions to the global music culture. For the past 14 years, Shunzo has made annual visits to Northern Japan, supporting communities affected by the earthquake/tsunami, demonstrating the power of music.
Ohno continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his artistry, advocacy, and unwavering spirit. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening with one of jazz’s most fearless innovators.
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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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Yamazaki Home Sale at Japan Village
At Japan Village: Shop Yamazaki Home designs at exclusive prices for three days only!
Yamazaki Home Open-Box Sale
Friday, September 5, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The LOFT at Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd floor)
Shop Yamazaki Home designs at exclusive prices for three days only!
Japan Village in Brooklyn is hosting a rare opportunity to shop Yamazaki Home favorites at 40–60% off. Discover minimal, thoughtful design at exclusive price points, only while supplies last!
From entryway essentials to kitchen must-haves, explore a curated selection of open-box items priced at just $5 to $100 (+ tax). Quantities are limited. Arrive early for the best selection.
From yamazakihome.com
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Gardens for Peace at BBG
As part of the North American Japanese Garden Association’s annual Gardens for Peace project, which brings communities together in Japanese gardens to promote peace, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is presenting free public programming in and around the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.
Gardens for Peace
Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden – 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
Free with Garden Admission: $24.22 | $17.52 Seniors and Students | Free for Children under 12
As part of the North American Japanese Garden Association’s annual Gardens for Peace project, which brings communities together in Japanese gardens to promote peace, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is presenting free public programming in and around the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.
Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Photo from bbg.org
Related Activities
Japanese Garden Mini Tours
Tours run every fifteen minutes between 11:00 a.m. and noon
Meet at Duck Landing, next to Viewing Pavilion.
Enjoy a peaceful stroll through one of BBG’s best-known specialty gardens. These 15-minute tours highlight the Japanese garden elements in this historic garden designed by Takeo Shiota in 1914.
Drop-in Japanese Woodblock Printing
From noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Viewing Pavilion
Try your hand at woodblock printing with Sato Yamamoto, a Japanese artist inspired by culture and diversity. Choose from patterns by Sato or the Gardens for Peace pattern, designed by Toshiko Tanaka, an A-bomb survivor and advocate for world peace.
Gardens for Peace pattern, designed by Toshiko Tanaka, an A-bomb survivor and advocate for world peace
Shamisen Variation
At noon at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Viewing Pavilion
Enjoy a relaxing traditional Japanese shamisen variation.
Koto Performance
1:00 p.m. at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Viewing Pavilion
Stroll the Japanese Garden paths as you listen to a traditional style koto performance.
Bonsai Mini Drop-In Tours
1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum
Drop by to talk with trained Garden Guides about BBG’s bonsai collection, view season standouts, and ask questions. Get hands-on at the special interactive station featuring tools, pots, and trees from BBG’s Education collection.
Details
Gardens for Peace is free with admission to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. No registration is necessary to join the activities. To purchase tickets, please visit BBG’s website. Tours can be canceled due to inclement weather, so check BBG’s website for updates.
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Outdoor Concert & market in the Catskills
Momoglobalflowers, a biodynamic farm in the Catskills, is hosting its fifth annual Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) outdoor concert and market. Enjoy an evening of music, food, and local artisans surrounded by the beauty and nature of the farm.
Momoglobal Flowers 5th Annual Shinrinyoku Outdoor Concert and Market
Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (Rain Date: Sunday, September 7)
Momoglobalflowers Farm – 414 Swiss Hill Road, Jeffersonville, NY 12748
Admission: $30 | Free for children under 15 | Dogs are welcome
Momoglobalflowers, a biodynamic farm in the Catskills, is hosting its fifth annual Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) outdoor concert and market. Enjoy an evening of music, food, and local artisans surrounded by the beauty and nature of the farm.
The ticket includes a free tasting of Dassai Sake, an Uji Kyoto ice shake matcha with oat milk and koji by Damdam Tokyo, and a free tasting by Aaron Burr Cidery. To purchase tickets, please visit Momoglobal’s Eventbrite page or pay cash at the door.
Schedule and Activities
The Market opens at 3:00 p.m. for free workshops and shopping.
Mini-Ikebana workshop by Kaya Abe
Japanese calligraphy by Yuka Sudo
Origami by Izzy Yang
Keiko Pottery
Te Plus Te Hinoki body care
Peaboy and Mitsu tie dye
Herbal soap by Manami collaboration.
Guided meditation by Miriam Hernandez at 4:00 p.m. before the concert begins
Suikawari (watermelon splitting) at 9:00 p.m.
Musical Artists
Singer/songwriter Monday Michiru
Jazz pianist Misha Tsiganov with his trio
Andrew Pertulis playing handpan
Electronic musician Rikitaro Suzuki
Rap artist The Mighty Cobra
Food and Beverage Vendors
Ice shake with matcha from Uij, Kyoto, by Damdam
Japanese handmade sweets by Diane
Japanese dried plums and treats by Mimaki Umeboshi Miwa
Filipino food by Nais Cassy Shu
Bibimbus Kai a Korean food truck
Ohmammy Mami Japanese curry
Desserts by Vesurce
Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on and a bag to carry out your trash. For more information, please follow @momoglobalflowers on Instagram.
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Calligraphy Master Leads Workshop at Brooklyn Kura
Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!
Japanese Calligraphy Workshop with Rihaku Inoue
Sunday, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura – 36 34th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn
Admission: $109.96
Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!
This Sunday, Brooklyn Kura hosts a special afternoon of mindfulness, calligraphy, sake, and sushi in collaboration with Japanese Calligraphy Master RIHAKU.
Welcome the season of early autumn through brush, ink, and flavor. The theme of this workshop is the Zen-inspired phrase: 「ひと葉落ちて 秋を知る」Hitoha ochite Aki wo shiru. (When a single leaf falls, the world senses the coming of autumn.)
Guided by RIHAKU, participants will slow down, align breath with brush, and experience the meditative rhythm of Japanese calligraphy. Writing this seasonal phrase becomes a practice of mindfulness—quieting the mind, noticing subtle transitions, and embracing the present moment.
RIHAKU (center, in kimono) leads a calligraphy workshop at Brooklyn Kura
Each guest will create their own unique piece on traditional Japanese washi paper, to be taken home as a personal keepsake of calm and clarity.
This mindful journey will be paired with a tasting of Brooklyn Kura’s premium sake, along with casual futomaki rolls and inari prepared by Sushi Chef Yoshihiko Kousaka. His simple yet refined sushi will complement the spirit of the workshop, grounding the senses in flavor and seasonality.
To register, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.
About Rihaku Inoue
Rihaku is a New York–based Japanese calligraphy artist and founder of RIHAKU New York. She pioneers “3D Calligraphy,” blending classical brush techniques with projection mapping and VR. She has collaborated with Michelin-starred restaurants, cultural institutions, Brooklyn Kura, and in 2025 she led a mindful calligraphy workshop sponsored by JP Morgan. Her large-scale calligraphy performance at Japan’s Todaiji National Temple garnered national media coverage. Her mission is to share the timeless spirit of Japanese calligraphy across cultures, fusing tradition with innovation. Follow her on Instagram at @rierihaku.
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JapanCulture•NYC & Kaede Kimonos to host Pre-Halloween Bash
Kaede Kimonos and JapanCultureNYC are thrilled to announce we’re collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! On Saturday, October 25, Japan Village will come alive with Yokai in this immersive celebration of Japanese horror, fashion, folklore, and fandom.
AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience
Kaede Kimonos and JapanCulture•NYC are thrilled to announce we’re collaborating to present AkumuFest: An Interactive Japanese Horror Experience! On Saturday, October 25, Japan Village will come alive with Yokai in this immersive celebration of Japanese horror, fashion, folklore, and fandom.
AkumuFest merges Japanese horror aesthetics with modern fandom through immersive storytelling, folklore-inspired fashion, and interactive experiences. Attendees are invited to dress in Japanese horror cosplay, kimono, or original yokai-themed attire.
Event Details
📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025
🕘 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm
🌑 AkumuFest After Dark: 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
📍 Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
🎟️ Admission: Free
Presented By
👘 Kaede Kimonos & Japan Culture NYC
🎌 Under the patronage of Japan Village
Main Highlights
📖 Japanese Storytelling
👹 Cosplay Contest
🏮 Unique Vendors
🎤 Live Performers
🏯 Brooklyn’s First Night Parade of 100 Yokai
After Dark
✨ Stay with us for AKUMUFEST AFTER DARK ✨
🎶 Live Performances • 🎭 Comedians • 🎤 Special Guests
Register
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, vendor, performer, or participant, please contact us! Email susan@japanculture-nyc.com with “AkumuFest Info” in the subject line.
Night Parade Volunteer Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6GIn96Mc4KowUnT90n8-lLrudaDLN5NhYwzecaJ4ITjZmHg/viewform
We’ll have more details and registration forms available soon, so please stay tuned!
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!
Explaining Expo: LinkedIn Live with Yvonne Burton
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Expo 2025 Talk #5: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT | Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
At the Heart of Expo: Countries and Connections
In Talk #5, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 20! With two months remaining in the international exposition, how is Yvonne planning her final visits? Will she reveal her agenda?
Yvonne will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar! 💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/theater/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up here
Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
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!
Staged Reading on Hiroshima Bombing
This production of The Face of Jizo is unique as Miyake will read alongside her father; they are both descendants of survivors of Hiroshima's atomic bombing.
THE FACE OF JIZO 父と暮せば Project
Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Downtown Art – 70 E. 4th Street (between Bowery and 2nd Avenue)
Admission: Free
This year, we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In recognition of this event having impacted not only Japan, but the world over, New York-based actor Yuriko Miyake is presenting the play The Face of Jizo by Hisashi Inoue. The play specifically revolves around the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Subtitles will be provided by Roger Pulvers, the translator and filmmaker who worked on the translation of this piece. This production is unique as Miyake will read alongside her father; they are both descendants of survivors of Hiroshima's atomic bombing. Together they will share a staged reading of this masterfully crafted work.
Admission is free, but registration is required. RSVP through Eventbrite. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
An Extraordinary Reading in NYC: “The Face of Jizo” by Hisashi Inoue—Performed by a Real Parent and Child from Hiroshima
This summer in New York City, witness a rare and deeply moving staged reading of The Face of Jizo (Chichi to Kuraseba), a powerful play written by acclaimed Japanese playwright Hisashi Inoue.
What makes this performance extraordinary?
It is brought to life not by actors alone—but by a real-life father and daughter from Hiroshima, the very city where the story is set.
Performed in the heart of a nuclear-armed nation, this reading offers a poignant reflection on memory, grief, love, and resilience across generations. Despite its harrowing context—the aftermath of the atomic bombing—the story gently unfolds as a beautiful portrayal of a father’s quiet love and a daughter’s quiet sorrow.
Whether you are drawn to literature, history, peace activism, or simply human stories told with grace—this is a rare opportunity to experience a masterpiece of postwar Japanese theater in an intimate and powerful way.
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!
Dassai Sake Series Continues at Japan Society
Dassai Sake Series at Japan Society: Conversation with Dassai Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki, entrepreneur and CEO of Benihana of Tokyo
Dassai Sake Series: Benihana and Beyond
Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m. (Please arrive by 6:45 p.m.)
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $45 | $35 Japan Society members
Join Dassai Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki, entrepreneur and CEO of Benihana of Tokyo, for a talk about the past, present, and future of both organizations. Both leaders will engage in a dialogue around the themes of “Challenge” and “Innovation,” discussing how they blend yesterday and tomorrow with the goal of rising to the modern world.
How are we defined by our history, and what is our obligation to it? What are the realities of the U.S.-Japan world today and new dangers and opportunities within it? Is there a future without innovation? How can one create change within a historic organization? And what are the needs to create real revolution? Japan Society invites you to spend the evening with Hiroshi Sakurai and Keiko Ono Aoki to hear their answers.
To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.
About the Dassai Sake Series
The Dassai Sake Series is an ongoing lecture series pairing thought and business leaders from across the U.S.-Japan world together onstage with festive sake celebrations. The Dassai brand is built around the goal of bringing revolution to the sake industry, and the Dassai Sake Series is similarly focused on engaging conversations with U.S.-Japan leaders who have created their own revolutions—each concluding with celebratory networking receptions and kampai toasts to their success.
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!
Tak Furumoto: From Tule Lake to Hiroshima to Vietnam
Conversation with Tak Furumoto and Mayu Nakamura about Tule Lake, Hiroshima, and Vietnam
UPDATE: The original post stated that admission is $10 for non-USJC members, but this event is FREE to everyone! If you’d like to make a donation to USJC, please visit the organization’s donation page. JapanCulture•NYC regrets the error.
A Conversation with Tak Furumoto and NHK World Japan’s Mayu Nakamura
Tuesday, July 22 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) | Live Stream from 6:00 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.
New York Buddhist Church – 331-332 Riverside Drive (between W. 105 and W. 106 Streets)
Admission: Free
The New York & Vicinity region of the U.S.-Japan Council is hosting a timely discussion, in person at the New York Buddhist Church and virtually.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In recognition, NHK recently produced Raised in Hiroshima, Fought in Vietnam, a documentary profiling New York-based entrepreneur, Vietnam veteran, and activist Takeshi Furumoto. You can watch the documentary in English here (free) and in Japanese here (fee required).
The film’s director, Mayu Nakamura, will join Furumoto for a special behind-the-scenes conversation. Akemi Ooka, the executive producer and narrator of the Emmy award-winning film Three Boys Manzanar, will moderate.
Furumoto will reflect on his extraordinary life journey — from being born in the Tule Lake concentration camp to growing up in Hiroshima after the atomic bombing and later serving in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Nakamura will share insights into the making of the documentary and the importance of preserving stories like Furumoto’s, particularly in the context of today’s global challenges.
Following the conversation, in-person attendees will have an opportunity to network over light refreshments.
To register for this event, please send an email to membership@usjapancouncil.org.
For more information, please visit USJC’s website.
(Please note: The author is a member of U.S.-Japan Council and serves on the Communications Committee of the New York & Vicinity region.)
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!