Treat yourself each month to Japanese Sweets at the JASH office. This month, enjoy Japanese wagashi made by Sweets Oyatsu.

This week’s items will include the following:

• Strawberry Mochi

• Tapioca Mochi

• Dorayaki

• Sakura Mochi

• Matcha Cheesecake

• Dango

• Banana Pecan Mochi (contains nuts)

Cashless payments will be accepted. While the sweets will be readily available to the public during the event, click the button below to contact Sweets Oyatsu directly to confirm the items that will be available and pre-order your favorite treats.

Pre-orders must be placed no later than Wednesday, April 16.

About Sweets Oyatsu:

Originally from Kyoto, Swwets Oyatsu crafts handmade, all natural and additive-free, everyday wagashi, taking special care to incorporate seasonal ingredients.

Join Japan Society of Northern California for a direct experience of Japanese aesthetics, as seen in art, architecture, and gardens. From the refined rusticity of wabi-sabi to suggestive mystery, from freedom and spontaneity in artistic expression to elegance and courtliness in manner and ritual, the Japan Society of Northern California and special guest Steve Beimel will explore these concepts as well as framing, transition, color, and general presentation that has developed over 1000 years. Beimel and his team at JapanCraft21 are passionately committed to revitalizing traditional Japanese arts. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the foundations of Japanese beauty — reserve your spot today!

This event is FREE with registration. Click the button below to register:

Event Schedule:

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

About the Speakers:

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.

April Theme: Discover Osaka

Spring 2025 is bringing an exciting event to one of Japan’s most famous cities, Osaka! Join us an origami-folding journey through Osaka’s rich culture and iconic landmarks in celebration of WORLD EXPO 2025, which opens on April 13. We will fold the cute official mascot, Myaku-myaku, the Osaka city flower, Sakura, and a Tiger, which is depicted on the main tower of Osaka Castle.

The three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy.

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。

Join Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) for the March edition of the family-friendly online Japanese home cooking class series おうちごはん! OUCHIGOHAN and cook along from your own kitchen!

On the menu this month is KOROKKE! Yes, picnic season is upon us, making it the perfect time to learn how to make one of our favorite bento box staples—korokke (コロッケ)! These crispy, golden potato spheres have a crunchy panko exterior that gives way to a soft, savory filling.

Korokke first arrived in Japan in the late 1800s, inspired by French croquettes. But with dairy being scarce at the time, potatoes took center stage as the filling. Over time, potato korokke became a beloved Yoshoku dish (Western-influenced Japanese cuisine) and remains a popular homemade comfort food and street food favorite today.

For this special Ouchigohan! program, we’re putting a fresh twist on the classic by adding edamame, in celebration of Table for Two’s #EdamameChamp Campaign—shining a spotlight on soybeans, the tasty and nutritious plant-based hero.

To make the event even more exciting, we’ll be joined by KID CHEF Mina, star of the popular YouTube channel Mina Makes, who will guide us step-by-step through creating the perfect korokke.

This family-friendly cookalong is the perfect way to kick off spring come cook with us!

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. 

About the Guest Chef:

Kid Chef Mina is the creative force behind the popular YouTube channel “Mina Makes,” where she’s on a mission to turn picky eaters into fearless food explorers. With over 150,000 subscribers and more than 65 million views, Mina’s fun, creative recipes and kid-friendly cooking challenges have inspired families around the world to step into the kitchen and try something new.

At just 8 years old, Mina wowed audiences — and even Chef Gordon Ramsay — when she cooked her way onto “MasterChef Junior.” Since then, her passion for cooking has only grown, leading to the launch of her debut cookbook, “In the Kitchen with Mina,” a collection of fun, approachable recipes designed to help kids (and parents!) cook with confidence.

From playful snacks to global flavors and exciting food experiments, Mina’s goal is simple: to prove that anyone can be a chef — no matter their age — and that every picky eater has the potential to become a fearless food explorer.

About the Instructor:

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.

About #EdamameChamp:

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.

Celebrating more than 40 years, Kodō returns to North America with ONE EARTH TOUR 2025: WARABE, a thrilling performance that revisits the ensemble’s early repertoire—blending simple forms of taiko expression that highlight its unique sound, resonance, and physicality.

With Warabe, Kodō explores the desire to play the drums with the simple heart of a child. These highly athletic drummers, bearers of a centuries-old Japanese tradition, create a universe of sound and emotion through thunderous percussion and polished theatricality.

Capturing the essence of Kodō’s early days, this family-friendly performance celebrates the ensemble’s enduring spirit as children of the drum. Come and experience the soul-stirring rhythm of life firsthand.

“Artists who appeared to have moved into a fantastical realm where the usual limits to human endeavour do not apply.”
Financial Times, London

Brought to Houston by the Performing Arts Houston.

Part of Performing Arts Houston’s Global Voices Series sponsored in part by the Elkins Foundation

Photo by Takashi Okamoto

Join JASH for an opportunity to watch our Houston SaberCats take on the San Diego Legion during International Night at SaberCats Stadium!

Come out and cheer for Houston and enjoy the opportunity to meet international players like former Tokyo Gas Rugby Football Club player Tautalatasi Tasi.

Discounted tickets for JASH members are available for a limited time through the special link below:

Kids 5 and under do not need a ticket to enter the stadium.

Are you an educator, librarian, or parent wondering how to channel children’s passion for manga and anime into their education and development?

Join the Japan Foundation New York (JFNY) for a FREE online panel as experts discuss the profound impact of these beloved media on learning and beyond, with real-world examples from the U.S. and Japan.

What You’ll Learn:

How Manga Can Inspire Creativity in Students: Learn how a high school comic book club in NYC used manga to motivate students to learn through the creation of their own manga. Discover how this unique storytelling form nurtures personal creativity and growth among young learners in the U.S.

The Role and Influence of Manga for children in Japan: Understand how manga has shaped the development of children in Japan, and the impact of environments like comic markets on the creative landscape in Japan and Asia.

Anime as a Tool for Student Engagement in Higher Education: Learn how anime can serve as a tool to keep students engaged in their studies, reduce dropout rates, and foster a sense of community and belonging on college campuses.

Q&A:

Don’t forget to submit your questions during registration—our experts, including moderator Dr. Masami Toku, will discuss them during the event!

This is a FREE event with registration. Registrants will receive the link to the stream via email. Click the button below to register:

About the Panelists:

Dr. Michael Bitz:

Michael Bitz is an innovator in education who has worked to bring creativity and arts learning to youths around the world. His programs have reached thousands of learners and have been featured by the Washington Post, New York Times, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press. He has written two books: Manga High: Literacy, Identity, and Coming of Age in an Urban High School (Harvard Education Press, 2009) and When Commas Meet Kryptonite: Classroom Lessons from the Comic Book Project (Teachers College Press, 2010). He is a Professor of Teacher Education at Ramapo College, where he also directs the Instructional Design Center.

Dr. Brent Wilson:

Brent Wilson is a professor emeritus in the School of Visual Arts at Penn State. His research includes studies of visual cultural influences on children’s artistic development, cross-cultural studies of children’s visual narratives, Japanese children’s story drawings and Japanese and Taiwanese teenagers’ dojinshi/manga and Asian comic markets. He makes and exhibits artist-books and autobiographical folios.

Emilie Waggoner:

Emilie Waggoner is the Director of Student Transitions at the University of Colorado Denver, where she also teaches courses in the First-Year Experience program, including a class she created called Anime Goes to College. Emilie is also a doctoral student in the School of Education and Human Development, researching the impact AI has on students' self-efficacy and college success skill attainment. Emilie's research interests are broad, including: Japanese anime college student fandom, student development theory, and AI, and she has presented on these topics and more at various conferences and conventions across the United States.

Dr. Masami Toku:

Masami Toku is a professor of art education at California State University, Chico. Her research interest is the cross-cultural study of children’s artistic and aesthetic developments in their pictorial worlds and how visual pop-culture influences children’s visual literacy. One of her major projects was the international touring exhibition project of Girls’ Power! Shojo Manga! (2005-2023). Toku has recently co-edited Women’s Voices in Manga: Japanese Cultural and Historical Perspectives (palgrave macmillan, 2025) with Hiromi Dollase, Vassar College.

Witness the mastery of Japan's intricate silk stencil dyeing techniques that make possible delicate patterns on kimono.

Artisans who are preserving the mastercrafts of Edo Komon and Ise Katagami will be on hand for demonstrations.

Edo Komon is the intricate silk dyeing technique that uses hand-crafted Ise Katagami washi paper stencils.

These traditional art forms, known for their delicate patterns that reveal their beauty upon closer inspection, are a testament to Japan's rich cultural heritage.

This special event is FREE and open to the public

Support comes from:

• Yasuhiko and Akemi Saitoh Foundation

• Asia Society Texas Center

•  City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department

•  Hermann Park Conservancy

• Consul-General of Japan in Houston

• Japan-America Society of Houston

• U.S.-Japan Council

• JapanCraft21

Treat yourself each month to Japanese Sweets at the JASH office. This month, enjoy Japanese wagashi made by Sweets Oyatsu.

A variety of traditional Japanese sweets will be available for purchase during the event. This week’s menu will contain the below items:

• Strawberry Mochi

• Dorayaki

• Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Mochi

• Matcha Cheesecake

• Strawberry Dango

Cashless payments will be accepted. While the sweets will be readily available to the public during the event, click the button below to contact Sweets Oyatsu directly to confirm the items that will be available and pre-order your favorite treats.

Pre-orders must be placed no later than Wednesday, March 19.

About Oyatsu Aoi:

Originally from Kyoto, Oyatsu Aoi crafts handmade, all natural and additive-free, everyday wagashi, taking special care to incorporate seasonal ingredients.

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.

March Theme: Farm Animal Origami

Rodeo season is here! Let’s celebrate and add the Japanese touch to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year by creating origami related to farm animals.

The three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy.

Make a Baby Chick, a Pig, and/or a Cow to get ready for Houston Rodeo 2025!

PROGRAM PARTNER:

“Japan Junction” is returning to the Levy Park Spring Break Family Storytime lineup.

Join us for a reading of Kumo, The Bashful Cloud by Kyo Maclear and experience a day in the life of Kumo, the shy cloud.

The book depicts Kumo’s journey to discover her place in the sky. Sprinkled with Japanese vocabulary, Kumo imparts a new appreciation for clouds and what they do while reminding readers of the importance of community and the confidence that can arise from friendship and visibility.

[Kumo, The Bashful Cloud] is a quiet satifying tale about being brave enough to take that first step. — Kirkus Reviews

Following the reading of Kumo, The Bashful Cloud, make your own floating kumo with cotton balls.

All craft supplies and instruction will be provided by the Japan-America Society of Houston.

Join us as we slow down to appreciate the ever changing and delicate beauty of nature and all the ways it inspires the imagination.

The Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

The goal of the Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest is to inspire Japanese language learners of all levels and ages to challenge themselves and improve their Japanese by providing an opportunity to demonstrate oral language communication skills. The contest also strives to bring together the Japanese and American communities to advocate for and to celebrate Japanese language learning, and to encourage students to further their understanding of Japan, its people, and its culture.

Registration for the Contest is open until Friday, February 28 at 5:00 PM. Click the button below to register:

Contest details are below:

SCHEDULE

11:30 AM | Registration

12:00 PM | Opening Ceremony

12:20 PM | Competition Part I

• Division III: Free Speech Aurora

• Division II: Haiku

<<Break>>

2:10 PM | Competition Part II

• Division I: Poetry Recitation

• Division IV: Free Speech College/University

• Division V: Free Speech OPEN

4:00 PM | Intermission

4:45 PM | Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony

Presented by:

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。

Get ready to experience the flavors of Hiroshima from the comfort of your own kitchen! Join Japan-America Society of North Carolina (JASNC) for the February edition of 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 HIROSHIMA-STYLE OKONOMIYAKI!

Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake layered with noodles, cabbage, a crepe-like base, and bean sprouts with savory sauces and delicious toppings. This interactive, family-friendly online cooking class will be led by Guest Chef Megumi (aka Meg) Gomez from Otafuku, the renowned Japanese sauce manufacturer. Meg, originally from Hiroshima, brings a deep passion for sharing authentic Japanese cuisine and will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating this iconic dish.

We are excited to partner with Table for Two and Otafuku for this unique culinary experience. Perfect for all skill levels, this program offers a fun and interactive way for families to cook together and explore Japanese cuisine.

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. 

About the Special Guest:

About the Instructor:

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.

Treat yourself each month to Japanese Sweets at the JASH office. This month, enjoy Japanese wagashi made by Oyatsu Aoi.

A variety of traditional Japanese sweets will be available for purchase by Oyatsu Aoi during the event. This week’s menu will contain the below items:

• Strawberry Mochi

• Tapioca Mochi (120g)

• Dorayaki

• Yomogi (Japanese mugwort) Mochi

• Matcha Cheesecake

• Dango

Cashless payments will be accepted. While the sweets will be readily available to the public during the event, click the button below to contact Oyatsu Aoi directly to confirm the items that will be available and pre-order your favorite treats.

Pre-orders must be placed no later than Wednesday, February 19.

About Oyatsu Aoi:

Originally from Kyoto, Oyatsu Aoi crafts handmade, all natural and additive-free, everyday wagashi, taking special care to incorporate seasonal ingredients.

The Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.

Normal business hours and classes will resume on February 18.

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.

February Theme: Valentine’s Day Hearts

Looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine's Day weekend with your family and your loved ones? Join us for a fun and creative activity: folding your own origami hearts! This event is perfect for kids and families of all ages.

The three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy.

Make a pocket heart, a two-color heart, and/or a heart within a heart!

PROGRAM PARTNER:

Treat yourself to delicious baked goods from Houston’s#1 authentic Japanese baker Sugar and Wheat Authentic Japanese Bakery.

Payment can be made by cash or card. While the sweets will be readily available to the public during the event, click the button below to contact Sugar and Wheat directly to confirm the items that will be available and pre-order your favorite treats.

This month’s menu is:

• Garlic cheese sausage bread

• Corn mayonnaise bread

• Strawberry sandwich roll

• Chocolate sandwich roll

• Melon bread

• Chocolate melon bread

• Strawberry and white chocolate scones

Pre-orders must be placed no later than Wednesday, February 12.

Japanese language learners of all levels and ages in the Greater Houston area are invited to demonstrate their oral Japanese communication skills for a chance to compete at the Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest at the 2025 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest. 

The contest strives to bring together the Japanese and American communities to advocate for and to celebrate Japanese language learning, and to encourage students to further their understanding of Japan, its people, and its culture.

For more information on contest divisions, format, eligibility and rules, please review the contest handbook.

Registration for the Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest is now OPEN. Click the button below to register:

COMPETITION SCHEDULE (subject to change)

• 11:30AM | REGISTRATION

• 12:00PM | OPENING CEREMONY

• 12:30PM | COMPETITION

• 12:30PM | DIVISION 3 – FREE SPEECH HIGH SCHOOL AURORA

• 2:20PM | DIVISION 1 – POETRY

• 2:40PM | DIVISION 2 - HAIKU

• 2:55PM | DIVISION 4 – FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

• 4:00PM | CLOSING CEREMONY & AWARDS PRESENTATION

Sponsored by:

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。

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE 2024 FALL GARDEN CLEANUP HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 25, 2025.

Every fall, we come together to ensure the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park looks its best!

From cleaning the teahouse to pulling weeds and clearing ball moss -- 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.

Each volunteer must register individually. Please fill out the form below to register:

毎年恒例になりました、秋の日本庭園清掃が、1月25日（土）午前9時より Hermann Park内日本庭園で行われます。当日は、清掃に必要な道具は公園側で用意されております。公園スタッフの指導のもと、楽しく作業をする予定です。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！

グループで参加をご希望の場合も、お申し込みはお1人ずつお願い致します。

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Treat yourself to delicious baked goods from Houston’s#1 authentic Japanese baker Sugar and Wheat Authentic Japanese Bakery.

Payment can be made by cash or card. While the sweets will be readily available to the public during the event, click the button below to contact Sugar and Wheat directly to confirm the items that will be available and pre-order your favorite treats.

Pre-orders must be placed no later than Wednesday, January 22.

The Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Japanese private tutoring sessions and group Japanese classes have also been cancelled.

Normal business hours and classes will resume on January 21.

Every year, more than 25,000 racers from across the globe descend upon Houston for the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon.

As runners tackle Houston’s highly acclaimed course, JASH will be joining the more than 250,000 supporters and spectators in sharing Houston’s hospitality.

Come help us cheer on the runners to the finish line in Japanese fashion!

JASH has been placed on MILE 7 of the course at the intersection of Bissonnet & Hazard in front of Picnic Box Lunches. Please click here to view the 2025 course map with road closures. 

To join the JASH HOOPLA BRIGADE, please complete the form below. 

Should you wish to register as a group, please contact Ikuyo Katayama at ikatayama@jas-hou.org.

We look forward to seeing you on January 19!

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.

January Theme: New Year Resolution Origami

Looking for a fun way to make a New Year’s resolution or shinnen-no hofu? Join the monthly “Family Fold” at Evelyn’s Park for a unique way to commit to your 2025 goals!

As the YEAR OF THE SNAKE begins, drive away bad luck and wish for good with origami.

The three (3) origami patterns ranging from beginner to advanced are available for participants to enjoy.

Make an ema, a daruma, and/or a snake!

PROGRAM PARTNER: