All programs are open for registration on August 1st of each year for the upcoming season. Each season runs from October through the summer of the next year.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Children's Day
Come join us to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) by making a flying paper helicopter modeled after the Japanese traditional toy, take tombo (bamboo dragonflies) and a flying carp, called koinobori.
11:00AM, Saturday, May 2, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Japanese Traditional Music Instrument
Koto Demonstration
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn the fascinating history of this exquisite instrument and listen to its captivating and tranquil sounds demonstrated by intermediate koto students.
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Speaker Series: A Brief History of Yōkai
Talk by Author Zack Davisson
From Godzilla to Pokémon, Japan is monster country. And all of Japan's monsters have their roots in the bizarre menagerie of creatures called yōkai. Noted monster scholar and yōkai folklorist Zack Davisson guides you through the history behind yōkai; a journey from the invisible monsters of the Heian period to the yōkai catalogs of Edo. A book signing with Zack Davisson will follow the lecture.
Adult Workshop
Kyudo: The Basics of Japanese Archery 101 Workshop
The beginners Kyudo workshop will provide an introduction to the equipment used for Kyudo practice as well as the training attire. Those attending will receive instruction in the 8 basic stages required for the correct shooting of a bow. This includes posture, form, and shooting stance. Please note that participants will not be shooting an actual bow and arrow in this workshop, but will be using a Kyudo rubber bow as a beginner.
Adult Workshop
The Art of Carving - Chopsticks
Hashi, the Japanese word for chopsticks, are an essential part of dining across Asia, designed for precision and balance. Unlike Western utensils, chopsticks encourage a more mindful eating experience, requiring dexterity and a connection to the food. Their form is simple yet elegant, with variations in shape and material reflecting regional traditions and culinary uses.
Adult 2-Day Workshop
Indigo Katazome Workshop
Katazome is a Japanese resist process used for hundreds of years in Japanese textiles. Traditional artisans created a resist paste made from a rice flour mixture and applied it to cloth through the use of elaborately hand-carved stencils. Where ever this paste is applied will resist the dye, creating a pattern. Traditionally katazome is dyed with indigo to create the traditional white and blue of many Japanese textiles.
Sado: Tea Ceremony Workshop
Omotesenke School
This workshop teaches the basics of sadō – The Way of Tea – necessary to understand the aesthetics of sadō and to fully enjoy the tea ceremony itself. Participants become familiar with how to participate as a guest, how to make a bowl of tea, and serve it.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Father's Day Tops
Beware of flying bats this Halloween! Learn how to fold your own flying komori, bat, for a spooky Halloween
12:00PM, Saturday, June 13, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Guest Artist Workshops
Youth Summer Music & Culture Camp
(Grade 3rd – 12th)
Campers will be immersed in Japanese culture participating in fun craft activities, Japanese cultural arts, and exciting music classes which include the 13-string koto (zither) and taiko drums, taught by professional musicians, Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, Koto instructor and members from the Fushu Daiko Taiko group. All materials and Instruments that campers need are provided for their use at camp.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Tanabata
Make a wish for the Star Festival, Tanabata! Write your wish on a strip of colored paper, or tanzaku, and tie it to a branch of our Tanabata bamboo to celebrate.
10:00AM, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Thursday, July 2, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Friday, July 3, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Lobby
Grade 3rd – 12th
Calligraphy Youth Workshop
Learn how to write your name and some Japanese words with ink and brush, two traditional calligraphy writing implements in this hands-on workshop.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Yōkai Mask
Journey through the world of yōkai, Japanese supernatural creatures, through our exhibition and day of fun craft activities and story telling. Make your own yōkai mask for based on spirits and creatures from Japanese folklore and much more! Come dressed as your favorite Japanese yōkai!
10:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
Yōkai Day
Journey through the world of yōkai, Japanese supernatural creatures, through our exhibition and day of fun activities. Come dressed as your favorite Japanese yōkai!
10:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Underwritten by The Rubens Family Foundation
Film: Spirited Away
A film by Toshio Suzuki, animated by Studio Ghibli
During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl, Chihiro wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Lantern Craft
Join us for Obon Weekend and make your own special paper lantern to light the night.
11:00AM, Saturday, August 15, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
Grade 3-12
Youth Workshop: The Way Of Taiko: The Heartbeat Of Japan
Traditional Drum Workshop
This workshop introduces participants to the history and practice of taiko drumming. Participants are taught how to understand sounds and movements, i.e., how to connect nature and the meaning of body movement. They will become familiar with the way of taiko and its drumming techniques.
Traditional Japanese Instrument
Koto Workshop
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn the fascinating history of this exquisite instrument and how to play it in this one-day introductory workshop. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the workshop. To further your studies on the koto, sign-up for our koto class series or summer guest artist workshops.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Dragonfly Clip
The dragonfly, called tombo in Japanese, are known to be abundant in late summer. Design and make your own dragonfly clip to hold together your important papers or a special picture.
12:00PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)