3月3日の桃の節句（ひな祭り）の日には縁起の良い食材がたっぷり使われたお祝い食の 「ちらし寿司」 が欠かせません。見た目が大変華やかな「ちらし寿司」は、3月の明るい気候にぴったりなご馳走でしょう。 ちらし寿司は、関東と関西では特徴を異にします。 関東では器に酢飯を入れ、その上にエビやマグロなどの寿司ネタをきれいに乗せます。通常一人前ずつ盛り付けてあります。デンバー界隈の日本食レストランでもこのタイプのちらし寿司をよく見ます。このタイプのちらし寿司は、古くは江戸時代の大奥でも祝い膳として親しまれていた記録があるそうです。 関西ではいわゆる五目寿司がちらし寿司と呼ばれることが多く、酢飯に具材を混ぜた後、錦糸卵や海苔の細切りがトッピングされています。 大皿に盛り付けて、皆で分けて食べるスタイルとなっています。
Every year for more than a decade, for a few days in early summer, the skies near Denver have been filled with colorful magic. Hundreds of kites—some with intricate designs, others simple colored diamond shapes with long tails—have delighted children and adults alike. These kites were inspired and created under the guidance of Edo Kite Master Mikio Toki , who visited Colorado annually from his town of Chiba, Japan. At the invitation of the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC), Master Toki shared his love of kite making and its place in Japanese culture with Coloradans of all ages from 2014 through 2025, inspiring the creation of over 6,400 kites over the years.
クリスマスといってもアメリカとは違い、この日は祭日ではなく普通の平日です。日本ではクリスマスは宗教的な位置づけではなく、季節のイベントとして楽しむようになっています。日本でのクリスマスの過ごし方は、家族または友人と一緒にローストチキンやクリスマスケーキを食べながら、クリスマスという特別な日を楽しみます。 ほかには、恋人とデートをしたり、プレゼント交換するなどが一般的です。現在ではクリスマスイブが大変重要視されており、カップルで豪華ディナーを楽しみ、告白やプロポーズをする絶好の日となっています。ですので、全国の高級レストランは、カップルがキャンドルライトのディナーを求めて予約でいっぱいになります。商業施設や公園などは夜になると光にあふれます。工夫を凝らした幻想的で美しいイルミネーションが人びとをロマンチックな気分にさせるのかもしれません。さて、日本のクリスマスケーキは、パティシェが腕を振るった美しいデコレーションケーキです。土台はスポンジで、ホイップクリームがふんだんに使われ、真っ赤なイチゴがトッピングされているケーキが主流です。ケーキ屋はもとより、セブンイレブンなどのコンビニでさえクリスマスケーキの予約ができます。クリスマスケーキともう一つ欠かせないのがKFCのチキンです。KFCは1970年代にマーケティングキャンペーンを行い、「クリスマスにはケンタッキー」を国民に根付かせることを見事に成功させました。アメリカと違い七面鳥を食べる習慣は日本にはないので、チキンは最適なディナーなのでしょう。人々はKFCのクリスマスディナーを確保するために、数週間または数ヶ月前に注文を入れます。12月26日になると、クリスマスケーキもチキンも人びとの生活から見事に消え去り、日本の伝統的なお正月に向けての準備が進められます。クリスマス時期に日本を訪問する際はぜひ日本独自のクリスマスを楽しみましょう。
Unlock a New Language and Join Our Japanese Class!
Ever wanted to travel to Japan with confidence, or just challenge your brain with a beautiful new skill? Now is the perfect time to start!
Our classes are designed to be engaging, interactive, and built around real-life Japanese you can actually use.
Class Details:
🗓 Dates: March 12, 19, 26 | April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
⏰ Passport 1 (Beginner)= 4:30 - 6:30 pm
📍 Location: Sakura Square | Mezzanine Room (1950 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202)
What to Expect:
✅ Essential phrases for real-life conversations
✅ Useful vocabulary for navigating your trip
✅ Cultural insights you won't find in a textbook
Space is limited, so grab your spot soon! 🏃♀️💨
🔗Link in bio to register!
#japaneseclass #learnjapanese #languagelearning
Quantum leap? More like a Quantum Connection!🌀
JASC connects Colorado and Japan through Quantum...
Last week, over 80 guests joined us at MSU Denver to hear from industry leaders about how Colorado and Japan are leading the world in quantum tech. We were so proud to facilitate this bridge between our local professionals and the visiting Japanese delegation.
A massive thank you to our panelists, volunteers, and members for making this event such a packed house!
From left to right: Dan Salvetti, David Mitlyng, Michelle Hadwiger, Sristy Argawal, Hiro Mori, Ian Dickinson, Jessi Olsen, Claudine Locascio, Andy Wylegala
🎥 We'll let you know when the event recording is posted on our YouTube channel, so stay tuned!
#JASC #QuantumConnections #ColoradoJapan #TechCommunity
Your February "date" calendar is here!❤
Still looking for the perfect Valentine's plan? Whether you're bringing a partner, a bestie, or just your love for Japanese culture, our February lineup is the perfect match!
We're celebrating our community as one big group with great conversation and food.
✨The Lineup:
🗓Feb 14: Valentine's Kaiwa Club
The ultimate low-pressure group hang. Perfect for couples looking for a unique morning out or singles looking to practice Japanese!
📍 Edgewater Public Market (5505 W 20th Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214)
⏰10 am - 12 pm
🗓Feb 21: Sushi Series: Inari Inventions (New!)
Get hands-on and learn the art of Inari zushi in this special workshop.
🍣Price: $15 for Members | $20 for General Public
📍 JASC Office Building (1373 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203)
⏰10 am - 12 pm
🗓Feb 14: Kaiwa Club
Keep the momentum going and end the month with more great conversation!
📍 Edgewater Public Market (5505 W 20th Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214)
⏰10 am - 12 pm
For more information and to register for the sushi class, click the link in our bio🔗
👇Drop a "❤" in the comments if we'll see you at Kaiwa Club tomorrow!
#dateideas #denver #japaneseculture #valentinesday #sushiclass
Get ready to "stuff" your face (literally!) 🦊🍣
We're kicking off our brand new Sushi Series at JASC, and we're starting super simple with Inari Inventions! Come learn how to craft these delicious fried tofu pockets stuffed with seasoned rice and creative toppings.
The best part? It's in-person and all ingredients are provided. Just bring your appetite and a pair of helping hands!
🗓 Saturday, February 21st
⏰ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 JASC Office Building (1373 Grant St, Denver, CO)
$15 for members | $20 for General Public
Don't miss out on the first session of the series. Space is limited, so click here to grab your spot now! https://www.jascolorado.org/event-calendar#!event/2026/2/21/sushi-series-inari-inventions
JASC connects Colorado and Japan through Calligraphy🖌✨
Last month, we had an incredible session of our Let's Shodo Japanese Calligraphy workshop, guided by the expert hand of Mamiko Ikeda-sensei.
The kanji might not be perfect yet, but the experience certainly was!
#LetsShodo #JapaneseCalligraphy #JapaneseCulture
JASC connects Colorado and Japan through Music🎶
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our VIP event last month! We are still buzzing from the incredible energy in the room.
It was a true honor to partner with the @coloradosymphony. Bringing together our community of Colorado-Japan businesses and individuals, and the Symphony's world-class artistry, made for a night we won't soon forget. Thank you for helping us hit all the right notes! 🎹✨
From left to right: JASC Executive Director Claudine Locascio, Japanese Pianist Makoto Ozone, Consul General of Japan in Denver Hiroyuki Okajima, Guest Conductor Jun Märkl, Colorado Symphony CEO Daniel Wachter
#JASC #ColoradoArts #HarmonyAcrossBorders #LiveMusicColorado #ConductingCommunity
The future of Quantum is global 🌐
We are proud to present "Japan Currents: Colorado-Japan Quantum Connections." Join us on Thursday, January 29th, at 4:30 PM for a rare opportunity to engage directly with local experts and a visiting delegation of innovative quantum experts traveling from Japan.
⚠ We are now less than two weeks out and have only 15 seats left!
Why attend?
✅Expert Insights: Gain a deep understanding of the Colorado-Japan quantum corridor
✅International Networking: Connect with overseas innovators and local leaders during refreshment hour following the discussion
✅ Community Access: Attendance is free, courtesy of a generous grant from the National Association of Japan America Societies and the Embassy of Japan.
RSVP IS MANDATORY. Given the limited venue capacity, we kindly ask that if your plans change, you notify us promptly so we may release your spot to someone on the waitlist.
Secure one of the final spots today! Register with the link in our bio 🔗
What a year! 🚀
We’ve been busy bridging cultures and sharpening skills:
💼 Over 200 people trained in Japanese Business Protocol
🏫 3,000 students reached via Japan in the Schools
🤝 67 companies & over 500 members working together to make JASC shine
Cheers to a year of learning, growth, and community impact! ✨
In the spirit of the New Year, students at Red Rocks Community College recently explored the beautiful tradition of Nengajo (Japanese New Year cards). Historically, these cards are sent to express gratitude to friends and family for their support in the past year.
Our Japan in the Schools program brings these vibrant cultural experiences directly to Colorado classrooms, bridging the gap between Denver and Tokyo through hands-on learning.
What’s your goal for the New Year? Tell us in the comments! ⛩️
#JapanInTheSchools #Nengajo #CulturalExchange #NewYear2026
As we look back on the year during our Bonenkai, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for our incredible community. Thank you to all members for your unwavering support and for being the biggest part of our 2025 journey. 🥂
We can't wait to see what we achieve together in the year ahead!
#memberappreciation #thankyou #buildingtogether #bonenkai
あけましておめでとう！
May the coming year bring you nothing but joy and prosperity. Sending love and light to you and your family as we start this fresh journey together ✨
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Nengajo Contest! The talent this year was incredible. We are excited to reveal that this winning design was created by our current intern, 🎉Tora Pate!🎉 Thank you, Tora, for helping us ring in the New Year with such beautiful artwork.
Our Japanese Calligraphy Workshop, featuring Mamiko Ikeda-sensei, is filling up fast! Only 2 spots left!
🗓Date: Saturday, January 17th 2026
⏰Time: 10 am - 12 pm
📍Location: JASC Office Building (1373 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203)
🔗Click the link in our bio and let's Shodo!
If you want to be one of the first to receive notifications about our upcoming events, become a member to join our exclusive member emailing list. You can join for just $5/month!
#letsshodo #japanesecalligraphy #traditionalart #culturalexperience
Attention Japan Cup Participants! 📣
Your updated Japan Cup Study Guide is now officially available!
Your winter break is the perfect time to dive in and get a head start on your preparation. For your upcoming competition in culture, language, and current events, the guide has everything you need to succeed.
Take this time to study hard, stay focused, and enjoy the learning process. We are rooting for you!
Link to the updated guides are in our bio! 🔗
Good luck, and がんばってください! 💪
#japancup #studyguide #competitionprep #ganbatte #japanesestudies
JASC is mourning the loss of our dear friend, Edo Kite Master Mikio Toki. His smile, friendship, and impact on Colorado students will never be forgotten.
LAST CALL, chefs! 👩🍳
Get ready to master the ultimate holiday menu that'll give you a taste of Christmas in Japan. We're closing out the year by teaching you two festive essentials: a show-stopping Christmas Cake and the addictively crispy Kaarage Fried Chicken!
🗓 Sunday, December 21st
⏰ 3 pm (MST)
📍 Online via Zoom
$10 for Members/$15 for General Public
🔗Click the link in our bio and book your spot now!
#holidaycookingclass #virtualholidayparty #ouchigohan #cheflife
Kaiwa club is perfect for growing your Japanese language skills!
❄December Dates are Saturdays the 6th and 20th
🎆January Dates are Saturdays the 3rd, 17th, and 31st
⏰Starts at 10 am
📍At the picnic tables in Edgewater Public Market in front of Arepas
Kaiwa Club will always be linked in our bio under the Upcoming Events 🔗
If you're holiday season becomes too busy and you miss the December and January meetings, don't worry! We meet every other Saturday all year long :)
#japaneseconversation #kaiwaclub #japaneselearner #friends
We had a wonderful time at the Bonsai Workshop! 🌳
Thank you so much to our talented instructors for dedicating their time and sharing their invaluable expertise on shaping, wiring, and caring for these miniature masterpieces.
It was a truly informative and inspiring session. We can't wait to see how everyone's trees grow!
#bonsaitrees #workshoprecap #bonsailearning
In the spirit of appreciation, and as a national day of observance in the US, we're pausing to reflect on the power of partnership.
To everyone who has dedicated time, shared expertise, or offered unwavering support to our organization this year - we see you, and we are profoundly grateful. Your belief in our work is our greatest resource. Thank you for making our shared vision a reality. We look forward to continuing this journey with you!
#ThankYouCommunity
Happy Labor Thanksgiving Day! (勤労感謝の日→きんろうかんしゃのひ) We're thankful for every person who contributes to our society.
This year, make your thank-you tangible like the Japanese tradition! Create a card or small gift to a service worker in your life. Special shout-out to the resilience of our federal workers like those at @denairport (one of our dedicated Investor members) - they need and deserve our appreciation more than ever. Swipe through our slides to learn more about the holiday!
#ThankYouServiceWorkers #LaborDayOrThanks #GiveThanks #SmallGiftBigImpact
Whether you're a regular attendee of our Kaiwa Club or have been planning on joining, mark your calendar with the upcoming dates for November!
🗓Dates: Saturdays, November 8th & 22nd
⏰Time: 10 am - 12 pm
📍Location: Edgewater Public Market
We meet every other Saturday as a place for native and non-native Japanese speakers to use their language skills in a relaxed space.
Kaiwa Club information can ALWAYS be found on our website 🔗 link in our bio!
We understand that if you don't use it, you lose it, so come use your Japanese with us!
#kaiwaclub #kaiwa #jascolorado #edgewaterpublicmarket #nihongo
Join us for a Saturday morning Bonsai Workshop taught by certified Bonsai experts from the Denver Botanic Gardens! 🎄
The immersive experience begins with a lecture on the history and types of Bonsai, followed by a live demonstration of essential trimming and shaping techniques.
The best part? The final portion is a hands-on session where you'll create your very own miniature masterpiece!
We provide everything you need:
✂ Shears for the workshop
🌱 You will leave the class with your own tree, a training pot, and wire to continue your Bonsai journey at home!
Click the link in our bio to learn more and register today! ➡🔗
#Bonsai #coloradogardening #weekendworkshop
The last four days were back-to-back holidays in Colorado and Japan!
🌸Yesterday (November 3rd) was Culture Day or 文化の日 (Bunka no Hi) in Japan. It is a day to promote culture, the arts, and academic endeavors. Celebrations across the country often include art exhibitions, cultural festivals, parades, and award ceremonies, such as the prestigious Order of Culture presented by the Emperor.
💀This weekend (November 1st & 2nd) was Dia de los Muertos, which translates from Spanish to Day of the Dead. For families with Mexican heritage in Colorado, especially those whose roots in the state predate the U.S. statehood, the tradition of honoring the dead has been preserved for generations through family ofrendas (alters) in their homes. This holiday has similarities to Japan's Obon in August.
🎃Friday (October 31st) was Halloween. A very popular holiday in the U.S. known for the opportunity for children to receive candy through trick or treating in costumes. Halloween is now also celebrated in Japan, but they did not include the trick-or-treating tradition. Instead, like many adults in the U.S., Japanese adults will dress up in costumes and attend parties with friends.
Together, these holidays show us that cultural celebration is a universal language, constantly evolving, and a vital part of what defines us both locally and globally!
Let us know in the comments which of these holidays you celebrated...
Learn how to make Hot Pot at home with our Ouchigohan program! 🍲
🗓Date: Sunday, November 16th
⏰Time: 4:00 p.m. (MST)
📍Location: Online via Zoom!
$10 for members
$15 for non-members
🔗Click the link in our bio to register!
See you there!
#ouchigohan #hotpot #udon #japancolorado #japanesecooking #japaneserecipe #cookingtogether
We're looking for a creative member to design our organization's official 2026 Nengajo (Japanese New Year's Card)! 🎉 The winning design will be sent digitally to all our members, and the artist will receive a fantastic prize package 🏆
Design Requirements:
~ Year: 2026 clearly featured
~ Zodiac: for 2026, the horse
~ Logo Placeholder: blank box or outline, see 2 types on website
~ Greeting: あけましておめでとうございます / Happy New Year
~ Size: standard 4" x 6" postcard
~ File Type: PNG, PDF, or high-quality JPEG
~ Originality: must be your original creation
~ Bonus: integrate themes from both Japan and the state of Colorado. Show how these cultures connect!
🏆Prize🏆
~ A FREE 1-year Individual Membership to JASC
~ A $25 Gift Card to Kokoro
How & When to Submit:
~ Deadline: November 30th
~ Submit to: jascolorado.org/nengajo-contest
We can't wait to see your incredible designs!
#nengajocontest #postcarddesign #newyearscard #yearofthehorse #coloradojapan
Learn the art of Japanese floral arrangement! 🌼 Join us for an Ikebana Workshop on November 1st from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at the Broomfield Community Center.
Not only will you create a stunning piece of art, but you'll also be supporting the @broomfieldsistercities high school exchange trip to Ueda, Japan! Your ticket helps provide an immersive cultural experience for local teens.
👉Register now (link in bio!) to secure your spot and support cultural exchange!
It's Sports Day in Japan! 🏂🏓⚾🎾🏐🥋🏀
In Japanese, today is called 運動会 (Undoukai) which directly translates to exercise meeting. The holiday was created to commemorate the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It is honored today to encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
Do you play a sport? Which one?
What is your favorite way to stay active and healthy?
💬Let is know in the comments below!💬
Roll up your sleeves and feed your soul! 🍙
Join us for our unforgettable Onigiri Onegai, where we're mixing hands-on fun with a powerful purpose! You'll get to immerse yourself in Japanese culture by learning how to make and enjoy onigiri, Japan's ultimate comfort food.
But the fun doesn't stop with the food! Your presence supports an incredible cause: for every photo shared with the official hashtag #OnigiriAction, 5 children in need will be fed!
Come for the delicious food, stay for the great company, and leave with a full heart knowing you've made a difference. Let's learn, eat, and give back together!
🗓Date: Saturday, October 25th
⏰Time: 10 am - 12 pm
📍Location: JASC Office Building (1373 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203)
🔗Click the link in our bio to register now!
The moment you've been waiting for is here! 🎉Our SILENT AUCTION IS OFFICIALLY LIVE, and bidding is open on a spectacular array of items!
Browse and bid on:
🕹 Two (2) Pachinko Machines
🥀 Ikebana Vases
🎫 Tickets & Gift Cards
🍚 Stunning Tableware
👘 Traditional Clothing
🎎 Japanese Dolls
✨Don't miss out on these incredible treasures✨
IMPORTANT NOTE for Non-Gala Attendees: If you win an item and are not attending our gala, you must be able to pick it up from our DOWNTOWN DENVER OFFICE. We do not ship items.
Click the link in our bio to start bidding now! 🔗
✨Relive the night✨ where we celebrate HARMONY & HORIZONS! A massive thank you to our presenting sponsor, @united, and all of the sponsors for making this incredible evening possible.
The atmosphere was set by the beautiful floral arrangements from @sogetsucolorado 💐, and guests savored the exquisite catering by @matsuhisadenver 🍣. The spectacular sounds of the @coloradosymphony string quartet 🎻 and the warm welcome from @lawswhiskey 🥂 elevated the experience. There was even a unique photo op with a giant paper crane created by @japaneseartsnetwork.
We were honored to hear inspiring opening remarks from Governor Jared Polis, alongside our dedicated leaders, Executive VP of our Board, John Hayato Branderhorst and Executive Director Claudine Locascio.
Congratulations to our award recipients: @sumitomocorpofamericas for the Company Award, and Seiko Yoshikawa of Sogetsu Colorado for the Volunteer Award!
As you can see, we represented the theme of Harmony & Horizons with origami cranes. The fragile, beautiful origami crane is our collective wish for the future. Like a bird taking flight, it points toward our horizons, representing the hope, healing, and limitless potential of our collaboration. It reminds us that through intentional effort and shared endeavor, we can always fold a future defined by peace and deeper connection across the miles. 🏔️🤝🌸
#2025JASCGala #HarmonyAndHorizons #CulturalExchange #DenverEvents
Today is a beautiful holiday in Japan 🌝
It is the mid-autumn full moon, which means people will celebrate お月見 (o-tsuki mi) - a moon viewing holiday.
Common activities to celebrate お月見 are:
🌕Night picnics for admiring the beauty of this particular moon
🍡Seasonal Tsukimi menus at restaurant chains
🎶Festivals with traditional music
Here in Colorado, we can join in on the festivities with a night picnic or a moment for admiring the mid-autumn full moon.
Check out our full article on the moon viewing holiday in our 日本語コラム linked in our bio 🔗all of the articles are fully in Japanese... a great opportunity for reading practice! 📖
Mark your calendars! 📅 Our Silent Auction is officially going live Sunday, October 12!
Get ready to bid on some truly unique and beautiful items. This year, we're featuring a stunning collection including splendid traditional Japanese dolls, elegant Ikebana vases, gorgeous traditional Japanese clothing, and beautiful tableware.
Don't miss your chance to win a piece of unique art and culture. Browse the items now (link in bio!) and set your alarms so you can grab the treasures you're hoping to take home!
#SilentAuction #JapaneseArt #Ikebana #TraditionalClothing #Tableware #GoingLive #October12 #MarkYourCalendars
Kaiwa Club is perfect for strengthening your Japanese listening and speaking skills!
🗓 The upcoming dates for October are Saturdays the 11th and 25th!
⏰ Starts at 10 am
📍 At the picnic tables in Edgewater Public Market in front of Arepas
Kaiwa Club will always be linked in our bio under the Upcoming Events 🔗
Don't miss our Kaiwa Club meetings in October! We'll see you there :)
#japaneseconversation #kaiwaclub #japaneselearner #friends
October is Onigiri month! 🍙
While we will be hosting an onigiri-making class in person a week after this event, we still encourage you to attend this month’s Ouchigohan! It’s the perfect opportunity to get inspiration for our onigiri event. Plus, learn to make the delicious spinach Ohitashi and a kabocha soup!
🗓 October 18th
⏰ 4 pm (MDT)
📍 Online via Zoom
$10 for Members/$15 for General Public
Click the link in our bio to register!
Even if you can't attend this months Ouchigohan or Onigiri Onegai, Onigiri Action starts October 7th and goes until November 15th, so be sure to make an onigiri or two and share it with the special hashtag.
JASC is excited to co host a Japanese Urushi Lacquerware event with JapanCraft21!💎
Experience the art and mystery of Japanese Urushi Lacquerware - one of the world’s most precious yet least understood traditional crafts - at an enlightening presentation by Steve Beimel of JapanCraft21.
Beimel and his team are passionately committed to revitalizing traditional Japanese arts. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Japanese master craft textiles, from ancient history to present day.
🔗Click the link in our bio to register!🔗
Join us for a fun-filled onigiri-making event for a cause! 🍙 Together, we will make the classic Japanese rice balls in support of Onigiri Action.
Onigiri Action is an incredible program by @tablefor2_official where when we post our onigiri on social media with #OnigiriAction, Table for Two will donate a meal to a child in need!
So even if you can’t attend our event, if you make onigiri between October 7th and November 15th, be sure to post a picture on your social media with the #OnigriAction for an easy way to be a part of a great cause.
Event Details:
🗓 October 25, 10 am - 12 pm
📍 JASC Office Building - Miller Hall (1373 Grant St., Denver, Co 80203)
$3 for Members / $5 for General Public
Click the link in our bio to register!
🍁 Happy First Day of Autumn 🌰
With the transition between seasons being a time of reflection and celebration in Japan, here are a few ways you can celebrate 秋分の日, the autumn equinox, today:
💭 Personal Reflection: realign with your goals and set new intentions
💛 Family Time: reach out to a family member or friend and catch up or reconnect
🍄 Outdoor Activities: take advantage of the perfect outdoor temperature and soak in the crisp autumn air
Let us know in the comments if you did something to celebrate しゅうぶんの日🍂
#秋分の日 #autumnequinox #personalrefection #familytime #outdooractivites
What a night at our special in-person Ouchigohan cooking class! 🍳
We were thrilled to see participants not only master a new recipe but also connect with each other. It was a truly special moment when one station started conversing in ✨Japanese✨, learning about each other’s backgrounds and sharing their passions.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended! We sincerely appreciate your patience and enthusiasm as we navigated our very first in-person cooking class. 🙏
This session was just a taste of the fun and community you can find in our Ouchigohan program. The culinary journey continues online every month, bringing together people from across the country to learn, cook, and connect. Join us for our next virtual class and become part of our growing community! 👩🍳👨🍳
#Ouchigohan #JASColorado #cookingclass #japanesefood
Today (September 15th) is Respect for the Aged Day in Japan 👵👴 a wonderful holiday designed to connect generations.
Can you think of a U.S holiday that is similar to this holiday? Let us know in the comments. 💬
What an incredible day for our dragonboat team, Nichi-Bei-Go! at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival! 🐲 After a summer of hard work and dedication, the team was able to showcase just how in sync they are. 🛶 Every stroke was a testament to their passion and teamwork, demonstrating the power of moving as one.
Nichi-Bei-Go! is more than just a dragonboat team; it's an extension of our larger JASC community. ⛩ It's a group of people passionate about Japanese culture and learning more about it. 🎉 This festival was an amazing opportunity to connect with the broader community and celebrate our shared love for the sport and our vibrant cultures.
#NichiBeiGO #coloradodragonboatfestival #CulturalExchange #teamwork #ColoradoLife
Our Ouchigohan home cooking classes are a blast all year long, and we're so excited to be the host society this month! 🍳
JASC Members~ Join us for a special in-person session and get a taste of the fun, community, and culinary skills we share throughout the year. Our Ouchigohan program is hosted by Japan America Societies nationwide, bringing Japanese cuisine directly to your kitchen every month.
Anyone can join this month's virtual session! 💻
This is your chance to learn a new recipe with friends and family, and it's the perfect introduction to our vibrant online community. We can't wait to cook with you!
🔗Click the link in our bio to register!
Our Annual Gala is just around the corner! Don't miss out on a night of celebration, good food, and great company. 🥂
The deadline to register is just one week away! Secure your spot by registering today. Link in bio! 🔗
What's it really like to learn with us? Find out in this student testimonial for our Passport to Japan classes. ✈🇯🇵
Our program focuses on building practical language skills and a deep understanding of the Japanese culture.
Inspired to begin your own journey? Our fall classes start on September 25th. Enroll today and save your spot! 🔗 Click here for more information and to register: https://www.jascolorado.org/learning-japanese
Meet the heart of Nichi-Bei-GO! ❤️ Our latest video introduces the individuals who make our team so special and shares their favorite parts of the experience.
From the strong sense of community to continuous growth and our unwavering team spirit, discover what it truly means to be a part of our family.
Be sure to check out Nichi-Bei-GO! in action at the 🐲Colorado Dragon Boat Festival🛶 this weekend at Sloan's Lake Park. We'll see you there!
We're excited to announce major updates to our website! Be sure to check them out at www.jascolorado.org 🔗 (link in our bio!)
Our new navigation bar makes it easier than every to find what you need:
🤝 BUSINESS ~ companies and organizations can now find relevant information and resources in one place
👩🏻🏫 EDUCATION ~ learners and aspiring learners can explore programs and resources for studying Japanese both in and outside of Colorado
🗓 ANNUAL EVENTS ~ learn about the events that we host every year and mark them on your calendar
📰 NEWS ~ Stay up to date by subscribing to our community newsletter, reading out Nihongo (Japanese) Column, or checking out our Staff Updates blog
If you're a JASC Member, you'll now find:
😆 MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT ~ easily update your profile information
💸 MEMBER DISCOUNTS ~ browse or add exclusive deals available to members
We hope this new website structure helps our community find the information they need and stay more connected with JASC than ever before.
Special thanks to our summer intern, Hanako Keney, for her work on the website. This is an ongoing project so stay tuned for new pages, information, and website visuals!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JASCのウェブサイトリニューアルをお知らせします！
新しいナビゲーションバーで、必要な情報がこれまで以上に探しやすくなりました：
🤝Business ~ 企業や団体に関連する情報や資料を、一か所に集約しました。
👩🏻🏫Education ~ 日本語を学んでいる方、またはこれから学びたい方が、コロラド州内外での学習プログラムや教材を探すことができます。
🗓Annual Events ~ 毎年開催しているイベントを紹介しています。そのイベントをご自身のカレンダーにマークすることが可能です。
📰News ~ ニュースレターや、日本語コラム、スタッフ更新ブログを読むことにより最新情報をチェックできます。
JASC会員の皆様は、以下の機能もご利用いただけます：
😆Manage Your Account ~ ご自身の会員プロフィール情報を更新したり、住所の表示設定の管理などが可能です。
💸Member Discounts ~ 会員限定の割引リストをご覧いただけます。
この新しくなったウェブサイトにより、コミュニティの皆様にとって必要な情報が見つけやすくなり、また新しいウェブサイトがこれまで以上にJASCとのつながりを深めるきっかけとなれば幸いです。
この夏、ウェブサイトの更新にご協力くださったインターンのHanako Keneyさんに心より感謝いたします。
このウェブサイト更新プロジェクトは現在も進行中ですので、新しいページや情報、デザインの追加などをどうぞお楽しみに！
#websiteupdate #japancolorado #communitybuilding #businessresources #learnjapanese #memberbenefits #stayconnected
Are you seeking an opportunity to use your Japanese speaking skills? Join us for our next Kaiwa meetings this September! It's the perfect opportunity to practice your Japanese in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Mark your calendars for the next two gatherings:
🗓 Dates: Saturdays, September 13th and 27th
⏰ Time: 10 AM
📍 Location: Edgewater Public Market
This is a great chance to connect with other Japanese speakers and keep your skills sharp. Come use your Japanese with us!
For more information, visit our website linked in our bio 🔗
#kaiwaclub #kaiwa #jascolorado #japancolorado #edgewaterpublicmarket #nihongo
🍂 This fall, give yourself the gift of a new skill! 🍂
Register for our popular Passport to Japan 1 & 2 classes and start your 8-week journey into Japanese language and culture ✈⛩
These courses are designed to make learning fun and easy for everyone.
Spaces are limited and go FAST, so sign up NOW via the link in our bio! 🔗
Get ready for an evening of connection and shared vision at our annual gala, HARMONY & HORIZONS, presented by United!
We're planning an incredible night for you on ✨OCTOBER 15TH✨
Get a sneak peek at all the fun, including a Japanese-inspired Welcome Cocktail🥂, Matsuhisa catering🍣, and our lively wine toss🍾
🔗Be sure to register today by clicking here: https://www.jascolorado.org/event-calendar#!event/2025/10/15/jasc-annual-gala-2025
🎉We can't wait to celebrate with you!🎉
#HarmonyandHorizons2025 #JASCAnnualGala #JapanColoradoConnections #WelcomeCocktail #CorporateRecognition #SilentAuction #MatsuhisaCatering #WineToss #JapanTrivia
Join us for a special session focused on one of Japan's most comforting one-bowl meals, oyako donburi!🐔🥚 You'll learn to create this dish of tender chicken and sweet onions, simmered in a savory dashi-based sauce, all held together by a gently cooked egg and served over a warm bed of rice.
To complement this satisfying meal, we'll be creating a side of tangy daikon pickle. We'll also be making a refreshing bubbly matcha lassi, a drink that perfectly balances the earthy notes of matcha with the creamy tang of yogurt. 🍵
This class, led by our Japanese food expert Debra Samuels, will be offered virtually with unlimited seating.
For the first time ever, we will be hosting a special in-person session in Denver where we can accommodate up to 10 JASC Members, thanks to our incredible Investor Level Member, Inspired Functional Brands. Join us and cook alongside fellow Japanese food lovers! 👩🍳👨🍳
🌸 Date: September 13
🌸 Time: 4 PM MST (Colorado Time) / 6PM EASTERN TIME
Whether you're joining us in person or virtually, register today to learn a delicious recipe YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS! Registration available through the link in our bio 🔗
🎴Save the Date: October 15th, 2025!🎴
We are delighted to announce our Annual Gala, "Harmony and Horizons," as a tribute to the leaders, visionaries, companies, and organizations shaping Colorado-Japan relations.
Like cranes soaring over the Rockies, we honor the harmony of our shared history and limitless horizons of future connection.
This spectacular evening is proudly presented by @united!
Look forward to
🍽 Delectable catering by Matsuhisa
🥂 Connecting with 200+ industry leaders and Japanese business & culture enthusiasts
🎉 Bidding on exclusive items in our silent auction
SECURE YOUR SPONSORSHIP NOW and join us for a serene evening you won't want to miss!
🔗 Click the link in our bio to secure your spot! 🔗
#HarmonyandHorizons2025 #JASCAnnualGala #JapanColoradoConnections #DenverEvents
While World Ocean Day was last month on June 8th, Japan celebrates Sea Day or 海の日（umi no hi) on the third Monday of July 🌊
Though thousands of miles from any coastline, Colorado's connection to Japan runs deep, even through the ocean! We're part of one interconnected global ecosystem. A healthy ocean is vital for everyone, everywhere! Let's champion ocean stewardship together, uniting Colorado and Japan 🌏💙
#oneocean #interconnectedworld #colorado #japan
Colorado and Japan share a profound admiration for the majestic mountains that define their landscapes and shape their cultures 🗻
It's this shared passion that often draws people from our communities together, as we embrace the spirit of adventure found in our high elevations.
🥾🚵♀️⛺🏂🏼⛷
What is your favorite mountain activity? Let us know in the comments!
#mountainadventures #welovemountains #rockymountains #mountfuji
Kaiwa Club is perfect for strengthening your Japanese listening and speaking skills!
🗓 The Upcoming dates for August are Saturdays the 2nd, 16th, and 30th!
⏰ Starts at 10 am
📍 At the picnic tables in Edgewater Public Market
Kaiwa Club will always be linked in our bio under the Upcoming Events 🔗
Don't miss our Kaiwa Club meetings in August! We'll see you there ;)
#japaneseconversation #kaiwaclub #japaneselearner #friends
With schools starting this month, we wanted to make sure you knew of our Japan in the Schools program! 🏫
This FREE in-school program provides presentations about Japanese language and culture to students from Kindergarten to College.
❗Lesson topics are customizable❗
Some topics we have covered in the past include Journey through Japan, Art & Culture of Origami, Japanese Poetry (Haiku), The Japanese Aesthetic (Wabi-sabi), Anime in Japan, and more.
You can find "Japan in the Schools" in the link in our bio for more information about the program or requesting a session👩🏫
Take your children from our Colorado mountains🗻 to the land of the rising sun☀ with our Japan in the Schools program!
#japanintheschools #culturalexchange #coloradoeducation #globallearning #learnjapanese #origami #haiku #origami
We were excited to host our annual Yoyo-tsuri game🎣 and JASC info booth🪭 at the 51st annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival!
It was great to see so many of our members, including our dragon boat team, stop by and say hi. Plus, we had a great opportunity to connect more people with our programs and resources throughout the Denver / Boulder metro community.
Thank you to our Benefactor member 🌸@sakurasquarellc🌸 for organizing this event every year!
A HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers for helping us provide a super fun festival game and promote JASC! 🎉
#sakuramatsuri #japancolorado #yoyotsuri #cherryblossomfestival
Save the Date for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival! 🐲🛶
🗓 Dates: September 6 & 7 | Saturday and Sunday
JASC is proud to have a team compete in the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival as a way for our members to participate in a fun summer activity and to connect with the greater Asian-American community! 🎉
Please join us in cheering on our team and see if you would be interested in joining next season. Mark your calendars and let's Nichi-Bei-GO! 🚣♀️🚣♂️
#NichiBeiGO #paddleup #dragonboatfamily
Learn how to make Yakisoba (noodle stir fry), Takoyaki (fried octopus), and 🍓strawberry🍓 Kakigori (shaved ice) with our sister organization in Washington D.C. @jaswdc 😋
🗓 Date: July 19th
⏰ Time: 3:00 pm (MDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom!
$10 for members
$15 for non-members
🔗 Click the link in our bio to register!
Even if you can't attend the Zoom cooking class, anyone who registers will still receive the recipe that you can use at your convenience!
Check out the Ouchigohan program and collect home-cooked Japanese recipes! 👩🍳
#ouchigohan #homecooking #yakisoba #takoyaki #strawberrykakigori #japanesefood #japaneserecipes
Beyond thrilled to share highlights from the VIP Rockies vs. Dodgers game event for JASC corporate members! This special evening, made possible by a generous JASC board member, was a token of our immense appreciation for our corporate members' crucial support. Your commitment makes all the difference in advancing our mission to bridge Colorado and Japan. We loved connecting with you all! ✨
🎥A huge thank you to Keiko Ozaki and Ty Borkowski at Group Project for creating this fantastic recap video!🎥
If you're already dreaming of next year's season and potentially seeing the Dodgers (and maybe a certain superstar 😁) play live with our group, drop a ⚾️ below!
#ThankYouForYourSupport #RockiesVsDodgers #ColoradoJapanBridge #CommunityBuilding
Whether you're a regular attendee of our Kaiwa Club or have been planning on joining, mark your calendar with the upcoming dates for July!
🗓 Dates: Saturdays, July 5th & 19th
⏰ Time: 10 am
📍 Location: Edgewater Public Market
We meet every other Saturday as a place for native and non-native Japanese speakers to use their language skills in a relaxed space.
Kaiwa Club information can ALWAYS be found on our website 🔗 www.jascolorado.org
We understand that if you don't use it, you lose it, so come use your Japanese with us!
#kaiwaclub #kaiwa #jascolorado #japancolorado #jasco #edgewatercolorado #edgewaterpublicmarket #nihongo
🌟 Tanabata is the day of the star festival a.k.a. 星祭り（hoshimatsuri) 🌟
It is celebrated by writing wishes on thin strips of paper and hanging them outside one's homes and in public places 🎋
The writing of wishes is connected to the legend of Tanabata because the star, Orihime, wished to be with her lover, Hikoboshi. Because of her persistent wishing, Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month 👩❤️👨
To learn more about the legend of Tanabata, check out our short explanation in the slides above!
The celebration of Tanabata is about:
🌠The power of a wish
💛The energy of love
🌌A bridge to the celestial world
Let us know in the comments what wish you would write on your paper for Tanabata!
#starfesitval #japaneseculture #wishuponastar #tanabata
Last week, we had a 🍶VIP Sake Dinner🍶 for JASC corporate members to say thank you for their continued support in our mission and programs!
Special thank you to @ramenstardenver and Chef Tamai for hosting, to Allison Elliott of @ecorpinc for donating all the sake we enjoyed ... and teaching us so much about why we enjoy it, to Consul General of Japan in Denver Hiroyuki Okajima for taking the time to join us, and especially to our JASC corporate members for your commitment that empowers us to bridge cultures.
In Denver Metro Area, we're lucky to have authentic Japanese food like this. Let us know in the comments if you have a Japanese restaurant recommendation!🍣
Konnichiwa! 👋 Always wanted to learn Japanese, especially for a trip? Our Passport to Japan 1 class is designed just for you! Dive into fun, conversational learning that's perfect for first-time travelers. Summer 2025 registration is OPEN ~ let's learn together!
Class starts July 10th! Click the link in our bio to register 🔗
#Japanese #LanguageLearners #TriptoJapan #Nihongo
🌸 JASC will be at the 51st Annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival hosted by our awesome Benefactor Member, @sakurasquarellc! 🌸
Every year, our organization brings a fun festival activity that is enjoyed by many Japanese children at festivals year-round! That's right, yoyo tsuri! 🎣
Come check out our booth or help us make kids' days as a volunteer!
Do you know how long JASC has been doing this fishing game? 🧐Hint: you can find the answer in our feed.
If you find the answer, let us know in the comments! Then, we'll see you at the Denver Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸
#sakuramatsuri #Denver #japancolorado #yoyotsuri #cherryblossomfestival #🌸
What's better than delicious Japanese home cooking? Sharing it with the ones you love! 🫶
Our Ouchigohan program is all about bringing people together, even from across the nation, and we've got something exciting brewing to take it to the next level in Colorado 🍚
Think GOOD food, GREAT company, and UNFORGETABLE memories, just like these tasty moments with our JASC staff & friends!
Stay tuned for our upcoming home cooking classes & gather Japanese recipes with friends & family for whatever you're craving 😋
#Ouchigohan #FamilyFun #FriendsWhoCook
Congratulations to all 2025 graduates! Everyone is so proud of your accomplishments. The JASC team wishes you all the best on your next adventure!
#卒業おめでとう #Classof2025 #Congrats
What an incredible day for a cause! ⛳️🏌♀️
We're still buzzing from the success of our 2025 Colorado-Japan Charity Golf Tournament!
A massive THANK YOU to Presenting Sponsor @united, every participant, all of the other generous sponsors & donors, and our dedicated volunteers who made this event unforgettable. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised important funding for the ✨️Japanese educational programs✨️ provided by JASC and Japanese Business Association of the Rockies.
It was a day filled with friendly competition🏆, beautiful weather☀️, and wonderful connections between our Colorado and Japan communities🤝. We hope you enjoyed the camaraderie as much as we did!
Relive the highlights! 🎥 Check out this recap video and comment what your favorite part of the tournament was. See you on the green in 2026!
#COJapanGolf2025 #CharityGolf #CommunityImpact #ThankYou
Don't miss your chance to win a trip to Japan! ✈
When you join our raffle, you have the chance to win 2 round-trip ticket to Japan or anywhere else in the world United flies 🌏 OR incredible stays at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort ♨ OR a gift card for car-care at Big O Tires! 🚗 Thank you to our sponsors @united, @mtprinceton, and @sumitomocorpofamericas for donating these epic prizes!
All proceeds are used for the Japanese education programs of JASC. Click the link in our bio to learn more about our programs!
When you buy a raffle ticket, you can know that your money is going to a great cause and you have a chance to win big! BUY A TICKET NOW! 🎟
Raffle License Number: 2025-20218
#triptojapan #hotspringstay #carcare #epicprizes #raffle #supportourmission
Do you hate doing the dishes after dinner? Join us and our friends at our sister organization in Boston to make a one pan meal!
🗓Date: June 7th
⏰Time: 3:00 p.m. (MDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom!
$10 for members
$15 for non-members
🔗Click the link in our bio to register!
Check out our Ouchigohan program for an easy Japanese recipe for days that you only want to wash one pan and your plate!
#ouchigohan #homecooking #onepanmeal #japanesecookingclass #japancolorado
Have you bought your raffle ticket yet? 🎟
Don't miss your chance to win 2 round-trip tickets to Japan or anywhere in the world United flies ... along with incredible stays at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort and a gift card for car-care at Big O Tires! ✈ Thanks to sponsorships from @united, @mtprinceton, and @sumitomocorpofamericas.
All proceeds are used for the Japanese education programs of JASC which include:
✏️ Study abroad scholarships
🗣 Japanese language classes
🏆 Japan Cup
🏫 Japan in the Schools
It's a win-win situation!
Click the link in our bio to enter our raffle...
or buy tickets from any of our JASC board members.
Join our raffle to support a great cause and for a chance to win big! 🎉
#japaneseeducation #japancolorado #winbig #joinourraffle #triptojapan #prizes
Raffle License Number: 2025-20218
A most magical week at JASC... Japanese Kite Festival Week 🪁
The week that we all get to feel like a kid again!
From Wednesday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, we were putting our screens away, creating cultural art, and spending time in the beautiful Colorado spring weather ☀️
Thank you to @adcoparks for hosting us at the stunning Rotella Park for us to fly our handmade kites.
Thank you to Kite Masters Mikio and Asami Toki for the time, care, and preparation they put into this event every year.
If you were at any of the events this week, let us know in the comments which kite you made! 🚀🦋
If you weren't able to join us this year, we hope to see you at next year's festival 😄
#jasc #japancolorado #kitemaking #kiteflying #kitefestival #edokites #kitemaster #festivalfun
Do you prefer sweet or savory food? 🍪🍗 Does it depend on the day? At this month's Ouchigohan, learn to make different types of Sando (Sandwiches) to satisfy whatever you're craving!
These sandwiches are not what you would typically imagine. #Sando is the Japanese take on sandwiches, and they are a must-try! So, join us and our sister organization in Philadelphia and spice up your packed lunch 🍞
🗓 Date: May 16th
⏰ Time: 4:00 p.m. (MDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom!
$10 for members
$15 for non-members
🔗Click the link in our bio to register!
See you at the Super Sando Special!
#ouchigohan #supersando #sandwichlover #japancolorado #japanesecooking #japaneserecipe #cookingtogether
✨ We are very excited to offer a truly unique Japanese culture experience for you all this Saturday, May 17th! ✨
Once again, we welcome Japanese artist and Edo Kite Master Mikio Toki to Colorado from Tokyo. He will lead the community in making a beautiful, traditional Japanese kite. Materials are being brought from Japan, ✈ including washi paper, hand-cut bamboo, and shibori-style dyes. Toki Sensei will walk you through the steps to making your own Japanese kite ... and then you'll go outside and fly them together! 🪁
🗓Date: May 17th
☝Workshop 1: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
✌Workshop 2: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
📍Location: Anythink Library Perl Mack (7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver, CO 80221)
This is a wonderful program for anyone ages 12 and up. Children should be accompanied by an adult who can assist. The steps are a bit intricate, so it can be tough for little hands. Little ones can join us in the park on Sunday to make a much simpler kite to fly!
🔗 Please click the link in our bio and register today!
😊We hope to see you this weekend for this very special cultural experience😊
Learn to make Japanese kites from the Edo period 🪁
Join our Japanese kite-making events!
Slide 1:
🗓 Date: Sunday, May 18th 2025
⏰ Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
📍 Location: Rotella Park (1824 Coronado Pkwy N, Denver, CO 80229)
Thank you to @adcoparks for hosting us at Rotella Park!
You can bring your own kite to fly along with us, or Master Toki will have materials and instructions to make one!
Slide 2:
For more advanced kite-making, join one of our community workshops!
🗓Date: Saturday, May 17th 2025
☝ Workshop 1: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
✌ Workshop 2: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
📍 Location: Anythink Library Perl Mack (7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver, CO 80221)
Using materials brought from Japan, including washi paper and hand-cut bamboo, along with a shibori-style dye, you will create a beautiful kite guaranteed to fly!
For more information, click the link in our bio. We hope to see you at one of our kite-making events 🎉
#japanesekitefestival #kitefestival #japancolorado #edoperiod #kitemaking #dayatthepark
The final holiday in Golden Week is Children's Day 🎏
Similar to Mother's Day and Father's Day (which are also celebrated in Japan), Children's Day is a day to celebrate children 👧👦
One way to celebrate Children's Day is at our Japanese Kite Festival on May 18th at Rotella Park! It is a great activity to do with your children or let out your inner child for a day of arts and crafts with a rich Japanese history!
For more information, click the link in our bio 🔗
#childrensday #kodomonohi #kodomonohi🎏 #japancolorado #goldenweek #japanesekitefestival
Our dragon boat team (Nichi-Bei-GO) is kicking off their season with their first practice coming up on May 10th 🐲
♦ IF YOU WANT TO JOIN, IT'S NOT TOO LATE! ♦
Learn more about our dragon boat team and register with the link in our bio 🔗
If you are looking for a Japan-related team to join, enjoy being in a boat, and are ready to smile and sweat, please join us!
#dragonboatfestival #dragonboatteam #nichibeigo #japancolorado #summerfun
Today's Golden Week holiday is Greenery Day 🌲🌳🌵🍀🌴💚
It is a great day to spend time in nature (even for only 10 minutes).
In Colorado, our notable greenery is our #evergreen trees 🌲 that provide a rich pop of color in the drab winters.
What do you appreciate about the greenery or nature in your area? Let us know in the comments!
#nature #greenery #natureappreciation #japancolorado #greeneryday #goldenweek
Mamiko-sensei made shodo look easy! 🖌
We all enjoyed the challenge of Japanese calligraphy at the Let's Shodo event.
Some things we learned:
~ Correct posture
~ Using a brush pen
~ Stroke order
~ How to write your name in Japanese!
Stay tuned for our next Let's Shodo class with Mamiko-sensei! Leave your favorite emoji in the comments if we'll see you there 😉
#letsshodo‼︎ #shodo #japanesecalligraphy #japaneseart #japancolorado #calligraphyevents
Today's Golden Week Holiday is Constitution Memorial Day 📃🖊
It is a day to celebrate #peace, #democracy, and #better times.
Today is a great day to be grateful for the strong partnership between the U.S. and Japan 🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵
JASC is thankful for the harmony between Japan and America. We work to continue to strengthen the connection between these two nations.
#constitutionmemorialday #goldenweek #japancolorado #japanamerica
🌟 A week full of holidays and celebration 🌟
Today is the start of Golden Week in Japan! The name "Golden Week" is similar to the American "Black Friday."
🖤 Black Friday was the day that stores would go from "being in the red" to "being in the black," which means they were now breaking even or profitable.
💛 In the same way, Golden Week has its name because when people have time off during the 4 holidays in this week, they have more time for leisurely activities. Initially, this benefited industries such as cinema and the radio. In Japan, the radio calls the times of successful business "golden times."
⛩ Today is Showa Day ⛩
A day to remember Emperor Hirohito, more commonly known as Emperor Showa.
昭和 (Showa) means enlightened peace, and it is the name of the era during Emperor Hirohito's leadership.
Showa Day is a time in Japan to reflect on the nation's history and spend time with family.
Do you know any facts about the Showa period? Let us know in the comments!
#goldenweek #showaday #japaneseholidays #japaneseculture #japancolorado #showanohi
Join us and our friends at JASGeorgia, to make agedashi tofu & nasu dengaku together! 🍆
🗓 Date: April 27th
⏰ Time: 2:00 p.m. (MDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom!
$10 for members
$15 for non-members
🔗Click the link in our bio to register!
Ouchigohan is a great activity to do with friends and family! Invite a friend over or start family dinner early and check out our Japanese home-cooking class!
#ouchigohan #homecooking #agedashitofu #nasudengaku #japanesecookingclass
🌏Happy Earth Day! from the JASC team :)🌎
We have listed a few sustainability tips from Japanese culture, but let us know if you know any others in the comments!
#EarthDay2025 #japancolorado #mottainai #kintsugi #furoshiki #handkerchiefs #weloveourearth
Did you know that we have a dragon boat team at the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake? 🐲
If you're looking for a way to get #active💪 in our community, check out our dragon boat team: Nichi-Bei-GO!
The team is a full summer-long commitment with practices 1-2 times per week (as your schedule allows) throughout May, June, July, August, and into September. The Festival will be held Sept 6-7 this year, and our team will paddle on both days.
For more information, come to the Season Kick-off Party 🎉
🗓 Date: April 26th
⏰ Time: 12:00 - 2:00 pm (after Kaiwa Club!)
📍 Location: Edgewater Beer Gardens - an amazing sponsor of our team!
🔗 Click the link in our bio for event details!
🌟Come check it out!🌟
#dragonboat #coloradodragonboatfestival #seasonkickoff #japancolorado
JASC will be at the grand opening of the Centennial Daiso tomorrow morning! 🎉
@daiso_usa is Japan's dollar store, and while the items are not $1 in America, it's still very affordable and so cute! 🌸
If you're missing Daiso or want to check it out, the store opens at 9 a.m. and we'll be there with some fun games. 🎲
We hope to see you there!
#Daiso #japancolorado #JapaneseGoods
🏆 We kicked off this month with our annual Japan Cup Competition 🏆
At Japan Cup, high school and university students come together for a Japanese language and culture competition.
The competition is intense!
These 12 teams from various schools across #Colorado made it to the finals round to be the top 3 teams in their level! 🤯
Special thanks to Consul General of Japan in Denver, Mr. Hiroyuki Okajima, who joined us for all four Final Rounds of the competition. We were honored to have him at his first Colorado Japan Cup!
Join us in saying congratulations in the comments!
#JapanCup #Japaneselanguagelearners #Japaneseculture #fiercecompetition #winners
Join us and our sister organization in Houston, and let's make korokke (croquettes) together! 🥔
🗓 Date: March 30th
⏰️ Time: 3:30 p.m. (MDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom!
$10 for members
$15 for non-members
🔗 Click the link in our bio to register!
Check out our Ouchigohan program one week from today, and don't hesitate to bring your friends and family to cook together! 👩🍳👨🍳
#ouchigohan #homecooking #korokke #japanesefood #japaneserecipes
Thank you to JASC member @matt.maclean.art for creating this manga about the JASC programs where he has participated 😆
If you are interested in our Kaiwa Club 🗣 or Passport to Japan classes ✈️, find more information in the link in our bio 🔗
#membersartwork #kaiwaclub #passporttojapan #learningjapanese #japanesecommunity
We had a blast at the 💐 @tagawagardens 💐 event! The pansies are gorgeous and Sato-san played some games with us 🎉
🤔 Which activity would you choose? Kendama or origami?
#satonursery #tagawagardens #koma #kendama #origami #darumaotoshi
In case you need a little encouragement this week, here's @kinokocurrytshirts' favorite inspirational quote in Japanese:
何とかなる。（なんとかなる）Nantoka naru.
In English, this is similar to...
・Everything will be okay
・We'll get through this
Here's your little reminder to keep pushing forward while learning a Japanese phrase :D
#なんとかなる #wegotthis #japaneselearning
本日3月14日は「バイの日」と呼ばれる非公式な祝日である。🥧🥧
どんなパイが好きですか？
Today is an unofficial holiday called Pi Day...🥧🥧
Did you celebrate Pi Day in school? What is your favorite kind of pie?
#piday #pielover #math
🐞 Happy First Day of Spring! 🐥
In Japanese culture, the transition between seasons is a time of reflection ✍ and celebration 🎊
Here are a few ways you can celebrate 春分の日, the spring equinox today:
👭Spend time with family and friends
🌲Go outside and show appreciation for nature
🧹Take some extra time cleaning your space
💭Reflect on your winter season
⛩Acknowledge your ancestors and thank them for getting you to where you are
Let us know in the comments if you did something to celebrate しゅんぶんの日🌸
#しゅんぶんのひ #springequinox #qualitytime #natureappreciation #springcleaning #reflection #ancestors
🏆Japan Cup🏆 is right around the corner! So, we want to highlight the cultural activities we've had at our previous competitions:
💭Go: an Asian board game known by many names where two players try to claim the most territory
💐Ikebana: the Japanese art of flower arrangements that takes years to learn and master
✌️Kendama: a Japanese toy with a ball connected to a handle with cups and a spike by string. There are many impressive ways to use a kendama
🩵Origami: the art of folding paper to create things like animals and flowers, but the possibilities are endless!
✒️Shodo: Japanese calligraphy, which is quite different than calligraphy with a regular pen.
👘Yukata: traditional Japanese summer clothes usually take another person to put them on. They feel very different from Western clothes, and their patterns are always beautiful.
🍵Matcha: this green tea is traditionally made during an intentional ceremony with special equipment.
If you had to choose just one cultural activity, could you do it? Which one would it be?
#japaneseculture #go #ikebana #kendama #origami #shodo #yukata #chado
📣 We are introducing a monthly membership option!! 📣
Now you can join JASC for $5 per month or $55 per year 🎉
Member benefits include:
🤝Connecting with people who share a passion for Japanese culture
🎫Access to exclusive events (social gatherings) & member discounts
⛩Supporting cultural exchange, education, and mutual understanding
💸Early registration and discounts for events and programs
Click the link in our bio and become a member today!! 😆
#joinourmission #becomeamember #japancolorado #welovejapan #welovecolorado
⛳Gearing up for Golf!!⛳
Our Colorado - Japan Charity Golf Tournament has been an important program to our organization for several years. Can you guess what year these photos were taken?
Hint: It was more than 22 years ago 😲
For more information and to register for the Colorado - Japan Charity Golf Tournament, click the link in our bio :)
#colorado #japan #charitygolftournament #registertoday
Check out Sora-san's summary of her time in Denver! 🌄
Reading about her homestay. Did you realize that these are some things that stand out in Colorado, Denver, and American culture? 😮
#coloradoculture #denverliving #americanculture #wildlife #tv
Today (March 3rd) is "Girl's Day" or "Doll's Day" in Japan 🎎 This year, we found some additional information on the history of why it is celebrated with dolls.
If you know more information about the traditions and history of Hinamatsuri, please leave a comment! 💬
ひな祭りの伝統や歴史について詳しい情報をお持ちの方は、ぜひコメントをお寄せください！💬
#hinamatsuri🎎 #hinamatsuri #dollsday #celebrategirls #celebratewomen #internationalwomensday
We are so excited that Shoyeido Incense U.S.A. has joined as an Associate Member of JASC! Check out this blurb they shared with us about the history of Japanese incense making ⛩🔥
If you're interested in becoming a member, click the link in our bio. We'll be so happy you joined! 😄
#japaneseincense #japanesehistory #incense
‼️ Attention all gardeners 🌷
We are partnering with @tagawagardens for this March 15th event featuring Mr. Isao Sato from Japan. He will be introducing a new species of pansy that will be made available for the first time in the U.S.!
📅 Mark your calendars for the opportunity to get a rare pansy OR join in on the fun as we celebrate this awesome announcement 🎉
#gardening #japaneseflowers #pansies🌸 #culturalexchange
❗There are still some spots available for the Japanese Calligraphy Workshop by Mamiko Ikeda 🖌 Click the link in our bio to register today!
#shodo #letsshodo‼︎ #japanesecalligrahy #jascolorado
We had so much fun teaching the Berthoud Community Library members how to wrap gifts using Furoshiki 🎁 Junko-sensei discussed the meaning of the word Furoshiki and the history of how it was invented and used. Everyone was blown away by how simple yet elegant the cloth wrapping was.
Would you like to join a Furoshiki event? Comment your favorite emoji if you think we should do one in the Denver Metro Area 🗻
#japanesewrapping #furoshiki #furoshikiwrap #ecofriendly #reuse #recycled
Check out some photos from our Japan in the Schools program! 🙋🏼♀️👩🏻🏫📸
This time, the students are learning how to make onigiri 🍙 We love the Japan in the Schools program! We believe it offers a truly transformative experience for students. It's a fantastic opportunity for students to experience something new and develop a real appreciation for different perspectives and cultures.
🔗To learn more or sign up for Japan in the Schools, check out this link: https://www.jascolorado.org/japan-in-the-schools 🔗
#japaneseeducation #JapanintheSchools #japansesculture #globalcitizenship #japancolorado
📰昨日、2月の日本語コラムが配信されました！📰 今月は、日本とアメリカのお土産文化についてご紹介します。🍬🍬
🎁あなたの好きなお土産は何ですか？🎁
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📰The February 日本語コラム dropped yesterday!📰 This month, we learn more about souvenir culture in the U.S. compared to Japan. 🍬🍬
🎁What is your favorite souvenir to give or receive?🎁
#おみあげ #日本語コラム #omiyage #souvenir #japanesereading #japaneseculture #americanculture
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