Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i A nonprofit organization offering educational programming related to the evolving Hawaiʻi Japanese American experience.
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HOURS
Gallery and Gift Shop: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Resource Center and Administrative Office: By appointment only

For more information and modified hours, please visit www.jcchawaii.org.

Let’s learn about 6️⃣ yatai festival foods:Takoyaki • Yakisoba • Kakigori • Okonomiyaki • Taiyaki • IkayakiJapanese fest...
05/28/2026

Let’s learn about 6️⃣ yatai festival foods:

Takoyaki • Yakisoba • Kakigori • Okonomiyaki • Taiyaki • Ikayaki

Japanese festivals are nostalgic celebrations known for their vibrant atmosphere, musical performances, and delicious street food stalls! In Hawaiʻi, festivals may look a little different, but they are an important part of bringing the local community together and keeping cultural traditions alive!

🏮 NATSUMATSURI AT THE JCCH
Save the date for our local version of a Japanese summer festival in Hawaiʻi! Support small local craft, food, and drink vendors at our pet and family-friendly night market in Mōʻiliʻili on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Free event admission.

Captured 76 years ago (1950), this photo from the takes us behind the scenes as Hawaii Times employees prepared the pr...
05/27/2026

Captured 76 years ago (1950), this photo from the takes us behind the scenes as Hawaii Times employees prepared the printing presses. This was a labor-intensive process!

Previously known as the Nippu Jiji, the Japanese community in Hawaiʻi relied on this newspaper for both local and international news. It became Hawaiʻi’s first Japanese-language paper to publish an English section. On November 2, 1942, the paper was renamed to the Hawaii Times in response to military government orders during WWII.

➡️ View our collections online at bit.ly/jcchcatalog

🗃️ Nippu Jiji collection

05/21/2026

Let's learn how to dance to Tanko Bushi! 🪨⛏️

In this Japanese folk song about coal mining, you will notice movements like throwing, shoveling, and wiping your face. Follow the step-by-step moves led by Nishikawa Minokimi.

Bon odori 盆踊り is a Japanese dance traditionally held during お盆 (Lantern Festival), a time to gather with family and friends to honor our ancestors. In Hawaiʻi, Obon season is an extended summer celebration of food and dance. What's your favorite bon dance?

Get ready for bon dance season! 👘🏮For a limited time only, receive 50% off kimono, yukata, and accessories at the . We’...
05/19/2026

Get ready for bon dance season! 👘🏮

For a limited time only, receive 50% off kimono, yukata, and accessories at the . We’re the perfect place to find pieces for your next festival outfit at great prices!

🕘 GIFT SHOP HOURS*
Wednesday - Saturday • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Purchases made at the Gift Shop help to support our nonprofit’s programs and educational resources. 🎋🎏📚

Learn how to create a traditional Japanese hair accessory at the JCCH! 🌸Worn in updos, kanzashi 簪 (hair ornaments) are s...
05/15/2026

Learn how to create a traditional Japanese hair accessory at the JCCH! 🌸

Worn in updos, kanzashi 簪 (hair ornaments) are styled to decorate the hair with designs that often reflect the season.

🧑‍🏫 In this workshop, Angel Weber will teach you how to make your own pair of silk habotai cherry blossom hairpins. Workshop attendees will learn the art of tsumami-zaiku つまみ細工, a traditional Japanese craft technique where tiny pieces of fabric are pinched and folded.

📆 Saturday, June 13, 2026 (two sessions available)
🎟️ $60 per person

➡️ Spaces are limited! Register at bit.ly/jcchkanzashi

Each week, our volunteers provide us with a seasonal ikebana arrangement to beautify the JCCH administrative office lo...
05/07/2026

Each week, our volunteers provide us with a seasonal ikebana arrangement to beautify the JCCH administrative office lobby. 💐

These are the latest arrangements created by our talented artists (top left, clockwise):

🔸 Soo Boo Tan, Sogetsu
🔸 Gale Kobayashi, Ikenobo
🔸 Karen Kirk, Sogetsu
🔸 Charmaine Yee-Hollison, Sogetsu

Let’s learn about 5️⃣ symbols! 🎏こどもの日 ( ) is a Japanese holiday established in 1948 to celebrate the personalities, he...
05/01/2026

Let’s learn about 5️⃣ symbols! 🎏

こどもの日 ( ) is a Japanese holiday established in 1948 to celebrate the personalities, health, and happiness of all keiki. The Japanese government officially renamed this holiday to include all children and lift the spirits of the country. You may know this holiday as Tango no Sekku 端午の節句 (Boys’ Day), a name that is still popular in Hawaiʻi!

Koinobori flying high over Yamashiro Hotel 🎏This archival image captures a Children’s Day tradition, where families cele...
04/30/2026

Koinobori flying high over Yamashiro Hotel 🎏

This archival image captures a Children’s Day tradition, where families celebrate strength, growth, and hope for the next generation. A layered portrait of Tooru Yamashiro, the hotel owner’s grandson, adds a personal connection to the story behind the scenes.

Have you heard of this hotel? Share what you know in the comments and help us learn more about this place.

➡️ View our collections online at bit.ly/jcchcatalog

🗃️ Paul and Eloise Kurata collection

There’s something for everyone to enjoy at the next JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair! Browse a selection of Japanese and J...
04/29/2026

There’s something for everyone to enjoy at the next JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair! Browse a selection of Japanese and Japanese-inspired items while supporting small business owners. The and Historical Gallery will be open until 3:00 PM. A list of this month’s vendors is now available on our event page. Event highlights include:

🌱 FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS FUNDRAISER
A selection of fresh floral arrangements designed and handcrafted by JCCH ikebana volunteers will be available for purchase at the Gift Shop. This is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day! 100% of sale proceeds will benefit the JCCH.

👘 KIMONO SALE
Get ready for bon dance season! Beginning on Saturday, May 9, 2026, receive 50% off kimono, yukata, and accessories at the Gift Shop.

🎨 FEATURED VENDORS
Meet new vendors (shadow boxes, 3D letters, etc.) and (watercolor printed greeting cards).

🎏 KOINOBORI CRAFT STATION
Learn how to make a paper carp-shaped windsock at our keiki-friendly craft and coloring activity!

📆 Saturday, May 9, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Gift Shop closes at 3:00 PM)
📍 JCCH 1st Floor Courtyard & Breezeway

04/24/2026

Let’s make GOBO NO KIMPIRA (FRIED BURDOCK ROOT)! 🍤

In this episode of Muriel’s Mainichi Cooking presented by Hawaii Gas, we will learn to make a crunchy side dish using a Japanese root vegetable (aka Kinpira Gobo).

📖 Your Blue Flame Notebook (April 1972)

🛒 INGREDIENTS (7)
1 tablespoon salad oil
1 tablespoon dried shrimp
1 pound gobo (burdock root), cleaned and slivered
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup shoyu
1/4 teaspoon MSG
1 small red chili pepper, minced

🤙 All ingredients were provided by ChefZone.

➡️ Visit our website to view all of Muriel’s mainichi まいにち (everyday) recipes featured in our video series as new episodes are released: https://www.jcchawaii.org/muriel-miura

Address

2454 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI
96826

Telephone

+18089457633

Website

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