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Application deadline is next week!
Submit your application by April 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM to be considered for 2026-2027 Scholarships
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Join us on April 30 for an unforgettable evening!
Get your tickets to Cranes & Cocktails next month!
Support JASC while enjoying an exciting evening of engagning company, delicious food, awards presentations, a silent auction, and raffle. All proceeds provide support and expand our cultural programming, social services, and the Legacy Center initiatives.
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Today's Repair Day!
In collaboration with CapTel Captioned Telephone, Geo Allen Shoes & CGM, and Mark Drug Medical Supply, JASC is hosting its second Repair Day in the lower level of the building.
All are welcome to bring their wheelchair, cane, or walker in for a free inspection and on-site repair to help improve quality of everyday life. Registration is not required - just simply walk in and get a number!
Parking: Guests may park at the St. Padre Pio School (5600 N Fairfield Ave) parking lot (off of California Ave.)
If you require special assistance, limited parking at JASC's lot is available.
Please enter through JASC's side door entrance off of the parking lot.
Thank you to the Japanese Mutual Aid Society for sponsoring this incredible program!
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Join one of our Ikebana classes!
Sign up today to claim your spot in a relaxing, interactive class that will introduce you to the art of Ohara style flower arranging. Let's welcome April together with new blooming masterpieces!
No previous experience required!
Beginners are encouraged to join!
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Taiko Came to Tampopo!
We are delighted to welcome Taiko drum lessons to Tampopo with AIRMW Tsukasa Taiko!
Children from both the Early Class and Late Class, along with their parents, have finally begun the much-anticipated Taiko lessons with Noriko Sensei of Tsukasa Taiko.
In these lessons, we are learning not only how to play Taiko, but also the traditions that come with it—such as the special greetings before and after each session.
“Yoroshiku onegai-shimasu” is said at the beginning of the lesson. It is a polite expression used when starting something together, conveying appreciation and goodwill—similar to saying, “Thank you in advance,” or “I look forward to working with you.”
“Arigatou gozaimashita” means “Thank you very much” and is said at the end of the lesson.
We also learned some key Taiko sounds:
- Don – the sound made when striking the center of the drumhead
- Ka – the sound made when striking the rim of the drum
The children are learning so much about Taiko, but most importantly, they are having a wonderful time!
Taiko lessons will return four more times at Tampopo, and we are all looking forward to learning more from Noriko Sensei.
Please Take Our Survey:
We are planning to offer a Tampopo class for children ages 3–5. This class will be conducted in Japanese only. Responses to this survey will help us determine the best day and time to launch the class.
We are also planning to host a pop-up trial Japanese class in the near future, so stay tuned!
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JASC Youth Volunteer Meeting
Call for Youth Volunteers! Help support the JASC community by joining our next volunteer meeting on Monday, April 13. It’s a great way to meet new people and contribute to meaningful projects.
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Celebrating community generousity
A heartfelt thank you to all the soup makers, stafing volunteers, our Youth Volunteers and guests who made the thrid and final Soup & Rice an incredible night of intergenerational fun. We can't wait to see you again in the late fall. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at other JASC community events this summer.
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Join us for the next Nihongo Table!
Nihongo Table is JASC’s new monthly Japanese language & culture meetup designed to be low-pressure, social, and fun. Whether you’re learning Japanese, thinking about starting, or simply love Japanese culture, you’re welcome here.
Each session features a theme of the month and may include casual conversation practice, games, crafts, mini cultural activities, and plenty of conversation starters to help everyone feel comfortable. No experience required—just curiosity! Japanese tea and snacks will be provided.
Join us for a relaxed, judgment-free space to practice, connect, and enjoy Japanese culture with others.
The March Meet-up will be on April 23, 2026!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ruby Grillier at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org
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Japanese Conversation Table:
Thursday, April 9, 2026
4月の日本語お話会は4月9日（木）です
開催日：4月9日
開催時間：午後12:00から2:00まで
参加費：１人/１回10ドル
日本語で交流したい方へのお知らせです。（日本語の会話クラスではありません。）
普段あまりほかの方との交流のない方、一人でお住まいの方、思いっきり日本語でおしゃべりしてみませんか？
楽しい話題や暮らしのアイデアを分け合い、ちょっとした悩みや不安など、皆で話し合えば解決法がでてくるかも知れません。いろいろなことを日本語で話し合い、英語社会で溜まったストレスを解消しましょう。
このプログラムに興味のある方、参加したいと思われる方は、Eメールで川口ケイclasses@jasc-chicago.org とルビー・グリリエー rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org
または電話：773-275-0097内線226, までご連絡ください。
Calling all native Japanese speakers to our monthly gathering of fellowship and connection with other native Japanese speakers! Please note this is not a Japanese language class but rather a time for fellowship while speaking in fluent Japanese.
Date: Thursday, April 9, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Cost: $10 per person, per session
Location: JASC 5700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL 60659
JASC's Conversation Table welcomes everyone to share their experiences, ideas, and stories through social interaction and offers an opportunity to expand their social networks with others in the local community.
If you know someone who would like to participate, please contact Kay Kawaguchi by email at classes@jasc-chicago.org or call her at 773-275-0097 x 226 and leave a message to RSVP. Kay can answer any questions about the program in Japanese or in English. You may also reach out to Ruby Grillier at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org
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JASC’s Adult Day Services provides older adults with a safe, engaging environment that supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through customized care plans and daily activities like art, music, and dance. Located at 5700 N. Lincoln Ave., our program also offers respite for family caregivers and the added support of two on-staff Registered Nurses.
Interested in Adult Day Services?
For more information, you can contact us:
We urge prospective clients and their families to tour our new facility on 5700 N Lincoln Ave and check out this wonderful program.
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JASC Partners with the Field Museum for Shared Stories, Shared Future: An Educator Symposium on AANHPI Histories
This event celebrates the culmination of a three-year journey exploring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) histories and stories through education, community partnerships, and museum learning.
The event will feature a screening of Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, a film by JJML Productions, followed by a panel discussion with educators and young advocates who helped champion the TEAACH Act in Illinois. Breakout sessions, cultural activation stations, and cultural performances to follow. Field Museum Connections: AANHPI stories and the TEAACH Act programming is made possible with the generous support of the Cyrus Tang Foundation.
Event details:
May 1 - May 2, 2026
May 1 - Reception at JASC from 5:30-7:30 pm
May 2 - Full Symposium at Field Museum from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Early Bird Ticket Rate (Now through 3/31 - ending soon!): $75
Regular Rate (4/1-4/30): $100
We encourage all educators to attend this special symposium to learn more about how to implement AANHPI histories in your curriculum!
This symposium consists of two days.
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JASC WISHLIST
Large Print Word Search,
Crosswords, or Puzzle Books
Large Igloo Coolers for festivals
Clear Storage Boxes
Tall Glass Jars (see below)
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Tampopo Kai needs your help!
Please consider donating jars for our preschool craft projects.
We are looking for tall glass jars with an ideal size of 6.5" tall and 3" wide (approx. 17cm x 8cm).
If you eat Costco peaches - that is the perfect sized jar! All tall jars will be accepted as well!
Thank you! If you are able to donate, please contact Naomi Negi at tampopo@jasc-chicago.org
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In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Chicago Japan Film Collective (CJFC), in partnership with Gorton Center, presents a special screening of Ishibumi (2015), directed by acclaimed filmmaker KORE-EDA Hirokazu.
Originally produced by Hiroshima Television, Ishibumi revisits the story of 321 first-year students of the former Hiroshima Second Middle School whose lives were taken in the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945. Through the quiet and powerful recitation of letters and family testimonies, the film preserves voices that might otherwise fade from collective memory.
Known worldwide for his deeply humanistic storytelling, Kore-eda returns to his documentary roots in this moving work. Actress Haruka Ayase, a native of Hiroshima, lends her voice to the recited letters, offering a restrained yet emotionally resonant performance that honors the memories of the young lives lost.
The screening will be presented as a one-time theatrical event. A panel discussion may follow, subject to availability.
Click below to get your tickets!
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Takashi Shallow at Elastic Arts
Friday, March 27th | Elastic Arts | 8:30PM
Elastic Arts, 3429 W Diversey Ave #208, Chicago, IL 60647
Takashi Shallow will present an array of recent works stemming from his varied sonic practice including teaching video game music at The University of Chicago, soundtracking a documentary about the ghosts of Portuguese steelworkers in Paris for a Villa Albertine-Fiminco residency, and writing a forthcoming book about DJing in collaboration with Evoke Gallery.
8:30pm Start
Tickets available at the door. $20/ $10 with Student ID
For more information visit Elastic Arts website: https://elasticarts.org/events/takashirecentprojects
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Emma Wilkinson is a PhD student at Northwestern University who is working with Dr. Annette D'Onofrio to research Chicago-based JAs and their sociolinguistic contexts.Please consider helping her with her research!
If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please fill out the survey linked here or navigate to the following url: https://tinyurl.com/nikkeilang . It will ask for some demographic information to check study qualifications and will also ask for your availability. The interview typically takes about an hour to an hour and half. Please also let me know if you would like more information about the project, or if you have any questions.
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