|
Best wishes for a delightful Holiday Season and
Happy New Year!
Click on graphics below to learn more information
| |
|
JASC 6th Annual New Year Card Contest
Enter our Annual New Year Card Contest! Open to children, teens, and adults! Share your artwork and help us welcome 2026 with creativity and joy. Celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Horse together.
| | | | |
Celebrate the New Year at JASC's Kids New Year Day Camp!
Children will enjoy our popular Calligraphy and Ikebana activities, plus new this year, playing the traditional Hanetsuki game and making their own Hagoita paddle.
Lunch features JASC's special Teriyaki burger, with snacks also provided.
This is a very popular camp every year, so don't miss out!
| | |
Introducing Nihongo Table — launching January 2026!
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.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ruby Grillier at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org
| |
|
JASC is partnering with The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association for a special panel discussion featuring Ross Harano, Linda Kawano, Erik Matsunaga, and Mike Tanimura. Together, they’ll reflect on the lasting impacts of World War II incarceration on their families, their lives, and the broader Japanese American community.
Join us on January 19 at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park to hear their stories firsthand. This event is free and open to the public!
Learn more about JASC’s Oral History Project on our website:
| | | |
|
Ikebana classes are resuming in January 2026!
Sign up today to claim your spot in a relaxing, interactive class that will introduce you to the art of Ohara style flower arranging!
Now introducing: the Bring a Friend discount! Register for two and get 10 off tota; class fee. (That's $5 per person.)
| | | |
|
Resgistration Opens: Friday, January 2, 2026
Resgistration Closes: Friday, January 9, 2026
The Winter Session period is January 12, 2026 - March 21, 2026
9 weeks with one class per week
| | | |
|
Tampopo Kai is currently in Winter Session 1. We have ONE more class this Saturday, 12/27. We will have a long winter break in January, and Winter Session 2 will begin on February 7th.
Visit the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry before January 5, 2026 to admire the Japan Tree decorated by Tampopo Kai. Thanks to all who have already gone! The Japan Tree is one of more than 50 World Trees displayed at the museum.
Tampopo Kai has been presenting the beautiful Japan Tree since 1989, becoming the third group to represent Japan in this tradition. Two other organizations cared for the tree before us, as Japan joined the museum’s celebration in the mid-1950s, possibly as early as 1952.
This tradition has continued for decades and still brings joy to everyone during the season.
| | | |
|
Join us for a fun and festive Kids Cooking Class celebrating Setsubun and Valentine's Day!
Children will learn how to make Eho-maki sushi rolls for good luck, a comforting bowl of Kenchinjiru (Japanese Vegetable Soup), and finish with a sweet Chocolate muffin to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Hands-on, delicious, and full of seasonal tradition! This class is always a memorable fun experience for all the kids!
| | | |
2026 Soup and Rice Dates Announced
Save the dates now for Soup & Rice 2026. Soup chefs are encouraged to sign up online or call the office and let us know you'll be bringing soup. Volunteers are needed the day of for set up and clean up before and ater the event as ell as serving crew during dinner.
| |
|
Japanese Conversation Table:
Thursday, January 8, 2026
1月の日本語お話会は1月08日（木）です
開催日：1月08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, January 8, 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
| | | |
|
Interested in learning Japanese or building up your language skills?
JASC language classes are led by native Japanese speakers and are a great way to strengthen your comprehension with in-person and online options.
How do JASC Japanese classes work?
Our Beginners I and II classes operate in 4 sessions throughout the year with each session focusing on 3 chapters in the Genki I and II textbooks.
Beginners I Session 1 is the best match for introductory level Japanese, where students learn hiragana and basic vocabulary before building up to later sessions.
Join our Intermediate or Advanced Class - if you have studied Japanese for some time or have completed the Genki II textbook (or equivalent), you can try our higher level classes for more exposure and practice.
You can always join a class mid-session! It may require some self study of previous chapters to keep up with the class, but students can join sessions at any time so long as there is capacity.
Please reach out to Ruby at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org for additional information on language classes or to arrange for a free trial class.
The next Beginner I Session 1 class is expected to start in February 2026 - Please stay tuned for registration dates or join our waitlist!
| | | |
|
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.
| | | | |
If you’re a Japanese–English bilingual speaker—or know someone who is—here’s a great opportunity to support important research!
PhD candidate Onae Parker from the University of Iowa is conducting a study on the communicative strategies used by Japanese-English bilinguals, with a special focus on heritage speakers and the diverse language experiences within our community. Their research aims to highlight and better understand the rich, lived experiences of bilingual speakers.
Onae is still working towards their recruitment goal, and every participant makes a difference. If you’d like to support their work, you can take part online in one or both 30-minute studies. Participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card for each study completed. Thank you for helping uplift bilingual voices in our community!
| | | | |
