Upcoming Events

More Things Japanese  Hands-On Art Workshops & Reception More Things Japanese is an encyclopedic exhibition that showcases the richness and diversity of traditional Japanese art, spanning from the 6th–7th centuries through the 18th–19th centuries. Featuring a wide array of historical objects—including ceramics, textiles, paintings, woodblock prints, and religious artifacts—this exhibition invites audiences to engage more […]

A virtual Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) program with instruction from Hekiun Oda Sensei.The Japanese Culture Center is excited to hold a 書道 – Shodo / Japanese Calligraphy program with Chicago’s own Shodo master, Hekiun Oda!In the Shodo program you learn the art of Japanese calligraphy from Hekiun Oda-sensei, a calligraphy master from the Japanese Calligraphy Association […]

Get Tickets Here Join us for an evening of tranquility and rejuvenation at the Japanese Cultural Center! Embark on a journey of serenity and self-discovery as we invite you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing melodies of singing bowls, soothing vibrations of gongs, flute, bells, drums, and handpan. This captivating sound bath will transport you […]

Join Yamamoto Sensei for a special one-night conversation focused practice!About the EventThis is a one-off night to practice simple conversation with a variety of different Japanese language learners! Students of all levels are encouraged to join with a focus on the following:Simple introductions (students of Yamamoto Sensei should have a self-introduction prepared)Simple questions and answers […]

Join us for an in-person 3-week Ohara Ryu Ikebana Session! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an Ohara Ryu 3-week Ikebana Session! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Dates: January 10, 17, & 24Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the art […]

Get ready to welcome the New Year with cute origami lucky cats and family fun - let's fold some good luck together!🐾 Family New Year Origami Workshop - Fold Your Own Lucky Cat! 🐱✨Start the new year with creativity, good fortune, and a touch of charm!Join us for a special New Year's Origami Workshop where […]

Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-6:00 pm on Friday, 1/16Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese lacquer / Urushi art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. Urushi is the natural resin collected from the lacquer tree. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break […]

Get Tickets Here Step into a realm of deep relaxation and healing at Sonic Sanctuary: Gong Wash Sound Healing. This immersive sound healing journey harnesses the powerful vibrations of gongs, complemented by singing bowls, chimes, flutes, handpan and other therapeutic instruments, to harmonize your mind, body, and spirit. Let the soothing resonance wash over you, […]

Join us for an in-person an Ohara Ryu Ikebana workshop! No experience necessary. All levels welcome. Join us for an Ohara Ryu Ikebana Workshop! No experience necessary. All levels welcome. Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the art of Japanese flower arrangement […]

Come and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami at Gaijin!CLASS DESCRIPTION:E-tegami, meaning "picture letter" (e=picture, tegami=letter), is a form of Japanese mail art. At its simplest, you'll create an ink drawing of a seasonal object on a watercolor postcard. At its most complex, this activity allows us to slow down and mindfully contemplate our relationships […]

Join us for an in-person Mt. Fuji-themed woodblock Printing Course! No experience is necessary. All levels are welcome.Description:This introductory workshop introduces students to the processes of Japanese block printmaking focusing on inking and printing. In this one-time workshop, students will experience basic carvings and print the one-block printmaking process with a Mt. Fuji-theme design provided […]

Hyougu (表具) : The ancient eastern craft of mounting pieces of calligraphy, paintings, or other works.Hyougu (表具) : The ancient eastern craft of mounting pieces of calligraphy, paintings, or other works of art in order to preserve and display them.Workshop Price: $90Dates: Sunday Jan 18: 10:30-12:30pm CST, Sunday Jan 25th, and Feb 1st from 10 […]

Hyougu (表具) : The ancient eastern craft of mounting pieces of calligraphy, paintings, or other works.Hyougu (表具) : The ancient eastern craft of mounting pieces of calligraphy, paintings, or other works of art in order to preserve and display them.Workshop Price: $90Dates: Tuesday January 20th and 27th from 3-5 PM CT, Tuesday February 3rd 2:30 […]

Learn Japanese in this five-week introductory session! Learn to read, write, and speak with fellow classmates in our Introduction to Japanese Language class! GENERAL INFO: ‣ Price ⇰ $150.00 per student (textbook NOT included) ‣ Duration ⇰ Five weeks (one hour every Saturday) ‣ Instructor ⇰ Mieko Fujii Sensei Please note exact class dates for […]

Introduction to Japanese Tea Ceremony The Japanese Culture Center is excited to announce the next introductory course on Chanoyu/Tea Ceremony! General Information: Class Dates : Fridays - January 23, January 30, February 6, & February 13 7:00 pm – 8:30pm $120 per student Business casual attire and white socks are required 4 students maximum Introductory […]

Learn Japanese in this five-week introductory session! Learn to read, write, and speak with fellow classmates in our Introduction to Japanese Language class!   GENERAL INFO: ‣ Price ⇰ $150.00 per student (textbook NOT included) ‣ Duration ⇰ Five weeks (one hour every Saturday) ‣ Instructor ⇰ Mieko Fujii Sensei Please note exact class dates […]

Study the art of bonsai at the Japanese Culture Center! Discover the perfect blend of creativity and relaxation with our beginner bonsai workshops. Whether you’re a seasoned bonsai enthusiast or a curious beginner, our workshops provide all the materials and guidance you need to create your own miniature living art with the Japanese principles of […]

Reiki Winter Stillness – Opening to PossibilitiesReiki Winter Stillness – Opening to PossibilitiesStep into the quiet, restorative energy of winter with this Reiki session designed to guide you into stillness, inner reflection, and spacious openness. Rooted in the Japanese concept of Ma — the living space between moments — this practice invites you to soften […]

A virtual Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) program with instruction from Hekiun Oda Sensei.The Japanese Culture Center is excited to hold a 書道 – Shodo / Japanese Calligraphy program with Chicago’s own Shodo master, Hekiun Oda!In the Shodo program you learn the art of Japanese calligraphy from Hekiun Oda-sensei, a calligraphy master from the Japanese Calligraphy Association […]

Join us for a warm, creative session and craft something meaningful for yourself or someone you care about! Celebrate the season of love and creativity with our Family Valentine’s Day Origami Workshop, where we’ll be folding a charming heart-shaped box—perfect for holding small treats, notes, or gifts for someone special. Date: Feburary 5th, 2026 Time: […]

Nerikiri (Japanese sweets wagashi) making workshopValentine's Day Nerikiri: Hearts and the Thread of DestinyEnroll now for our special Wagashi workshop, dedicated to the theme of Valentine's Day!This class offers a perfect opportunity to prepare a thoughtful, handmade gift for your loved ones. We will focus on two beautiful and meaningful designs:Heart: Nerikiri shaped like a […]

Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).About this EventThe Year of the Fire HorseIntroduction to an appreciation of Chinese/Japanese calligraphy and painting.Each class begins with a Zen lesson followed by breath and hand exercises. Demonstration of the “Vocabulary of strokes" followed by step-by-step […]

Join us for this Introductory Ikebana Workshop in the Ikenobo style of Ikebana.Workshop InformationDate: FEB 8Time: 2:30-4:30pmLocation: Japanese Culture CenterNumber of Students: 10 StudentsNumber of Classes: one workshopLength: 2 hoursCost: $80.00Registration Deadline: Two weeks prior to workshop date.If the 10 student minimum is not met, registration will be moved to the next workshopPlease take this […]

Get Tickets Here Join us for an evening of tranquility and rejuvenation at the Japanese Cultural Center! Embark on a journey of serenity and self-discovery as we invite you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing melodies of singing bowls, soothing vibrations of gongs, flute, bells, drums, and handpan. This captivating sound bath will transport you […]

Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).About this EventThe Year of the Fire HorseIntroduction to an appreciation of Chinese/Japanese calligraphy and painting.Each class begins with a Zen lesson followed by breath and hand exercises. Demonstration of the “Vocabulary of strokes" followed by step-by-step […]

Come and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami! Come and learn how to carve your own e-tegami signature stamp and design a Valentine stamp e-tegami! CLASS DESCRIPTION: E-tegami translates literally to “picture letter,” (e=picture, tegami= letter) and entails the process of designing, drawing, and sending a postcard. The final step in this process is figuring […]

Join us for a fun Valentine's themed Suminagashi - Ink Marbling Workshop at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art!Suminagashi - Ink Marbling WorkshopJoin artist Pamela Martinez for a 2 hour introduction to Suminagashi Japanese paper marbling at the Heritage Musuem of Asian Art!Suminagashi translated means floating black ink. It is the ancient meditative Japanese practice […]

Reiki, Japanese Healing Art – an introductionReiki, Japanese Healing Art – an introductionReiki is a traditional Japanese healing method developed in the 1920s by Usui Mikao. Its formal name, Shin Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryōhō, translates to “The Usui Healing Method for Improving Body, Mind, and Heart.” Today, Reiki is practiced globally as a system that supports overall well-being […]

Join us for an in-person 2-week Ohara Ryu Ikebana Session! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an Ohara Ryu 2-week Ikebana session! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Dates: February 21 & 28Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the art of […]

Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice invites you to pause, relax, and return to your natural state of balance. Guided by Veronique Frede, Reiki Teacher, the session may include breathing exercises, meditation, hands-on self-healing, work with the Japanese energy […]

Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-6:00 pm on SAT, 2/21Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese lacquer / Urushi art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. Urushi is the natural resin collected from the lacquer tree. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break […]

A virtual Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) program with instruction from Hekiun Oda Sensei.The Japanese Culture Center is excited to hold a 書道 – Shodo / Japanese Calligraphy program with Chicago’s own Shodo master, Hekiun Oda!In the Shodo program you learn the art of Japanese calligraphy from Hekiun Oda-sensei, a calligraphy master from the Japanese Calligraphy Association […]

Join us for an in-person 3-week Ohara Ryu Ikebana Session! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an Ohara Ryu 3-week Ikebana Session! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Dates: March 7, 14, & 21Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the art […]

Join us for a fun Suminagashi - Ink Marbling Workshop where you can learn the ancient Japanese art of paper marbling!Suminagashi - Ink Marbling WorkshopJoin artist Pamela Martinez for a 2 hour introduction to Suminagashi Japanese paper marbling!Suminagashi translated means floating black ink. It is the ancient meditative Japanese practice of gently floating pigments on […]

Join us for an in-person an Ohara Ryu Ikebana workshop! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an Ohara Ryu Ikebana Workshop! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the art of Japanese flower arrangement or an […]

Join us for an in-person an Ohara Ryu Ikebana workshop at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an Ohara Ryu Ikebana Workshop at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art!No experience necessary & all levels welcome.Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether […]

Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 6:30-9pm on Friday, 3/20Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese lacquer / Urushi art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. Urushi is the natural resin collected from the lacquer tree. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather […]

Reiki Spring Renewal – Unfolding New PossibilitiesReiki Spring Renewal – Unfolding New PossibilitiesStep into the vibrant, uplifting energy of spring with this Reiki group session designed to support renewal, gentle clearing, and the blossoming of new possibilities.Through Reiki flow, mindful breathwork, and guided visualization, you are invited to stretch out of winter’s stillness, awaken your […]

Learn the art of Japanese Papermaking with Takahashi Sensei!Japanese Papermaking WorkshopAt this papermaking workshop, participants will make traditional Japanese paper, called Wash from the fibers processed by the bark of Kozo (Japanese marybery) tree. Washi is typically made by Japanese Mulberry or Mitsumata wood bark and has been used in Japan’s everyday life, including architectural […]

Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice invites you to pause, relax, and return to your natural state of balance. Guided by Veronique Frede, Reiki Teacher, the session may include breathing exercises, meditation, hands-on self-healing, work with the Japanese energy […]