A Unique Stay at Henn na Hotel
A Blend of Quirkiness and Comfort in Midtown’s Garment District
Noted for its animated dinosaur in the lobby, Henn na Hotel in Midtown Manhattan stands out as a unique and inviting space, perfectly situated near Herald Square and Penn Station. This boutique hotel with 92 rooms offers an intimate atmosphere and excellent customer service.
Henn na Hotel’s dinosaur
Prime Location for Anime Enthusiasts
If you're planning to attend Anime NYC from November 17 through November 19, Henn na Hotel's proximity to the Javits Center is ideal. The convenience of being only a 17-minute walk away from the venue makes it the perfect accommodation choice for those looking to maximize their time at the con. Plus, the Japanese-inspired amenities will keep the spirit of Anime NYC throughout your stay.
A Peek into a suite on the 18th Floor
Full disclosure: Henn na Hotel offered me a stay in one of their suites on the 18th floor for an honest review.
The suite décor is minimalist but still exudes comfort, featuring a plush, king-sized bed that promised a restful night's sleep. The pull-out couch and an extra pillow and duvet in the closet are great if you’re staying with a group. The room has a desk and complimentary WiFi, perfect for posting your Anime NYC reels to Instagram at the end of the day.
One distinctive touch is the shoji screen-like doors that separate the bedroom from the sitting area, providing an authentic touch of Japanese design. The suite also boasts modern amenities that epitomize luxury and innovation, including TVs in both spaces, a fridge, a deep soaking tub, and—the pièce de resistance—the Toto toilet.
A highlight of the suite is the LG Styler steam closet, a fascinating addition that sanitizes, deodorizes, and freshens clothes without chemicals. I couldn't resist testing my jacket in the cool infrared lighting.
While the suite has ample outdoor space, it’s worth noting that there’s no outdoor furniture. Despite this, the opportunity to step outside and get a breath of fresh air was a nice experience.
Dining Delights at Gosuke Restaurant
For a taste of Japan without leaving the hotel, Gosuke Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience. For the sushi lover, the menu features a reasonably priced omakase option as well as a variety of Japanese comfort dishes such as katsu curry and sukiyaki.
During my visit, I opted for the shrimp shumai, a vegetable roll, and a piece of hamachi sushi. With an Orion beer to start and a glass of sake to finish, the meal hit the spot.
A Quirky Stay Is the Best Stay
The word henna (変な) means “weird” or “strange” in Japanese. While a hotel with a T-Rex in its lobby might not feel normal, Henn na Hotel seamlessly blends quirkiness with comfort, making it a standout choice for those attending Anime NYC or anyone seeking a unique stay in the city.
Henn na Hotel
235 W. 35th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001
212-729-4366
Hello@HennNaHotelNY.com
https://www.hennnahotelny.com/
IG: @hennnahotelny
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Chinatown Street to be named after Asian American Activist
Unveiling of Corky Lee Way
Sunday, October 22 at 4:00 p.m.
Corner of Mott and Mosco Streets, Chinatown
The Corky Lee Way Street Co-Naming Committee, Think!Chinatown, and 21 Pell will host a gathering on the corner of Mosco Street and Mott Street in the heart of New York City's Chinatown to unveil the street sign which co-names Mosco Street as Corky Lee Way in honor of the late Corky Lee. This beloved intersection is the site of Corky Lee’s last public photography exhibition hosted at the historic newsstand in October 2020 and continues his vision as a gathering place for community joy.
Photographer and activist Corky Lee with his iconic photographs
About Corky Lee
Corky Lee was an Asian American photographer, activist, and historian known for his passion for capturing the vibrant stories of the Asian American community through his lens. His dedication to celebrating the diversity and culture of our AANHPI communities made him a beloved and inspirational figure for current and future generations.
Join the committee and friends of Corky Lee to honor his enduring legacy and his commitment to amplifying the voices and stories of Asian Americans.
Event Details
Corky Lee Way Street Sign Unveiling
Remarks by community leaders and special guests
Special Performance of “It’s Tough Being Corky Lee” by Judo Club
To Be Followed By
Chinatown Block Party
Display of Corky’s Iconic Photographs
Corky Lee Film Screenings
An opportunity to get your own "Where's Corky?" sticker (courtesy of George Hirose) and a "Corky Lee Way" sticker (designed by Alice Hennessy)
An opportunity to add personal notes to the Corky Lee Memory Board
About Mosco Street and Frank Mosco
Frank Mosco (1920-1982) was a beloved community leader who grew up on the Lower East Side and knew Corky Lee through their civic involvement at the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council and other community work. Mosco was known for bringing the Chinese and Italian American communities together. Joining Corky Lee Way and Mosco Street not only honors two great men, but also the enduring bond of our two communities.
Celebrate Fall at The New York Buddhist Church
Aki Matsuri: Japanese Fall Festival
Saturday, October 21 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
New York Buddhist Church – 331-332 Riverside Drive (between 105th and 106th Streets)
Admission: Free
The New York Buddhist Church is hosting Aki Matsuri: Japanese Fall Festival to commemorate their 85th Anniversary and the arrival of their new resident minister, Rev. Kurt Rye.
The festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. with a performance by the taiko drumming group Soh Daiko. Visitors can watch Japanese silent films and immerse themselves in the artistry of the Ikebana flower arranging demonstration. Children will be entertained by Japanese-style storytelling, known as Kamishibai. Attendees can engage in a moment of tranquility with "Present Moment," an interactive mandala and walking meditation experience. Japanese crafts, ceramics, textiles, and snacks will be available for purchase.
Celebrate the season as well as the 85th anniversary of this important community institution!
For more information, please visit the New York Buddhist Church’s website.
Exterior of the New York Buddhist Church with the statue of Shinran Shonin, founder of the Jodo-Shinshu Sect
Join the Kaede Scavenger Hunt and Search for the One Piece
Kaede Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 a.m.
Venue given upon registration
Admission: Free
Kaede Kimonos is hosting a special and exciting scavenger hunt throughout the city. They’re calling on all pirates to join, so read their message below and register today!
Message from Kaede Kimonos
Ahoy, New York City! On November 4th, gather your courage and join us for an epic adventure of a lifetime. This ain't your ordinary scavenger hunt – it's a treasure hunt fit for a true pirate!
Whether you're a solo pirate, a captain in search of a loyal crew, or a ready-made crew of three, this is your chance to experience the thrill of the Grand Line right here in the Big Apple.
As a solo pirate, conquer the challenges ahead, unravel mysteries, and claim your victory on your own terms. Embrace the spirit of freedom and cut through the waves of excitement!
Want to be a captain and build your very own crew along the way? Well, fear not, fellow explorer! Gather your “nakama” (that means “friends” in pirate-speak) and choose the captain option. Build your crew as you navigate uncharted territories, bond through teamwork, and unleash your pirate awesomeness!
And for those who are already a powerhouse team of three, set sail together and let your synergy shine! The dynamics of trust, camaraderie, and synchronized attacks will be your key to triumph on this unforgettable treasure hunt.
Expect mind-bending puzzles, cunning riddles, and challenges that will test your mettle. Immerse yourself in the world of One Piece as you uncover clues hidden across the city. This is your chance to step into the shoes of a real pirate and make memories that will last a lifetime!
So, mateys, don your pirate hats, grab your maps, and sign up for the pirate themed scavenger hunt on November 4th. Swords will clash, bounties will be claimed, and legends shall be written!
Head over to our website to secure your spot and choose your pirate path—solo, captain looking for his crew, or three-member crew. Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
Remember, it's not just about the treasure, it's about the journey itself. Mark your calendars, assemble your crew, and prepare for the One Piece scavenger hunt in the heart of New York City. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
But just as a tease the One Piece treasure includes and XBOX S Series bundle and more.
So, are you ready to conquer The Grand Line? Join us on November 4th and let's set sail, New York!
P.S. – Don't let the Marines catch you.
Special Thanks to Senpai Project and Anubis House Productions.
NOTE: We are not affiliated with Toei Animations or Netflix, and this is not an official event put on by them.
Official Rules
All teams (Except Individual Captains), must have a minimum of 2 team members and a maximum of 3 members.
All teams/individuals must complete a waiver form to participate in the Scavenger Hunt.
If you are a minor, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent for you to participate.
Team members must remain together throughout the race and must check in at every checkpoint before and/or after each challenge (unless specified otherwise). You may not split up to “divide” Scavenger Hunt tasks or enlist others to help complete your tasks.
Individuals can add/recruit a team member along the way. Max team is 3. All recruiting must be done before the 5th Challenge.
All teams/individuals must be courteous and respectful to all participants and volunteers.
Each team/individual will be provided with a "Passport." The goal of the scavenger hunt is to complete all challenges and find the final location.
Scavenger Hunt clues are NOT required to be completed in order. However, teams or individuals must have all challenges completed before going to the final location
All teams have 8 hours to complete the race.
All teams must stop and get to the finish area by 6:00 p.m. and turn in team’s passport (full) to a volunteer at the Scavenger Hunt end.
There will be Marines searching for you. If you or a team member is caught. That person or crew will be "locked up" for 30 minutes. You will be able to continue after your release. The Marines will also get all the info you gathered to use to beat you to the end.
To register, please fill out this Google Form or visit Virtual Nippon’s Eventbrite page.
This listing is a paid advertisement on JapanCulture-NYC.com by Kaede Kimonos. If you’re interested in sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please send an email to info@japanculture-nyc.com.
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NIJI-JAPANESE ARTIST POP UP SHOP TO HOLD MARKET AT RESOBOX
Autumn Japanese Maker’s Market
Sunday, October 22 from 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
RESOBOX – 91 3rd Street (at 1st Avenue)
Admission: Free
Discover Japanese-inspired accessories and art at niji-Japanese Artist Pop Up Shop’s craft show at RESOBOX in the East Village.
Accessories such as earrings, necklaces, and more Japanese-inspired products will be on sale, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the artists in person, hear their stories, and learn about the intricate details behind each item. Discover truly unique and creative works for yourself, or find the perfect gift for your loved ones.
To learn more about the vendors and reserve your spot, please visit niji-Japanese Artist Pop Up Shop’s Eventbrite page.
Participating Vendors
Chocolateclayyy – Polymer clay and resin jewelry and sculptures
Kazaria3 – Handmade hats made of used Japanese kimono fabric
Usagiduck – Stationery, apparel, and art prints of original character Usagiduck and their animal friends
Pucci Ropa Jewelry – Handmade sterling silver/brass jewelry in organic and abstract shapes
satokomatsu – “Word picture” jewelry
Hooks and Luxe – Accessories made from eco-friendly materials
Unipaca Studio – Handmade stationery items such as vinyl stickers, sticker sheets, and acrylic keychains
Karepango – Whimsical art that celebrates the satirical side of everyday life
TeaLoveCrochet – Knit and crocheted accessories inspired by food, Harajuku, and the artist’s Asian American culture
Poiful Rugs – Handcrafted rugs inspired by Japanese culture and nature
Fragrant Olive – Handmade soaps with Japanese koi fish and makeup bags using Japanese fabrics
Riverside Wrapping Co. – Mizuhiki (Japanese paper cords) accessories
Nappel – “Pop Up Sox” baby socks that are made of organic cotton and have 3D animal ears that “pop up”
Crafting Workshops
Before the event begins, there will be two crafting workshops from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Soap Making Workshop by Tamami
Cost: $30 (includes materials for two soaps)
Accomplished instructor Tamami, the founder of the esteemed handmade brand Fragrant Olive, will guide participants as they craft two unique handmade soaps: a rabbit soap with natural exfoliant and a teddy bear sandwich soap. To register, please visit niji-Japanese Artist Pop Up Shop’s website.
Let’s Make Teru Teru Bozu Ghost Amigurumi with Petrina/TeaLoveCrochet
Cost: $35 (includes yarn, crochet hook, and accessories)
“Amigurumi” is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals or toys using yarn and a hook or needles, often resulting in cute and charming creatures. A “teru teru bozu” is a Japanese talisman made to stop the rain and bring good weather. Petrina of TeaLoveCrochet will teach participants simple crochet stitches and how to read a pattern to make a cute teru teru bozu ghost, perfect for this spooky season! To register, please visit niji-Japanese Artist Pop Up Shop’s website.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Tech Fluency
by Yvonne Burton, Business Editor
Technological Fluency
That is a mouthful. I call it Tech Fluency.
What is Tech Fluency?
Let me define it by looking at its components.
Technology: Techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives.
Fluency: The quality or condition of being fluent. In addition, it is also defined as the ability to express oneself easily and articulately. It is usually applied to languages.
In this article, I am taking creative license and applying fluency to the language of technology to describe the level of proficiency and/or comfort in using the technological tools and applications that are needed to perform work responsibilities.
Pain Points
Over the course of the past year, I have witnessed the major challenges facing some Japanese companies and their employees when they use existing tools such as MS Teams, WebEx, Slack, and the pandemic-created juggernaut that is Zoom.
The pandemic exposed the seriousness of many Japanese companies’ inadequate technological infrastructure. Not just from hardware and software perspectives, but also proficiency and usage. Part of infrastructure includes people skilled in relevant applications’ functionality and using them to perform job responsibilities and tasks.
Japan has dominated in consumer electronic goods and the auto industry, to name just two, and is “cutting edge in areas such as robotics, supercomputing, and artificial Intelligence. Where there is a need for more widespread growth is in areas that are driven by information technology.”*
A comment I hear from several Japanese managers is, “We need to train Japanese (business) people how to use modern IT tools.” The ability to use modern IT tools to perform at higher levels and efficiency in the course of your work was important pre-pandemic; now it is essential.
Lack of Tech Fluency in workers translates into lost time, ineffective use of resources, lost opportunities, bloated workflows, redundancies, and at the bottom line, loss of money. It can also lead to frustration with oneself (if you’re not “getting” it) or between employees who have varying skill levels.
Tech Fluency is a major part of global business skills.
Why should you pay attention to your Tech Fluency, or the lack thereof?
As the saying goes, technology drives business. Yes, and I think people effectively using technologies drives personal and business success.
In case anyone is wondering, remote/virtual work on a large scale is here to stay.
More and more applications are being created to address business needs. If you are not familiar (or at ease) with working with the current mainstream applications, it will only get more difficult.
Many companies are suffering with issues of security, implementation, training, and general know-how and usage of these tools. IT departments implement tools that are meant to service business needs and streamline workflows, but workers are either not using them at all or lack minimum levels of proficiency. This applies to offices in Japan and their overseas branches. Yes, it takes time to become proficient in these tools, and it should be regarded as an investment that is well worth the ROI. The only way to become proficient is through training and usage.
Companies must implement a strategy to build tech infrastructure that includes training and USAGE.
This is an issue for large Japanese companies as well as medium and small firms. Technology usage can lead to efficient and cost-effective ways of fulfilling workflows. Platforms such as MS Teams can help large companies eliminate redundancies in business operations as well as to communicate across and within branches, departments, and teams. That same technology can help smaller companies automate many functions so that resources’ time can be spent on tasks that are more critical to business success.
The excerpt below is from a blog article I wrote more than ten years ago in relation to Japanese companies and technology, and it still applies today:
Companies need to proactively identify opportunities for system and business process improvement by assessing current and emerging systems/applications for their ability to meet business requirements, saving themselves time and money.”
At the end of last year [2020], I collaborated on a team working with a major Japanese corporation that, at first, was unsure of how virtualized workshops could be as engaging and impactful as past in-person ones. With training and practice to gain familiarity with the applications to be used and redesigning activities using the features of the apps, the workshops were so successful that a large percentage of the feedback we received was “the virtual sessions surpassed the in-person sessions in many ways.”
Still, many Japanese companies are behind in harnessing the power of technology in daily work in comparison to companies in Europe and the United States. One of the contributing factors for this gap is the risk-avoidance policies practiced at many large companies, which impede access and usage of some mainstream applications.
At the employee level, in addition to the anxiety caused by using English (Global English) in business, the discomfort and lack of “articulation” with technological tools will continue to hinder professional development and productivity. This deficit causes many Japanese professionals to lag behind their foreign counterparts, business partners, and clients.
On a larger scale, Japan is facing issues in terms of an aging population, decreasing workforce, and the increasing reliance on revenue growth from outside the country. Effectively using technology is one of the best ways to manage these risks.
It is important to note that there can be issues with just having tech for tech’s sake. The market is flooded with applications, so part of building a good tech infrastructure is to make sure you are selecting the correct tools to address your business’s needs.
One of my workshop participants complained that he was trained in a new application, but he did not know why he should use it when his manual process worked fine. This “usage” component is often missed.
My software development lifecycle analysis experience has taught me the criticality of the define phase in everything. Without understanding of the problem to be solved, the solution reached will not wholly address the problem/need. It is the same when implementing tech tools in your business.
There are often overall best practices given for an application but not RIGHT practices to meet specific needs. There should be clarity around for what the application is needed and the desired impact of using it.
In summary, Tech Fluency is a critical component in doing business and doing business globally. Companies that do not develop proactive plans to improve Tech Fluency overall and within their employee ranks will continue to experience reductions in efficiency, productivity, competitive ability, and ultimately revenue.
Integration with and interaction within the global business community will only continue to rise. The need to increase Tech Fluency levels for both employees and companies is paramount for a company to maintain competitive advantage.
Contact Burton Consulting International to learn more about our Tech Fluency offerings.
* David “Chet” Chetwynd of JMNC Solutions zoominar on “How Japanese Companies Compete Globally.”
Yvonne Burton provides services to Japanese firms operating internationally and companies operating in the Japanese market.
To learn more, please visit burtonconsulting.biz.
DISCUSS IDENTITIES AT THE ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS ALLIANCE
IDENTITIES: Get Together
Thursday, September 14 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Asian American Arts Alliance – 29 W. 38th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 9th Floor
Admission: Free
The Asian American Arts Alliance will host IDENTITIES: Get Together, a casual conversation about Hidemi Takagi's photography project with Klaudia Ofwona Draber, Executive Director at KODA, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to mid-career artists from diverse backgrounds, and project participants.
Enjoy snacks and drinks, watch a slideshow of artwork, and listen to a discussion about identity of mixed race/multiracial/multicultural people.
This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required to attend. To register, please visit The Asian American Arts Alliance’s Eventbrite page.
About the Project
IDENTITIES is a photography and interview project started during pandemic with Takagi’s family, a blend of Japanese and Haitian, and it portrays other biracial/multiracial subjects as well. Takagi, who seeks to envision deep roots and explore issues of mixed-race identities, has been working with biracial/multiracial teenagers for this project with their parents’ consent. She takes their portraits and interviews them, asking questions about their experiences, their dreams, how they feel about being mixed-race or multicultural. Takagi chose to work with this age group because teens today are more politically engaged than ever.
So far, she has worked with teens who have lived in New York; New Jersey; Miami, Florida; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Tokyo; and Yokohama. Takagi has been creating complex and whimsically self-consuming images of mixed-race life, its public and private faces, using her art as a tool to explore racial identity, race relations, public presentation of the self, and cultural norms.
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Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field
Japanese Heritage Night
Friday, August 25 – Pregame activities at 5:00 p.m. (First pitch at 7:10 p.m.)
Citi Field – 41 Seaver Way, Flushing, Queens
Admission: $35.50 to $127.50
Kodai Senga and the New York Mets host Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels in this celebration of Japanese heritage! The Japanese American Association of New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan Society, the U.S.-Japan Council, the Consul-General of Japan in New York, and the Japanese American National Museum are collectively organizing what promises to be an Amazin’ night at Citi Field.
Senga, a five-time Japan Series champion with the SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball, signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets last December and has been dazzling fans with his “ghost forkball.” Shohei Ohtani, the über-talented two-way star who won the American League MVP in 2021 and led Samurai Japan to the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship, is having another MVP-caliber season and is currently leading the American League with 43 home runs.
But this will be more than just a game. On August 25, with two Japanese All-Stars opposing each other at Citi Field, the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York will come together to celebrate our rich culture and the important contributions we make in this city each day. Before the game begins, sensational all-female taiko drumming group Cobu will give their trademark energetic performance in the Mets Plaza (between the Mets/Willets Point 7 train station and the Jackie Robinson Rotunda) at 5:30 p.m. Inside the park on Citi Field’s massive centerfield scoreboard, the Mets will show a video about our vibrant community and the MLB team’s connection to Japanese baseball players. Afterward, six community leaders representing each of the Japanese Heritage Night organizations will receive Mets Spirit Awards at a ceremony at home plate, followed by musical theater actress Rina Maejima singing the national anthem. Finally, Ambassador Mikio Mori, Consul General of Japan in New York, will throw the honorary first pitch to JAA President Koji Sato. Disclosure: As a Vice President of JAA and a member of USJC, I am part of the committee that is organizing Japanese Heritage Night.
Pregame Activities
Cobu performs in Mets Plaza
Dedicated Japanese and Japanese American community video played on the big scoreboard
Presentation of the Mets Spirit Awards to six community leaders:
Ambassador Mikio Mori – Consul General of Japan in New York
Koji Sato – President, The Japanese American Association of New York
Tomonori Wada – President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Terry Suzuki – New York Regional Chair, U.S.-Japan Council
Gary Moriwaki – Member of the Board of Directors, Japan Society
Kathryn Bannai – Member of the Board of Trustees, Japanese American National MuseumThe national anthem sung by Rina Maejima
Honorary first pitch thrown by Ambassador Mikio Mori to Koji Sato
Purchase Discounted Tickets
The Mets have designated seating sections throughout Citi Field specifically for the Japanese and Japanese American community at a discounted rate. Purchase through this online offer and receive a Limited Edition 2023 Japanese Night Mets Hat while supplies last! To redeem your hat, go to the Group Sales Redemption Booth behind Section 130 before the end of the fifth inning, and an attendant will scan your digital ticket. Limit one hat per ticket. Please note: You MUST purchase your ticket through this special link to receive your hat!
Let’s show the Mets, Senga, and Ohtani that our New York community loves baseball. Once again, to purchase tickets at the special discounted rate, please click here.
To purchase group tickets of 15 or more, please contact Young Choi at 718-559-3027 or YChoi@nymets.com.
The Mets are also having a special giveaway on August 25. The first 15,000 fans who enter the stadium will receive a Kodai Senga Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Fork Ball. This giveaway is open to all fans at Citi Field and not exclusive to the Japanese and Japanese American community.
Ghost Fork T-shirt by Athlete Logos
Celebrate NYC-Japan Friendship at 2nd Annual Japan Parade
Japan Parade
Saturday, May 13 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Central Park West from 81st Street to 67th Street
Admission: Free
The second annual Japan Parade in New York City will be held on Saturday, May 13, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Starting on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 67th Street, the parade will celebrate, express, and bring awareness of the friendship between New York City and Japan with a thank you from the Japanese community. Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will be the Parade’s Grand Marshal. Former NY1 reporter Sandra Endo, current news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News, and a feature reporter for Good Day LA, will serve as Emcee.
Official Japan Parade poster by art contest winner Gary Bitsicas
This year’s Japan Parade will feature a live performance by the cast of The 2.5-Dimensional show from Japan, “Live Spectacle ‘NARUTO.’” NARUTO is one of the most internationally recognized and popular manga series of all time. The franchise has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide to date. Written and illustrated by creator Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first published in Shueisha’s magazine Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, where it was serialized and ran for 15 years.
ⒸMasashi Kishimoto, Scott/SHUEISHA/Live Spectacle “NARUTO” Production Committee 2022
JAPAN Fes at Japan Parade
Concurrently with the Japan Parade, the Japan Street Fair will be held on W. 72nd Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
The Japan Street Fair will feature tents offering entertaining and educational cultural activities including calligraphy, water balloon yo-yo fishing, origami, photo opportunities, and a giveaway. In collaboration with JAPAN Fes, one of the largest organizers of Japanese food festivals in the world, hosting more than 20 Japanese food fair events a year in New York City, the Street Fair will also feature about 20 tents serving authentic Japanese food. The latest information on Japan’s many tourist destinations will be made available at other tents, and as with last year, there will also be a tent where visitors can donate to charitable causes that support victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The Japan Street Fair is your chance to experience a Japanese festival, or matsuri, unlike any other.
“I am truly honored to act as Grand Marshal for this year’s Japan Parade. My Japanese heritage is something I’m proud of and I’m happy to celebrate the goodwill of our relationship with Japan and the engagement and solidarity with the Japanese American community.”
—Kristi Yamaguchi
Participating groups include Anime NYC, COBU (Drum), Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir, International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan, The Japanese Folk Dance of NY, Katsura Sunshine (Rakugo Comedian), Midori & Friends (Music Education Group), Soh Daiko (Drum), TATE Hatoryu NY (Sword Fighting), Yosakoi Dance Project 10tecomai, Young People's Chorus of NYC, and many more.
The Diamond Sponsors of this year’s Japan Parade (as of April 5) include All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Hisamitsu America, Inc., Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited. The Platinum Sponsors include ITOCHU International Inc., Marubeni America Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., Nomura America Foundation, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation, and Tokio Marine America.
Photo Credit: AP
"The Japan Parade is a huge 'Arigato!' from the Japanese community to New York City," says Honorary Chairman, Ambassador Mikio Mori, the Consul General of Japan in New York. "It will be the second annual celebration of Japanese culture and the many vibrant connections between Japan and this great city. We plan to outdo the inaugural parade in terms of marchers, contents, and food tents all highlighting the uniqueness of Japan, while also solidifying with Asian communities during AAPI Heritage Month. We hope that these festivities bring the Japanese and all of New York City even closer together, adding to our friendship for generations to come.”
“After the huge success of last year’s inaugural Parade, we are very excited to be back in New York City for our second year, demonstrating the diversity and pride of the Japanese community,” said Japan Parade Executive Producer Kumiko Yoshii. “Last year, we had a crowd of over 20,000 with approximately 2,400 participants, marching down Central Park West. We look forward to building on this success and showcasing more groups from New York and Japan. We especially want to thank our sponsors and supporters, without whom this event would not be possible.”
“The Japan Parade’s utmost goal is to be a foundation to forge new connections, and to be an inspiration to strengthen existing relations between Japan and the United States, as well as between the Japanese American community and the people of New York City,” said Japan Day Chairman of the Board of Directors, Daisuke Ugaeri, who represents the notable Japanese and Japanese American companies that make up the Japan Day Inc. Board of Directors. “To that end, I am humbled and empowered by the invaluable support of our sponsors, the trust placed in us by our parade participants, and the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers who all truly believe in the good our event is capable of achieving. It is my greatest hope that all who visit, experience, and immerse themselves in Japan Parade 2023 will not only enjoy themselves to the fullest, but also walk away with a newly cultivated or renewed appreciation of the unique wonder and beauty of Japanese culture.”
Go early to enjoy the street fair and grab a spot along the parade route. Enjoy a full day of Japanese culture at Japan Parade! For more information, please visit Japan Parade’s website.
About Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristi Yamaguchi captured the gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. She is also a two-time World Champion and US National Champion. Yamaguchi is a member of the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic Hall of Fame. She recently received the USOPC Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award for “serving as a powerful force for good in society.”
Following a long and successful career in professional figure skating, which included ten years of touring with Stars On Ice, Yamaguchi took to the dance floor to win the mirror ball trophy with partner Mark Ballas in season six of the popular TV show Dancing With The Stars.
In 1996, she founded Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, whose mission is to give children from low-income families access to high-quality books in the home environment. The organization aims to close the opportunity gap and digital divide with an innovative, family engagement literacy program. For her work with her Always Dream organization, Yamaguchi received the 2019 Heisman Humanitarian Award.
In 2012, Yamaguchi added New York Times Best-Selling author to her list of achievements by introducing her first children’s picture book, Dream Big, Little Pig!, and then following up with It’s a Big World, Little Pig! and Cara’s Kindness. Kristi resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two-time US Olympian and Stanley Cup Champion, Bret Hedican, and their daughters, Keara and Emma.
About Sandra Endo
Sandra Endo is a television news correspondent on KTTV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News. Endo covers breaking news in feature reports for a Good Day LA. Prior to moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles, Endo spent most of her career on the East Coast a political reporter, host, and anchor for NY1. She covered a wide array of campaigns, the transit strike of 2005, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Later, as a Washington, DC-based reporter for CNN, Endo’s stories appeared on primetime shows such as AC 360 with Anderson Cooper. She reported on the devastating tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, as well as the international conflicts in Egypt and the US involvement in Libya.
Endo is a second-generation Japanese American whose grandfather was interned during WWII. She believes it is important to teach her two young children their cultural heritage to keep traditions alive and to learn from the past.
About Japan Day
Japan Day Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the primary organizer of the Japan Day @ Central Park festivals since 2007 and of the Japan Parade and the Japan Street Fair since 2022. Japan Day Inc.’s activities are made possible by the support of the local leading Japanese American companies that compose Japan Day Inc.’s Board of Directors; the Consulate General of Japan in New York; and all the individuals, organizations, and companies that sponsor, donate, or volunteer and be a part of this great celebration.
JAPAN SOCIETY’S KODOMO NO HI
Children's Day: Kodomo no Hi
Sunday, May 7
Session 1: 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Session 2: 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $15 | $10 Japan Society members | Free children ages 2 and under and Cool Culture members
Carp streamers flying can only mean one thing: Children’s Day is here!
Share the joy of childhood as Japan Society celebrates Japan’s national holiday packed with fun for the whole family. Every child is a star as they pose with life-sized samurai armor displays and take to the stage in a popular sword-fighting workshop led by Kyo Kasumi from TATE Hatoryu NY. Families will also be captivated by the beauty of traditional Japanese dance through an enchanting performance by Sachiyo Ito & Company.
Image © Ayumi Sakamoto
Children can design their own koinobori carp streamer and wearable origami kabuto helmet. The excitement doesn’t end when you leave: There will be take-home craft kits for you to continue the fun at home!
For more information and to register, please visit Japan Society’s website.
Looking to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture? Look no further than JapanCulture•NYC's membership program!
As a member, you'll gain access to exclusive content about events, workshops, and resources that will immerse you in the fascinating world of Japanese art, cuisine, history, and more. Whether you're a seasoned Japanophile or just beginning to explore this rich cultural tradition, our membership program offers something for everyone. From crafting classes to kimono-wearing workshops, from sake tastings to film screenings, you'll discover new facets of Japanese culture and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion.
So why wait? Sign up for our membership program today!
44th Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Saturday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Chelsea – 8th Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets
Admission: Free
The Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) are hosting United We Stand, a festival celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which begins Monday, May 1. The spotlight will shine on a wide range of wonderful organizations, programs, and companies in the Pan Asian American community. There will be arts and crafts booths and vendors, including a Peking duck crepe maker!
With its beginnings as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in May 1979, CAPA has hosted fun-filled outdoor festivals bringing together diverse Asian American cultures through education and interaction. Its Asian American Community Hub serves to promote and amplify work that Asian American organizations have been providing to our community. CAPA provides an excellent opportunity to get to know and get involved with active Asian American organizations.
What CAPA Does
Promotes connection, communication, and collaboration among Asian American organizations
Fosters relationships within and outside the Asian American community
Promotes, represents, and advocates for the issues and interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities
Provides an environment to encourage Asian Americans to use their history, culture, and art to foster self-esteem and respect for our heritages while sharing Asian American cultures and contributions to society
Stop by the festival to learn more!
Announcing the japanculture•NYC membership program!
Since 2011 JapanCulture-NYC.com has been your English-language resource for All Things Japanese in New York City. We have a fresh look, and now we’d like to announce our new membership program! For only $5 a month, you’ll have access to exclusive content and cool benefits.
Don’t worry; everyone will still be able to read articles on the website for free. But your membership to JapanCulture•NYC will help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and support our community. Click here to begin your membership today!
benefits of membership
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
We’ll send in-depth articles about Japanese cultural tidbits and how to find All Things Japanese in New York City that you won’t find on the website.
DISCOUNTS
Members will get access to exclusive promo codes to receive discounts on concerts, film screenings, performances, dinner events, books, and more!
Our first discount is to the Globus Film Series Rites of Passage: The Films of Shinji Somai that begins at Japan Society on Friday, April 28. To receive the code for $2 off any General Audience ticket, become a member of JapanCulture•NYC today! (This code for Rites of Passage cannot be used for additional discounts on Student/Senior/Japan Society member tickets.)
DOWNLOADABLE PDFS
Members will receive occasional lists of Japanese holidays and observances, cultural tidbits, food and drink, and where to find all of the above in NYC.
The most valuable benefit from a membership to JapanCulture•NYC is the connections that we’ll create with each other and the community we’ll continue building together. Learn about your favorite aspects of Japanese culture, eat your favorite Japanese food, and meet the creatives, businesspeople, and community leaders who make New York so special.
sponsorship program
We’ve also launched a Sponsorship Program! We’ll spotlight you on our website and our social media to gain more exposure for your business, event, purpose in the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York. Your support will enable us to continue providing informative and entertaining content about All Things Japanese in New York City. For more information, please click here.
Thanks to Stay Sassy Media for our amazing redesign and to Wasabi Kikaku for their many years of support!
JAA’s 18th Sakura Matsuri
Saturday, April 22 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Admission: Free
The Japanese American Association will hold its 18th Sakura Matsuri at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, April 22. The program begins at 11:00 a.m. rain or shine and features performances by taiko drumming group Soh Daiko, the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York, the JAA Chorus, and the New York Okinawa Club with Jimpu-Kai New York. In addition, there will be a tea ceremony on the lawn by the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Society. Yours truly is honored to serve as emcee.
Bring a blanket and a bento and enjoy the cherry blossoms! For more information, please visit JAA’s Facebook page.
The History of JAA’s Sakura Trees
Symbolizing the friendship between Japan and the U.S., in 1912 Japan gave a gift of sakura trees the Washington, D.C., as well as 2,000 sakura trees to New York City, thirteen of which were planted in Claremont Park, now Sakura Park. JAA’s “21st Century New York Cherry Blossom Project” began on Arbor Day, April 24, 1992, at City Hall Park. Sakura seeds donated by The Cherry Association of Japan were presented by then JAA President Shigeru Inagaki to Betsy Gotbaum, then Commissioner of New York Parks.
The seeds were nursed in the greenhouses of Van Cortlandt Park, and JAA volunteers planted 168 trees in a design created by the noted landscape artist Kan Domoto with George Yuzawa in 2001. Working in close cooperation with the Flushing Meadows Corona Park staff, JAA has donated and planted hundreds of sakura trees.
2023 Honoree
This year a cherry tree will be planted in honor of Mr. Takeshi "Tak" Furumoto, who was born in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II, was raised in his parents' native Hiroshima after the atomic bombing, returned to the US for college, and eventually served our country in Vietnam. He has dedicated his life to the betterment of the Japanese American community, and this year he was successful in helping the state of New Jersey adopt January 30 as the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.
Disclosure: The author is a Vice President of JAA and the chair of the Sakura Matsuri committee.
Shibutani Book Launch
Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Yu and Me Books – 44 Mulberry Street
Admission: Free
Olympic ice dancing medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani will be at Yu and Me Books in Chinatown for the launch of their new book, Amazing: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Inspire Us All.
About the Book
This beautifully illustrated children’s picture book highlights the achievements of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have made invaluable contributions to the world. Written with journalist Dane Liu and illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel, Amazing’s inclusivity sets it apart in its exploration of thirty-six inspirational AAPI figures, including civil rights hero Daniel Inouye, immigrant astronaut Kalpana Chawla, and biracial entertainer Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The Shibutanis felt compelled to create a book showing the undeniably positive impacts that Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans have made in this country and around the world. With quick and accessible biographies written with Liu, readers will learn about important figures who have shaped life-altering policy, made indelible marks on pop culture, and achieved their greatest dreams—paving the way for future generations to make lasting change.
“A thoughtful and comprehensive survey of the ways in which Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have shaped, and will continue to shape, the United States. Throughout, the prose is clear, concise, and well crafted, incorporating details that will enthrall young readers.”
—Kirkus Reviews
About the Shibutanis
Maia and Alex Shibutani are two-time Olympic bronze medalists who became the first ice dancing team of Asian descent to medal at the Olympics. Off the ice, the “ShibSibs” are goodwill ambassadors and storytellers who are active on social media. Amazing: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Inspire Us All is their third book; they launched their “Kudo Kids” series of children’s middle grade mystery books in 2020.
About Yu and Me Books
Established by Lucy Yu, Yu and Me Books is the first Asian American female-owned bookstore in New York. A bookstore that’s also a café/bar, Yu and Me focuses on the strong, diverse voices of the AAPI community, with a focus on immigrant stories.
the zen of shopping with zenplus
This listing is made possible by ZenPlus.
The internet has made the world smaller. People connect globally through social media platforms. Accessing information about other countries and cultures is a breeze. Even ordering your favorite products from Japan is easier with ZenPlus.
ZenPlus is a Japanese online marketplace that offers more than three million authentic products by 1,400 companies in Japan to customers all over the world. Three million.
What Kind of Products?
You can find practically anything you want on ZenPlus. Anything. Clothing and accessories, health and beauty, home and office supplies, even food and drink are among the categories of items on the website. And within these categories are even more specific subcategories.
As New Yorkers, we’re lucky to have plenty of goods from Japan only a subway ride away. You can find anime, manga, and action figures in New York City, but there are hundreds that aren’t available here. As I browsed through the ZenPlus website, I found fascinating things that I didn’t realize I could buy online from Japan.
Hanging scrolls and a sleeping bag with sleeves? Check. Shogi board games and fishing reels? Check. All the Kit Kat flavors from Tokyo Banana to cheesecake can be yours, as well as a tambourine shaped like a koala. The possibilities are endless.
How Does It Work?
The Osaka-based company acts as a liaison between the customer and the companies they represent. ZenPlus understands that Japanese culture and products are revered around the world, so they make it easy for customers in hundreds of countries who need to communicate in languages other than Japanese.
Go to the ZenPlus website. Create a free account and shop online as you would with any e-commerce platform. Choose your shipping and payment methods, and you’re done. Shipping may take several days to several weeks depending on the method you choose, standard or express.
Explore ZenPlus and find the world of Japan at your fingertips. As ZenPlus says, “You don't need to be in Japan to shop like the Japanese.”
This listing is made possible by our generous sponsor, ZenPlus.To learn more about ZenPlus, please visit https://zenplus.jp/en/.
Manhattanites Now Have a Daiso of Their Own
July 15 was a banner day for Manhattan-based Daiso fans. The celebrated Japanese retailer known for its inexpensive, yet high-quality products opened its first Manhattan store.
July 15 was a banner day for Manhattan-based Daiso fans. The celebrated Japanese retailer known for its inexpensive, yet high-quality products opened its first Manhattan store.
The new location at 220 E. 57th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) marks the eighty-third Daiso storefront in the contiguous United States. There are now more than 3,300 stores in Japan and more than 5,500 worldwide. The Manhattan opening is particularly pleasing to city dwellers who until now have had to trek to Brooklyn or Queens to indulge in purchasing loads of stationery, craft supplies, and home goods at significantly low prices. Manhattanites showed their appreciation by waiting in a long line down E. 57th Street on the morning of the grand opening.
Check out our Instagram reel of the line outside the store on July 15, the morning of the grand opening.
Serendipitous Situation
“We never thought about opening in Manhattan before because of the price, but because of COVID the rent [lowered], and we thought maybe now is a good chance to open a store here,” says Shuhei Geshi, store operation manager for Daiso in the US. “We always get so many messages from customers on Instagram or Facebook that they want us to open a store in Manhattan, so this is like a destination for us, finally.”
It’s unusual to hear a favorable rent-related story during COVID, but in Daiso’s case, the pandemic actually helped. A real estate broker informed Daiso management about the availability of the Manhattan site in February 2021. The new store is Daiso’s largest in New York City, topping the square footage of the Flushing, Rego Park, and Japan Village locations.
Geshi says that all the stores have the same inventory, but the Manhattan location serves a different purpose for Manhattanites.
“Customers cannot come here by car, so I wanted to have this store so that customers can come back every day,” he says.
Shoppers can stop by Daiso Manhattan often for things that are easy to carry, rather than a once-a-month visit where they purchase items in bulk that they can put in the trunk of their cars.
Daiso’s US store operation manager Shuhei Geshi with brush pens, a popular item
Most Popular Items
You can find practically anything you’d want for your kitchen, your office, your latest craft project, and even your garden at Daiso. The shelves are filled with products you didn’t realize you needed.
Asked what Daiso’s best sellers are, Geshi first points to the store’s well-stocked stationery section.
“Staples closed so many stores, and our stationery items are increasing in sales a lot. Especially pens from Japan are really popular,” he says, referring to brush pens that are used in calligraphy.
Sanrio characters adorn a variety of items for sale at Daiso
Items featuring characters from such beloved lines as Sanrio and Disney are also high on the list.
Surprisingly, Daiso’s brand of makeup pads and cotton balls are hot ticket items for the store. There’s even an end cap dedicated to them. Geshi points out that a nearby drug store sells the same items, but for a higher price. A bag of 400 cotton balls costs Daiso customers $1.99, whereas a 200-count bag goes for $3.99 elsewhere. The drug store brand’s cotton balls are larger, however.
Shuhei Geshi says cotton makeup pads and cotton balls are favorites of customers at Daiso
Future Goals
If Geshi has his way, the first Daiso in Manhattan won’t be the last. His goal is to open more stores in the city, “near supermarkets or similar retail stores. Maybe customers will become interested in our products,” he says. Bronx and Staten Island locations are also on his wishlist.
Daiso price conversion chart
Pricing Structure
Almost every item in the store is $1.99. The packaging for items in that price point doesn’t have the symbol/character for yen—¥ or 円. Products that cost more than $1.99 will have the price in yen, including tax. Yen-to-US dollar conversion signs are found throughout the store, so customers will know exactly how much each item costs. A lot of shoppers—myself included—don’t pay attention to those signs. Instead, we choose to throw whatever we want into our baskets and analyze our receipts after purchasing, marveling at how we bought so many items for so little money.
Daiso can keep costs low because it purchases in high volume—in the millions for a single product. This bulk-buying practice allows the variety store to stick to its mission of helping consumers maintain a high standard of living without paying high prices.
You’re sure to find something that will make you happier or feel more efficient by strolling the aisles at Daiso.
Dishes at Daiso
Daiso: where you can get origami paper AND rubber chickens
Woven storage boxes for organizing your home
Daiso’s section of office supplies
Daiso Locations in New York City
Manhattan: 220 E. 57th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
Flushing, Queens: 40-24 College Point Boulevard
Rego Park, Queens: 61-35 Junction Boulevard
Brooklyn: 68 35th Street, 2nd Floor in Japan Village, Industry City
For more information, please visit Daiso’s website.
For All Things Japanese in New York City, check out JapanCulture-NYC.com and follow @JapanCultureNYC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
The First Annual Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021 Is in Full Bloom
It’s been one year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in New York City, and we are still in the midst of the pandemic. Many Japanese restaurants have suffered due to restrictions and the difficult winter weather. After cold weather and a spike in COVID-19 cases, indoor dining was banned again in December of 2020, leaving restaurants with only outdoor seating options.
Now that indoor dining has been re-opened in time for spring, the New York Japanese Restaurant Association (NYJRA) established its First Annual Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021. Taking place from March 8 to March 21, the initiative features 92 participating restaurants offering special menu items that focus on a sakura theme.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (emergency support project for the development of overseas sales channels for Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foods) is subsidizing this event, and the Japan Food Restaurant Overseas Promotion Organization (JRO) is sponsoring as a collaborative project with the NYJRA.
Organizers and participants hope that Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021 will provide an opportunity for these struggling restaurants to open their doors to the people of New York City to enjoy Japanese ingredients and cuisine.
Visit NYJRA’s website for details about each restaurant’s special for the First Annual Japanese Restaurant Sakura Week 2021. Contact the restaurants to see if they have indoor and outdoor dining, take reservations, or are take out/delivery only
Participating Restaurants
Manhattan
Aburiya Kinnosuke – 213 E. 45th Street
BAR GOTO – 245 Eldridge St. Ground Floor
Basta Pasta – 37 West 17th Street
and Bar B – 84 7th Avenue
Benemon – 10 E. 4th Street
BentOn – 156 East 45th Street
Blue Ribbon Columbus – 308 W. 58th Street
Blue Ribbon Izakaya – 87 Orchard Street
Blue Ribbon Sushi – 119 Sullivan Street
Blue Ribbon Sushi Brookfield – 225 Liberty Street
Cagen – 414 E. 9th Street
Cha-An BONBON – 238A E. 9th Street
Curry-Ya – 218 E. 10th Street
Decibel – 240 E. 9th Street
DokoDemo – 89 E. 4th Street
Donburiya – 253 W. 55th Street
Douska (formerly Douzo) – 63 Delancey Street
Dr. Clark – 104 Bayard Street
Gari Columbus – 370 Columbus Avenue
Go! Go! Curry! Chelsea – 144 W. 19th Street
Go! Go! Curry! Harlem – 567 W. 125th Street
Go! Go! Curry! Midtown East – 235 E. 53rd Street
Go! Go! Curry! Times Square – 273 W. 38th Street
Go! Go! Curry! Washington Square Park – 231 Thompson Street
Go! Go! Curry! World Trade Center – 12 John Street
Gorin Ramen – 351 E. 14th Street
Hasaki – 210 E. 9th Street
Hi-Collar – 231 E. 9th Street
Hide Chan Ramen Midtown East – 248 E. 52nd Street, 2nd Floor
Hirohisa – 73 Thompson Street
INASE – 1586 1st Avenue
J-Spec – 239 E. 5th Street
Katana Kitten – 531 Hudson Street
MakiMaki Sushi – 1369 6th Avenue
MakiMaki Sushi – 360 Lexington Avenue
Marezzata – 231 E. 50th Street
Marumi Restaurant – 546 LaGuardia Place
Minca – 536 E. 5th Street
Momokawa – 1466 1st Avenue
Ootoya Chelsea – 8 W. 18th Street
Ootoya Greenwich Village – 41 E. 11th Street
Ootoya Times Square – 141 W. 41st Street
Rai Rai Ken – 218 E. 10th Street
Rai Rai Ken Uptown – 1467 Amsterdam Avenue
Ramen Misoya – 129 2nd Avenue
RAMEN-YA – 181 W. 4th Street
Restaurant Nippon – 155 E. 52nd Street
Sakagura – 211 E. 43rd Street
Sake Bar Hagi 46 – 358 W. 46th Street
Sake Bar Shigure – 277 Church Street
Samurice – 261 Canal Street
Shabu Tatsu – 216 E. 10th Street
Soba Noodle Azuma – 251 W. 55th Street
Sobaya – 229 E. 9th Street
Sushi Ann – 38 E. 51st Street
Sushi Ikumi – 135 Sullivan Street
Sushi of Gari 46 – 347 W. 46th Street
Sushi of Gari TriBeCa – 130 West Broadway
Sushi of Gari Upper East Side – 402 E. 78th Street
Sushi Ryusei – 216 E. 39th Street
Sushi Tsushima – 210 E. 44th Street
Takahachi Bakery – 25 Murray Street
Takahachi Tribeca – 145 Duane Street
Tempura Matsui – 222 E. 39th Street
THE IZAKAYA NYC on 6th – 326 E. 6th Street
THE IZAKAYA NYC on 4th – 215 E. 4th Street
Tomi Jazz – 239 E. 53rd Street
Totto Ramen Hell’s Kitchen – 464 W. 51st Street
Totto Ramen Midtown East – 248 E. 52nd Street
Tsurutontan Midtown – 64 W. 48th Street
Tsurutontan Union Square – 21 E. 16th Street
Udon Izakaya West 46 – 150 E. 46th Street
WOKUNI – 327 Lexington Avenue
Yakiniku Futago – 37 W. 17th Street
Yakiniku Tohbay – 235 W. 55th Street, 2nd Floor
Yakiniku West – 218 E. 9th Street
Yakitori Torishin – 362 W. 53rd Street
Yakitori Totto – 251 W. 55th Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn
750 Myrtle Diner – 750 Myrtle Avenue
Andante – 255 Berry Street
BAR GOTO NIBAN – 474 Bergen Street
Bozu – 296 Grand Street
Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue
Karazishi Botan – 255 Smith Street
Momo Sushi Shack – 43 Bogart Street
Samurai Mama – 205 Grand Street
Samurai Papa – 594 Lafayette Avenue
Sunrise Mart Brooklyn – 934 3rd Avenue
Wasan Brooklyn – 440 Bergen Street
Queens
Ariyoshi Japanese Restaurant – 41-13 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside
BentOn Factory – 3739 Crescent Street, Long Island City
Hartsdale
FUJINOYA – 26 South Central Avenue
Kishuya – 163 South Central Avenue
Sharing is Caring
Spread the word by sharing the details of your meals on social media! Follow @nyjra_nyc on Instagram and use these suggested hashtags:
#NYJRA #NYJapaneseRestaurantCherryBlossomWeek #Cherryblossomfestival #Japanesefood #NYJapaneseRestaurant #sushi #sashimi #wagyu #bento #ramen #yakitori #udon #takoyaki #kaiseki #shabushabu #sukiyaki #onigiri and #tempura.
About the NYJRA
The purpose of the New York Japanese Restaurant Association is to heighten the status of and develop markets for Japanese food in America. NYJRA seeks to revitalize the prevalence of Japanese food and culture through organizational activities such as collaborating with Japanese restaurants to facilitate catering to offices; supporting education for restaurants on topics like the history of Japanese food, human resources tips, and culinary techniques; and assisting Japanese restaurants to address the major challenges they face today.
The JapanCulture•NYC Holiday Gift Guide – Part V
Still grappling with holiday gift ideas this Christmas Eve? For procrastinators, this is nothing, but for those of you who are more organized, you might be feeling a bit stressed right now. Look at it this way: Remember when we were in the throes of the lockdown in New York City and no one knew what day it was? All was forgiven because, well, 2020. Why would Christmas be any different?
Kanpai!
Still grappling with holiday gift ideas this Christmas Eve? For procrastinators, this is nothing, but for those of you who are more organized, you might be feeling a bit stressed right now. Look at it this way: Remember when we were in the throes of the lockdown in New York City and no one knew what day it was? All was forgiven because, well, 2020. Why would Christmas be any different?
All of a sudden, we woke up, and it was Christmas Eve. If you send a gift to a friend or family member and it arrives late, does it really matter? It’s the thought that counts, and we should be kind to ourselves. (Procrastinators are pros at justifying our procrastination!)
So, for those super-last-minute gifts, we recommend sake!
Sake is the perfect gift because, let’s face it, everyone could use a drink right now.
In the fifth installment of our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide, we suggest our favorite places to buy sake in New York City. You can support local businesses—which is a major theme of our Holiday Gift Guide every year, but this year in particular—give a boost to Japanese sake breweries, and let someone on your gift list enjoy a taste of Japan.
In no particular order, here are our fave places to buy sake in New York City. These places put you in the holiday spirit(s)!
Sakaya
NYC’s first shop specializing in premium sake
Address: 324 E. 9th Street, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-505-7253
Website: sakayanyc.com
Instagram: @sakayanyc
Minoru’s Sake Shop at Landmark Wine and Spirits
A Chelsea liquor store with a huge section dedicated to sake and shochu. Minoru’s Sake Shop is a key supporter of Fukushima sake.
Address: 167 W. 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-242-2323
Website: wineon23.com
Instagram: @minorunyc
Holiday Special: Buy one 720 ml bottle of sake from Fukushima, get a 300 ml bottle AND a sake bag!
Minoru’s Sake Shop at Landmark Wine and Spirits
Kuraichi
Brooklyn’s go-to shop for Japanese spirits and sake, located in Japan Village at Industry City
Address: 267 36th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Website: kuraichibk.com
Instagram: @kuraichibk
Union Square Wines and Spirits
Large selection of sake with an area devoted to sake from Fukushima Prefecture
Address: 140 4th Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-675-8100
Website: unionsquarewines.com/sake
Instagram: @usqwines
Fukushima sake at Union Square Wines
Ambassador Wines and Spirits
Upscale shop with a walk-in sake fridge
Address: 1020 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-421-5078
Website: ambassadorwines.com
Free delivery within a 10-block neighborhood range; amount of delivery fee depends on location
Astor Wines and Spirits
Almost 200 artisanal sakes from around the world, stored in temperature-controlled units
Phone: 212-674-7500
Website: astorwines.com
Instagram: @astorwines
Open until 6pm on Christmas Eve!
Cocktails to Go
Sakagura
The mecca of sake in New York City since 1996, Sakagura is now offering a variety of sake flights to go! Check out their website to place an order and get these portable potent potables into the hands of everyone on your gift list! (Order dinner while you’re at it.)
Address: 211 E. 43rd Street, B1, New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-557-5205
Website: sakagura.com
Instagram: @sakagurany
To-Go Sake Flight from Sakagura
Angel’s Share
This iconic Japanese speakeasy in the East Village has been whipping up creative to-go cocktails since the early days of the pandemic. The weather outside may be frightful, but the hot and canned cocktails by Angel’s Share are delightful!
Address: 8 Stuyvesant Street (Heated outdoor dining available at street level)
Website: angelssharenyc.com
Instagram: @angelssharetogo
Online Options
If you prefer to order online from the comfort of your own home while wearing pajamas, here are a couple of great services.
Drizly
E-commerce platform for alcohol delivery working with stores in your delivery area. Depending on where you are in the city, there is a wide range of sake, shochu, Japanese beer, and Japanese whisky available. Delivery times range from “Get it now” to next day to two or three days later
Website: drizly.com
Instagram: @drizlyinc
Tippsy
Consider this online sake subscription service to educate someone on your gift list about the beverage. Choose a subscription box or order individual bottles from their selection of more than 200 sakes.
Website: tippsysake.com
Instagram: @tippsysake
$10 shipping fee (Free shipping of six bottles or more)
$10 off your first order with promo code TIPPSYFIRST
Happy Holidays from JapanCulture•NYC! Kanpai!
The JapanCulture•NYC Holiday Gift Guide – Part III
Here’s a sweet and savory idea for the foodies on your gift list. For this list, we’re focusing on holiday items from Sunrise Mart. Panya Bakery and Café Japan in Japan Village at Industry City in Brooklyn are taking preorders for their gorgeous and festive Christmas-themed cakes. Limited quantities will be available for in-person purchase at both locations beginning Monday, December 21.
Here’s a sweet and savory idea for the foodies on your gift list. For this list, we’re focusing on holiday items from Sunrise Mart.
Let them eat cake!
Christmas cakes, to be more specific.
Panya Bakery and Café Japan in Japan Village at Industry City in Brooklyn are taking preorders for their gorgeous and festive Christmas-themed cakes. Limited quantities will be available for in-person purchase at both locations beginning Monday, December 21.
Take a look at this mouth-watering list of cakes!
🍓 Strawberry Shortcake — $31 (8”) $28 (6”)
🌰 Chestnut Cream Cake — $30 (6”)
🍵 Green Tea Tiramisu — $25 (6”)
🍫 Raspberry Chocolate — $28
🎂 Buche de Noel — $31
How to Preorder
In person at Café Japon at Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Email info@japanvillage.com
Preorders close on December 19
Holiday Gift Boxes! 🎁
For a limited time, all Sunrise Mart locations are stocked with a variety of gift items. From beautifully packaged cookies to artisanal rice crackers, they’re a delicious, last-minute gift item!
For the New Year
Christmas cakes and cookies are a tasty way to celebrate the holidays, but New Year’s Day is the most important holiday to the Japanese. Osechi Ryori, or traditional New Year’s Day cuisine, is key.
Osechi will be available to pick up from Tuesday, December 29 through Thursday, December 31. You can make your reservation now at all Sunrise Mart locations and online at sunrisemart.com.
Sunrise Mart’s Osechi Menu
Broiled Spanish Mackerel in Citrus Soy Sauce
Boiled Shrimp in Sweet Dashi Sauce
Marinated Octopus in Sweet Vinegar
Roast Pork
Fried Chicken
Washugyu Beef in Sweet Soy Sauce
Red and White Fish Cake
Year-Crossing Noodles
Sunrise Mart’s handmade Toshikoshi Soba for crossing over to the New Year will be available at Gohei in Japan Village the last week of December.
Kagami Mochi
The traditional New Year decoration of kagami mochi is also available at all Sunrise Mart locations. Make sure to pick up a few different styles to add a touch of kawaii to your gift giving!
New Year’s Raffle Day
Sunrise Mart is keeping its New Year’s Raffle Day tradition alive! From Friday, January 1 through Sunday, January 3 at each Sunrise Mart location, everyone is a winner! Simply show a receipt of purchase for every $10 spent, and you’ll be entered into the raffle for a chance to win amazing prizes such as Japanese candy, premium produce, kitchen tools and appliances, and more! You can keep your prizes to yourself, or use them as late Christmas gifts for others!
Support Local Japanese Restaurants!
Buy gift cards from your favorite Japanese restaurants during this holiday season! They make great presents for your foodie friends and will help the restaurants survive during the ongoing pandemic.
New York Japanese American Organizations Launch Project Bento
Project Bento is a program under the auspices of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. in partnership with Sunrise Mart that offers bento to seniors and disabled members in New York’s Japanese American community.
I’ve been working on an initiative during this COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m proud to share it with all of you.
Project Bento officially launched on Monday, May 4!
Project Bento is a program under the auspices of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. in partnership with Sunrise Mart that offers bento to seniors and disabled members in New York’s Japanese American community.
With each bento generously donated by Sunrise Mart, Ito En is providing Japanese tea, and Daiei Trading is providing senbei, or rice crackers. Volunteers throughout New York City are sewing masks, and JAA Vice President Yuki Kaneshige is collecting them so that each senior will receive one with the bento, tea, and senbei.
Each Monday Erina Yoshida of Sunrise Mart and volunteer members of JAA and other Japanese-related organizations travel throughout Manhattan and the Bronx, delivering these goodies to seniors in our community. We also deliver bento in Queens and Brooklyn on Thursdays.
Erina Yoshida (right) of Sunrise Mart and JAA Vice President Yuki Kaneshige on the launch of Project Bento on May 4, 2020
Support from Local Restaurants
Even in its infancy, Project Bento is resonating with people who want to help us make a difference. Last week bento maker BentOn joined Project Bento, providing bento to seniors living in Queens from their factory in Long Island City. While they are not making a 100% donation, they are providing the bento to JAA at cost.
SAPPORO USA and an anonymous donor collaborated with Lower East Side restaurant JUKU to provide 25 Japanese and JA seniors at Isabella Center with these delicious bento.
If you are affiliated with a restaurant and want to donate bento (or provide at cost), please email me at susan@japanculture-nyc.com.
BentOn in LIC joined Project Bento on May 14, 2020
Bento prepared by JUKU and delivered to Isabella Center on May 12, 2020 (photo by senior recipient)
(from left) Madame Yukiko Yamanouchi, Chef Shogo Tsutsumi, Erina Yoshida, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi, Chef Yasuhiro Shima at the Ambassador’s residence with donated bento
Support from the Japanese Consulate
Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi, Consul General of Japan in New York, supports Project Bento! On Monday, May 18, Chef Yasuhiro Shima and Chef Shogo Tsutsumi, the official chefs at the residence of Ambassador and Madame Yukiko Yamanouchi, prepared 25 bento for Japanese and JA seniors at Isabella Center. They will prepare 25 more bento next week, bringing the Consulate’s total donation to 50. Each meal comes with a mask handmade by JAA volunteers and words of encouragement written by the Ambassador and printed on origami paper.
Bento prepared by Ambassador Yamanouchi’s chefs and donated to JA seniors living at Isabella Center (photo by a senior recipient)
Project Bento is More Than Food
In addition to the volunteers who made deliveries, other volunteers call the seniors to do wellness checks to ensure their health and safety and to engage them in conversation. At a time when we can’t gather together, these seniors miss companionship. Hearing a voice in Japanese, even for a few minutes, has made a huge difference. These seniors have been craving Japanese food, and many don’t have access to Japanese grocery stores. A weekly bento has helped fill a void.
To see and hear the gratitude from the seniors we are calling and visiting has been heartwarming. While we are doing this as a service to seniors, the volunteers have found that Project Bento has been just as meaningful and fulfilling for them.
Project Bento: Bento from Sunrise Mart, tea from Ito En, senbei from Daiei Trading, mask from community volunteers (photo by senior recipient)
Grateful seniors send photos of their bento
Project Bento volunteers
How to Volunteer
We are looking for more volunteers to make phone calls and/or deliveries to seniors. Fluency in Japanese is not a requirement, but it is helpful.
If volunteers wish to make deliveries, we will pair them with seniors based on where they live. We do not want our volunteers to use public transportation or endanger themselves, so we request that all volunteers travel SAFELY (on foot, by bike, in your own car).
Before people are allowed to volunteer, the organizers of this project will vet them to ensure that they are reliable, have good judgment, are healthy, and will follow health safety protocols. We require all potential volunteers to answer a questionnaire and sign a liability waiver that they will receive once they express interest in volunteering. Send an email to me at susan@japanculture-nyc.com.
Flyer design by Emily Akpan; artwork by Lauren Sumida
How to Donate
We are also accepting donations to help defray expenses and to expand this program to reach more people and to provide other necessities. Project Bento wishes to expand to Japanese seniors and others in need who are not necessarily members of JAA.
Donations may be made online: http://jaany.org/donate.html
The Yoshida Family created a Project Bento GoFundMe campaign. Although Sunrise Mart is generously donating 100 bento per week, we will surpass that number as we continue to outreach. The Yoshida Family wants to keep Project Bento going. (And so do we.)
More Than a Box
A bento is a box. You can put whatever you want in each compartment. The Japanese would advise you to make sure your box has balance: balance in food groups (protein, vegetables, starch, carbs), flavors (salty, sweet), methods of preparation (grilled, fried, broiled), and even colors. There’s something about a bento that goes beyond the food. You can see it in the eyes, hear it in the voices, and read it in the thank-you emails of the seniors who are the recipients of this simple deed. Yes, a bento is a box, but to the seniors who are homebound during this pandemic, Project Bento is so much more.
Project Bento Volunteers
It Takes a Village
Project Bento is run by The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. in partnership with Sunrise Mart, Ito En, Daiei Trading, BentOn, and New York City Japanese American organizations: the Consulate General of Japan in New York, New York Day of Remembrance, Japanese American Citizens League NY Chapter, New York Japanese-American Lions Club, Japanese Americans/Japanese in America, Tsuru for Solidarity, the U.S.-Japan Council NY Region, and concerned individuals.
(Disclosure: I am one of the founding organizers of Project Bento. I serve on the Board of Directors of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. as a Vice President and Secretary.)
Links to information on coronavirus:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
JapanCultureNYC is the English-language website dedicated to all things Japanese in New York City. Discover your next favorite Japanese anything at JapanCulture-NYC.com.