Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i

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Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i

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

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

10/12/2026

Get your tickets for ! 🎟️

The 46th Annual Hawaiʻi International Film Festival presented by will feature films from across the globe. We recommend checking out the SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN films like:

🎞️ AAPI FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: ENOUGH + THUMBPRINT
🎞️ SUMO: SPIRIT WEIGHS NOTHING
🎞️ plus, the EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS program featuring LOTUS BODY (HIROSHIMA) by Noe Tanigawa

Hawai'i International Film Festival will take place on Oʻahu (October 21 - November 5) and on the neighbor islands (November 6 - 15).

➡️ Use our code HIFFSAVE2 to receive $2 off general admission tickets at HIFF.org. (link in bio)

10/09/2026

Check out the 🆕 Bento Bako! 🧑‍🏫

Inspired by the 弁当箱 (lunch box) used by immigrant plantation laborers, the name is an ode to the practice of sharing food between different ethnic communities.

The JCCH's Bento Bako is a Discovery Box program for educators to use in the classroom and beyond. Boxes include curriculum and lesson plans, books, replica artifacts, and additional resources. Plus, FREE digital assets are available online on Teachers Pay Teachers. 📚🎞️📦

➡️ Learn more at bit.ly/bentobako

10/07/2026

Browse a selection of functional, everyday tableware handcrafted by seven local artists 🤲

From October 7 - 23, 2026, the Made to Love: Pottery Exhibition and Sale hosted at the will feature pieces made by colleagues from Hawaii Potters Guild. Shop plates and platters, dishes, cups, bowls, vases, and decorative items beginning at $10. A portion of the proceeds will support the JCCH.

FEATURED ARTISTS: Daven Hee • Ken Kang • Kathryn Lau • Sanford Murata • Yukio Ozaki • Roy Yamashiro • Gary Yee

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

10/01/2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM HST

09/28/2026

Join us on World Mental Health Day (October 10th) as we spotlight local health-conscious and wellness vendors, alongside a pop-up pottery event at the JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair! Browse a selection of Japanese and Japanese-inspired items while supporting small business owners. Event highlights include:

🛍️ FEATURED VENDORS
Meet new vendors like Naris Cosmetics of Hawaii (skincare), Rocket Scientist Chili Hawaii (meat-free soy substitutes), ONIGIRI。ONIBE~ (rice balls, bento), Pualani Soap Hawaii (skincare), Rice Bran Granola / ReBran® (gluten-free rice bran), and Cipres Hill Farm (hand-harvested beeswax). The full vendor lineup is available on our event website (link in bio).

🍜 POTTERY EXHIBITION + SALE: Meet the potters at this special public opening event hosted in the Gift Shop! Browse a selection of Japanese tableware ceramics handcrafted by seven local artists and colleagues from Hawaii Potters Guild. Pieces include plates and platters, dishes, cups, bowls, vases, and decorative items beginning at $10. A portion of the proceeds will support the JCCH.

The and Historical Gallery will be open until 3:00 PM.

📆 Saturday, October 10, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Gift Shop open until 3:00 PM)
📍 JCCH 1st Floor Courtyard & Breezeway

09/25/2026

Celebrate the health and happiness of young keiki at ! 🧒

Registration is now open for the JCCH’s annual keiki kimono dressing event, hosted by Expressions | Studio Photography | O’ahu HI during the JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair x Aki Matsuri this November. Traditionally, #七五三 is to recognize three-year-old and seven-year-old girls, and five-year-old boys, but children around these ages are welcome to participate, too.

What’s included in the JCCH’s Shichi Go San experience?
👘 Traditional kimono dressing by Masakoformals Photo Studio
📷 Portrait sitting with Expressions (+ digital download of 10-15 poses)
⛩️ Shintō blessing by Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii (Official)出雲大社ハワイ分院(公式)
😎 Cultural learning and engagement for young keiki

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026 (by appointment only)
📍 JCCH Kenshikan Dōjō (1st Floor)
🎟️ $200 per child (10% discount for JCCH members with coupon code)*

➡️ Spaces are limited! Register your keiki at bit.ly/jcch753

09/24/2026

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

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

🔸 Caroline Abe, Sogetsu
🔸 Pat Kubo, Sogetsu
🔸 Charmaine Yee-Hollison, Sogetsu
🔸 Karen Kirk, Sogetsu

09/21/2026

Learn about Samuel Masao Nishimura 🧵

Before the war, Samuel ran a tailor shop in Haleʻiwa with his wife, Hisae, and raised six children together. On April 15, 1942, he was arrested and taken to Sand Island, then later to the Honouliuli Internment Camp, separated from his family for nearly two years. He was released in January 1944.

At Honouliuli, Samuel kept his hands and mind busy through art. He carved toy Jeeps from wood and wire, shaped rings from old toothbrush handles, and strung a shell necklace, small acts of craft that helped him hold onto his sanity and stay connected to the children waiting for him at home.

➡️ Discover his story and more in “Crafting and Creating in Camp,” the JCCH’s new digital exhibit at www.jcchawaii.org/exhibits

09/19/2026

It's not too late to ! 🌺 🤙 Visit any Foodland, Sack N Save, or Foodland Farms checkout to support the JCCH through Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts program.

⏳ Stop by anytime from now through September 30th! Here's what you'll need when you're ready to give:

🔸 Your Maikaʻi Member card (or phone number)
🔸 Our organization name (or code: 77214)
🔸 Your donation amount (up to $249)

100% of your gift will be donated to our nonprofit organization, and Foodland will also match a portion of your contribution. Mahalo for your support! 💛

09/16/2026

Shop dishes, lacquerware, figurines, and other treasures at unbeatable prices during the バーゲン - BIG SUMMER SALE! 😱

From now through September 26, 2026, receive 50% off a huge selection of preloved in-store items at the .

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

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

Address

2454 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI
96826

Telephone

+18089457633

Website

http://www.jcchawaii.org/

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