The Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. - JASH

The Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. - JASH -Leading US-Japan Exchange in Houston for 57 years-

Since its founding, JASH has been dedicated to promoting in Houston, Texas, meaningful lasting understanding between Japan and America. JASH brings Japanese culture to Houston in the form of dynamic, thought-provoking experiences that pave the way for new understanding and new ideas. JASH's primary activities include:

-Coordinating a wide range of events that enhance knowledge of Japan:
-

individual cultural events
-business lectures and lunches
-social and networking events

-Providing Japanese and English language instruction

-Assisting Japanese expatriates adjust to Texas

-Supporting schools and community organization in teaching about Japan:
-"Japan in Your Classroom" visits to schools by JASH staff/volunteers
-ad hoc presentations and workshops
-general advice service

JASH's annual signature events include:
-Japan Festival of Houston
-Japan Update Houston Conference
-Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest
-Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest
-Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Exchange
-JASH GALA annual fundraising dinner


JASH activities for the community have provided cultural enrichment for Houston area schools and community groups, increased economic insight for businesses, and enjoyment for all.

This is Mai, and it’s time for another edition of JOI-ful Monday, where we share insights into Japanese culture!June 18 ...
06/16/2026

This is Mai, and it’s time for another edition of JOI-ful Monday, where we share insights into Japanese culture!

June 18 is Onigiri no Hi (おにぎりの日), or Onigiri Day, in Japan. Onigiri is a beloved Japanese comfort food made from rice shaped into triangles, circles, or other forms. Onigiri are often filled with ingredients such as salmon or Umeboshi (うめぼし) pickled plum, and wrapped in Nori (のり) seaweed.

Today, onigiri comes in countless varieties with all kinds of fillings, known as Gu (ぐ). Whether you pick one up at a Japanese Konbini (こんびに) convenience store or make your own at home, there’s an onigiri for everyone!

Here are five of the most popular Konbini onigiri flavors:

🍙 Tsuna Mayo (つなまよ) – Tuna mixed with mayonnaise
🍙 Shake (しゃけ) – Grilled salmon
🍙 Umeboshi (うめぼし) – Pickled plum with a salty and sour flavor
🍙 Mentaiko (めんたいこ) – Spicy cod roe
🍙 Konbu (こんぶ) – Simmered kelp with a rich sweet-and-savory taste

My personal favorites are Shake Onigiri and Miso Onigiri (みそおにぎり). When I was little, my father used to make miso onigiri for me, and I loved its rich, comforting flavor. It’s very simple to make: just shape the rice ball, spread miso on top, and lightly grill it—or enjoy it as is!

Do you have a favorite onigiri filling? Why not make your own onigiri and celebrate Onigiri no Hi on June 18?

また来週！

🈶今週の日本語コーナー (Konshū no Nihongo Corner)
🔸 Gu (ぐ): Filling
🔸 Konbini (こんびに): Japanese convenience store
🔸 Umeboshi (うめぼし): Pickled plum
🔸 Tsuna Mayo (つなまよ): Tuna mixed with mayonnaise
🔸 Mentaiko (めんたいこ): Spicy cod roe
🔸 Konbu (こんぶ): Simmered kelp
🔸 Miso (みそ): Fermented soybean paste

🍙🇯🇵

⚽🇯🇵 IT’S MATCH DAY! 🇯🇵⚽Today, Japan takes the pitch on football’s biggest stage, and it’s time for Samurai Blue fans acr...
06/14/2026

⚽🇯🇵 IT’S MATCH DAY! 🇯🇵⚽

Today, Japan takes the pitch on football’s biggest stage, and it’s time for Samurai Blue fans across Texas to make their voices heard! 🔵

Whether you’re joining the excitement at Dallas Stadium, gathering at Houston’s Fan Festival, or watching from anywhere across the Lone Star State, wear your blue and stand with supporters around the world as Japan begins its World Cup campaign.

Let’s turn Texas Samurai Blue for the day—from Dallas to Houston and everywhere in between.

📣 Wear blue.
📣 Raise your flags.
📣 Make some noise.

がんばれ日本！💙🇯🇵

⚽ The beautiful game has a way of bringing people together!As Houston takes its place on the global stage and welcomes f...
06/10/2026

⚽ The beautiful game has a way of bringing people together!

As Houston takes its place on the global stage and welcomes football fans from around the world, we’re celebrating another tradition rooted in connection, hospitality, and community.

Join JASH at “Kicking It at Hermann Park” for the ONE WAN experience, a traveling Japanese tea project created by sisters Nana and Mey. Inspired by the philosophy of “Peacefulness Through a Bowl of Tea,” they are journeying across the United States to share the simple but powerful act of gathering over a bowl of tea.

Set in the heart of Hermann Park’s Japanese Garden, this special outdoor tea gathering draws on the tradition of nodate—Japanese tea enjoyed under the open sky. Visitors are invited to share matcha, conversation, and community while experiencing a welcoming tradition that encourages mindfulness, friendship, and cultural exchange.

Just as football has the power to unite people across countries, cultures, and languages, a shared bowl of tea can create moments of understanding and friendship. As Houston welcomes the world, join us in celebrating the connections and shared experiences that make our city a truly global gathering place.

One Ball. One Bowl. One Houston.

📍 Japanese Garden at Hermann Park
📅 Saturday, June 13 & Sunday, June 14
🕒 Tea gatherings at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM each day
🍵⚽🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

Well, our Teru Teru Bozu weren’t working today. 🌧️😅Due to the weather, today’s Japan Junction program at Levy Park has b...
06/03/2026

Well, our Teru Teru Bozu weren’t working today. 🌧️😅

Due to the weather, today’s Japan Junction program at Levy Park has been postponed to next Wednesday, June 10.

We were looking forward to sharing “The Tubmaker Who Flew to the Sky” and making Japan’s traditional good-weather charms with you.

Join us next Wednesday instead as we explore Japanese rainy-season traditions through storytelling and hands-on crafts.

We hope to see you then—and we’ll be counting on our Teru Teru Bozu to bring a little more sunshine next week. ☀️🇯🇵

JASH was honored to be part of this special celebration of AAPI Heritage Month at , including a memorable ceremonial fir...
06/01/2026

JASH was honored to be part of this special celebration of AAPI Heritage Month at , including a memorable ceremonial first pitch by JASH President Patsy Brown.

And she came prepared! Wearing a 必勝 (“certain victory”) hachimaki, Patsy looked ready to throw a strike. The pitch got airborne, made a respectable run toward home plate, and then—just shy of its destination—carefully considered all available options before committing to a ground transportation strategy. 😆 (Let’s just say the pitch had less Nolan Ryan and more slow-moving diplomatic mission!)

Fortunately, the ball rolled right into the catcher’s glove—and that catcher just happened to be Tatsuya Imai選手, who received it with the grace and professionalism the moment deserved.

Maybe that’s the real lesson from the evening: in baseball—and in bilateral friendship—it’s not just about the throw. It’s about who’s there to make the catch.! (Thank you .imai__45 !) ⚾🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

All jokes aside, it was an incredible honor for JASH to be recognized on the field and to celebrate the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan through baseball.

Thank you to the HoustonHouston Astros for recognizing AAPI Heritage Month and for bringing our communities—and countries— together through America’s pastime!

📸 Swipe through and see how many familiar faces you can spot!



*****

Repost fromDaikin Parkk
Celebrating community & culture for AAPI Night.

JASH BASH 2026 may be behind us, but the story of baseball diplomacy isn’t over. It’s continuing across Houston as we cl...
05/29/2026

JASH BASH 2026 may be behind us, but the story of baseball diplomacy isn’t over. It’s continuing across Houston as we close out AANHPI Heritage Month. ⚾🇺🇸🇯🇵

This weekend, two special baseball celebrations will highlight the cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities while bringing fans together through a shared love of the game.

⚾ Houston Astros AAPI Heritage Night�📅 May 29�📍 Daikin Park

⚾ Sugar Land Space Cowboys AAPI Heritage Night�📅 May 30�📍 Constellation Field

From Daikin Park to Constellation Field, baseball continues to connect communities, celebrate culture, and bring people together across Houston.

Join us at the ballpark as we close out AANHPI Heritage Month and celebrate the friendships and connections that make our city such a vibrant and globally connected place.

Visit www.jas-hou.org/events for special ticket information!

Take us out to the ballgame! 🎶⚾

JASH BASH 2026 would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, donors, and community partne...
05/29/2026

JASH BASH 2026 would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, donors, and community partners, whose commitment continues to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Houston. ⚾🇺🇸🇯🇵

Through their partnership, JASH BASH became more than an evening at the ballpark — it became a celebration of baseball diplomacy, cultural exchange, and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.

From supporting international business connections to investing in Houston’s cultural and civic life, our sponsors help make the relationship between Japan and Houston stronger, more dynamic, and more visible with each passing year.

We extend our sincere gratitude to every organization and partner who helped make this unforgettable evening possible and who continue to support JASH’s mission of building bridges between our two nations.

Thank you for helping bring together friendship, baseball, business, culture, and community at JASH BASH 2026. ✨

📸: photos by .sky.creative

At the heart of JASH BASH 2026 was the recognition of leaders whose vision and leadership continue to strengthen the bon...
05/28/2026

At the heart of JASH BASH 2026 was the recognition of leaders whose vision and leadership continue to strengthen the bonds between Japan and Houston through business, community engagement, and baseball diplomacy. ⚾🇺🇸🇯🇵

This year, JASH was proud to present the J. Thomas Schieffer Leadership Award to Satoru Akama, President and CEO of Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, and the Houston-Japan Friendship Award to Jim Crane, Owner and Chairman of the Houston Astros.

From helping establish Daikin Park as a symbol of U.S.-Japan partnership to advancing investment, innovation, and international collaboration in Houston, both honorees embody the spirit of connection and bridge-building celebrated throughout the evening.

During the program, both Consul General Takeshi Koyama and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer reflected on the unique role baseball continues to play in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, reminding guests that the relationship between our two nations is built not only through diplomacy and commerce, but also through shared experiences, cultural exchange, and community.

We are honored to celebrate the individuals helping carry that legacy forward through leadership, partnership, and the enduring spirit of baseball diplomacy. ✨

J. Thomas Schieffer Leadership Award presented by JASH Chairman Takajiro Ishikawa

Houston-Japan Friendship Award presented by JASH Vice Chairman Laird Doran

📸: photos by .sky.creative

From boardrooms to ballparks, JASH BASH 2026 celebrated the enduring friendship between Japan and the United States thro...
05/28/2026

From boardrooms to ballparks, JASH BASH 2026 celebrated the enduring friendship between Japan and the United States through the spirit of baseball diplomacy. ⚾🇺🇸🇯🇵

Last week, community leaders, business executives, baseball fans, and friends gathered at Daikin Park for an unforgettable evening celebrating friendship, cultural exchange, and international partnership.

There may be no better symbol of the U.S.-Japan relationship than baseball — a shared language capable of building connection, mutual respect, and community across generations and across the Pacific.

As home to the Houston Astros and Daikin Park, Houston continues to demonstrate its unique role as a global city shaped by international partnership and cultural exchange. For one special evening, the ballpark became a visible reminder of the enduring ties connecting Houston and Japan.

We’re excited to share a few moments from an evening filled with friendship, baseball, business, culture, and community.

More to come!

📸: photos by .sky.creative

The countdown to JASH BASH 2026 is on — and bidding is NOW OPEN for our Silent Auction! ⚾🎌Discover an incredible collect...
05/18/2026

The countdown to JASH BASH 2026 is on — and bidding is NOW OPEN for our Silent Auction! ⚾🎌

Discover an incredible collection of experiences, fine dining, travel, Japanese cultural treasures, luxury items, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia — all supporting the mission of the Japan-America Society of Houston.

Featured items include:
✈️ Round-trip airfare from Houston to Tokyo courtesy of ANA
🥃 Premium Japanese whisky & sake collections
🏨 Luxury hotel stays and getaway packages
🍽 Dining experiences at many of Houston’s favorite restaurants
🎭 Arts & entertainment packages
🎎 Japanese art, antiques, kimono, collectibles, and cultural experiences, including a hands-on latte art making experience with and exclusive sushi-making class with the chefs from

Whether you’re searching for the perfect experience, a unique gift, or a special piece of Japan, there is something for everyone — all while supporting the mission of the Japan-America Society of Houston.

🗓 Bidding closes Monday, May 18 at 8:45 PM
🔗 Start bidding now: https://givebutter.com/c/jashbash26/auction

Every bid helps strengthen the friendship between Houston and Japan through cultural exchange, education, and community engagement.

Address

2990 Richmond Avenue , #670
Houston, TX
77098

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(713) 963-0121

Website

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