Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida

03/30/2026

A group of middle schoolers from our Japanese sister city, Gero, have been enjoying Pensacola for the past week. It’s been our pleasure to support the exchange by sponsoring activities like a trip to an Ice Flyers game on Friday night. After the Ice Flyers’ victory, the students and their host families went onto the ice after the game for a group photo.

03/07/2026

Please join us for JUMP (Japan-U.S. Military Program) on Saturday, March 28, 1-3:30 p.m. at the SCI Building. This free event sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in Miami salutes the U.S. military in Japan and will include guest speakers, a performance by New Orleans-based Magnolia Taiko, Japanese food and drink, and display tables from bases like Okinawa, Sasebo, Iwakuni, Yokosuka, and Misawa.

02/19/2026

Peaceful Forest is a family of traveling Japanese taiko drummers who are hoping to perform in all 50 United States. Led by renowned taiko drummer Takumi Kato with his three sons, the group will arrive in Pensacola this Friday to perform at Gallery Night (7pm at Government and Jefferson Streets). You can also catch them on Saturday at the Japanese Food and Culture Day in Gulf Breeze, and they will play on Pensacon's Poseidon's Bay stage at 1pm on Sunday. Don't miss this incredible group!

02/14/2026

Don't miss the Japanese Food and Culture Day next Saturday (February 21) from 11am to 2pm at St. Sylvester Church. Hosted by our friends at UWF World Languages and the Japan Language & Culture Community Group, this event has free admission with lots of great activities, performances, and vendors. We hope you can make it!

01/22/2026

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday at the First United Methodist Church's Wright Place in downtown Pensacola. Doors open at 11, the entertainment program start at noon. Come enjoy the Matsuriza taiko drummers from Epcot, Japanese music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, food and craft vendors, and more! Admission is $10 or free for current JAS members and kids 2 & under.

12/11/2025

Thomas Groth was a very talented local artist who many years ago designed our sakura-themed logo. JASNWFL sends condolences to his family and loved ones.

Thomas Groth - artist, professor and lover of beauty - died on December 9, 2025, aged 78. It was rare to see him without a pencil. Sketches filled post it notes, backs of receipts, margins in books or on manilla folders pretty much anywhere there was white space. It was

11/10/2025

The University of West Florida Office of International Affairs invites the community to celebrate Japan Culture Day on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the UWF Japan House (International Center, Building 71). Presented in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida and the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, this free, family-friendly event offers an afternoon of Japanese cultural performances, workshops and displays for participants of all ages.

Following opening remarks, the Ajisai Japanese Dance Group will perform Japanese folk dances at 1:15 p.m. The program continues with Gagaku (Japanese imperial court music) performed by LeRon Harrison at 1:30 p.m. and a Japanese dance performance by MIYABI at 1:50 p.m.

A bonsai demonstration by the Zen Den Bonsai Workshops will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a Japanese anime talk at 2:10 p.m. Big Green Drum will present a martial arts demonstration at 2:25 p.m., followed by Wakayama University students at 2:45 p.m. The Ajisai Japanese Dance Group will return for another folk dance performance at 2:55 p.m.

The afternoon will conclude with a J-pop dance performance by UWF Japanese students at 3:15 p.m. and a lively Eisa Okinawan taiko dance at 3:35 p.m. In addition, the UWF Japan House Chado Study Group will host three traditional Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations throughout the event.

Hands-on workshops will be available throughout the afternoon, including a Shichi-Go-San children’s craft activity (presented by the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida), Japanese calligraphy and origami, woodblock printing (presented by Kodo), a chopsticks challenge, and a Kendama Japanese skill toy challenge.

Attendees can also explore cultural displays featuring ikebana (flower arrangement), shodo (Japanese calligraphy), an origami Christmas tree, and Japanese scenic posters and hanging scrolls. Throughout the day, there will be mini Japanese language lessons, coloring activities, and opportunities for kimono wearing and photo sessions.

The Honorable Junya Nakano, Consul-General of Japan from the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, will attend to greet visitors. Representatives from the Consulate will also share information about the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program, Japanese culture, travel and tourism.

Guests can enjoy Japanese-themed gifts, snacks and a book giveaway, available while supplies last. Seating is limited for certain activities. Those wishing to participate in a tea ceremony demonstration can visit https://forms.gle/DGJrbz8Gc7Uu7baC9 to reserve a seat.

Japan Culture Day is organized by the University of West Florida Office of International Affairs, in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida and the Consulate General of Japan in Miami.

10/30/2025

HizashiCon, the anime convention we are organizing as part of Foo Foo Festival 2025, is this weekend! You don't want to miss the concert on Friday night at The REX Theatre featuring Trickle (returning sensation from last year), Japanese visual kei guitarist Sana Takizawa, Thai McGrath and band doing innovative rock covers of anime and video game songs, and Vocaloid performer EmpathP (also returning from last year).

Saturday, November 1 is the full convention day at the First United Methodist Church's Wright Place — the same venue as our Japanese New Year Celebration. From 10am to 6pm, you can meet the English-speaking voice actors behind lots of beloved anime and video game characters, browse dozens of vendors and artists, see the J-fashion show and Idol Fest, watch (or participate in) the Cosplay Contest, learn about various topics in fan panels, enjoy the Heartstrings Maid Café, and more. There will be lots of vendors and food trucks selling tasty snacks, drinks, and desserts.

The fun continues after dark with the official HizashiCon After Party at The Handlebar. Starting at 9pm, your HizashiCon wristband gets you free admission to this show featuring nerdcore rap performers Azazus, Mac Ro, and Sam Sky.

Finally, on Sunday from 11am to 5pm, you can visit the Coastal Cat Cafe for more anime and video game trivia and a cosplay contest. Show your wristband and get $5 off admission to the cat room.

Current JAS members get $10 off the price of a pass, and if you purchase today, you can get an additional $5 off. Children 10 and under enjoy free admission. Learn more and buy your tickets at animepensacola.com. We hope that you will join us!

Pensacola's Anime Festival

04/03/2025

The UWF Office of International Affairs will be hosting this FREE Chado event next Saturday, April 12, at the beautiful Japan House. Space is limited, so scan the QR code to register.

Some information about guest speaker Josh Haynes: "I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where I began studying the Way of Tea (茶道) at the age of 14. This was a unique opportunity - Birmingham has had a connection to Tea and the Urasenke tradition since 1965, due to our excellent Botanical Gardens in which the Japanese garden was built as the highlight. Due to the presence of a traditional teahouse, the likes of which there are very few in Japan, an active association formed. After 12 years of study, I received a Midorikai scholarship to study in 2011-2012 at the Urasenke Professional College of The Way of Tea (裏千家学園茶道専門学) in Kyoto, a roughly one year program in which Tea is intensely studied - not only temae and guest behavior, but also the history of Tea and related arts. Another 12 years later, I received a tea name and the permission to wear the jittoku and the crest of Urasenke practitioners, which indicates the completion of the standard curriculum of study. But as Tea is a lifelong pursuit and there is always more to learn, it is by no means the final culmination of study, but only a significant milestone on the journey."

03/19/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the 10th annual JUMP Pensacola event on Saturday to learn the history and importance of the Japan-US alliance. We are especially grateful to Consul General Nakano of the Consulate General of Japan in Miami and our speakers who participated virtually, Admiral Kelly and Dr. Perry.

02/27/2025

Mark your calendar for the Japanese Food & Culture Day on March 22 at St. Sylvester Church in Navarre, organized by UWF World Languages and the Japan Language & Culture Community Group. (Please note this was previously scheduled for March 29 but has been moved to the 22nd.) It will be a wonderful time with lots of activities and vendors!