Cha Ami Japanese Cultural Center

06/19/2026

We’ll be closed today.
Thank you for your understanding.

06/14/2026

Today, our Wa no Kai members enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together with homemade Temakizushi (hand-rolled sushi), singing with our Mumin singing group, and a fun chair hula lesson led by Atsuko-san. There was plenty of laughter, conversation, and friendship shared this afternoon.

Wa no Kai is a gathering for seniors to connect, enjoy activities, and build community in a welcoming and supportive environment.

If you are a senior, or know a senior who may be interested in joining us, we would love to welcome you!

For more information about Wa no Kai, please visit:
Wa no Kai Program Information⁠
https://www.cha-amijcc.org/wa-no-kai

We look forward to growing this community and sharing many more meaningful moments together.

Cha-Ami's Aging Services are funded in part by Minnesota DHS's Live well at home program.
https://mn.gov/dhs/live-well/

As part of Cha-Ami's Aging Service's mission to enrich the lives of seniors, 和の会 (Wa no Kai) holds events twice a month to foster social interaction and provide engaging activities.

06/14/2026

We attended Yoko Breckenridge’s memorial service yesterday. It was a beautiful celebration of a remarkable life and the people she touched over the years.

While much of Yoko’s beloved book collection has found a home in the beautiful library created by Marnie Jorenby, The Yoko Breckenridge Japanese Library, we are deeply honored that a portion of her Japanese books continues to be shared through the Library at Cha-Ami.

Every time someone visits our library, discovers a new story, practices Japanese, or reconnects with their heritage, Yoko’s passion for education and cultural exchange lives on.

We are grateful to be one small part of preserving and sharing it.

06/08/2026

Students discover the beauty of shodō at Cha-Ami! On June 3, 22 high school students joined a hands-on Japanese calligraphy workshop led by Shimano-Sensei, exploring the art, discipline, and imagination behind traditional brush writing. Read more about their inspiring visit and our cultural programs: https://wix.to/hWdrUHM

On June 3, Cha-Ami Japanese Cultural Center had the pleasure of welcoming a group of 22 high school students as part of a themed educational field trip focused on Japanese culture and the imaginative world that has inspired generations of young people.During their visit, students participated in a h...

05/24/2026

Today at Cha-Ami, our amazing volunteers tackled a mountain of yarn and helped get everything beautifully organized!

A heartfelt thank you to those who took time out of their Memorial Day weekend to lend a hand.

Have a safe, relaxing, and wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

05/20/2026

Sharing for the community 🌿

An introductory Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) class is happening this Saturday at Studio J-Bo in Tangletown, Minneapolis. The instructor mentioned they still have a few openings available.

This beginner-friendly 2-hour class includes all materials and is a chance to learn the basics of traditional Japanese floral design in a relaxed setting.

If you’ve been curious about Ikebana, this could be a wonderful opportunity to try it!

📍 Ikebana at Studio J-Bo
📅 Saturday
📍 Tangletown, Minneapolis

Please contact the organizer directly for registration details.

Discover the quiet art of Ikebana, the Japanese tradition of floral design that reflects on form, space, and season. In this introductory workshop, you’ll learn the basic principles of arranging flowers in proportion to your container while exploring how branches, flowers and negative space work t...

05/17/2026

We celebrated a couple of our wonderful volunteers’ birthdays with a sweet treat, kakigōri topped with anko and mochi!

We are so grateful for the time, energy, and kindness our volunteers bring to Cha-Ami. Sharing laughter and delicious treats together made the celebration extra special.

Happy Birthday to our amazing volunteers, and thank you for all that you do!

05/10/2026

Cha-Ami senior group, Wa no Kai, is at the Cherry Tree Festival hosted by the Minneapolis Ibaraki Sister City Association at the Nicollet Island Pavilion!

The weather is gorgeous, a perfect Sunday to spend time with Wa no Kai members and our wonderful volunteers on this Mother’s Day.

We brought Japanese sandwiches and hot Hojicha for our picnic with Wa no Kai.

Origami, Taiko, Haiku, Kamishibai… so much fun and so many smiles!

05/02/2026

We’re here at Como Park for the Cherry Tree Celebration! 🌸

We’ll be here until 11:00. Come join us and celebrate with us!

04/23/2026

Join us May 2 from 9–11 AM for the Cherry Tree Celebration 🌸

Hosted by the St. Paul–Nagasaki Sister City Committee, this annual event at Como is a beautiful way to welcome spring and celebrate friendship and culture.

Cha-Ami will be there.
Hope to see you too!