East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, Inc.

10/29/2026

kinda chic to apply for the 2027 ESGVJCC Queens Program 👑

Our updated Information & Application packet is coming soon 🙂 In the meantime, mark your calendars for our virtual Info Sessions on 11/25 & 12/2!

Email Program Director Melissa Kozono at [email protected] for the Zoom link!

10/27/2026

Some highlights from Akimatsuri Fall Festival earlier this month 🙂📸

This was our 4th year expanding the festival onto the street in front of the ESGVJCC. We’re grateful to the City of West Covina for co-hosting this event with us and recognizing the ESGVJCC as a culturally significant part of the community! We’d also like to acknowledge the generosity of our Title, Momiji, and Koyou level sponsors for their support.

A huge thank-you to all of this year’s hardworking vendors, talented performers, dedicated volunteers, and the West Covina Police and Fire Departments for helping ensure everyone’s safety throughout the day. 
 
And finally, thank you to all of YOU for spending your Saturday afternoon with us and braving the windy weather that day 💙

Whether you came with friends and family, supported our food and activity booths, or stayed to cheer on our performers, your presence helps sustain the ESGVJCC and our programs!

Photos by Daniel Ruiz-Camacho.
Find more on our page!

10/22/2026

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our wonderful Program Director, Melissa!!! 💐

So many of our programs and events wouldn’t be where they are today without Melissa’s leadership, grace, and dedication to serving our community. We’re so grateful for all that she brings to everything she does!

We hope your special day is filled with just as much love and positive energy as you bring to the ESGVJCC and everyone around you. 🥳 We love you! 💙

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

Can’t handle how cute this Kokoro no Sato reunion was at Trunk or Treat last Friday 😭🧡

Speaking of Kokoro… spots are still available in our Preschool Class!

Our school runs Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm and incorporates Japanese culture into the curriculum and everyday activities. While Japanese culture is a big part of who we are, our doors are open to families of all backgrounds!

Learn more about our Kokoro no Sato and see if our school is the right fit for your family with Program Director Melissa Kozono at [email protected] or call our office at (626) 960-2566!

10/21/2026

⛹🏻‍♀️ Basketball Clinic is back at the ESGVJCC for 2 days this November! ⛹🏻‍♂️

Designed for students in TK through 3rd grade, the clinic will take place Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24 from 9am to 3pm each day.
 
Registration fee includes morning and afternoon snacks, as well as lunch. Fees are $110 for ESGVJCC members and $150 for non-members.

Save on fees by becoming a member & reserve your spot by October 31 😉

10/20/2026

2026 Veterans Day Service at the ESGVJCC! 🇺🇸

Join us on Sunday, November 15 from 11am to 1pm as we come together to honor and celebrate our nation’s veterans.

We’re honored to welcome photographer Shane Sato, who will present The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits (The Go For Broke Spirit), a moving photo exhibition featuring Japanese American veterans of World War II. The exhibit will be on display in the Sugimoto Family Social Hall for one week following the service.

The afternoon will also include a screening of the documentary The Volunteer, a bento lunch provided by Tozai Foods Market, and the presentation of boutonnieres to veterans in attendance.

Veterans will receive a complimentary bento lunch and may bring one guest at no cost. Non-veterans are also welcome to attend with a $20 donation.

We look forward to coming together as a community to honor the service, sacrifice, and legacy of our veterans!

For more information, to RSVP, or to learn how you can support the event, please contact Events/Programs Coordinator Bryce Middo at [email protected].

10/14/2026

Early Halloween celebration at the ESGVJCC this Friday, 10/16! Come to our Trunk or Treat 🍫👻🍭

Our parking lot will be open to the entire community for free trick-or-treating from 4pm-7pm.

📚 We’ll also be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair, where you can browse and find your new favorite books.

🍙🍧 And don’t worry about dinner, we’ve got you covered! The ESGVJCC will be selling spam musubis and we’ll be joined by Okamoto Kitchen and Kona Ice for dessert.
 
Can’t wait to see everyone’s costumes. See you this Friday!!!

10/14/2026

Happy birthday to Auntie Sachiko and Auntie Anne!!! 🥰 We're so grateful to have such sweet, attentive, and loving aunties at Kokoro.

Thank you for all that you do to take care of our students everyday! We love them 💙