今年のオープンハウスは、12月7日(日曜日)12時から4時まで、ピッツバーグ大学Cathedral of Learningで行われます。各国の教室は、ホリデーシーズンに合わせて、装飾され、伝統工芸や文化のデモンストレーション、伝統的な食べ物や音楽も楽しめます。このオープンハウスは、無料ですので、まだナショナリティルームを訪れたことのない方は、良い機会だと思いますので、どうぞお立ち寄りください。日本教室も稲荷寿司や日本の小物を売ったり、折り紙などを紹介しますが、そのボランティアを募集しています。
Japanese Room Open House — We’re Looking for Volunteers!
Hello, this is Junko Higashibeppu from the Japanese Nationality Room.
As the mornings and evenings grow colder and we begin to feel the signs of winter, I hope you are all doing well. Today, I’d like to share information about the University of Pittsburgh’s annual Holiday Open House, hosted by the Nationality Rooms, and to invite volunteers to help with the event.
This year’s Open House will be held on Sunday, December 7, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Each nationality room will be decorated for the holiday season, and visitors can enjoy displays of traditional crafts and culture, as well as food and music from around the world. The event is free and open to the public, so if you have never visited the Nationality Rooms before, this is a wonderful opportunity to do so.
The Japanese Room will be selling inarizushi (rice-stuffed tofu pockets) and small Japanese items, and will also demonstrate origami and other traditional crafts. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with these activities.
If you are available to help, even for just an hour, anytime between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, please let me know. It will also be a great chance to see everyone again. Thank you very much for your support!
Following the success of our first networking event in November of last year, we held the 2nd Networking Event on Saturday, October 4th at Panera Bread.
The theme of this gathering was: “Sharing travel tips and recommended places around the Pittsburgh area.”
In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, participants exchanged a wide range of travel ideas and recommendations. Many shared their favorite local spots and personal travel experiences, making for an engaging and informative discussion.
We also received several valuable suggestions for future activities, including: -Sports-related exchange events -Organizing bus tours -Introducing our activities to non-members via a mailing list
We greatly appreciate everyone’s input and will use it to plan even more exciting events moving forward. Thank you to all who attended!
From June 2 to June 4, PNC Park hosted a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers, drawing large crowds and generating particular excitement with the appearance of Shohei Ohtani. The Japan Association organized a viewing event that attracted a total of 146 participants, many of whom filled seats directly behind home plate.
The Pirates claimed a clean sweep of the Dodgers, winning all three games. The opener turned into a slugfest, with Pittsburgh prevailing 9–7 despite Ohtani hitting his 100th home run since joining the Dodgers. In the second game, Ohtani was forced to leave the mound due to illness but contributed as a batter, while the Pirates’ pitching staff combined for a shutout to secure a 3–0 victory. The final contest featured rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who delivered a commanding performance to close out the series with a 5–3 win.
Although Ohtani’s efforts drew significant attention, the Dodgers struggled to synchronize their pitching and hitting. The Pirates, meanwhile, showcased both offensive consistency and solid pitching, leaving a strong impression with the sweep. Despite inclement weather, attendance remained high, and the atmosphere throughout the series was electric, particularly for Pirates fans celebrating three straight wins. Members of the Japan Association observed the games from seats near the center behind home plate, lending enthusiastic support to both teams and contributing to the lively and memorable atmosphere of the event.
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Japan Association held its spring picnic at O’Hara Township Community Park. Blessed with clear skies and pleasant weather, over 117 participants gathered, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day.
With the support of many volunteers, BBQ grills were used to serve grilled meats and hot dogs. The meat, marinated in the Japan Association’s exclusive “YAKINIKU” sauce recipe inherited from “ex-CHAYA”, was especially popular. Served with freshly steamed white rice, the dishes were so well received that plates were quickly cleared. In addition, Kiku graciously provided delicious “GOMOKU CHIRASHI SUSHI” and “KARA-AGE”,” which received high praise from attendees who enjoyed the authentic flavors.
In celebration of the May seasonal festival, three of JAGP’s mochi-pounding machines were operated continuously, serving freshly made “”KASHIWA_MOCHI,” flavored with “YOMOGI (mugwort)” powder. These traditional Japanese treats evoked nostalgic feelings of early summer and were warmly enjoyed by all. Snacks were also made available to keep children happily engaged.
Following the meal, participants enjoyed a relaxed social hour inside the shelter, exchanging conversations and making new acquaintances. Meanwhile, children enthusiastically played in the park’s playground and open areas, delighting in activities such as blowing soap bubbles and fishing. A craft corner where parents and children folded origami “KABUTO (samurai helmets) ” from newspapers provided an enriching cultural experience for all ages.
The event concluded with a highly anticipated raffle draw, generating great excitement. Ten lucky winners received gift certificates for first, second, and third prizes, amid applause and smiles. Many winners expressed their surprise and joy, commenting, “I didn’t expect to win!” and “What a delightful surprise!” making for a memorable closing to the day.
This gathering proved to be a valuable opportunity, particularly for Japanese language learners and local community members, to experience Japanese culture and interact closely with Japanese participants. The combination of mochi pounding, traditional cuisine, and a friendly environment brought many smiles. Feedback included requests to continue the event in the future, suggestions to add seafood and vegetables to the menu, and recommendations to improve the organization of the food serving lines for smoother service.
Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the enthusiastic participation of all attendees, the event was a great success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. Preparations are already underway for the next event, with the goal of offering an even more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
We look forward to your continued support of the Japan Association’s activities.
実施後のアンケートでは「当日はとても楽しかったです」「食べ物の種類が多く、わいわい和やか雰囲気でとてもいい時間が過ごせました」「時間配分もちょうど良かったと思います」「また来年も楽しみにしております」「初めましての方と少し会話することもでき楽しい時間を過ごすことができました」「ピッツバーグにお住まいの日本人と知り合う、良い会でした」「料理も種類が多く、ラッフルなど盛り上がりポイントも準備されており、満足度の高い会でした」「I can see that young people worked hard for this.」「全体的には大変楽しく有意義な時間を過ごさせて頂きまして感謝致します」等々、開催担当者にとって嬉しいご感想を頂きました。一方で、「マイクでのご案内がよく聞こえなかったのは残念です」「他の会場での開催は可能か?」などのご指摘もいただきました。また、今回の天候不良で遠方からお越しいただくことが困難でキャンセルされたご家族もいらっしゃり、今後の課題とさせていただきます。
The annual New Year’s party was held at Hokkaido Seafood Buffet on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Despite the severe cold and snowy weather, 99 people attended this New Year’s party enjoying a buffet-style meal, pleasant conversation, the opportunity to socialize with other guests.
The program began with a greeting from JAGP President, Dr. Mitamura, followed by introductions and greetings from sponsors, the Pittsburgh Japanese Non-Profit Organizations, and active JAGP-sponsored clubs. The raffle was held at the end of the event, with prizes including Penguins tickets, airline tickets, sake, rice, and a variety of restaurant meal vouchers and gift cards. For the kids, there was a Nintendo Switch + Mario Kart, Beyblades, Pokemon and Ghibli cards, and more. Thank you again to all of the organizations and individuals who sponsored the event. The winners were delighted with their prizes, and the event successfully concluded with the “Ippon-jime” led by Mr. Mizuno, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
In the survey after the event, we received the following comments: “The day was a lot of fun,” “There were many kinds of food,” “We had a great time in a friendly atmosphere,” “I think the time allocation was just right.” “I am looking forward to next year’s event,” “I was able to have a nice time talking with some people I didn’t know before,” “It was a good meeting to get to know people living in Pittsburgh,” “There were many kinds of food, and the raffle was a great highlight,” “I can see that young people worked hard for this.” “Overall, I would like to thank you for a very enjoyable and meaningful time.” These were some of the positive comments we received.
On the other hand, we also received some comments such as “It is regrettable that we could not hear through the microphone well.” and “Is it possible to hold the event at another venue?” Additionally, some families canceled the event because they could not come from far away due to the bad weather. These will be some issues to be addressed in the future.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated in this year’s New Year’s party, to the generous sponsors and individuals, to the Hokkaido Seafood Buffet for their hospitality and many extra menu items such as lobster and crab, and to all of the wonderful volunteers.
May 2025 be a happy and prosperous year for all of you.
Japan Association of GreaterPittsburgh will hold its New Year’s Party again in 2025. This year’s party will be a buffet-style meal, and we hope you will try your luck at the raffle and lucky draw, as well as interact with many people. Please come and join us! Advance registration is required (first-come-first-served basis).The deadline is 12/31 (Tue.), but we will close applications as soon as we reach capacity, so please register as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application!
January 19, 2025 (Sun) 17:30 – 20:00 (Registration from 17:00) Hokkaido Seafood Buffet https://maps.app.goo.gl/tfC3UaYDyobPiEMJ6 4612 Browns Hill Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Member: Adults/$20 Kids/$10 Non-Member:Adults/$30 Kids/$15 *Children = 36-55 inches (approx. 92-140 cm); children under 36 inches are free. *Soft drinks are included in the registration fee. *If you join our association at this time, you will also be able to attend at the member rate! Annual Dues: Family $40, Individual $30, Student $20 JAGP|Membership Procedures
After submitting the online form below, please pay the registration fee by PayPal or send a check by mail. <New Year’s party application form> https://forms.gle/A9DPXjtXAmf3a9vk8 Zelle: pittsburghjagp@gmail.com Please ensure the email address is entered correctly. When entered correctly, the name “JAPAN ASSOC OF GR PITTSBURGH” will be displayed. PayPal: https://paypal.me/jagp/ For PayPal payments, please add an additional fee of $1 per adult participant to cover the payment processing fee. Mail to: If you would like your check to be mailed, please contact the JAGP office. *We do not accept payment on the day of the event. Please pay in advance using the above methods. *Please note that cash is strictly not acceptable.
● Alcoholic beverages will not be served at the restaurant, but you are welcome to bring your own (no charge). ● We are looking for performers who sing or play musical instruments etc. at the party. How about an opportunity to show off your hobbies or your children’s lessons? Please contact us if you are interested. ● If you would like to donate a prize (new and unopened) for the lottery, please let us know and bring it with you on the day of the event. ● [Cancellation Policy] If you need to cancel your registration due to unavoidable circumstances, please contact the event office by Sunday, January 12th. We will issue a full refund of the participation fee. Please note that cancellations made after this date are non-refundable. ● JAGP assumes no legal or financial responsibility for any accidents or injuries (including Covid infection) during or after the event.