This Week’s Japan-related Events
Monday, July 15 – Sunday, July 21
MONDAY
SOUND! EUPHONIUM: THE MOVIE [Dubbed]: Select Movie Theaters | Around Los Angeles | Varies | Get tickets
WEDNESDAY
BAKERU | Transforming Spirits: This free exhibition invites visitors to step into the supernatural world of Japanese folk traditions from the northern region of Tohoku, Japan, using large-scale interactive projections with motion capture technology. Guests will bakeru (transform) into projected characters wearing special masks. Japan House Los Angeles | Hollywood | Free
Deer Dance: Fantastic Folk Traditions from Japan: Celebrating the beauty and diversity of regional folk customs from Japan, prominent organizations dedicated to restoring and preserving traditional Tohoku culture will come together to discuss the role that regional traditions have played in strengthening the bonds of community after the 2011 devastation and present a live performance of Shishi-Odori (‘Deer Dance’). Japan House Los Angeles | Hollywood | Free | Get tickets
THURSDAY
Japanese American National Museum Free Day: The Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Free general admission every third Thursday of the month. Japanese American National Museum | Little Tokyo | Free
FRIDAY and SATURDAY
Delicious Little Tokyo: Los Angeles’ largest annual Japanese culinary extravaganza is guaranteed both fun and delicious for the whole family and celebrates authentic food and drinks curated from the streets of Little Tokyo with exclusive opportunities to experience diverse flavors found in the heart of DTLA. Little Tokyo | Little Tokyo | Get tickets
SATURDAY and SUNDAY
Orange County Buddhist Church Obon Festival: Enjoy delicious food, taiko drumming, kids games, a craft boutique, produce & plant booth, Buddhist bookstore, and a Bon Odori dance. Orange County Buddhist Church | Anaheim | Free
Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon Festival: Food, games, and dancing in the street at Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s annual obon festival. Dancing (odori) starts at 7:00PM both evenings. Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple | Culver City | Free
Pasadena Obon Festival: Pasadena Buddhist Temple’s annual Obon Festival features Bon Odori, taiko and martial arts demonstrations, food, and more. Pasadena Buddhist Temple | Pasadena | Free
SATURDAY
The Lives of Samurai Women of Kōchi and Kunimitsu Family Scroll: There were as many samurai women as men during the Tokugawa era (1600–1868) in Japan, but their lives are often overlooked. Professor Luke Roberts of UCSB, will speak about his recent research into the lives of samurai women who hailed from Kōchi, an area in southwestern Japan. Japanese American National Museum | Little Tokyo | $12 | Get tickets
SUNDAY
Asian Dumplings and Okonomiyaki Workshop: Learn how to make Gyoza, Shumai, and Okonomiyaki a Japanese style pancake topped with pork, shrimp, and vegetable toppings and served with homemade tonkatsu sauce. The dumpling skin will be made from scratch, so be ready to put your hands in flour. Sonoko Sakai | Highland Park | $135 | Get tickets
![GODZILLA VS GIGAN [Subtitled] - featured image](https://soypaper-f8fe.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/godzilla-giga-sp-768x403.jpg)
GODZILLA VS GIGAN [Subtitled]: The monster battle royales in GODZILLA VS GIGAN are considered some of the best in the entire Showa series. Part of Secret Movie Club’s KAIJU SUMMER series.
Vista Theatre | Los Feliz | $11 and up | Get tickets
Vista Theatre | Los Feliz | $11 and up | Get tickets
They Called Us Enemy: Conversation and Signing with George Takei: Join living legend George Takei for a brief conversation about the graphic novel “They Called Us Enemy.” Japanese American National Museum | Little Tokyo | Free | Waitlist
One Ok Rock: ONE OK ROCK has rapidly become one of the most popular Japanese rock bands and cite Western bands like Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, and The Used as influences. Ventura Theater | Ventura | $27.50 | Get tickets
ONGOING EVENTS
Hello Kitty’s 45th Anniversary Group Art Show: Corey Helford Gallery | Downtown | Free
Manga Hokusai Manga: The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles | Miracle Mile | Free
UPCOMING PICKS
Events in this section may sell out early so it’s important that you act fast! BUT the full list is reserved for weekly newsletter subscribers. Don’t miss out, sign up below! It’s totally free!
Note: Some sold out events omitted. Some events sell out after publication.
