Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado - JASSC

09/12/2026

On Saturday, October 3rd, join author Jolene Gutiérrez for a live reading of her book, 𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦: 𝘈 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘱, cowritten with Minoru Tonai and illustrated by Chris Sasaki.

𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 shares the true story of Minoru "Min" Tonai, a young American citizen whose family was incarcerated at Amache in southeastern Colorado during World War II. The reading will be followed by a conversation with Karen Nogami-Stoner, a descendant of Amache survivor Yuki Nogami.

For more information and to register for the event, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unbreakable-live-book-reading-community-conversation-tickets-1999860179632

09/12/2026

Welcome back to Fujiyoshida Friday!

Did you know that Fujiyoshida has an official city song complete with a dance exercise that people do with it?

At 8:25, 「ここにはいつも富士がある」(koko niwa itsumo Fuji ga aru - Mount Fuji is always here) plays on the loudspeakers of the city hall, and many staff members will exercise for the few minutes that it plays! Isn't that interesting?

"　In 1973 (Showa 48), as part of a city project at the time, the Citizens' Favorite Song Establishment Committee was created with the aim of "creating a beloved song that people can easily hum along to." Through introductions from local music professionals, the committee commissioned lyricist Tokiko Iwatani and composer Taku Izumi, who had created many hit songs, to compose the song. Both
　visited the city for the production process, touring places such as Arakurayama Sengen Park, the city's streets, and textile factories, and the resulting song, "Here is Always Mount Fuji," was created to bring the song to life.
　For over 40 years since then, this song has been loved by the citizens and has become a beloved song that many people in the city can hum along to.
　On October 25, 2013, Ms. Iwatani, who wrote the lyrics, passed away, and on this occasion, a monument to the citizens' favorite song was installed in Arakurayama Sengen Park, which offers a panoramic view of Mount Fuji and the city.
　The area has been registered as a World Heritage Site, and the number of tourists, including foreigners, has increased, promoting the song along with the spectacular view of Mount Fuji.
　Furthermore, starting November 3, 2016, it will be used as the noon chime at the Fujiyoshida Disaster Prevention Center, and we will cherish it so that it becomes more widely familiar to everyone." -- Quoted from the Fujiyoshida City website (https://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/page/1406.html)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuiMFO9ukqE

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/07/2026

09/04/2026

Welcome to our new series!
🗻Fujiyoshida Friday🗻

In this series, we are going to explore our beautiful sister city of Fujiyoshida! This week, let's check out their fall event schedule!

Are you travelling to Japan soon? Stop by Fujiyoshida!
Follow their page to keep up to date with upcoming events! 富士吉田市国際親善委員会　Fujiyoshida International Friendship Association

Local residents following JASSC from Japan?
9/12 - Take an educational field trip for local foreign residents to learn about the bus system. It can be complicated for people in any language, so we’re all going to get on and learn together.

10/17 and 10/18 – Hataori Festival – Visit the annual “Hataori Machi Festival”, or the weaving village festival. Over 140 artisans and shops will gather in Fujiyoshida to sell their unique goods, mostly woven goods and fabric creations, but many others, including snacks and food, glassware, and other handmade treasures.

10/25 – Pumpkin Carving Experience for local residents

11/8 – Tabunka Festival (full name in Japanese is 多文化共生フェスティバル). This event is like a mirror to JASSC’s annual bazaar, but naturally, instead of showcasing Japanese culture, Fujiyoshida showcases the diversity of their city and invites the multicultural community to hold booths, sell food, and put on performances for the public.

09/02/2026

Hello !!
It is time to announce our 2026 Japanese Cultural Bazaar theme!
Choose your warrior! Ninja vs Samurai!
Did we mention... this event is FREE!!

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
📍Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center (1540 Verde Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80910)

Join us for an exciting day of Japanese culture complete with performances, vendors, workshops, art, and MORE!

Want special perks at the event? Sign up to volunteer and get all of our volunteer goodies! Link will be in the comments!

08/30/2026

Do you remember the amazing art at last years bazaar? One of those incredible artists is showcasing her beautiful work at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival!!
Gaby Oshiro! This is beautiful as always!


Colorado Dragon Boat

08/19/2026

On August 1st, at the Everybody Welcome Cultural Heritage Festival, members from JASSC and the Fujiyoshida delegation represented both our organizations and our sister city through Japanese cultural activities, such as folding Origami, making paper lanterns, and playing with Kendama. Volunteers assisted children with writing their names in Katakana on bookmarks to take home. The festival was held on the Colorado College campus.

08/11/2026

Are you or someone you know applying to the JET Program this fall?

Join USJETAA on Tues, August 25, at 7:30 PM ET for JET Application Workshop: Putting Your Best Foot Forward and learn how to build a stronger application.

Through a presentation, alumni panel, and breakout Q&A, you'll gain insight into what makes a compelling JET applicant, identify the experiences that set you apart, and refine your "WHY".

Presented in partnership with Positive Global Learning, one of our JET Alumni-Owned Business sponsors.

🔗 Register here ($10): www.usjetaa.org/news/jet-app-workshop2026

08/02/2026

Meet our 2026 Fujiyoshida Homestay students!
Thank you to the chaperones from Fujiyoshida and to the homestay family hosts here in Colorado Springs for making this exchange possible!