Once upon a time, at the most challenging pass of Koshu Kaido, weary travelers found solace in Sasago Village. Today, this timeless art from the village is crossing oceans to Des Moines for its first-ever U.S. performance. Don't miss this incredible journey through history and culture!

Step into Summer Style: Yukata Workshop!

The perfect weather calls for the elegance of a Yukata! Join us to learn how to wear this traditional Japanese summer kimono.

Don’t miss this opportunity to embrace tradition and celebrate summer in style! 

Join us this Saturday for JASI's Annual Hina Dolls Display! This year, we are showcasing three complete sets of exquisite Hina Dolls, each featuring 15 beautifully crafted figures. It's a breathtaking display you won't want to miss!

Join us this Saturday for our first JASI event of 2025. We will have a Used Book sale, an Open General JASI meeting, a Potluck Party, and Sumo Demonstration from the Des Moines Sumo Club!

JASI invites you to cherish the memories of this year’s wonderful events and friendships while welcoming the start of a new year together.

Join us on 12/31 at 9:00 AM at the Peace Bell Tower as we ring in the new year in harmony with Japan’s own transition into 2025.

Please join for some summer fun and experience a traditional Japanese celebration. Along with exciting games like watermelon smashing and other activities, as well as sweet and savory snacks, we will be dancing the Bon Odori, a traditional folk dance performed in a group. No worries, there will be dancing instructions. It will give you a taste of being in rural Japan.

JASI is hosting a "Takoyaki Party" on May 11th!!

Japanese octopus balls known as Takoyaki is a very popular street food, especially at summer festivals. This time, we will make Takoyaki without octopus, but it's still good. Let's have fun together!!

Date：Saturday, May 11th 12:30-2:00

Place：Franklin Junior High School, Room 1240 (4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines)

Admission ：Free for current JASI members. Also eligible if 2024 JASI membership is paid at the door or prior to the event.

Register HERE→https://forms.gle/CK1Q5WqFpRueUFHQ9

【Onigiri Making Workshop】

Date: Saturday, April 13 from 12:30-13:30

Place: Franklin Junior High School, Room 1240 (4801 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines)

Admission fee: Free

Registration: https://forms.gle/mPSjU1F9a6UhzQH87

JASI is hosting a Shodo Taikai collaborating with Kennedy High School and University of Iowa (Japanese Calligraphy Workshop & Japan Trivia Quiz).

Date: March 23rd, 2024

Place: Kennedy High School

This event is invitational.

Volunteers are welcome!!

Date: February 17th from 2:00pm - 4:30pm

Place: Franklin Junior High School, Room 1240 (4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines)

Admission fee: Free

Material fee: $5

Register: https://forms.gle/qgjJcDfy3FSG2Sae7

JASI is hosting an “Eho-maki making workshop” on February 3rd. Let’s make it together!!

Date: February 3rd from 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Place: Franklin Junior High School, Room 1240 (4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines)

Admission fee: Free for current JASI members, also eligible for those if 2024 JASI membership is paid at the door or prior to the event.

Register: https://forms.gle/51aob3LTYMjLEBFQ9

JASI is hosting a “Fruit Sandwich Making Workshop” on Saturday, January 20th. Let’s make Fruit sandwich together!!

Date: Saturday, Jan 20th from 12:20pm-1pm

Place: Franklin Junior High School, Room 1240 (4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines)

Admission fee: Free for current JASI members, also eligible for those if 2024 JASI membership is paid at the door or prior to the event.

Register here: https://forms.gle/zfaJxk8DEa6wZwjU9

JASI is hosting a Shodo Taikai (Japanese Calligraphy Workshop & Networking).

Date: Sunday January 7, 2024

Place: JASI Headquarters (4801 Franklin Ave. Des Moines)

This event is invitational.

Volunteers are welcome!!

JASI is hosting a Japanese tradition of tolling the friendship bell 108 times to welcome the New Year. Please join the tradition to ring the bell and receive a happy new year together.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, Start from 9:00 AM

Place: 1111 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA

Register HERE→https://forms.gle/fbRpkcebTrekNpNz6

Let’s watch “The Boy and the Heron” together!!

December 11, JASI's Movie Night is taking place at Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50311, as a spacial event.

We will provide Origami Totoro making workshop at 6:30pm. The movie will start at 7pm.

Tickets : https://varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-boy-and-the-heron/

JASI is hosting a Potluck Bonenkai(The End of Year Party) on Saturday, December 2nd. This is free event for current JASI members, also eligible for those if 2024 JASI membership is paid at the door or prior to the event. We will do a White Elephant gift exchange. Please bring a family-friendly item(Value around $10)!!

Register HERE↓

https://forms.gle/rFc7GyEKQrSk7JCr5

“Re-open for Business”

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 |

BUSINESS CONFERENCE & DINNER, 2–5 PM @ 801 Grand

Invitation only. Please contact info@japaniowa.org.

Enjoy an evening of Sake culture, pairing ideas with a three course meal, entertainment and more interactive fun! Experience Japanese culture through Furoshiki workshop, Origami craft and more. You do not want to miss dynamic Taiko performance. VIP room offers additional unique experience.

The word drinking Sake is interpreted in the Japanese language as a way of enjoying alcoholic beverages of many varieties. Whiskey is no exception. And in the recent trend, recognition for Japanese whiskey is rising. Let’s find out the charm of this mysterious amber colored drink.

JASI is hosting an “Anime Event” on Oct 29th!!

Save the date and join us to have fun time with our main stage and other activities. Don’t miss an opportunity to join Anime cosplay competition. Prizes will be awarded for winners!!!

Date: Sunday, Oct 29th from 1pm-5pm

Place: Franklin Junior High School, Room 148 (4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines)

Admission: FREE

JASI is hosting an “Anime Quiz Competition” on Saturday, October 21th at JASI. Please feel free to join us. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Date: Saturday, Oct 21th from 2pm-3pm

Place: Franklin Junior High School, Room 1240

Admission: Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/NyCK6iwgFeq3kPmy6