Celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Discover Nikkei with a day-long festival of activities honoring Nikkei family stories. Discover Nikkei is JANM's international, community-based project that highlights Nikkei identity, culture, and history. Discover Nikkei Fest kicks off a year-long celebration of the website's milestone anniversary with a Community Fair, Family Stories Workshops, International Nikkei Family Stories Panel Discussion (in-person and virtual), and Reception.

Schedule of Events:

Community Fair (12 p.m.-3 p.m.)
Meet Nikkei organizations from around Southern California,
decorate a journal to write and draw in, pick up tickets for an opportunity drawing, and participate in a rubber stamp rally.
The fair is free, but registration and check-in at the event is required to receive tickets for the opportunity drawing and participate in the stamp rally.
Family Stories Workshops (12 p.m.–2:45 p.m.)
12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
Preserving Family Artifacts with JANM's Director of Collections Management & Access and Curator
Intergenerational Delight—a family stories poetry workshop with traci kato-kiriyama
1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
Nikkei Genealogy 101 with the Nikkei Genealogical Society
Senior Memory Collection with Let's Talk Story Club
2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Video Life History Interviews with JANM's Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center
Family Stories Journaling with Mia Nakaji Monnier
Panel Discussion: Sharing International Nikkei Family Stories (3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)
Join a conversation about Nikkei family stories moderated by Naomi Hirahara and featuring Mitch Homma (USA), Andrew Hasegawa (Australia), Harumi López Higa (Peru), Gus Hokama (Argentina), and Jorge Okubaro (Brazil). Simultaneous translations for this in-person and virtual event will be provided in English, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Can't join us in person? Watch the panel discussion virtually! Advance registration required by Friday, February 7, 10 a.m. (PST) to receive the free Zoom link.
Reception (5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.)
Enjoy special musical performances by Gus Hokama, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles Branch, and John Azama; Nikkei-inspired food and drinks; a photo booth; and a silent auction that will give you opportunities to connect and reflect after the day's festivities.