2024: 8th Annual Japan Week: BC Japanese Culture Exchange Club (Open to the Public) Sept 30-Oct 5NEW

Welcome to Japan Week 2024! This will be our 8th annual JAPAN WEEK @ Bellevue College, presented by the BC Japanese Culture Exchange Club. The weekdays, Sept. 30 (Mon) through Oct. 4 (Fri), feature lectures and demonstrations for Bellevue College students. Oct. 5 (Sat) is our Matsuri (festival) day open to the general public and to BC students who missed the weekday events. Japan Week aims to introduce multiple facets of Japanese culture and to nurture and promote the cultural arts of Japan.

This year is Godzilla’s 70th anniversary, Doraemon’s 55th anniversary, Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, and Gundam’s 45th anniversary, so we are celebrating these world-famous cultural icons born in Japan. We will be showing the original Godzilla movie (with English subtitles) from 1954. Check out the cool movie effects used 70 years ago!

We are also planning to have an Anime Cafe, Manga Swap, and Flea Market. Other events include traditional Japanese musical performances, Japanese dance, Martial Arts demonstrations, Self-Shiatsu Massage, Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement, Calligraphy, Origami, Yukata Photo Booth, Karaoke, Doraemon TV show, etc. that people of all ages can enjoy on Saturday.

Date
Sep 30 - Oct 5, 2024 

Location
Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007

Admission
Free

Parking: BC Parking Garage free on Saturday, other parking lots $3/day

Join our contests and win prizes! Character Bento Contest and Origami Contest submissions are open until September 27 (Fri), 11:59 PM PST.

Full Schedule

Japan Week 2024 - Weekday Schedule
September 30 (Monday) - October 4 (Friday)
Bellevue College (In-Person Events)

Sept. 30 (Mon)
2:30-3:20 PM | Sushi Making Workshop
Instructor: Nobuto Uruma
Location: D-Building, Room 106

Oct. 1 (Tues)
2:30-3:20 PM | Gundam and Gunpla
Presenter: Ansh Chavda
Location: D-Building, Room 106

Oct. 2 (Wed)
2:30-3:20 PM | The WWII Forced Incarceration of Japanese/Japanese Americans and Its Legacy
Speaker: Dr. Lawrence Matsuda
Location: D-Building, Room 106
(In-person and online: Zoom Link)

Oct. 3 (Thurs)
2:30-3:20 PM | Manga Drawing Workshop
Instructor: Arisa Nakamura
Location: D-Building, Room 106

Oct. 4 (Fri)
Preparation for the Festival
Volunteer Signup Sheet Available

Japan Week 2024 - Saturday Schedule
October 5 (Saturday)
Bellevue College (In-Person Events)

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The WWII Forced Incarceration of Japanese/Japanese Americans and Its Legacy
Speaker: Dr. Lawrence Matsuda
Location: C-Building, Room 140

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Manga Drawing Workshop
Instructor: Arisa Nakamura
Location: R-Building, Room 102

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Gundam and Gunpla
Presenter: Ansh Chavda
Location: R-Building, Room 102

This schedule captures all the major sessions and workshops for Japan Week.