EVENT UPDATE
Due to increasing COVID-19 Delta variant rates, and for the safety of our visitors and staff, we are no longer offering free admission, or holding festival activities onsite, for the 2021 Natsumatsuri Family Festival. All activities are now virtual.
For more information on museum hours and admissions, see janm.org/visit.
Celebrate the summer with us in this virtual festival featuring Japanese and Japanese American crafts and activities for all ages.
- New videos and virtual activities will premiere on this page and Youtube.com/JANMdotorg at 11 a.m. (PDT) on Saturday, August 14.
- JANM Members: RSVP now for the Members Only virtual conversation about A Life in Pieces: The Diary and Letters of Stanley Hayami on August 14. RSVP NOW
- Send in your Nikkei matsuri (festival) photos to JANM’s Discover Nikkei project now through August 22 to participate in a community photo activity. DETAILS BELOW
See below for full schedule of activities!
Celebrate with us on social media @jamuseum [Facebook | Twitter | Instagram]! Use the hashtag #NatsumatsuriAtJANM on social media to share how you’re celebrating with us at the museum or from home!
For more information on visiting the museum, please visit janm.org/visit.
PRESS RELEASE
JANM Celebrates 2021 Virtual Natsumatsuri Family Festival with Free Online Events Starting Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021 READ
Sponsors:
Media Sponsor: 
Activities
Stylish Paper Sunhats
Make and decorate a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself fashionably from the summer sun!
Membership Raffle
Make sure to participate in our special activities for a chance to win a FREE year of membership! Leave a comment answering the Festival Question on our YouTube videos to be entered into the raffle!
The Festival Questions can be found in the Natsumatsuri video descriptions or program content. All comments on any of these platforms must be posted by 5 p.m. (PDT) on Sunday, August 15, 2021. Limit one entry per household per video/program.
Schedule
2:51 AM - 2:51 AM
Colorful and Fun Windsock
Inspired by the Tanabata Festival kazari (decorations) that brighten the skies of Little Tokyo during summer—show your inspiring Olympian spirit with a festive decoration to wave in the wind.
2:51 AM - 2:51 AM
Ruthie’s Origami Corner
Learn to fold a yukata (summer kimono), popular attire during Japanese summer festivals in this video!
This activity is named in honor of JANM volunteer Ruthie Kitagawa (1937–2020), who led origami activities at the museum for many years.
2:51 AM - 2:51 AM
UNBOXED with JANM Collections
This installment of the Unboxed video series dives into JANM’s incredible photo collection of JA life as it explores summer food, fun, and festivals.
2:51 AM - 2:51 AM
Nikkei Matsuri Photo Activity
Every year, Nikkei communities around the world gather together for fun cultural activities and food at various matsuri (festivals). JANM’s Discover Nikkei project is compiling photos to share our global Nikkei community’s matsuri traditions. We want to see photos of your family’s participation in bon odori, special foods, games, and other traditional (or non-traditional) decorations and celebrations.
To participate, just email your photo and a brief description by August 22, 2021, to editor@DiscoverNikkei.org. For complete submission guidelines and to view photos already submitted, visit Discover Nikkei.
This activity is presented in conjunction with the Nisei Week Foundation.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Members Only: A Life in Pieces Virtual Conversation
All JANM Members are invited to an exclusive Members Only virtual conversation with JANM’s VP of Exhibitions and Art Director Clement Hanami, writer/filmmaker Sharon Yamato, actor Kurt Kanazawa, and Emblematic's founder and CEO Nonny de la Peña in the gallery before the museum opens to the public. They will discuss the virtual reality video created for A Life in Pieces: The Diary and Letters of Stanley Hayami.
This program is FREE for all members, but RSVPs are required in advance at the RSVP link, by email to memberevents@janm.org, or phone at 213.830.5646 to receive the Zoom details. Space is limited so RSVP today!
Not a current member? JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!
