Japanese Cultural Experience: Maki-e
Aizu is famous for its lacquerware—come experience the art, history, and tradition of maki-e, lacquerware decoration, at Suzuzen, a 180-year-old lacquerware wholesale shop.
You can decorate a piece of lacquerware of your choosing with your own design – and take it home as a functional keepsake of Aizu.
Date and Time: Saturday, June 16th, 2pm—3:30pm
Location: Suzuzen (1 Chome-3-28 Chuo )
Fee: 1,600yen-3,500yen (depending on the lacquerware)
RSVP with the AWIA by June 13th.
Foreign Language Story Room
Ohanashi-no-heya, the foreign language story room, is a twice-a-year collaboration between the AWIA and the Aizu Library, where picture books from three different foreign countries are read in their native languages to kids aged 4-12, followed by activities and games from those countries and/or using language encountered in the picture books.
In the past we have featured picture books in English, Tagalog, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese! This year will feature picture books read in Russian, Korean, and English.
Date: Sunday, June 24, 10am-11:30am
Location: Aizu Keikodo, 3rd Floor
Sign upwith the Aizu Library ☎0242-22-4711
Nihongo Salon
Want to practice speaking in Japanese? Nihongo Salon is perfect for those looking to practice their Japanese conversational skills with Japanese language volunteers and foreign nationals alike. Nihongo Salon is run every Tuesday, from 1:30PM to 3:30PM, at the Aizu Keikodo.
The participation fee is 2,000 yen for one year.
Radio Show Guests
The AWIA hosts a twice weekly radio program called “Hello Aizu” on the local radio station, FMAizu (76.2 FM). We are looking for English speakers to come discuss a small topic of their choosing, in English. The interview can be a one-time event, or a repeating guest appearance. For first time guests, the interview will include a short self- introduction. Any and all ideas are welcome. Stop on by the radio station, and become a local celebrity today.
Hello World Guests
Hello World is a program run by the AWIA that promotes international education and cross-cultural exchange among the children of Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Once a month, we would like to invite foreign-nationals to come introduce their country, and play international games with children, from 1st to 6th grade. Thank you money will be provided to all guests.
Newsletter Prep and Refreshments
Help us to prepare our newsletters for mailing! On the last Saturday of every month, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, AWIA members gather at the AWIA to fold and mail next month’s edition of the newsletter, followed by tea and snacks. Come enjoy talking with other members while you help out the association. It’s also an excellent chance to put your Japanese to use!