JICC, Embassy Of Japan🌸

Shigeru Ban: Shaping Sanctuaries is now open at the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.! The exhibition showcases the humanitarian and architectural work of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban and his nonprofit organization, the Voluntary Architects' Network (VAN). The space itself is built using Ban's Paper Partition System (PPS) — the same modular system deployed in real evacuation centers to provide shelter and privacy for disaster-affected communities. Inside, you'll also encounter his works spanning emergency relief projects to pioneering architecture. A heartfelt thank you to the students from The Catholic University of America for their hard work and dedication in helping install this exhibition. It truly couldn't have come together without you! @catholicuniversity @cuarch @jer_lat 📅 On view: April 20 – July 17, 2026 🕘 Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET 📍 JICC, Embassy of Japan | 1150 18th St NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. #ShigeruBan #ShapingSanctuaries #JICC #EmbassyOfJapan #Architecture #HumanitarianDesign #PaperPartitionSystem #VoluntaryArchitectsNetwork #JapaneseArchitecture #WashingtonDC #Exhibition

The JICC is honored to present Shigeru Ban: Shaping Sanctuaries, an exhibition highlighting the ingenuity and humanitarian work of world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban and his nonprofit organization, the Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN). From Monday, April 20 to Friday, July 17, 2026, visitors will be immersed in Ban’s signature paper tube structures and introduced to the Paper Partition System (PPS), which provides shelter and privacy for those displaced by disaster and conflict. Visitors will encounter Ban’s sustainable cardboard bed design and displays of both commercial and charitable projects by Ban and the VAN, respectively. Throughout his career, Ban has challenged the conventions of architecture by designing with reusable and unexpected materials such as paper tubes and shipping containers. His work reflects the Japanese philosophy of mottainai (もったいない), which expresses respect for materials and regret over waste. Admission: Free and open to the public Location: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036 On view: Monday, April 20 to Friday, July 17, 2026 [Closed (Mon) 5/29, (Fri) 6/19, (Fri) 7/3] Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Monday - Friday Important Dates: Extended Gallery Hours (Register at the link in our bio!) Wednesday, May 6 from 5:00 - 7:00pm Tuesday, June 30 from 5:00 - 7:00pm #JICCDC #Exhibition #JapanUS #ShigeruBan

We’re so excited to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with Japan’s gift of 250 additional cherry trees! Keep an eye on our accounts as we celebrate both the 1912 gift and the 2026 gift of cherry blossoms throughout the festival season! Together we bloom!🌸

For part five of our Prefecture Postcards series, we move to Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県), another gem of the Tohoku Region. Home to one of the Nihon Sankei (日本三景), or Three Views of Japan, Miyagi offers experiences and vistas that you will not soon forget! 🗾 Have you visited Miyagi Prefecture before? Let us know in the comments where we should go next! 😊 @triptomiyagi Photo Credit: Miyagi Prefectural Government #JICCDC #PrefecturePostcards #Japan #JapaneseCulture #Miyagi

Join us for an evening with Anne Reeve, Curator at the @hirshhorn , for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Washington DC's most anticipated cultural transformations! From the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden’s 1974 Bunshaft origins to Hiroshi Sugimoto's trans-formative redesign, the lecture will also include a preview of new acquisitions ahead of the garden's Fall 2026 reopening. 📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026 🕕 Doors open at 6PM. Lecture starts at 6:30PM. 🎟️ Registration is free, link in bio! #JICCDC #JapanUS #hirshhorn #sculpturegarden

On the occasion of the 250th Birthday of the U.S., we are excited to begin our new film series Double Exposure, a celebration of the history of cultural and cinematic exchange between the U.S. and Japan. Our first film is the beloved and acclaimed Tokyo Story. 🗼 Originally released in 1953, Tokyo Story was a defining film for OZU Yasujiro, one of Japan’s master filmmakers, and is widely regarded as one of cinema’s great masterpieces. The film follows an elderly couple as they travel from their rural village to Tokyo to visit their grown children. Ozu is famous for subtly shot and carefully observed stories about interfamilial drama and the passage of time. Join us on May 21st for this screening of an all-time classic and the start of a summer of great films! 🎞️ Register at the link in our bio! #JICCDC #JFilm #JapanUS #DoubleExposure #TokyoStory

We opened the Old Residence for Passport DC! More than 2,600 visitors came and experienced Japanese culture during this exciting day. 🤩 Thank you to all who joined, including the volunteers, vendors, and performers who made it such a memorable day! 🎌 See you next year! 🗓️ @eventsDC

From powerful guardians to playful cats, our Embassy Adoption Program students explored Japanese art from across time at the National Museum of Asian Art. 🏛️ After doing some slow looking in the galleries, students learned about Japanese tea culture and made their own matcha! Thank you to the education staff at the NMAA for an enlightening experience! 😊 @barnarddcps_ @washingtonperformingarts @natasianart #EmbassyAdoptionProgram #JICCDC #NMAA

Happy Children’s Day! As part of the extended holiday period in Japan known as Golden Week, Children’s Day is a national holiday celebrated every May 5th, focusing on the happiness and future success of children. 😊 During this time, you may see large streamers in the shape of koi fish flown around the country. Known as ‘koinobori’ (鯉のぼり), each koi fish represents a member of the family. Koinobori are some of the most visually stunning decorations, especially when the wind is blowing. 🎏 Have you ever been in Japan on Children’s Day?

Can’t make it to the JICC during our normal hours? Visit us during our upcoming Extended Gallery Hours to see our latest exhibition on the humanitarian architecture of world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban! Whether you are an architect, environmentalist, or just a lover of design, the works of Shigeru Ban Architects touch the hearts of many. 📆 Wednesday, May 6th, 5:00PM – 7:00PM at the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20036-3838 More info at the link in our bio! 😊 #JICCDC #JapanUS #ShigeruBan #Exhibition #Architecture

Coming up this Saturday, May 2nd is Passport DC! Stop by the Embassy of Japan to experience traditional performances, Japanese culture, and a chance to win some fun prizes for our Around the World Tour! We’ll have representatives from various Japanese companies, a Stamp Station, and more! 🤩 Gates will open at 10:00AM and final admission to the grounds will be at 4:00PM. No open food or drink will be allowed in the building and there will be a security check. Performance times: 10:00AM – Tea ceremony 10:30AM - Koto 11:30AM – Judo 12:30PM – Karate 1:30PM – Taiko 2:30PM - Taiko We look forward to seeing everyone soon! 🗾 *The availability of demonstrations and live performances will depend on the weather conditions. Actual events are subject to change. @eventsDC #PassportDC #JICCDC #JapanUS

Did you know the government of Japan offers scholarships for people who want to study in Japan? The applications for the MEXT Research Student Scholarship and Undergraduate Student Scholarship for the DMV area are now open! 🥳 Keep watching for more information about what the MEXT scholarship covers! Applications are due May 21st for DMV residents. Check the link in our bio for more information!