To help fund the event, we’re accepting donations in August of used Manga and nice Japanese items such as accessories, decorations, clothing, and tableware!
Donation Drop-off Times:
Saturday, August 23, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday, August 24, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
For a drop-off map and more information, click here!
Welcome to Japan Week 2025! This will be our 9th annual JAPAN WEEK @ Bellevue College, presented by the BC Japanese Culture Exchange Club.
The weekdays, Oct. 6 (Mon) through Oct. 10 (Fri), feature lectures and demonstrations for Bellevue College students. Oct. 11 (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, including its rich history.
This Year’s Highlights (October 11th, Sat.)
Katsura Sunshine Rakugo Show, Onigiri Workshop, Omikoshi, Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition*, Shōwa-era Hit Songs, Contests with Prizes (Beyblade, Cosplay, Paper Airplane, Japan Trivia, Kendama)
Other Activities: Anime Café, Calligraphy, Flea Market, Flower Arranging, Japan Market, Kamishibai, Karaoke, Manga Swap, Martial Arts, Okinawa Music, Origami, Puppet Theater, Shakuhachi, Storytime in the Planetarium, Taiko Drumming, Tea Ceremony, The Board Game of Go, Yukata Photo Booth, and more!
*presented by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Nuclear Weapons Awareness
This year’s kanji is 志（こころざし）, “kokorozashi.”
Our logo features a Daruma with the kanji 志 (kokorozashi), meaning “will, aspiration, or ambition.” It reflects perseverance, focus, and the drive to succeed. The 9th Annual Japan Week celebrates Japanese culture and encourages everyone to pursue their goals with determination. 志 represents a strong sense of purpose and commitment to meaningful achievements. This kanji serves as a reminder to stay focused and keep pushing forward. Let it inspire you to chase your dreams with passion and resilience!
All website managers are Bellevue College students.
2025 Website Managers: Bharat Biju, Toshiki Loi, Hengmeng Ly, Lukas Tomita
Past Website Managers:
2017 – Chitalu Mumba (Original Website Developer)
2018 – Devon Rice, Meili Hsu
2019 – Alex Horn, Devon Rice, Meili Hsu
2020 – Alex Horn, Devon Rice, Carlos A. Márquez Arce
2021 – Nik Weisend, Mariko S. Borcan, Sascha West
2022 – Alex Richey, Mariko S. Borcan, Alexandria Terayama
2023 – Declan Boyle, Anhthien Nguyen, Danbi Kim, Ansh Chavda
2024 – Lukas Tomita (lead manager), Declan Boyle, Eitan Grebnev, Elsie Nakaone, Derek Nguyen