Sunday, June 12th through Saturday, June 18th

The Center for Japanese Studies presents the eighth annual Ann Arbor Japan Week! Join us June 12th through 18th for a week of Japan-related programming designed for families and youth. All events are free and open to the public.

Ann Arbor Japan Week will kick off with a free, family-friendly screening of Kiki’s Delivery Service on Sunday, June 12th at 3pm at the Michigan Theater. This year’s programming will include activities such as origami, storytelling, taiko drumming, an iaido (martial arts) workshop, and more! Slurping Turtle will also offer a special throughout Ann Arbor Japan Week: 15% off (dine-in only)--just mention Ann Arbor Japan Week!

See below for complete event listings, and email us at [email protected] with any questions. Ann Arbor Japan Week is co-sponsored by the Japan Business Society of Detroit Foundation.

All week at UMMA: “Women Artists” feature in the Japanese Gallery, 525 S. State St.

Download the full Japan Week brochure here.

  • Japanese Storytime with Momo Kajiwara, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 1-1:45pm. Local music teacher, Momo Kajiwara, will lead songs, movement, and storytelling in Japanese.

  • Ann Arbor Japan Week Kickoff Film, Kiki’s Delivery Service, at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., 3pm. Reserve Your FREE Ticket!
    Celebrate this beloved coming-of-age story from the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, about a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.
    Language: Presented with English dubbing. 1989. 103 mins. Anime/Adventure. G.

  • CANCELED - Carillon Concert at the Burton Memorial Tower, Ingalls Mall (230 N. Ingalls St.), 5-5:30pm. This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.  Listen to Japanese music arranged for the carillon bells and tour the Burton Tower.
  • Origami with the JSD Women's Club, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6:30-7:30pm. Learn to make an overturn frog, Samurai hat, windmill, sumo wrestler, and more with the help of representatives from the Japan Society of Detroit Women's Club.
  • Iaido Workshop with Peter Boylan, Weiser Hall 10th floor event space, 500 Church St., 5:30pm. Learn about iaido, a Japanese martial art, and sword history from instructor Peter Boylan of the Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice some basic iaido techniques.

  • Kamishibai of the Tanabata Festival with the JSD Women's Club, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6:30-7pm. Kamishibai is a Japanese form of storytelling told with pictures. Representatives from the Japan Society of Detroit Women's Club will introduce a story about Tanabata, a Japanese seasonal festival.
    On the day of the event participants will be asked to sign in, one sign-in per group. Sign in here.
  • Traditional Japanese Toys, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 2-3pm. Join representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit to learn about traditional toys in Japan and various summer festival customs, food, clothing and more! Representatives Megan Doi and Shu Tabira will be wearing traditional clothing and have Happi coats for attendees to try on if they choose. Happi coats are traditionally worn during Japanese festivals.

  • Taiko Drumming Performance by Great Lakes Taiko Center, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, O&W Grove Stage, Ingalls Mall, 5:45-6:45pm.

  • Film Screening: The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 6-8pm. Granted near-unfettered access to the notoriously insular Studio Ghibli, director Mami Sunada follows the three men who are the lifeblood of Ghibli – the eminent director Hayao Miyazaki, the producer Toshio Suzuki, and the elusive and influential “other director” Isao Takahata – over the course of a year as the studio rushes to complete two films, Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises and Takahata’s The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. The result is a rare “fly on the wall” glimpse of the inner workings of one of the world’s most celebrated animation studios, and an insight into the dreams, passion and singular dedication of these remarkable creators.
    This 118m documentary from 2013 is unrated.
  • Festival Music of Japan, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 7-7:30pm. Join us for a Japanese festival with SAKURA Japanese Instrumental Group. The performing artists, hailing from hometowns in both Japan and the Midwest USA, come together to share the soundscapes of traditional music as expressed through the compositions of their mutual mentor Yamada Mizue from Kanazawa, Japan as well as traditional folk music pieces. We will begin our journey with an explosion of sound on the Japanese drums known as Taiko, then enjoy the melodies of other festival music and their Dancing Lion, the Shishimai, as we celebrate the art of traditional Japanese music together.
Whisper of the Heart
  • CANCELED - Carillon Concert at the Burton Memorial Tower, Ingalls Mall (230 N. Ingalls St.), noon-12:30pm. This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Listen to Japanese music arranged for the carillon bells and tour the Burton Tower.

  • Whisper of the Heart, AADL Downtown Library, 1st floor lobby, 343 S. Fifth, 1-3pm. This Studio Ghibli film follows Shizuku, a quiet schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination.
    This 1hr 51m film released in 1995 by Studio Ghibli is rated G.

Partners

  • Ann Arbor District Library
  • Ann Arbor Summer Festival
  • Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit
  • Great Lakes Taiko Center
  • Japan Business Society of Detroit Foundation
  • Japan Society of Detroit Women's Club
  • Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai
  • The Michigan and State Theaters
  • The School of Music, Theater & Dance
  • Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group
  • Slurping Turtle
  • University of Michigan Museum of Art

Ann Arbor Japan Week 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 live on in the archives. Check them out to get a notion of how the week has evolved.