Exciting Things to Look Forward to at Nikkei Place As We Head Into the New Year
The holiday season is officially here, bringing that cozy mix of reflection, gratitude, and renewed connection. It’s a time to appreciate what we share — and the community that makes Nikkei Place such a meaningful home for culture, care, and connection.
As the year comes to an end, please consider supporting the Nikkei Next Building Improvement Campaign. With your support, we can ensure Nikkei Place remains a vibrant home for community, where seniors feel supported, families come together, and people of all ages explore and celebrate Japanese arts and culture. Your generosity this season will help carry our legacy into the future.
There’s So Much Ahead at Nikkei Place!
We’re excited to share upcoming events, programs, and exhibits happening in December and into the new year. We hope you’ll join us as we head into a bright new year together.
Special Events
Nikkei Mochitsuki | 日系餅つき
December 29, 2025 | 11am - 3pm | Free
📍 Nikkei Centre
Celebrate a year-end Japanese tradition – Nikkei Mochitsuki welcomes you to experience mochitsuki traditions, flavours, and entertainment that promise a delightful experience for all ages. This event is presented in collaboration with the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association and NNMCC Auxiliary.
Oshōgatsu Japanese New Year Celebration
January 3, 2026 | 11am - 3pm | Free
📍 Nikkei Centre
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year! Experience the traditions, games, food, and culture of Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) at our festive community event.
Programs
A Vibrant Start to the Year for Seniors at Kenko Wellness Lounge
Winter Schedule: January 2 - March 31, 2026
📍 Robert Nimi Nikkei Home - Kenko Wellness Lounge
The Kenko Wellness Lounge Activity Team offers meaningful outreach programming to seniors in the community, with a mix of in-person and zoom classes. These experiences make a difference for seniors—designed to build connections, spark lifelong learning, and foster a sense of community.
Get creative with painting classes and the NEW Crafting Club
Partake in body and brain exercise classes
Stay socially active at Community Lunch and Men’s Club
Get to know technology at the Tablet Club
Kick off the New Year with inspiring cultural programs at Nikkei Centre -
New programs launched!
Discover a vibrant lineup of programs—from Japanese language classes and Pokémon League to hands-on Nerikiri (traditional Japanese sweets) workshops. Plus, don’t miss the launch of exciting new programs including Kyogi Karuta, Ohara-ryu Ikebana and Art Sushi!
Exhibits
The NEW Asahi Baseball Exhibition
On now
📍 Nikkei Centre, Main Floor
Come see a new wall vinyl exhibit on our main floor that tells the story of the JCCA Nisei baseball club that played in BC from 1951 - 1960. The Nisei Baseball committee consisting of past-players, their descendants, friends and family, including Elmer Mori, Mas Kitagawa, Frank Kamiya, and Connie Ball gratefully received a Japanese Canadian Legacies Society grant to produce the exhibit curated by NNMCC Director|Curator Sherri Kajiwara and designed by NNMCC Design & Exhibit Coordinator Danielle Jette.
Pictured:
Past player Elmer Mori stands by the exhibit with Karah Goshinmon-Foster (NNMCC Executive Director) and Danielle Jette (NNMCC Design & Exhibit Coordinator)
Beautifully Broken – Kintsugi by Naoko Fukumaru
On now until Feb 21, 2026
📍 Karasawa Gallery, Main Floor
Kintsugi, the Japanese art of “golden joinery,” is a 500-year-old tradition of repairing broken ceramics with natural Urushi lacquer and powdered gold. Rather than disguising damage, it highlights it—honoring imperfection and the passage of time.
25 Together
On now
📍 Gordon & Kyoko Kadota Landing, 2nd Floor
This exhibit features a collection of items and documents from our inaugural days, including the original architectural model of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Return to Paueru Gai: 50 Years of Powell Street Festival
March 12 to September 5, 2026
📍 Karasawa Gallery, Main Floor
Return to Paueru Gai is a retrospective exhibition celebrating 50 years of Powell Street Festival’s art and activism through photographs, videos and installations. Curated by Emiko Morita.