JULY 2025
Nikkei Place Newsletter
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF NIKKEI PLACE:
Nikkei Place has been a place of connection — a home for culture, care, and community. Now, through our Nikkei Next Capital Campaign, we are renewing and reimagining the spaces that bring us together.
Join us in shaping the future. From essential building upgrades to the creation of inspiring new spaces—like a Japanese tearoom and the serene Kushiro Lane Garden—your support can bring new life to the places that bring us together.
Give today to help build the next chapter of Nikkei Place—stronger, more vibrant, and deeply rooted in kizuna. #NikkeiNext
Learn more about the capital projects here.
Renewing the Spaces that Connect Us
A Lasting Symbol of Friendship:
Welcome to Kushiro Lane
We are proud to unveil Kushiro Lane and a newly transformed Japanese garden space beside Robert Nimi Nikkei Home. This peaceful path with cherry and maple trees, is a tribute to the enduring 60-year sister city relationship between Burnaby and Kushiro, Japan. Special thanks to Burnaby’s Outstanding Citizens of the Year (2024) Ken Shinozaki and Henry Wakabayashi, and Nick Sueyoshi from the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association.
Nikkei Matsuri
SUMMER FESTIVAL
Kick off the Nikkei Matsuri weekend at Zenyasai —matsuri-eve — on Friday night with local DJs, beer garden and festive summer vibes. Then dive into two full days of fun at Nikkei Matsuri with Japanese eats, yukata dressing, games, performances, and new this year: the Japanese Pop Culture Market, packed with anime, crafts, and more! By attending or participating in our 50/50 draw, you will be supporting our Nikkei Next building improvement projects.
Driving Change:
18th Annual Nikkei Place Charity Classic Surpasses Fundraising Goal!
$160,000 Raised for Seniors Programs
A delicious, convenient way to enjoy a meal from the comfort of home. Each lunch box, crafted with care at Nikkei Home, is available for just $8.
Program funded by the JCLS community grant
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If you are interested in this service, please contact us for more information:
Keiko Ferrier
Phone Number: 604-777-5000 (Ext. 2007)
E-mail: Projectcoordinator@nikkeishc.com
Check out the full event recap, event photos & highlight video!
Building Community Through Seniors’ Care
Kenko Wellness Lounge Programs
Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society’s Outreach Programs create connections that enrich lives. Through activities like chair exercises, watercolour painting, brain games, and community lunches, these programs provide seniors with a space for movement, creativity, and social engagement—essential components for healthy ageing.
More than just classes, these programs are lifelines for seniors to stay active, sharp, and emotionally connected. Every interaction, every shared laugh, and every new skill developed enhances vitality and supports overall well-being.
At Nikkei Place, we believe in building a community where ageing is met with dignity, joy, and support—for everyone’s peace of mind today and tomorrow.
KENKO WELLNESS LOUNGE PROGRAMS
Location: Kenko Wellness Lounge, next to Robert Nimi Nikkei Home | 6680 Southoaks Crescent
Contact: Mikiko Furukawa, Activity Worker
mfurukawa@nikkeishc.com or 604-777-5000 (Ext. 2007)
Programs offered starting on January 6, 2025:
| ACTIVITY | DAY | TIME | COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Aloud (Japanese) | Tuesday | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | $5 /class |
| Stretch & Yoga | Tuesday | 10:45 - 11:30 AM | $6 /class |
| Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise | Tuesday | 1:30 - 2:15 PM | $6 /class |
| Watercolour Painting | Tuesday | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | $5 /class |
| Cognicise | Tuesday | 2:30 - 3:30 PM | $8 /class or $80 /10 weeks |
| Upper Body Exercise | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:15 AM | $6 /class |
| Lower Body & Pelvic Muscle Training | Saturday | 2:00 - 2:40 PM | $6 /class |
Mochitsuki Celebration
December 29, 2024
Mochitsuki is the traditional Japanese process of making mochi, it involves steaming glutinous rice and then pounding it with a large pestle in a mortar called “usu.” This pounding creates a sticky, elastic texture that is characteristic of mochi.
Join us on December 29, 2024, at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre for a traditional Mochitsuki celebration! Come take part and enjoy a hands-on cultural experience.
This celebration promises to bring families and the community together for a traditional Japanese New Year experience, featuring fresh and frozen mochi, along with food and drink vendors and stage performances.
Location:
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Date & Time: December 29, 2024, 11am - 3pm
Cost: Free admission
Exhibits
Location: 1F Karasawa Gallery
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Time: 10am- 5pm, closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays
#ArtForAll Campaign
To ensure our exhibits remain free for the public, we’ve launched the #ArtForAll campaign. Donations will support the museum’s mission to provide culturally rich, educational exhibits at no cost. Your contribution helps preserve important stories and make art accessible to everyone. Visit www.centre.nikkeiplace.org/support-us/art-for-all/ to donate.
Date: October 19, 2024 to January 25, 2025
The Haq and History exhibit highlights stories of South Asian Canadian immigrants to BC and includes new research on the intersection between the Punjabi and Japanese Canadian communities in Paldi.
Date: February, 2025 to September, 2025
The Nikkei Artists Pop-up highlights a selection of Japanese Canadian artists from across Canada with diverse art practices from traditional to contemporary.
Beautifully Broken – Kinstugi
Date: October, 2025 to February, 2026
Kyoto-born BC-based Naoko Fukumaru creates traditional and contemporary Kintsugi that invites the viewer to be open, and to reflect on self-awareness and acceptance while moving towards building resilience and gratitude that can help heal ourselves and the world.
Sakura Gala 2024
The 2024 Sakura Gala was a memorable evening. Held at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel on Saturday, October 5th, the gala embraced the theme Kizuna—the bonds and connections that bind us together and create a strong sense of community. Kizuna truly captured the essence of the evening as friends and families reunited and we honoured our community leaders and supported fundraising efforts.
Ruth Midori Coles was awarded the 2024 Thomas Shoyama Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dan Nomura and Dennis Shikaze were honoured with the 2024 Nikkei Community & Business Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award. These remarkable individuals have been unwavering leaders with their dedication and service within the Japanese Canadian community. Celebrating their invaluable contributions was both an honour and an inspiration to all in attendance.
Check out the photo gallery and videos:
Your Legacy, Our Future
Please consider providing your support to the Nikkei community by including Nikkei Place Foundation in your will or estate plans. A legacy gift ensures that our culture, history, and services continue to thrive, while also empowering the next generation of Nikkei Canadians.
Your generosity today creates an enduring impact—preserving our heritage, supporting our elders, and nurturing young leaders.
Give Online
Donations made before midnight on December 31 will receive a tax receipt for the current year.
オンラインにてご寄付いただく場合は、12月31日までに完了することで、当年度の領収書を発行いたします。以降は次年度のお取り扱いとなります。
For inquiries regarding all donations and tax receipts, phone 604-777-2122 or email gifts@nikkeiplacefoundation.org for more details.
Support #NikkeiTogether with a Year-End Donation
Your donations play a vital role in preserving history, support our elders, educating future generations, and celebrating culture. By supporting, you help ensure that the stories of resilience, perseverance, and culture are passed on to future generations. Together, we can strengthen our community and honour a legacy that connects generations.
