UWF Asian Program

Many thanks to our volunteers who helped out with the tea ceremonies at Tanabata Festival.

Junko, James, Andres, Michelle, Yasuko, Shigeko, and Parker

Did you make it to this year's Tanabata Festival? Check out all of the photos from this event.

Tanabata Star Festval - Google Drive

We were delighted to welcome students from UWF Explore Camp’s “Amazing Race: World Travelers” to the Japan House today!

During their visit, students explored Japanese culture, learned about the traditions of Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, and wrote their own heartfelt wishes on colorful tanzaku to hang on bamboo branches. 🎋

They also enjoyed a peaceful visit to our Zen garden, taking time to reflect and connect with a different cultural perspective.

Experiences like this remind us how meaningful global learning can be by sparking curiosity, creativity, and connection at every age.

⭐ Celebrate the beautiful summer tradition of Japan right here on UWF campus!⭐️
The UWF Office of Global Engagement invites you to the Tanabata Star Festival on Saturday, July 11, from noon to 4:30 p.m. Experience a day filled with cultural elegance, mindfulness, and hands-on activities.

🗓️Date & Time: Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
📍Location: UWF Japan House (Building 71)
🎫Admission: Free and open to the public (All materials provided)

■Highlights:
🌸Witness the stunning artistry of Ikebana (flower arrangement).
🍵Immerse yourself in the serene rituals of a traditional Tea Ceremony inside the Japan House.

🌿Join the guided Japanese Garden Tour to explore the hidden beauty of Building 71.

🎋Participate in cultural crafts all day long: Make your own Japanese bookmark, try your hand at origami, and write your wishes on colorful Tanzaku (wish strips) to hang on the traditional Tanabata Bamboo Tree.

⛩️Exciting Raffle: The restaurant Khons on Palafox is generously providing Japanese food vouchers for our raffle in Japanese Omikuji style in the conference room!

Note: While all-day crafts are walk-in, the Ikebana Workshops require pre-registration due to limited seating.

👉 Pre-register for Ikebana Workshops here: https://forms.gle/eWqjhsz5eVkvs87T9

⏰Event Timeline:
•12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. - Ikebana Demonstration (Lobby)
•12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Ikebana Workshop (Room 136)
•1:50 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. - Japanese Garden Tour (Japan House Garden)
•2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. - Ikebana Workshop (Room 136)
•3:40 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Tea Ceremony Demonstration (Japan House)

★All-Day Activities:
•Origami: Room 141
•Bookmark Making: Room 139
•Tanabata Tree & Wish Strips: Entrance
•Japanese Games (Kendama/Chopstick challenge): Room 131
•Shrine Fortune & Prizes (Raffle): Conference Room

Happy Japanese Calligraphy Day! 🖌️

笑 (Wara) ＝ LOL / Smile 😆🤣🥰

Writing "笑" with a smile always creates the happiest moments.

Love the beautiful, peaceful atmosphere when everyone is deeply focused on their calligraphy.

It takes a village! A big thank you to our volunteers and friends from Japan EcoSystems for helping tidy up our Japan House garden this morning.

Michiko Takahashi

We love it when out-of-town guests come to experience traditional Japanese tea at our Japan House. Email us at [email protected] for more details.

✨ Japanese Calligraphy Workshop ✨

Pre-registration required - Discover the mindful art of Japanese Calligraphy and express yourself through the power of ink 🥰

More than just writing, Shodo is a beautiful tradition where each brushstroke reflects the heart and spirit of the creator.

In this workshop, you’ll explore traditional brushes, ink, and paper to design your own original calligraphy piece, capturing a special word or name to take home.

🌸 A fun way to explore Japanese culture 🎎 Children under 10 are welcome with adult supervision

✅ Free - all materials provided 📝 Advance registration required (Google Form or QR code)

📍 Japan House, University of West Florida, 11000 University Pkwy, Building 71, Pensacola, FL 32514 📅 Saturday, June 27 | 11:00 AM (approx. 1 hour)

🔗 Registration:https://forms.gle/82R7GRD4HGCCKbpF6

🐉 Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with us!

Discover the story of one of Asia's most beloved festivals, make a paper dumpling craft, and explore Taiwanese traditions.

🛶 Fun for all ages!

📅 Saturday, June 27

⏰ 10:30–11:30 AM

📍 Pensacola Library: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MfMmQ2NtbfyhfMso6

🎋 Celebrate Tanabata Star Festival at UWF! | Flowers • Tea • Japanese Traditions

The UWF Office of International Affairs invites you, your family, and friends to experience a day filled with cultural elegance, mindfulness, and hands-on activities!

📅 When: Saturday, July 11, from Noon to 4:30 p.m.

📍 Where: UWF Campus (Building 71 / International Center/Japan House)

🎟 Admission: FREE and open to the public (All materials provided)

🌟 Special Guest Artist: Akiko Iwata This year, we are thrilled to welcome Akiko Iwata, an active Ikebana artist and landscape designer based in the Miami area. She will bring nature to life with her stunning flower arrangements and guide you through our beautiful Japanese garden from a designer's unique perspective!

🕒 Schedule at a Glance:

12:00 PM – Ikebana Live Demonstration (Lobby)

12:45 PM & 2:30 PM – Ikebana Workshops (Room 136) [Pre-registration required]

1:50 PM – Guided Japanese Garden Tour with Akiko Iwata [On-site signup required]

3:40 PM – Tea Ceremony Demonstration at UWF Japan House [On-site signup required]

All-Day – Tanabata Wish Strips (Tanzaku), Origami, Bookmark Making, and more!

⚠️ How to Join the Sessions:

Walk-ins are welcome for all-day crafts and the noon live demo!

Garden Tour & Tea Ceremony: No online registration, but space is strictly limited. Sign-ups will open at NOON at the main check-in desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is highly recommended!

Ikebana Workshops: Slots fill up fast! Secure your spot by pre-registering online here: 👉https://forms.gle/eWqjhsz5eVkvs87T9

We can’t wait to celebrate this magical star festival with you again. Let’s make beautiful wishes together under the bamboo tree!

Sponsored by the Japan Foundation & supported by the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida.