Amherst Japanese Language School

We recently held our 2025 Graduation Ceremony.

We would like to sincerely thank all parents and caregivers for your continued support throughout the school year. It was wonderful to see so many families join us for this special occasion.

Students from each grade shared performances, creating a warm opportunity to reflect on how much they have grown over the past year. Starting this year, we also presented certificates to JSL students who have attended the school for three years or more.

We were also honored by the attendance of Mr. Hideki Igeta, Consul of Japan in Boston, who kindly shared encouraging remarks with our community.

Congratulations to all of our graduates.

👹 Setsubun Celebration 👹

We celebrated Setsubun, a traditional Japanese event that marks the beginning of spring.

In Japan, people throw roasted soybeans while saying
“Out with demons, in with good fortune!”

It is a fun way to chase away bad luck and welcome happiness and health for the new season.

Smiles, energy, and a little bit of tradition — a great way to start spring 🌸

At our New Year gathering, we also did Kakizome.
Kakizome is a traditional Japanese New Year practice in which people write a word or phrase with a brush and ink to express their hopes, goals, or mindset for the year ahead.

New Year’s Special Class 🎍
With guidance from our teacher, we experienced making matcha - Tea Ceremony Experience.

It was quite different from the green tea we are usually familiar with, and at the same time, we had the opportunity to experience a unique part of Japanese culture.

It was a truly lovely and calming moment.

Happy New Year. I hope this year is off to a good start for you as well.

Have you had osechi or ozoni yet? They are traditional Japanese New Year dishes. Each item has its own meaning, and if there is an opportunity, it would be wonderful for us to learn about them together at school in a fun and lively way.

A wonderful Cultural Festival has come to a close. Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported the event.

From the beautiful calligraphy by our upper-grade students, to the joyful dances and heartfelt performances across all age groups, every moment was special. The energy on stage and the smiles in the audience made it a truly memorable day.

We are also sincerely grateful for the baking sale, which was a great success and a meaningful support for our school community.

Thank you to our students, teachers, families, and staff for making this day so warm, fun, and memorable.

Here is a friendly reminder for this Saturday! The Cultural Festival will be starting at 11:10 a.m. in the gym.
Please come by earlier than usual to enjoy your child(ren)'s performance.

Thank you ALL for your support for the bake sale!! Here are a few reminders. Looking forward to seeing you!

Best,
AJLS Boad

Pre-Class Parent & Kids Soccer League kicked off!
Nothing better than bonding, sweating, and waking the kids up with some early-morning football ⚡️🔋⚽️
A fun way to start the day together.

Natsumatsuri (夏祭り) Part - 2.

Japanese Summer Festival and One-Day Consular Service in Boston
A Japanese summer festival, or natsu matsuri, is a traditional celebration held during the summer months across Japan. These festivals often include fireworks, food stalls, traditional music, and dance performances such as bon odori. People wear yukata (light cotton kimono) and enjoy games like goldfish scooping or ring toss. Each region has its own unique customs and events, making summer festivals a lively and colorful part of Japanese culture.

As part of this special occasion, the Consulate also kindly held a one-day mobile consular service in Boston, making it easier for local residents to access essential services

It is a lively and cheerful moment where everyone can relax and feel at ease together.