The Japan Culture Center of Western New York Inc. (JapanWNY) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization registered with the New York State Charity Bureau. As a nonprofit organization, the Center offers a broad spectrum of traditional and contemporary Japanese cultural programs and events. The fundamental purpose of these programs is to enable participants to realize differences and similarities between two cultures and to re-examine potentials and abilities from different perspectives. Ultimately, the center contributes to society by helping to unify people of different cultural backgrounds, thus contributing to world peace.

IS THE JAPAN CULTURE CENTER RELATED TO THE BUFFALO-KANAZAWA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE?
JapanWNY is an outgrowth of the Buffalo-Kanazawa Sister City Committee, which has promoted friendship between Buffalo, New York and Kanazawa, Ishikawa since 1962. In 1956, President Eisenhower started the program that now links tens of thousands of cities in 140 countries. The Buffalo-Kanazawa program is one of the longest continually running sister city organizations and we are proud to celebrate more than 50 years of friendship and mutual service.

To expand our horizons and expand the diversity of potential projects, the local group incorporated the Center in 2013 to promote not only the sister-city program, but also to present and share various Japanese cultural activities in the Buffalo-Niagara region.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
We are a completely volunteer organization, and membership is the primary way we raise funds for our regular events, seminars, exchange programs, and workshops. Members can attend yearly get-togethers and events, receive Japanese language lessons through a partner school in Japan, and browse our growing library of Japanese books. Our past activities include ikebana flower arranging, Shakuhachi flute and Taiko drum performances, origami paper art, Kanazawa folk crafts, Japanese cooking, calligraphy, gardening seminars, and more!