Japan Information and Culture Center

Part of the Japanese Embassy, great venue for free films, performances, art exhibitions, and other opportunities to learn more about traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.

Although I’ve only visited a handful of cultural centers around the Washing DC area, this one is slowly taking the place of number #1 in my book. It’s not huge, and I don’t believe they offer language classes here like they do at the Goethe Institut, but they do offer a glance into Japanese culture, arts, history and host tons of travel information about Japan. The cultural center itself is small, with a small gallery space that features regular exhibits and an auditorium where they regularly host film events. Sign up for their newsletter through their website and/​or like them on facebook so you don’t miss out.
Also, if you come here for a film event I suggest taking metro as most of their films start around 6 or 630, right during primetime DC hell-​raising rush hour. Traffic in this part of town during that time of day will turn you into a miserable bitter person who kicks crying puppies in the rain… not to mention that parking around here in the early evening can be equal parts treacherous and frustrating.

My mom is somewhat of a nipponphile.*
She still has the beautiful doll her Japanese pen pal sent her in 1955 (a Barbie was sent in return).
She celebrates Japan’s Hinamatsuri holiday every year and does a little display at home. (March 3 if you’re wondering).
She has numerous items she’s purchased in Japan, including a small fountain which sits in the back yard a few steps from her Japanese maple. My presents were always Hello Kitty-​centered and I’m fine with that since I’m an original HK fan since 1982, baby!
And she loves the Japanese Cultural Center.
So every so often, I get an email asking if I’d like to meet her after work for some presentation or another at the Japanese Cultural Center, and I oblige. The thing is — what began as simply going along to appease mom has turned into actual enjoyment. The Center brings national treasures from Japan and has them present on their art — Japanese embroidery, kimono-​making, dollmaking, traditional dance and more. Naturally, during the Cherry Blossom Festival, many events are held here as well.
The location can be a bit difficult to find. The stretch of 18^th it’s located on is one of those funky blocks where it’s considered CT Ave on one side, 18^th on the other. My advice is to look for the Vapiano’s. The center is a few doors south on the same side as Vapiano’s.
Also, since it’s got that Japanese feel — remember to bring your inside voices. Or your inside, inside voices. Also, get on the email list for upcoming events.
*not sure if this is a legit word

You might go to the Japan Information and Culture Center because you or someone you know is about to go to Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) or Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. Visiting the JICC can be as simple as checking out their website for upcoming events and RSVP’ing. They’ve had artisans, musicians, performers, and popular movies to share with the public. That they seek to bring both iconic and contemporary cultural figures endears them to me. The auditorium has a limited capacity so that’s why they ask you to RSVP.
Once you arrive, the program will be downstairs. You’ll check in at the desk, go through security (remove your coat, bag, etc) and walk through the metal detector. They usually have a coat rack immediately on the right for you to hang up your coat. The staff are really nice and don’t send late arrivals back home — an usher with a flashlight will lead you to an open seat.
In January, look out for the Japanese New Year Celebration featuring performances and Japanese foods. This past year, their program included «Lion Dance (Shishi-​mai), Vocal, musical, and dance performances, mochi (rice cake) making, Japanese traditional badminton, calligraphy, fukuwarai (traditional Japanese game), stilt walking, various traditional toys, New Year’s fortune, traditional snacks and sweets.» This is a good event for families with small children. Teenagers might be too cool to attend. Admission was $ 5, and children under 12 were admitted free.

I’m not Japanese (and I wouldn’t dream of pretending I was) and I’m not obsessed with all things Japonaise. But I like the cultural stuff just like everyone else. In the spring I went to watch an authentic Geisha dance. Apparently it was a real rare event. And we were honored to have such honorable guests. The place was packed. It was so packed that they had to bring extra chairs into the auditorium. The Cultural Tourism Please Come Visit Japan film was blah as was listening to speakers unwilling to speak English (although the translators spoke pretty good English). The dancing was slow and pretty.
The plus sides was that the geishas kindly posed for photos with each of us. And we got goody bags. Perfect gifts for my Japonaisy enthralled friends.
I mostly wrote this review to remind people of all the joyous Japanese festival stuff that will happen in a few short months. Yeah! Now if they would bring a real Sumo tournament, I’d be thrilled!