Kyo Matcha and Meetcha soft opening in Squirrel Hill today, holding Grand Opening on July 27 and 28.

Dessert spots Kyo Matcha and Meetcha are holding a soft opening in Squirrel Hill today followed by a Grand Opening this weekend. They'll be located at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) in the former Footers Cleaners spot where signage first went up in October. Kyo Matcha, according to its official site,

is an international chain of Matcha desserts dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.

Meetcha is a bubble tea place. This is the latest in a recent batch of Asian dessert openings in Squirrel Hill, following Meccha Matcha, Mango Mango, and Tiger Sugar.

University of Pittsburgh's Japanese Nationality Room turns 25 today.

The Japanese Nationality Room in the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning was dedicated on July 25, 1999. Located in room 317 on the Cathedral's third floor, the room is modeled after a traditional 18th-century minka. Wikipedia provides a good overview of the room's interior---which was largely built in Japan, disassembled, and rebuilt in Pittsburgh---while the 24-page program from the dedication ceremony, scanned and preserved by the university's Documenting Pitt archive, covers the ceremony as well as information on the budget, donors, and other contributors. At the time, it says, the total expenditure was $507,047.64, roughly 80% being building and building-related expenses.

Interactive "Summer in Japan, with Guest Speakers from the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania" informational event for kids and families, July 23 at Monroeville Public Library.

The Monroeville Public Library will host "Summer in Japan" on July 23.

Join us for an evening where Setsuko Hayes, the Operation Manager of the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania, will share information and hands-on activities about Kimonos, Yukata, and Happi and other experiences during the summer months in Japan! Children will have the opportunity to take turns to be dressed, and will be allowed to take photographs! Registration Required.

The event runs from 5:30 to 6:30, and registration can be completed online. The library is located at 4000 Gateway Campus in Monroeville (map).

Japanese films Paprika (パプリカ), Dreams (夢) at Row House Lawrenceville from August 9.

Two Japanese films, 2006's Paprika (パプリカ) and the 1990 Akira Kurosawa movie Dreams (夢), will help comprise the Row House Dream Journal film series from August 9. The animated film Paprika runs from August 9 through 15:

Satoshi Kon’s anime thriller stars a young dream detective named Paprika, who must stop terrorists from using a stolen machine that allows therapists to enter their patients' dreams. The reality and dreams blur, and chaos breaks out in a not-so-far-off future.

Dreams plays the 10th and the 12th through the 15th:

Enter the dreams of Japan’s greatest directors in this deeply personal work. He explores the cost of war, the perils of nuclear power, and humankind’s need to harmonize with nature over the course of eight episodes rich in imagery and insight.

Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Work progresses on KYURAMEN, TBaar, both coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Work is progressing on national ramen chain KYURAMEN and national bubble tea chain TBaar, both coming soon to East Liberty. KYURAMEN was announced last July for Eastside Bond in East Liberty. TBaar was not announced, though signage went up recently in the spot next door and on the signposts. In response to an inquiry, KYURAMEN ownership indicated a potential September opening.


The Eastside Bond building welcomed Tous Les Jour, the international Korean bakery, in March, the first of the huge Korean chains to open in Pittsburgh.

Screening of 1959 film Floating Weeds (浮草) in Pittsburgh, July 19.

Itamae Thai & Sushi Bar now open in Mt. Lebanon.

Itamae Thai & Sushi Bar has recently opened in Mt. Lebanon, holding its Grand Opening on July 5. Mt. Lebanon Magazine profiled the restaurant on May 10 when it was still in the works:

Hungry for sushi? A new restaurant called Itamae is coming soon to 193 Castle Shannon Boulevard, replacing Yum Yum Asian Cuisine, which closed in February.

Itamae is Japanese for chef, or someone who works behind a cutting board. The new concept will be Thai and sushi. The decor will be Asian/Japanese.

Indonesian-born Vick Oktavian and his wife, Katie Kaewwangworn, are self-proclaimed foodies with years of culinary experience. “We love checking out different restaurants and trying different cuisine. We are firm believers that in order to make good food, we must train our taste buds by eating good food,” said Oktavian.

It is located at 193 Castle Shannon Blvd. (map).

Oakland's KBox, the area's first Asian karaoke spot, closes permanently.

Signage has gone up on the door of KBox, the area's first Asian karoke spot, announcing its permanent closure. Ownership posted on social media on May 3 that it would close soon after plans to redevelop the S. Craig St. spot had moved forward.


KBox opened September 16, 2012 in Oakland, hoping to appeal to the Asian students and KTV enthusiasts at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon. It was the first dedicated Asian singing room business in the area, where previously the only option was to rent a private room in a restaurant. The buliding was long in disrepair, though, and not only did it always appear closed from the outside, but the developer stated during the June Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting that it had been vacant for several years; that is not quite true, but the state of the landscaping, steps, windows, and exteriors would give that impression. As PennsylvAsia detailed in a June 2024 post, the site has been the topic of redevelopment plans for nearly as long as KBox was open: first as the home of a new, larger Pink Box Bakery; then, as the site of a five-story apartment building; finally, as the future home of a two-story restaurant once demolition and reconstruction is complete.

Seven Samurai (七人の侍) w. Sake Tasting, July 14 at Row House Lawrenceville.

The 1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍) plays at Row House Lawrenceville from July 12 as part of the Samurai Remix Series, and the theater will host a sake tasting to accompany it on July 14.

Taste several different rice wines from Bierport’s premium sake collection before a screening of Akira Kurosawa’s epic film in a brilliant 4k restoration. Must be 21+

Special sake samples with a screening of the new restoration of Seven Samurai.

MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD OR OLDER

Tickets for the 5:00 pm event are availabble online, as are tickets for the other screenings of the film. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Japanese metal band HANABIE。returns to Pittsburgh, September 22.

Japanese metal band HANABIE。will return to Pittsburgh on September 22, opening for Ukrainian metalcore band Jinjer. Their Reddit fanpage provides an introduction:

Loud rock band HANABIE。formed at their school light music club in June 2015. Centering in Kichijōji, Tokyo, they started performing live around areas such as Shinjuku and Tachikawa.

The sound of Hanabie features the sound mixture of metalcore, hardcore, Hip-Hop, and J-POP. Their 1st album, "Girls Manifest" was released in 2020. With this album, they have established their own genre "HARAJUKUCORE"

Their live performances have a speed and power that exceeds expectations and captivates their audience. Yukina's powerful screaming/growling vocals never leave anyone without being amazed, along with this excellent melodic lines given by the clean voice of Matsuri, this is a complete basis for an amazing metalcore band but as for them it isn't enough they add different layers of voices between rap lines. If vocally they are great, in the instrumental part they're not left behind, aggressive, heavy, and dynamic. Certainly to define this band you need at least two words: dynamic and powerful.

The band played Preserving Underground in New Kensington in September 2023. Tickets for the all ages show at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks (map), 7:30 pm, are available online.

1997 film Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) in Pittsburgh, from July 13.

The 1997 film Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) will play in Pittsburgh from July 13, the next installment of Ghibli Fest 2024.

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes an epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences worldwide with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles, and deep humanity.

Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi, the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, Waterworks Cinema, GQT Pittsburgh Mills, Chartiers Valley, and the Cinemarks in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

One Piece Music Symphony with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, January 25 and 26.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform One Piece Music Symphony on January 25 and 26.

The most memorable moments of the beloved TV series will be projected on a giant screen to the sound of a 50-musician orchestra!

It is time for an epic array of music full of action and emotion! Immerse yourself in the magic of a full orchestra as it performs One Piece’s iconic music live on stage, while the greatest moments from the anime come to life on screen in perfect sync. Relive the thrilling adventures of the Straw Hat Crew, all set to the vibrant sounds of the series’ most memorable music!

Join us for a special anniversary world tour that showcases a brand-new program from the world of One Piece. Experience the highlights from 25 years of adventures, including unforgettable moments with the entire Straw Hat Crew, all presented in a film concert with a giant screen projection! The music program of the One Piece Music Symphony will feature fan favorite songs like “We Are!,” “Sai sai saikyo!!!,” “Oitsumerareta,” and “Binks no Sake”, along with some new pieces specifically made for this anniversary celebration.

2004 Japanese animated film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (イノセンス) at Row House Cinema, July 11.

The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will show the 2004 Japanese animated film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (イノセンス) on July 11.

Row House Spotlight Feature: This new series of one night only screenings is basically just films that are really awesome, but don’t necessarily fit in the week’s programming theme.

Cyborg detective Batou is assigned to investigate a series of murders committed by gynoids—doll-like cyborgs, which all malfunctioned, killed, then self-destructed afterwards. The brains of the gynoids initialize in order to protect their manufacturer’s software, but in one gynoid, which Batou himself neutralized, one file remains: a voice speaking the phrase “Help me.”

The movie starts at 7:10 and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

2024 Japanese animated film Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (劇場版ブルーロック -EPISODE 凪) remains in Pittsburgh through July 10.

The 2024 Japanese animated film Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (劇場版ブルーロック -EPISODE 凪), which opened in Pittsburgh on June 27, will remain here through July 10.

"That's a hassle." That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishiro's favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. Until Mikage Reo, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi's hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent. One day, he receives an invitation to the mysterious BLUE LOCK Project. What awaits him there is an encounter with the finest strikers assembled from across the country. Nagi's dream of becoming the best, alongside Reo, will take this prodigy to a world he's never known. A prodigy can only be shaped when someone discovers him... now, striker Nagi Seishiro's incredible talent and persona will set the soccer world ablaze.

The movie is the 13th-highest grossing film this year in Japan, where it was released in April. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Screening of 1959 film Floating Weeds (浮草) in Pittsburgh, July 19.

SCREENSHOT: Asia and Pittsburgh Sound+Image will present a screening of the 1959 Ozu Yasujirō film Floating Weeds (浮草) on July 19 (This is an update to the original date of July 18).

Pittsburgh Sound + Image and SCREENSHOT: Asia partner to bring you what is widely regarded as one of the great films of all time: Yasujirō Ozu's late career masterpiece Floating Weeds.

In the last five years of his life, Ozu made the transition to color filmmaking, and, in 1959, he remade his 1934 silent film A Story of Floating Weeds. The result is a sublime humanist drama. What's more: we'll be presenting the film from a very rare, low-fade 16mm print from the University of Pittsburgh Stark Media Collection!

Dr. Charles Exley (Associate Professor of Modern Japanese Literature and Film and Associate Director of Film and Media Studies at Pitt) will introduce the film.

The screening is at the Melwood Screening Room in Oakland (map) and tickets for the 7:00 pm show are available online.

Japanese rock band Boris (ボリス) returns to Pittsburgh, October 18, performing entirety of Amplifier Worship.

The Japanese rock band Boris (ボリス) will return to Pittsburgh on October 18 to perform "Amplifier Worship" in its entirety.

In 2024, Boris will undergo a tour performing all the songs off their first album. We have already reached a quarter-century since the release of that 1st album, “Amplifier Worship”. Boris has been in constant pursuit of their own ideal “heavy” since their formation in 1992. From the outset they became like a chimera, evolving at a rapid pace, establishing a unique style with extreme downtuning and megavolume. Their broad sense of “Heavy Rock” swelled grotesquely, as it engulfed powerviolence, ambient and drone, with a trance component of krautrock and so on.

Japanese rock band BURNOUT SYNDROMES in Pittsburgh, August 24.

The Japanese rock band BURNOUT SYNDROMES will play in Pittsburgh on August 24. Tickets for the show at Mr. Smalls Theater in Millvale will go on sale tomorrow, June 28.

2024 Japanese animated film Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (劇場版ブルーロック -EPISODE 凪) in Pittsburgh, from June 27.

The 2024 Japanese animated film Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (劇場版ブルーロック -EPISODE 凪) will play in Pittsburgh from June 27.

"That's a hassle." That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishiro's favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. Until Mikage Reo, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi's hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent. One day, he receives an invitation to the mysterious BLUE LOCK Project. What awaits him there is an encounter with the finest strikers assembled from across the country. Nagi's dream of becoming the best, alongside Reo, will take this prodigy to a world he's never known. A prodigy can only be shaped when someone discovers him... now, striker Nagi Seishiro's incredible talent and persona will set the soccer world ablaze.

The movie is the 13th-highest grossing film this year in Japan, where it was released in April. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2004 Japanese animated film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (イノセンス) in Pittsburgh, June 23, 24, 26.

The 2024 Japanese animated film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (イノセンス) will play in Pittsburgh on June 23, 24, and 26.

In the year 2032, the line between humans and machines has been blurred almost beyond distinction. A string of murders perpetrated by a prototype android model has drawn the attention of Public Security Section 9, a unit specializing in counter cyber-terrorism. With none of the victims' families pressing charges, suspicions arise regarding the nature of the androids and their production company. In the course of the investigation, the almost entirely cyber-bodied agent Batou, and his still human partner Togusa embark on a journey through a technological dystopia, taking on ferocious Yakuza thugs, devious hackers, government bureaucrats, and corporate criminals to uncover the shocking truth behind the crime. Acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii pushes further into the world and concepts first developed in his groundbreaking film Ghost in the Shell, considered one of the most important and iconic anime films ever made. With its thought-provoking speculations on artificial intelligence, which have only become more relevant in our present world, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE celebrates its 20th anniversary returning to cinemas in a lustrous new 4K restoration.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson. Tickets are available online; some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍) at Row House Lawrenceville, from July 12.

The 1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai (七人の侍) will play at Row House Lawrenceville from July 12, part of the theater's Samurai Remix series.

We are thrilled to show the brand new 4k restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s thrilling, two-part masterpiece set in 16th century Japan that is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. When a village is invaded by bandits, they turn to seven samurai warriors for protection.

Showtimes and tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).