2024 Japanese movie Hotspring Sharkattack (温泉シャーク) in Pittsburgh, July 9.

The 2024 Japanese movie Hotspring Sharkattack (温泉シャーク) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on July 9.

This “unhinged” deep-sea nightmare follows a sleepy hot spring town in Japan that gets a rude awakening when an ancient, bloodthirsty shark resurfaces to terrorize the local bathhouses. The townspeople must band together to save their steamy paradise, leading to a battle for the ages.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Homestay hosts needed for visiting Yasuda Women's University students this fall and winter.

Students preparing to leave for Pittsburgh in 2018, via Yasuda Women's University.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania newsletter shares word that homestay hosts are again needed for a cohort of visiting Yasuda Women's University students this fall and winter.

Female students (ages 19-20) from Japan will be studying at the University of Pittsburgh this fall (September 5, 2025- January 8, 2026), and Global Pittsburgh is looking for host families. Hosts are asked to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to the students and will be compensated with $855 per month. If you are interested, please contact nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org

Yasuda Women's University (安田女子大学) is located in Hiroshima, and has been sending groups of students to Pittsburgh since 2016 to study at Pitt's English Language Institute.

Compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death in Pittsburgh, July 16 and 17.

The compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on July 16 and 17. A synopsis of the movie and a summary of the event, from the distributor:

Before they were enemies, Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto were high school classmates and friends. The two powerful sorcerers are tasked with protecting Riko Amanai, a student who has been designated to be sacrificed as the Star Plasma Vessel, until she can fulfill her duty. Pursued by a religious cult and other curse users, they are the only sorcerers capable of carrying out such a difficult task – but this mission will set their destinies, and challenge the two sorcerers in ways unimaginable.

The beloved and deeply emotional “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc from the global phenomenon JUJUTSU KAISEN returns to the big screen, reaching all new heights for fans and newcomers alike.

. . .

JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie comes to North American theaters nationwide beginning July 16th. The theatrical compilation feature returns to the widely beloved “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” story arc of the globally acclaimed JUJUTSU KAISEN series, which focused on the younger days of fan-favorite characters Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto, who shared a deep bond that was tested by one fateful mission. Featuring newly remixed sound for an immersive theater experience, and an all-new acoustic version of Tatsuya Kitani’s “Where Our Blue Is,” this high-quality adaptation, which captivated audiences during its original broadcast, reaches new heights—bringing the powerful story back to the big screen.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Works by Chieko Murasugi, Rosa Ng, and Zelin Seah, among others, at Fiberart International 2025, June 20 through August 30.

"From Rags to Wishes," Textile Works, Chieko Murasugi (2024).

Fiberart International 2025 runs from June 20 through August 30 and features the work of dozens of textile artists, including Chieko Murasugi, Rosa Ng, and Zelin Seah.

Fiberart International 2025 (Fi2025) features works by both established and emerging artists from eight countries, representing a wide spectrum of creativity, materials, techniques and unique perspectives. The global community that is woven together through this exhibition naturally reflects a broad international outlook. The selected works for Fi2025 were juried by three distinguished and internationally renowned artists and curators: JOJO ABOT, Louis Ho and Tamara Kostianovsky.

With over 400 entries from 30 countries, 36 artists were chosen, offering a diverse and engaging representation of contemporary fiber art. The exhibition is globally recognized as a benchmark, documenting trends and innovations in the field. Fi2025 aims to present innovative works rooted in traditional fiber materials, structures, processes and history, while also embracing art that explores unexpected connections between fiber and other creative disciplines. 

2010 film The Secret World of Arrietty (借りぐらしのアリエッティ) in Pittsburgh, June 22 - 24.

The 2010 film The Secret World of Arrietty (借りぐらしのアリエッティ) will play in Pittsburgh June 22 through 24, the next installment of Studio Ghibli Fest 2025.

In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live out of sight of humans. When brave Borrower Arrietty is out gathering supplies, she is discovered by Sho, a human boy. The two form a strong bond, but Sho carries a heavy burden that threatens to cut their time together short. The Secret World of Arrietty serves as Academy Award® nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s directorial debut with the legendary Studio Ghibli. Brimming with warmth and empathy, The Secret World of Arrietty stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Studio Ghibli’s greatest works.

It plays locally at many area theaters, including: the Cinemarks in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson; the Waterworks Cinema, and Chartiers Valley. Tickets are available online.

DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye continues in Pittsburgh area through at least June 19.

The Japanese animated movie DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye, which opened in Pittsburgh on June 6, will remain here through (at least) June 19.

In celebration of the return of DAN DA DAN, the theatrical premiere, releasing as DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE, kicks off the thrillingly eerie EVIL EYE arc, which began in the last episode of the first season. The DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE theatrical event screens last season’s start of the EVIL EYE arc, along with the first three episodes of the new second season, in addition to an exclusive interview with series co-directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora. DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult geek. In this new arc, Momo and Okarun set out on their latest adventure, traveling to a hot springs town home rented by Jiji, Momo’s childhood friend and former crush, with the goal to solve the mystery surrounding his family. When they arrive, strange locals derail their investigation before it can begin, and the group soon learns there’s more lurking under the surface of the town than they could possibly have imagined.

It is scheduled to play locally at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, the AMC Classic South Hills Village 10, the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry eyes late-June soft-opening, early-July grand opening.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar, coming soon to the Cranberry Mall spot formerly occupied by Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing (map), is aiming for a late-June soft opening, with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for the first week of July. 

Numerous all-you-can-eat Korean-style BBQ places were announced for the Pittsburgh area in 2023 and 2024, and after a series of delays, several have started to open this month, including Top Pot Hotpot in Southside Works and Shabu Shabu Hotpot & Grill in Robinson.

DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye in Pittsburgh, from June 6.

The Japanese animated movie DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye will play in Pittsburgh from June 6.

In celebration of the return of DAN DA DAN, the theatrical premiere, releasing as DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE, kicks off the thrillingly eerie EVIL EYE arc, which began in the last episode of the first season. The DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE theatrical event screens last season’s start of the EVIL EYE arc, along with the first three episodes of the new second season, in addition to an exclusive interview with series co-directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora. DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult geek. In this new arc, Momo and Okarun set out on their latest adventure, traveling to a hot springs town home rented by Jiji, Momo’s childhood friend and former crush, with the goal to solve the mystery surrounding his family. When they arrive, strange locals derail their investigation before it can begin, and the group soon learns there’s more lurking under the surface of the town than they could possibly have imagined.

It is scheduled to play locally at the Cinemark theater in Robinson and the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.

Pittsburgh Bonsai Society's 44th annual Bonsai Show, June 7 and 8.

The Pittsburgh Bonsai Society will hold its 44th annual Bonsai Show on June 7 and 8. Guests may:

• View a beautiful gallery of unique varieties and different styles of bonsai 
• Start your own collection and purchase trees, starter material, tools and supplies 
• Watch tree styling demos throughout the day 
• Bring in your own tree and get help from the experts. 

The event is free at the Millvale Community Center (map), 10 to 5 on Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday.

Additional date for concert film Ado SPECIAL LIVE "Shinzou" in Cinemas, in Pittsburgh, May 28 and May 31.

The Ado concert film SPECIAL LIVE "Shinzou" in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh on May 28 and May 31, the latter a newly-added date.

In 2020, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Ado sent shockwaves through the music industry with the release of her debut song "Usseewa," a record-breaking hit that cemented her reputation as a revolutionary artist. She continued her rise with chart-topping tracks such as "Gira Gira" and "Odo." In 2022, she was chosen to perform a total of seven songs including the theme song for the renowned anime film "ONE PIECE FILM RED," further solidifying her status as a top-tier artist. Beyond anime, she has contributed theme songs to various films and TV dramas and in 2023, her song "Show" marked a two-year consecutive collaboration with Universal Studios Japan, proving her unwavering popularity. Ado has also actively pursued live performances, achieving a national arena tour in just two years with shows such as "Kigeki," "Campanella," "Shinkirou," "Mars," "Shinzou," and "Profile of Mona Lisa." Her success has extended beyond Japan, captivating audiences worldwide with her first-ever global tour, "Wish." Now, in celebration of her second world tour "Hibana," which marks the largest-scale global tour by a Japanese artist, the legendary solo live concert "Ado SPECIAL LIVE 2024 'Shinzou,'" which drew 140,000 attendees over two days and left audiences in awe, is set to hit select theaters as a theatrical release: "Ado SPECIAL LIVE 'Shinzou' in Cinema"! For the first time, a recording of Ado's solo live performance will be screened in theaters. The audio has been remastered for cinematic release, bringing a newly enhanced "Shinzou" to the big screen!

This concert film will not only be released in Japan but will also have a global theatrical release, bringing "Shinzou" to fans around the world who have been eagerly awaiting the "Hibana" tour! The concert's immersive atmosphere will be recreated through a large-scale cinematic experience with 5.1ch surround sound, while the Dolby Atmos® edition will provide an unparalleled, deeply immersive audio experience. Experience this 140-minute spectacle of world-class performances in the ultimate audiovisual environment.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2001 Hayao Miyazaki film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) at Rangos Giant Cinema, May 30.

The 2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on May 30, the final installment of the theater's Ani May series.

In Hayao Miyazaki’s unforgettable film, “Spirited Away,” audiences are transported along with Chihiro to an otherworldly bath house occupied by strange spirits. Join her on her journey to reunite with her parents and return to her own world on Fri., May 30 at 7 p.m.

The cost is $10 for museum members and $12 for non-members. The movie starts at 7:00 pm, and the theater is inside The Carnegie Science Center, which is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

Concert film Ado SPECIAL LIVE "Shinzou" in Cinemas in Pittsburgh, May 28.

The Ado concert film SPECIAL LIVE "Shinzou" in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh on May 28.

In 2020, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Ado sent shockwaves through the music industry with the release of her debut song "Usseewa," a record-breaking hit that cemented her reputation as a revolutionary artist. She continued her rise with chart-topping tracks such as "Gira Gira" and "Odo." In 2022, she was chosen to perform a total of seven songs including the theme song for the renowned anime film "ONE PIECE FILM RED," further solidifying her status as a top-tier artist. Beyond anime, she has contributed theme songs to various films and TV dramas and in 2023, her song "Show" marked a two-year consecutive collaboration with Universal Studios Japan, proving her unwavering popularity. Ado has also actively pursued live performances, achieving a national arena tour in just two years with shows such as "Kigeki," "Campanella," "Shinkirou," "Mars," "Shinzou," and "Profile of Mona Lisa." Her success has extended beyond Japan, captivating audiences worldwide with her first-ever global tour, "Wish." Now, in celebration of her second world tour "Hibana," which marks the largest-scale global tour by a Japanese artist, the legendary solo live concert "Ado SPECIAL LIVE 2024 'Shinzou,'" which drew 140,000 attendees over two days and left audiences in awe, is set to hit select theaters as a theatrical release: "Ado SPECIAL LIVE 'Shinzou' in Cinema"! For the first time, a recording of Ado's solo live performance will be screened in theaters. The audio has been remastered for cinematic release, bringing a newly enhanced "Shinzou" to the big screen!

This concert film will not only be released in Japan but will also have a global theatrical release, bringing "Shinzou" to fans around the world who have been eagerly awaiting the "Hibana" tour! The concert's immersive atmosphere will be recreated through a large-scale cinematic experience with 5.1ch surround sound, while the Dolby Atmos® edition will provide an unparalleled, deeply immersive audio experience. Experience this 140-minute spectacle of world-class performances in the ultimate audiovisual environment.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Night, September 3 at PNC Park as Pirates play the Los Angeles Dodgers.

September 3 is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Night at PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Los Angeles Dodgers. Several local groups are organizing outings, including the Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh and Taiwan Aloha (which is looking to organize an annual Taiwan Community Day at the ballpark), though members of the general public can also purchase tickets and be eligible for an AAPI Pirates hat.

Experience a unique blend of sports, culture, and community during AAPI Heritage Night at PNC Park!

Join us in celebrating the AAPI community on September 3rd as the Pirates take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. This special offer includes an exclusive Pirates co-branded AAPI hat and loaded value, good to use on concessions and merchandise on the day of the game. Also, a portion of each ticket will be donated to a local AAPI charity!

The game is notable because the Dodgers feature three star Japanese players---Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki---and because Sophiyah Liu, Taiwan's first female baseball umpire, will throw out the first pitch.

1985 Akira Kurosawa film Ran (乱) in Pittsburgh, from May 24.

The 1985 Akira Kurosawa film Ran (乱) will play in Pittsburgh from May 24 through June 4, part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's occasional International Art House Classics series.

The 1985 New York Film Festival opened with Akira Kurosawa’s astonishing medieval epic, inspired by the life of Mori Motonari, a 16th-century warlord with three sons. It was only after he began writing that the filmmaker started to see parallels with King Lear. It took a decade for Kurosawa to bring his grand conception to the screen—he actually painted storyboards of every shot along the way, and made another great film, Kagemusha, as a dry run. The finished work he eventually gave us is, to put it mildly, a mind-blowing experience. Tatsuya Nakadai is the warlord, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, and Daisuke Ryu are his sons, Mieko Harada is the terrifying Lady Kaede, the score is by Toru Takemitsu, but the dominant force looming over every single element of this film, down to the smallest detail, is Kurosawa himself. The color palette of Ran is unlike that of any other movie made before or since, as you’ll see in this newly restored version.

It plays in Japanese with English subtitles at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets are available online.

2016 film A Silent Voice (聲の形) at Rangos Giant Cinema, May 23.

The 2016 film A Silent Voice (聲の形) will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on May 23, the third installment of its "Ani-May" series.

Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other again…until an older, wiser Shouya, tormented by his past behavior, decides he must see Shouko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late…?

“A Silent Voice” is a film that transcends genre, with a story that audiences from all walks of life can relate. The heartfelt and beautifully animated journey of redemption, forgiveness, and adolescence comes to The Rangos Giant Cinema on Fri., May 23 at 7 p.m.

The cost is $10 for museum members and $12 for non-members. The movie starts at 7:00 pm, and the theater is inside The Carnegie Science Center, which is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye in Pittsburgh, from June 6.

The Japanese animated movie DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye will play in Pittsburgh from June 6.

In celebration of the return of DAN DA DAN, the theatrical premiere, releasing as DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE, kicks off the thrillingly eerie EVIL EYE arc, which began in the last episode of the first season. The DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE theatrical event screens last season’s start of the EVIL EYE arc, along with the first three episodes of the new second season, in addition to an exclusive interview with series co-directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora. DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult geek. In this new arc, Momo and Okarun set out on their latest adventure, traveling to a hot springs town home rented by Jiji, Momo’s childhood friend and former crush, with the goal to solve the mystery surrounding his family. When they arrive, strange locals derail their investigation before it can begin, and the group soon learns there’s more lurking under the surface of the town than they could possibly have imagined.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson and the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.

1989 Japanese animated film Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便), in Pittsburgh, from May 17.

The 1989 Japanese animated film Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) will play in Pittsburgh May 17 through 21, the first installment of Studio Ghibli Fest 2025. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Celebrate this beloved coming-of-age story from the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, about a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world[.]

It plays locally at most Pittsburgh-area theaters, and tickets are available online.

Let's Sushi, offering "unlimited Japanese fusion," coming to Wexford.

Signage is up for Let's Sushi in Wexford Plaza in the North Hills (map). The restaurant offering "unlimited Japanese fusion," according to a sign in the window, will be located in the spot formerly occupied by Nakama. Paperwork indicates Let's Sushi is owned by the properietor behind other Asian buffets that used to operate in the area: Misaki, Yamato Hibachi Grill, and Old Town Buffet.

More dates announced for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」 無限列車編) in Pittsburgh, May 14, 16, 18, and 19.

The 2021 Japanese movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」 無限列車編) will play in Pittsburgh from May 14, with additional showtimes announced for May 16, 18, and 19.

After completing their rehabilitation training, Tanjiro and his comrades arrive at their next mission on the Mugen Train, where over 40 people have disappeared. Together with one of the most powerful swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, they face the nightmare on board.

The film played here throughout Summer 2021. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Sunday Fun Day: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage, May 18 at Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will host Sunday Fun Day: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage on May 18.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at The Westmoreland with special performances and engaging hands-on activities. Fun for all ages!

Enjoy captivating performances by Tuika’s Polynesian Island Magic and Pittsburgh Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group with special guests. Experience Kamishibai, the traditional Japanese art of storytelling, presented by the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library. Take part in engaging hands-on activities, including Chinese calligraphy and art-making, and savor a variety of delicious cultural cuisine.