Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry eyes June opening.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar, coming soon to the Cranberry Mall spot formerly occupied by Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing (map), is aiming for a June opening. Ownership has recently opened an online survey to help inform the Togyu loyalty program.

Togyu is Pittsburgh’s newest destination for premium Korean and Japanese barbecue.

We’re opening this June, and as we prepare to launch, we’re building a loyalty program inspired by the spirit of community, ritual, and discovery — and we want your input.  

Share your thoughts below to help us create rewards, challenges, and experiences that you’ll actually be excited about.

Your feedback will directly influence the Togyu Scroll and the Togyu Warrior journey🔥(Only takes 5 minutes!)

Bonus: One lucky respondent will win a free appetizer and early access invite during our opening month!

Teen Time: Koinobori Japanese Carp Windsocks or Kites, at local Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches from May 1.

via Morakami Museum

Many neighborhood branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host "Teen Time: Koinobori Japanese Carp Windsocks or Kites" workshops as part of the library's AANHPI Heritage Month 2025 programming.

This program will help teens learn about traditional culture in Japan and their forms of popular crafting for traditional celebrations. For teens in grades 6-12.

The events will take place at the following times and places; they're free and open to the target age demographic, with no registration required:

• CLP Mt. Washington - May 1, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• CLP Squirrel Hill - May 6, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• CLP Beechview - May 6, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• CLP West End - May 8, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• CLP Lawrenceville - May 9, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP South Side - May 13, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• CLP Hill District - May 14, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
• CLP Carrick - May 14, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• CLP Allegheny - May 14, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP Hazelwood - May 14, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• CLP Woods Run - May 27, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• CLP Homewood - May 28, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

8 Star Cuisine opening May 1 in Gibsonia, with Japanese, Chinese, sushi, and buffet menu options.

Images via ownership.

8 Star Cuisine is planning to open soon in Gibsonia's Richland Mall on Route 8 (map). The menu includes Japanese, Chinese, and Asian staples, in addition to sushi, sashimi, and rolls. It also offers an all-you-can-eat sushi and seafood buffet. Owners are aiming for a soft open on April 28 and a Grand Opening on May 1.

Free "We Learn: Basic Japanese Language and Culture," Fridays at downtown Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, from May 2.

"Osaka, Japan" by Pedro Szekely (Creative Commons).

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's downtown branch will host "We Learn: Basic Japanese Language and Culture" on Fridays from May 2 through June 6, marking the return of free Japanese ourses at one of the local libraries after a several-year pause.

Enjoy learning the basics of the Japanese language and culture from a certified, native Japanese instructor.

1. Greetings
2. Etiquette, manners
3. Survival phrases for traveling to Japan
4. Interesting tourist locations
5. Ordering food and shopping
6. Reading and writing - Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, Emoji
7. Anime, Manga

Each session is designed to be interactive and fun. The agenda can vary based on the interests of the students. 

Registration is required and can be completed online. The classes run from 11:00 am, and the library is located at 612 Smithfield St. (map).

Win-Win Kung Fu in Squirrel Hill offering six-week summer camp for kids' martial arts, fitness, culture, and language training; $30 discount for registration by April 30.

Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center's annual summer camp returns for six weeks of programming in July, and the school is offering its $30-per-week discount for registrants through April 30.

 Camp Schedule:

• Week 1: July 7 – 11
• Week 2: July 14 – 18
• Week 3: July 21 – 25
• Week 4: July 28 – August 1
• Week 5: August 4 – 8
• Week 6: August 11 – 15

 Location: Squirrel Hill Studio – 2705-2707 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
 Time: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (optional extended care until 5:30 PM)
 Ages: 5 – 15 years

 What to Expect

 Learn Kung Fu/Wushu/Tai Chi from champion masters
 Train in martial arts fundamentals
 Boost focus, fitness, and confidence with intensive training
 Dive into Mandarin language, Chinese culture, games, and movies
 Have fun in a supportive and engaging environment

 Tuition & Registration

• $240 per 5-day week (Save $30 when you register by April 30!)
• 10% discount for siblings
• New students: One-time $90 registration fee (includes a pair of training shoes, T-shirt, and training pants)
• Free registration for current Win-Win students
• Only 25 spots per week – First Come, First Serve!

 How to Register
 Current Win-Win students: Complete the selection form and submit a 20% tuition deposit.
 New students: Fill out the registration form, sign the waiver, complete the selection form, and submit a 20% tuition deposit along with the $90 registration fee.

Seats fill up fast, so don’t miss out on a summer of fun and learning!

For questions or to register, call (412) 336-8898 or email masters [at] winwinkungfu.com.

The studio is located at 2705 Murray Ave., on the ground floor of the Morrowfield building in Squirrel Hill South (map). 

Annual Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh picnic, May 24.

The Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (ピッツバーグ日本協会) will hold its annual picnic on May 24 in Fox Chapel. Registration is required by April 30.

ピッツバーグ日本協会では、2025年5月24日（土）にピクニックを開催します！

バーベキューを楽しみながら、ギフト券が当たる抽選会も予定しています。
ご家族・ご友人をお誘いあわせのうえ、ぜひご参加ください！
 日時：5/24（土）午後1時～4時頃（雨天決行・荒天中止）
 場所：O'Hara Township Community Park Shelter
 参加費：
会員：無料
非会員＝Donation（12歳以上＝$10, 4～11歳＝$5, 3歳以下＝なし）
 ※当日までにご入会いただければ、参加費は無料になります
 （年会費：家族$40、個人$30、学生$20）


 申込締切：4月30日（水）
 ▼申込フォーム：https://forms.gle/eNEMjcmGc8c9g8RZ6
 　詳細は添付PDFをご覧ください。

 ご質問は pittsburghjagp@gmail.com までお気軽にどうぞ！

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh will host a picnic on Saturday, May 24.
There will be barbecue and a gift card raffle. Friends and family are welcome.
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM (rain or shine)
 Location: O'Hara Township Community Park Shelter
 Fee: Members free /Non-members: Donation appreciated$10 (12+), $5 (ages 4–11), Free (under 3)
Join as a member and your donation will be waived.
RSVP by April 30:
 https://forms.gle/eNEMjcmGc8c9g8RZ6

 O'Hara Township Community Park is located on Fox Chapel Rd., a short distance from Exit 8 of Route 28 and accessible by city bus 91 (map).

Paid research opportunity for Chinese women, Chinese immigrant advocates, healthcare providers for Chinese women, May 1.

Dr. Luna Zhang from UPMC is recruiting participants for a Community Engagement Studio session on May 1 over Zoom.

Dr. Luna Zhang from UPMC is looking for feedback on her research through a feedback session on May 1st. We'd love your participation! See the flyer to see if you qualify. Looking forward to your attendance!

Those eligible and interested in attending will register in advance via this Zoom link and show up on May 1 at 5:00 pm.

New sushi restaurant Sushi I delays soft opening until April 28.

Sushi I, a new sushi place coming soon to downtown Pittsburgh from the Hong Kong Dim Sum, has pushed its soft opening from April 25 to April 28. It will be located at 245 4th Ave., a short distance from Market Square in the former Harris Grill (map).

2025 Japanese animated movie Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing (劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク) remains in Pittsburgh through April 29.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing (劇場版プロジェクトセカイ 壊れたセカイと歌えないミク), which opened in Pittsburgh on April 17, will have a second run from April 25 through 29.

COLORFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing is an animation film by studio P.A.WORKS featuring an all-new Hatsune Miku and the first film with the iconic Virtual Singer. Based on HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!, a game about high school students finding their true feelings through music in an alternate world called “SEKAI" with the help of Hatsune Miku. Ichika is a high school musician who can enter a mysterious place called “SEKAI,” where she and her friends express their innermost emotions through music alongside Hatsune Miku. One day after giving a live performance, Ichika meets a new Miku that she has never seen before. No matter how hard this new Miku tries to sing, she struggles connecting with the hearts of her listeners. Miku must rely on the help of others to find a way to sing again.

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

Cranberry's Kyuramen and TBaar soft opened on April 22.

Kyuramen, the national ramen chain, announced its Grand Opening set for April 25, but quickly followed with a soft opening announcement yesterday, April 22.

🚨 Cranberry Township, we’re officially soft opening now! 🚨
KYURAMEN is ready to serve you with delicious Japanese ramen, fluffy Omurice, mouthwatering appetizers, refreshing drinks, and sweet desserts! 🍜✨
Come visit us at our cozy, welcoming space—perfect for hangouts, celebrations, or a solo treat! ❤️
We're open and excited to welcome you! Stay tuned for more updates as we get ready for our grand opening! 🎉

Kyuramen, also stylized as KYURAMEN and Kyu Ramen, opened its first Pittsburgh location in East Liberty in December. Both spots are also paired with TBaar, a chain of bubble tea places. The Cranberry location was first announced in September 2024, and is located at 20430 Route 19, Suite 105, in the "Streets of Cranberry" development, between Condado Tacos and Rally House (map).

Kyuramen is one of several large national and international Asian chains to come to Pittsburgh in recent years---in addition to Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours, Fresh International Market, Yi Fang, Kura Revolving Sushi, among many others---and though some may look askance at chains, it also represents the growth of Pittsburgh's food landscape that companies that ignored Pittsburgh for the last decade or two are recognizing its appetites.