1993 film The Joy Luck Club in Pittsburgh, from May 9.

The 1993 film The Joy Luck Club will play at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville from May 9 through 15, part of its "Thanks, MOM" film series around Mother's Day.

Adapted from Amy Tan’s best selling novel, Wayne Wang’s film artfully illustrates generational divides and universal truths through the stories of four Chinese women born in America and their respective mothers born in feudal China.

Tickets and showtimes are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

Japanese DJs Carpainter and Seimei in Pittsburgh, May 2.

Japanese electronic musicians, and brothers, Carpainter and Seimei will perform in Pittsburgh on May 2 as part of a mini US tour also reaching New York and Baltimore. They will perform at COBRA in Bloomfield (map) from 9:30 pm and tickets are available online.

2004 Japanese animated film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) at Rangos Giant Cinema, May 9.

The 2004 Hayao Miyazaki film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) will play at Rangos Giant Cinema at the Carnegie Science Center on May 9, the first in a four-part "Ani-May" series this month.

In Hayao Miyazaki’s . . . animated masterpiece, journey beyond imagination and enter a “breathtaking fantasy world” (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) filled with adventure, humor, and heart. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent flying castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell. Featuring the voice talents of Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner, and Billy Crystal, Miyazaki’s artistry comes to life on DVD with inventive characters, unique storytelling, and richly detailed animation.

The Rangos Giant Cinema

boasts a 71-by 39-foot Certified Giant Screen, crystal-clear 4K images, brilliant colors, and rich surround sound. It features a premium Dolby Atmos® surround sound system with 49 speakers. (The average giant screen has 14.)

The movie starts at 7:00 and tickets are available online: $10 for members and $12 for non-members. The Carnegie Science Center is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration in Cranberry, May 7.

The Cranberry Township Inclusion, Equity, Diversity Advisory (IDEA) team will present an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration on Wednesday, May 7.

Explore the history, cultural traditions, favorite foods, and contributions of the varied Asian and Pacific Islander countries! Guests will enjoy a hands-on Tai Chi lesson - a fun and relaxing way to experience a traditional art form - engaging storytelling that brings cultural legends and histories to life - and samples of traditional food.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is encouraged. It runs from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Rd (map).

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！

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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).