Japan in the Schools

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania’s Japan in the Schools (JIS) program brings education about Japan into classrooms in the greater Pittsburgh region. A wide variety of topics are covered in visits to elementary, middle, and high schools, libraries, and other community partners.

A team of English and Japanese-speaking volunteers are available to visit your classroom to let your students experience and explore various aspects of Japanese culture both traditional and modern age such as origami, kamishibai (paper board story telling), furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth), Japanese language, yukata (traditional Japanese summer kimono) try on, anime and much more. Download the curriculum flyer[PDF] for more information on popular topics. Authentic Japanese materials are used as teaching aids. This unique experience broadens students’ view of the world and its cultures.

Registration for 2023-2024 Japan in the Schools program is available online. Reserving your date and lesson preference now can help enable us to meet your request. Request a visit to submit your request and give us ample time to coordinate the visit.

Pittsburgh Taiko, which performs kumidaiko, Japanese group drumming, is also available for school performances or workshops (for a fee).  See their website for more information.

If you have questions regarding the JASP’s educational outreach programs, please contact Education Outreach Coordinator Katsuko Shellhammer.