FREE ALL DAY
Join us at the Japanese American National Museum as we welcome the Year of the Dragon with cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages!
- Traditional mochitsuki (Japanese rice pounding ritual) performance by Kodama Taiko
- Candy sculpture demonstrations by Shinobu “Shan the Candyman” Ichiyanagi
- Interactive storytimes
- Souvenir photos by cre8tive outlets
- Fun crafts and origami inspired by Oshogatsu and Year of the Dragon
- Scavenger hunt for prizes
- Free admission all day to see The Bias Inside Us, Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market, The Interactive StoryFile of Lawson Iichiro Sakai, and Common Ground: The Heart of Community.
See below for complete schedule of performances and activities!
Special Perks for JANM Members
Be sure to check in when you arrive to get a sticker to take advantage of all the special benefits!
- Members-only giveaways—exclusive prizes just for our valued Members!
- Access to a Members-only entrance for expedited entry
- Priority seating—get the best views during performances
Not a current member? Join/renew Now
TIPS
Once you register, you will receive a barcode that you can print or display on your mobile device. This will confirm your spot and provide quick access at the door. For more information on visiting JANM, go to janm.org/visit.
- To ensure a smooth and swift entry to the event, we encourage all attendees to register for their FREE tickets.
- Download the Bloomberg Connects app prior to visiting JANM! You will be able to view the schedule and location of each activity on JANM’s guide. LEARN MORE
LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCES
Can’t join us in person? Watch the livestream of the Minyo Dance Performance at 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. (PST) and Kodama Taiko Mochitsuki Demonstration at 1:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m. (PST) on our YouTube channel.
Sponsored by:
Media Sponsor: 
For press inquiries, email mediarelations@janm.org or call 213.625.0414.
Activities
PHOTO BOOTH
Grab some fun props from cre8tive outlets and take a souvenir photo with friends and family.
Express lane for Members!
DRAGON PUPPET CRAFT
Soar into 2024! Celebrate the New Year by making your own paper dragon puppet.
DARUMA DOLL CRAFT
Create your own paper daruma doll and start the New Year by setting a goal or making a wish!
RUTHIE’S ORIGAMI CORNER
Set a goal or make a wish for the new year and learn how to fold an origami daruma doll!
This activity is named in honor of JANM Volunteer Ruthie Kitagawa (1937–2020), who led origami activities for many years.
SCAVENGER HUNT AND KIDS’ RAFFLE
Explore our core exhibition, Common Ground, with a Year of the Dragon–themed scavenger hunt and win a special prize! Children who complete the scavenger hunt will also receive a chance to win a candy sculpture by Shan Ichiyanagi through a Kids’ Raffle.
While supplies last. Limit one (1) candy sculpture per child. Members receive two chances to win!
FUKUBUKURO SALE
Our popular fukubukuro (lucky grab bags) will be available for purchase at the JANM Store.
While supplies last.
Special $25 Fuku-BOX-uro lucky boxes will be available for purchase online only from January 7–14, 2024, while supplies last.
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Sign up for a library card with friends from the Los Angeles Public Library and stay for fun crafts!
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT AND ACCESS BOOK SALE
Purchase secondhand books at our Collections Book Sale!
Membership Table
Join or renew your Membership at the Festival and receive a special gift!
Schedule
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
CANDY SCULPTURES
Shan Ichiyanagi (Shan the Candyman) will demonstrate the ancient, and now rarely practiced, Asian folk art of candy sculpting. Watch as he makes candy in the shape of dragons and other animals of the Asian zodiac. The finished pieces will be offered as prizes in the Kids’ Raffle.
See All Day Activities above.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
MINYO DANCE PERFORMANCE
Enjoy a Japanese Folk dance performance by Nippon Minyo Kenkyukai, Hoshun Kai, a Japanese Folk Dance Group based in downtown Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo and part of the main school based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Reserved seating for Members!
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
KAMISHIBAI READING
Join us for a discussion and reading of kamishibai (paper drama), a Japanese art form of storytelling.
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
COLD TOFU PERFORMANCE
Enjoy a performance by the nation’s longest running, Asian American improv and sketch comedy group Cold Tofu as they improvise scenes and games based on audience suggestions.
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY STORYTIME
Join friends from the Los Angeles Public Library for a fun-filled storytime session!
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
KODAMA TAIKO PERFORMANCE
Making fresh mochi is a beloved Japanese new year tradition. Join Kodama Taiko for their unique mochitsuki (rice pounding) demonstration, which incorporates taiko drumming.
Reserved seating for Members!
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
TAIKO WORKSHOP
Join JANM Volunteer Hal Keimi for an energetic lesson in basic taiko drumming.
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
KODAMA TAIKO PERFORMANCE
Making fresh mochi is a beloved Japanese new year tradition. Join Kodama Taiko for their unique mochitsuki (rice pounding) demonstration, which incorporates taiko drumming.
Reserved seating for Members!
