UWF Asian Studies

✨ Japanese Calligraphy Workshop ✨

Pre-registration required - Discover the mindful art of Japanese Calligraphy and express yourself through the power of ink 🥰

More than just writing, Shodo is a beautiful tradition where each brushstroke reflects the heart and spirit of the creator.

In this workshop, you’ll explore traditional brushes, ink, and paper to design your own original calligraphy piece, capturing a special word or name to take home.

🌸 A fun way to explore Japanese culture 🎎 Children under 10 are welcome with adult supervision

✅ Free - all materials provided 📝 Advance registration required (Google Form or QR code)

📍 Japan House, University of West Florida, 11000 University Pkwy, Building 71, Pensacola, FL 32514 📅 Saturday, June 27 | 11:00 AM (approx. 1 hour)

🔗 Registration:https://forms.gle/82R7GRD4HGCCKbpF6

🐉 Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with us!

Discover the story of one of Asia's most beloved festivals, make a paper dumpling craft, and explore Taiwanese traditions.

🛶 Fun for all ages!

📅 Saturday, June 27

⏰ 10:30–11:30 AM

📍 Pensacola Library: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MfMmQ2NtbfyhfMso6

🎋 Celebrate Tanabata Star Festival at UWF! | Flowers • Tea • Japanese Traditions

The UWF Office of International Affairs invites you, your family, and friends to experience a day filled with cultural elegance, mindfulness, and hands-on activities!

📅 When: Saturday, July 11, from Noon to 4:30 p.m.

📍 Where: UWF Campus (Building 71 / International Center/Japan House)

🎟 Admission: FREE and open to the public (All materials provided)

🌟 Special Guest Artist: Akiko Iwata This year, we are thrilled to welcome Akiko Iwata, an active Ikebana artist and landscape designer based in the Miami area. She will bring nature to life with her stunning flower arrangements and guide you through our beautiful Japanese garden from a designer's unique perspective!

🕒 Schedule at a Glance:

12:00 PM – Ikebana Live Demonstration (Lobby)

12:45 PM & 2:30 PM – Ikebana Workshops (Room 136) [Pre-registration required]

1:50 PM – Guided Japanese Garden Tour with Akiko Iwata [On-site signup required]

3:40 PM – Tea Ceremony Demonstration at UWF Japan House [On-site signup required]

All-Day – Tanabata Wish Strips (Tanzaku), Origami, Bookmark Making, and more!

⚠️ How to Join the Sessions:

Walk-ins are welcome for all-day crafts and the noon live demo!

Garden Tour & Tea Ceremony: No online registration, but space is strictly limited. Sign-ups will open at NOON at the main check-in desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is highly recommended!

Ikebana Workshops: Slots fill up fast! Secure your spot by pre-registering online here: 👉https://forms.gle/eWqjhsz5eVkvs87T9

We can’t wait to celebrate this magical star festival with you again. Let’s make beautiful wishes together under the bamboo tree!

Sponsored by the Japan Foundation & supported by the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida.

Yesterday, our University of West Florida students in Japan stepped back in time with a visit to Hagi. They hiked a portion of the historic Hagi Ōkan Road, which was an important route during the Edo period. They then explored the old castle town, famous for its well-preserved samurai district and cultural heritage.

History, culture, and a few unexpected surprises 🇯🇵✨

While in Yamaguchi, our students explored some of the region’s most meaningful cultural sites, starting with the iconic Five-Storied Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple, a national treasure and one of the three most beautiful pagodas in Japan.

At Toshunji Temple, students stepped into living tradition at the Mizunoue Kiln, where pottery is still created in a studio that was once a temple barn. They even met a master potter whose work has been featured in The New York Times, connecting local craftsmanship to global recognition.

And in a moment no one will forget… students met one of Toshunji’s monks, who just happens to be a dog 🐕✨

From centuries-old temples to hands-on cultural experiences, this is what study abroad is all about.

Another group of University of West Florida students were up bright and early this morning to start their journey to Japan with Japanese language instructor, Takami Taylor.

いってらっしゃい

And, they are off! University of West Florida students are on their way to take part in our signature Argos in Asia program where they will spend two weeks learning about Japanese language, arts and history at our partner school in Yamaguchi, Japan.

One of our international students from Guatemala, Andres, has been practicing the art of tea at the Japan House this year. Andres graduated from the University of West Florida this weekend, but before the commencement ceremony, he prepared tea for his mother, who had just arrived from Guatemala late the night before. Despite injuring her knee while traveling, she was able to sit comfortably and share in this meaningful moment together.

Andres shared that he wished he had discovered the tea practice earlier during his four years at UWF, a sentiment that reminds us how impactful these experiences can be. Even with a short time to learn, students are able to connect with tradition, mindfulness, and hospitality in a way that stays with them.

These moments speak to the lasting value of cultural experiences beyond the classroom.

We hope that tea practice continues to be a unique and meaningful opportunity that UWF can offer its students for years to come. 🌿

We recently had our regular Origami Workshop at Azalea Trace.
Everyone keeps getting better every time we visit!
The participants all have amazing taste in choosing your origami papers.

This time, in celebration of Children’s Day on May 5th, we folded colorful origami koinobori (carp streamers) and kabuto (samurai helmets).

Watching everyone’s creations come to life was so much fun! 🎏👘

Yesterday, we had the honor of welcoming Sandy Shaughnessy, Director of the Florida Division of Arts and Culture of Arts and Culture, and Rachelle Ashmore, Arts Consultant for the Division, to our office.

Our office was proud to play a significant role in supporting the state-funded exhibit celebrating the sister-state relationship with Wakayama, Japan. The exhibit traveled across the state - from the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami and the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, where some of our University of West Florida exchange students from Wakayama even had the opportunity to contribute.

During Sandy and Rachelle's visit, we were grateful to recognize Sandy’s leadership and partnership with a plaque of appreciation. We were also excited to welcome back our Noh masks and pottery that were featured in the exhibition.

And finally, we’re thrilled to now have back on display a treasured painting by Wakayama artist Yoshiko Uchida. This work of art is an intricate piece that invites you to pause, explore, and get completely lost in its detail.

If you’re nearby, we invite you to stop in and experience it with us.