Events

Keeping Our Community Connected

JETAANY hosts numerous events throughout the year, some on a recurring basis. Below you’ll find info on some of our recurring activities and events throughout the year. To stay up to date on all of our upcoming events, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or check out our news feed. For a comprehensive selection of photos for all of these events and other special events JETAANY hosts, check out our albums.

Want to host an event of your own?

Interested in hosting an event? Do you have a hobby, passion, or an activity you would like to share? We’d love to make it happen and help you out at every step along the way. We have an active community which regularly engage with our events. Get in touch with us via email and let’s make it happen!




Recurring Events

Nihongo Dake

Join our weekly online Japanese conversation hour “Nihongo Dake” via Zoom on Mondays. It’s aimed at intermediate to advanced speakers of Japanese and is open to JETs, JET alums, native Japanese speakers, friends of JET and the general public. To learn more or to join, check out JETAANY's Facebook event page to find the next upcoming "Nihongo Dake" or send an email to our language chair, Ashley!

Book Club

A long-running JETAANY initiative, every couple of months, we meet up to discuss a Japanese book and share our thoughts and ideas about it. We’ve explored everything from the classics to contemporary works. Please join us for a casual, nonjudgmental discussion! The next meetings are always advertised on Facebook and our newsletter. If you have questions, please email our book club organizer, Christy.

Craft Night

Ever wanted to learn how to make sashiko stitching? How about Japanese cord braiding? Or some super cool pom poms for your winter hats? We meet up in-person and virtually throughout the year to learn how to make a new craft, or to set aside time on our own little projects. Stay tuned to our newsletter for the latest craft we are learning, or email Monica.

Annual Events

Meishi Exchange

Every spring, we host our largest networking event that brings together over 100 JET alumni, Japanese professionals, job seekers, and employers. Folks are able to exchange "meishi" or business cards while enjoying hearty hors d’oeuvres.

Japan Day

Usually, every Mother's Day, JETAANY hosts the Yo-Yo Balloon Tent at Japan Day in Central Park. We help hundreds of visitors “fish” for Yo-Yo Balloons. JET Alumni volunteers assist in many areas of the booth – including greeting the guests, explaining the game, prepping water balloons, and assisting children with the game. All volunteers get a delicious bento lunch, a drink, and a free Japan Day t-shirt, plus meet tons of fun people and teach the NYC community a fun Japanese festival game.

JETAANY Boat Cruise

In late summer, JETAANY sets sail on our annual sunset harbor cruise. We have our own private boat and this is one of our most popular events, with over 100 attendees each year. We're able to enjooy a 3-hour sunset cruise departing from the East River and traveling around the southern end of Manhattan, over to the Statue of Liberty, and up the West Side — for some spectacularly stunning views of the New York and New Jersey skylines.

Japan-A-Mania

Like sharing Japanese culture with NYC youth? Come join us at our annual event with Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BB/BS) of NYC! We volunteer and help introduce Japanese culture to the NYC youth and their big brother/sister through fun and varied activities. In the past these have included:

  • Kimono/Yukata/Happi Coat Fitting

  • Origami

  • Japanese Writing

  • Chopstick Challenge

  • Making Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)

Iron Chef

JETAANY turns to the kitchen as teams compete in a friendly Iron Chef-style cooking challenge to see who can make the best of a certain kind of dish. For example, the gyoza challenge. There are prizes and delicious food to be had!

Trivia Night

Join JETAANY as it hosts its annual trivia night to test your knowledge on categories ranging from Japan to pop culture over good food and drinks and awesome company, as well as finding out the answers to questions like what is the air-speed of an unladened swallow? Or where does one find Rodents Of Unusual Size?

Welcome Back Reception

JETAANY hosts an annual Welcome Back Reception in conjunction with our Career Forum to advise JET alumni about effectively marketing their professional skills. You're able to hear from local JET Alumni working in a variety of fields, and have the opportunity to meet with organizations, recruiters, and companies interested in hiring JETs. Whether you want to stay in education, use Japanese in the workplace, or do something totally different from JET, this event is perfect for you.

The Welcome Back Reception is a chance to meet some recruiters, fellow recent returnees, and older alumni and chat over some food and drinks.

Hanami Picnic

Every spring, JETAANY hosts a casual picnic under the sakura in Central Park. Attendees are able to catch up with old friends, make new friends, snack on treats, and enjoy the beautiful weather!