Japan Society

great place to go learn more about culture, see exhibitions, and enjoy the space in general. until jan 2026, an installation exhibit by chiharu shiota is on—such a wonderful and inspiring experience!

I was very interested in visiting this museum since I enjoy Japanese culture a lot, and indeed I had a good time here but I must point out the exhibition is very small and it was just one floor and one artist. They also have a movie 🎥🍿 festival at the moment, unfortunately I didn't know before visiting the museum and I didn't have enough time for the movie. They were selling Japanese 🍙 food at this event and it looked very tasty and interesting. Again, there was a long line so I couldn't taste the food.

Always a peaceful and pleasant place with high quality choices of shows from Japan which tend to be collaborations with Western artist or institutions. I’d love to see more purely Japanese works or collaborations with African, Asian or The Americas. Last visit was to see works by Female Japanese performance artist. Good.

Absolutely loved this place. The attending staff were so gracious. I didn’t have a mask on hand and they found one for myself and my friend. At my visit they requieres masks and proof of vaccination. Indoors they ambience was very mellow and serene. They have a small waterfall that I could just stare at all day. Their architecture works well and I feel I’m not in NYC when I’m here. I visited to see an exhibition by kazuko miyamoto, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The exhibition was broken into 3 small rooms but I felt completely enthralled and submerged into it. I spent about an hour here. The bathrooms were one of the most cleanest in the city. They were heated and had a bidet option which as a traveler I found so amusing.

I had a great experience here. i went to an event they were doing and it was ran very well. Everything was clean and pretty, i have no complaints!

While the exhibition itself wasn't very good. The place is nice and can be easily navigated through. Even in the winter when most people keep their coats on, you can walk around comfortably. Good acoustics as well.

NOT OPEN AS ADVERTISED. After commuting here, arrived to find they were inexplicably not open as advertised. Tried to call for info, but the phone has layers upon layers of menu options. Tried a few combos, no luck. No idea how to talk to a person! So disappointed.

Susumu shingu’s exhibition is great. Want to see more Japanese artists’s work !

Love it, the Sake night experience was so wonderful, can't wait to the next one. Also looking forward to getting my own membership so I can share it with my goddaughter & friends

I've been to Japan Society a few times and have always had a great time! There's a small museum, and they also host different events. There's events I've been to have been film screenings. Most recently, I went to the USA east coast premiere of 100 meters and was impressed the director was there as a guest! The director was part of a live Q&A after the film and this was an epic experience. Highly recommend !!

I visited Japan Society for their curry celebration and discussion, and I'm so glad I went as this was my first time here, and it was such an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about curry's role in Asian culture, which was fascinating since I'm more familiar with curry in the Caribbean tradition. It was a great mix of education and food appreciation, and it made me want to explore more of what Japan Society has to offer.

This review is for the Japan Society annual Sake event "Sake, Washoku & Beyond." This year was the first time they offered food in addition to the sake tastings. I went to the second day event on Wednesday. The sake selections were good. Unfortunately, the food buffet was adjacent to the sake tables; there was a long line but it wasn't clear where it began or ended. The food should have been better quality for this venue. The chicken was cold. The sushi was decent. It was simply too crowded nor was there enough time to fully enjoy the event. Some of the sakes were exceptional, so I'm glad I went. Hopefully, they'll omit the food next year. I ended up ordering sushi from a restaurant.

I feel like I got scammed. A $15 ticket for a 2 room art gallery is insane. They should explain to people what they're paying for before buying tickets. The website makes it seem like there's so much more. I thought Japanese culture was all about respect and honor. This place has neither. Avoid.

Great exhibition space featuring Japanese art and artists. I learned things I did not know and realized I'd seen things and didn't know what they were. I'll be back!

My husband and I are members here, and after attending a handful of events (gallery openings, live performances, movie screenings) I have to say their calendar of events is pretty amazing! There's a decent mix of ticketed (paid) as well as free events, although what I have personally enjoyed most are the receptions that come before/after the main event. The building itself is beautiful - you can't tell from the outside but they have an auditorium, classrooms, an event space, and an art gallery! The bathrooms are superb - warm toilet seats await you if you find the need to go. The only downside is the location, we're currently in Brooklyn and it's a bit of a walk on cold winter nights, though it's been a lot more pleasant lately now that the sun sets later in the day!

Located in the far East Side near the UN, the Japan Society offers a number of classes for languages and culture. They have a large auditorium you can rent out (no food or drink inside), which does get very warm. Coat check space downstairs. The atrium in entry is when you can hold events and a back space in the first floor can also be used. The event was catered that I went to, no cafeteria here from what I could tell. Special guests and exhibitions pass through here periodically. They have a listerve in case you want to get event notifications.

I remember why I rarely come here and it's due to its mediocre location which is a shame because they do have a lot to offer but getting to/from is such a massive pain in the butt. Inside though you are transport into a Japanese somewhat dated hall, but it is well maintained. They host numerous event here throughout the year but again usually it's location and proximity to the subway is what is a massive deterrent.

Upon my arrival I was greeted by staff who was very friendly and informative. I arrived early so I had time to walk around and just capture a few photos and enjoy the waterfall. The art gallery by Kyohei Inukai was incredible. First artist that uses geometry in art!! Very unique and different. Overall I had an amazing time viewing the different pieces. Thank you to all the amazing stuff who had excellent hospitality and where extremely friendly and attentive.

Japan Society hosted their 23rd Annual Sake Lecture + Sake Etiquette Event via their YouTube Channel last week and it was amazing. Co-organized by the Sake Export Association, Presenter/ Sake Expert Timothy Sullivan shared various information about Sake during this virtual webinar. Here are some of the Highlights: Individuals should drink Sake in smaller intervals and not in one big gulp.. The manner of pouring Sake for others and not for yourself is a sign of respect + is considered a social icebreaker. Holding the bottle w/ two hands is the proper way to pour Sake. The bottle/carafe should not touch the cup when one is pouring Sake into it....80% of the cup should be filled w/ Sake. The individual pouring the Sake should offer to refill everyone's cup once the cups are empty. Timothy talked about the idea that people should keep their Sake cup relatively full if they want no additonal Sake. Kanpai ("Dry Cup" ) is equivalent to "Cheers" or to a "Toast" and that speeches are made before the "toast" during formal settings (ex. Weddings, Business Dinners, etc.) Proper etiquette is posing your cup lower than the other person during a "toast". In informal settings, individuals may pour + receive Sake w/ one instead of both hands. Mokkiri (overpouring of Sake in a glass) is when the sake cup is placed in a Masu (box) and the cup and the box overflow w/ Sake. Mokkiri was a style developed during the Post WWII Era and the appropriate way to drink Sake w/ in the Masu was discussed. So Fascinating! Timothy mentioned nunerous Sake Brewing Companies - I have highlighted a few- Kaetsu Sake + Okunomatsu Sake are crisp + light w/ a dry + clean finish Tentaka Sake has a silky texture Sudo Honke Sake is light + fruity Mioya Shuzo + Akita Seishu are more grainy Sake Takasago Sake has a full rice flavor w/ a dry finish. OK, so who knew that there were so many different types of Sake?! There was a Q+A Session in which Timothy provided responses to a variety of Sake questions. People even inquired about how the COVID-19 Pandemic/ Health Crisis may be having an impact on importing/exporting of Sake and on overall Sake distribution + sales. All I can say that I learned a lot and it was all very interesting. Hopefully, Japan Society will have more cool events in the upcoming months.

I've been a member of the Japan Society for over 30 years and have watched the place evolve from great to stupendous. The building, located on the corner of 1st Avenue and 47th Street near the UN, is Asian minimalist chic, intimate and inviting. I've taken Japanese language lessons there which are excellent and reasonably priced. They offer a wide variety of cultural events ranging from Japanese movies (with English subtitles), sake and beer tastings, an art gallery with rotating exhibits, live performances of Kabuki and modern dance, children's programs, Buddhist meditation and much more. The staff is friendly and always ready to help. Whether you're a Japanophile or just interested in having a diverse experience in a beautiful space at reasonable price, the Japan Society offers something for just about everyone. A hidden gem and sanctuary in NYC.

It took me awhile to find Japanese classes in NYC that were great quality at a reasonable price but Japan Society is definitely it! My sensei is awesome and she even does a class dinner every semester at a nearby Izakaya. My technical understanding of Japanese has improved exponentially in just two short semesters. I find myself even able to understand anime without subtitles thanks to the knowledge that I've attained here.

World-class cinema, talks, art exhibits, and a language center where you can take 13 levels of Japanese classes. I have been a member for a couple years, taking different levels of Japanese classes. The instructors are very nice and teach you cultural practices. You also get a lot of conversational practice with your fellow classmates. There are "semester"-like classes where you can take a level for as long as 10 weeks, or for busy people, there are drop-in beginner classes where you can test out whether you want to go further in study. There are also intensive weekend courses where you can take an entire level over two weekends. They really have thought out how to make learning Japanese easier for the modern professional. The events are pretty fun too. I have seen the films "Street of Shame" and "Tokyo Godfathers," gone to book signings and talks about sake and tea. Every event is very well thought out and culturally relevant to what's going on in our world. NYC is very lucky to have an institution like this.

I just wanted to add that they also have English lessons for Japanese native speakers. In addition, they have courses to become a Japanese language instructor.

The Japan Society has now canceled or postponed all public programs through May 31. Membership benefits are therefore being extended until June 30.

High class facility for anyone with an interest in Japanese culture. There are three primary purposes for this center: 1) Art - You can stop in just to view the have a small and ever changing collection of Japanese art on display. 2) Events - They have movie screenings, musical performances, as well as interviews with famous Japanese people 3) Learn Japanese - Japanese language classes are held here.

This place was really cool. It's right by the UN, the inside is so incredibly beautiful. There's a theater, they bring in speakers, and have rotating exhibits. I went into one of the art exhibits with my friends last week. It was easy to get into, the staff there was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the art was pretty thought provoking. I definitely would like to go back there to see a film. I hear they are great!

The current exhibition of the art of the pioneering artist "Kasuko MIYAMOTO" is very impressive. The temporary exhibition space is quite small, with just three rooms available. In 2021 I went to 35 special art museums exhibitions in NYC and Paris. This was as good as any I saw. The art in the first room is so visually demanding, it takes quite some time to appreciate. You must look, and look, and look.

pretty cool gallery, it's free on friday nights from 6-9pm! they have a really awesome graphic art wall showing now. The rest of the gallery is quite small but it's worth checking out. They also have restroom downstairs (basement) so you don't have to wait on the line at the second floor. PS you can put your bags at their lockers on the second floor (it's to the left side of the stairs going up - near the restrooms) so you don't have to carry your bags with you while you check out their art gallery.

Beer and Japan. Two great things that go great together. Attended an event here featuring a lecture and samplings of Japanese beer and had an excellent time. The lecture was pretty good (although it didn't really address the advertised topic of Japanese cuisine and beer at all). The beer, however, was outstanding. So many varieties from brewers with which I was unfamiliar. Thankfully there was a program and a sheet for tasting notes or else I'd never remember them all. It was a little crowded so the logistics were awkward at first, but once the crowd disbursed a little it was nice. The building itself it gorgeous...reminded me of something out of a late 60's James Bond movie. Staff was very friendly. I'd definitely like to go to more programs here.

Pretty disappointing. The only exhibit, Made in Tokyo, was a very dry exhibit about architecture since 1964. Dullsviile to me. Seems that it would be of interest mainly to architects specializing in 1960s and 1970s architecture. This exhibit could have been so much more. For example, there could have been more archival footage from the time. Meanwhile, this is really a bare-bones place- no gift shop, no cafe, etc.

Enjoyed the VIRTUAL Sake Lecture & Tasting: Sake Etiquette. What a fun night. Learned so much from the etiquette portion of the event. Just missed the chance to sample some of these great sake's. Hopefully we can have a tasting in New York next year :)

This review is specifically for Japan Society's language center. I've taken Japanese here since 2010 and the quality of teachers here are second to none! The classes range from 5 to 12 students from all walks of life. My current teacher is Kurahara sensei and I must say she was born to teach!! She truly and genuinely cares about her students. She also incorporates the latest technology to make the classes even more enjoyable! Hope to see you there!

Having had the opportunity to live and work in Tokyo, Japan for many years, I can say that the Japan Society is as close to being home there as I remember. I have been raised in New York, but to have gone to Japan was wonderful. And now that I can attend the Society here is even better. There are events to attend, courses to learn, and even to take a language before you head over to Japan for a visit. The individuals who work at the Japan Society can provide you the information you need to learn more about the country for more history and information. There is much to do here. And when time will permit you can take the information you need to move ahead. The various events (concerts, lectures, and more) is there for you when you arrive. It can be for a day or it can be for a course over several days, weeks or months. I even took my Japanese language courses here before moving to Tokyo. This is a great Society and you will be able to learn something new when you visit.

Fabulous art exhibitions and world-class Japanese film screenings. Came recently for an art night with sake, takoyaki and harp music. Lots of restaurants nearby to eat before or after your event. If you like Japanese culture this is the place to go to in nyc.

Last minute ticket to a Saturday evening dance performance. Rather than the action on stage the audience entertained me. A woman sitting in my assigned seat offers the seat next to her in which another woman is sitting with her baby boy who offers me a third seat. So I sit behind them in an empty seat and the baby hacks with croup throughout the show. Someone call Child Protective Services! Not what I paid for.

For those interested in Japanese culture and the arts, Japan Society is a worthwhile visit. I came here upon the recommendation of a friend who collaborates closely with artists whose works have been recently exhibited here. I was impressed by the scale and beauty of the building that houses this non-profit organization. Right across the street is also a vast open park. In fact, a wedding shoot was happening here as I was making my way over. Alongside ongoing galleries and exhibits, Japan Society provides arts and cultural programs, Japanese language and educational classes. There are a series of pamphlets by the front entrance where you can learn more about their programs as well as how to become a member should you want to access to greater resources. If you feel their programs could further benefit you, membership is strongly suggested. Of course, fees do apply. My first visit was an informative yet informal viewing and access to an open studio. It was a series of several rough conceptual pieces created by a group of young contemporary Japanese artists. We had the chance to meet and talk with these artists whose pieces have been exhibited mostly throughout Japan. The experience was different from a typical museum tour, and it was a highly personalized visit. The gallery officer who was there to help present and lead the exhibit, Masako, was extremely friendly and welcomed our presence. She translated and thoroughly explained the process behind the works and was open to answering any questions we had. I am planning to make a return soon to view their final and finished products. For those who appreciate Japanese art, I would highly recommend checking the exhibits at Japan Society.

My former love being half-Japanese took Japanese language classes here for a somewhat reasonable fee. There is a museum/art gallery here, which is tiny as being a New Yorker I am used to gargantuan size museums like MoMA, Guggenheim and MET, thus the four star rating. The Japan Society sits directly opposite Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. It is of course, child-friendly with lots of activities. N.B. The bathrooms, in keeping with Japanese fashion, the toilets are state of the art fully automatic complete with water being splashed to one's private body parts after your business is completed. As afterwards one has the pleasure of a quick one-quarter shower and is instantly clean! Having been traveled to Japan in a past life, their technology is very advanced as their toilets are even updated! Hi-tech toilets compliments their auto-soap dispense with their auto-faucet of their sinks.

The Japan Society is a special world class bridge between Japan and the US. They are closely associated with the the Japan Foundation. We pray that the USA has programs around the world with this quality and integrity. I was fortunate to see several years ago the last American performance of Kazuo Ohno at the Japan Society. He was 93. He knew he would never again perform outside Japan as he was dieing. He knew and the audience knew. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/11/arts/dance-review-so-hobbled-and-yet-serenely-certain.html He passed 10 years later http://japansocietyny.blogspot.com/2010/06/kazuo-ohno-1906-2010.html and http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/kazuo-ohno-dancer-who-cofounded-the-modern-butoh-style-and-brought-it-to-the-world-stage-2019813.html Since then I always try to check in to see what they are up to when I'm in NY. They are a great venue to see the finest things Japan represents to the world.

Cute little museum right by the UN. We happened to be lucky enough come when they had a exhibit of the history of cats in japan. When we first came in I saw a japanese sticker photobooth and instructions were in english so it is easier to follow! It is a fun cute little thing to have as a souvenir with le beau. I love how they set up the exhibit it was definately very cohesive and it told a story. There is no gift shop or anything and toilets were japanese toliets with seat heaters buttons and knobs! It was funny to see and interesting to use but it wasn't rocket science on how to flush it or anything. lol

Loved the imaginative "Bye Bye Kitty!!!" exhibit of contemporary Japanese art. Sorry, cat lovers, it's not about kitties. A cat does appear in one print by Makoto Aida, but far from being Hello Kitty-cute, the work depicts uniformed schoolgirls performing graphic, bloody hari kari. Cute icons Wall-E and "Where's Waldo" appear in another Aida work, Ash Color Mountains, but that one's about a mass grave of dead businessmen. Also take the time to examine Manabu Ikeda's epic painting , so huge and detailed that the museum provides a magnifying glass, the only way to appreciate the precision and strange storytelling. Check out the building's restrooms. The Toto toilet will spray and dry you with impressively good aim.

After a long week at work a friend invited me to check out the Edo Pop exhibit here. She had free tickets, but as it turns out admission is free on Friday evenings. If you have yet to go, Japan Society is an excellent venue with a lot to offer through out the year. This particular exhibit is really dope though. On display are woodblock prints from the 17 and 1800's. You will definitely be familiar with the style, look up "the Great Wave, Katsushika Hokusai " an iconic image you will know right away, and which is on display. The collection is very comprehensive however and there is a ton of great work you most likely have yet to see. Go check it out and fill up your subconscious with these past prints.

Beautiful venue for special events. My company uses them sometimes for events. Lovely auditorium, lobby area and more. Great for small shows and gatherings of about 300 people or so. Very reliable and strong management and a pleasure to work with.

Japanese classes! I have been learning Japanese at the Japan Society for almost 2 years, and it's been great! The staff and teachers are real pros: they are organized, patient and knowledgeable. The language classes are semi-immersive so you get to hear and speak Japanese right away, on your first class. No stupid role-plays describing yourself as something that you're not.

I am a proud card holding member of Japan Society. For those who love Japan and are interested in learning about the language, culture, business, entertainment, cuisine and more, this is the place to go to in New York. They host so many different types of events here, from gallery openings to movie screenings to lectures, there's just about something for everyone here. The main reason that I come to Japan Society for is for the Toyota Language Center, the Japanese language program. I studied abroad in Japan during college and wanted to keep up with my language studies so I chose this school. Besides my language study in Japan, compared to all of the Japanese language classes I've taken at schools in the US, Japan Society has an amazing and well organized program that pushes you to achieve more with the language in a positive way. Since starting a year ago, I feel as if my speaking and writing skills have gone up exponentially. All of the teachers I've had there so far are extremely friendly, professional, and are very accessible to talk to about questions whether it is during class or via email. There are various types of language courses you can take at Japan Society. There is the "semester" Japanese language courses that are seasonal, intensive weekend "crash" courses for beginners, and between the "semester" courses they offer conversational classes as well. The semester courses, depending on your motivation, is offered once a week (one level a semester), or twice a week (two levels a semester). I first started off with once a week classes, and after one semester, I switched to twice a week. Even though it is a lot more work and dedication, I feel like I'm really gaining a lot out of my studies. At JS, levels 1-9 are considered beginner because they cover the grounds of learning all of the grammatical rules and major kanji characters (which they do a great job teaching here). Once students graduate levels 1-9, levels 10 and above focus more on fun classes such as watching movies, making speeches, reading books, or discussing the news which is pretty exciting and something to look forward to as a student of the language. In short, Japan Society is a must for anyone who loves Japan as much as I do!

I found the Japan society while looking for Advanced Japanese classes to take when I moved to NYC. The Japan Society's Toyota Language Center has an extensive program. They have weekend/summer crash courses and semester long classes for all skill levels, from barely knowing "konnichiwa" to those who can read newspapers in Japanese. The pricing is very reasonable for how many hours of class you get. Check to see if the company you work for is a member of the Japan society to get the discounted class / event rates. The level 13 courses (highest level offered) are challenging and are on par with advanced classes I took in university (business level Japanese and above). The teachers are very upbeat and excited to teach you, which always leads to a very informative lesson. The Keizai Business course was good, but if you're not actively in a business setting or have no interest in business, it may not be right for you. Also, I felt that the class overemphasized memorization rather than discussion. However, the Level 13 Culture Society course is much more up my alley, with weekly viewings of a popular Japanese TV drama and discussions about / analysis of and explanations of grammar / new vocabulary / etc. The facility is clean, has nice restrooms (Japanese style as you'll see in other reviews I'm sure), and the staff are really great. They have an art gallery on site as well, which has some amazing exhibits. I'd also rec getting on their email newsletter so you can stay aware of all of their upcoming talks/events/classes.

Came here for the first time to watch Spectator on a Saturday evening. My friend mentioned she has been here to an open house and was able to go into the classrooms upstairs. I have another friend that is taking a japanese class here and seems to enjoy it. During this time day, you cannot see much of the upstairs where the classroom are, but the garden seemed quite nice and tranquil. The staff were very friendly as soon as I entered and as I waited for my friends. The bathroom in the lower level is predictably filled with japanese toto toilets that rinse and dry the privates not to mention heat the bum in the process. I loves. The auditorium was a good size including the stage and seats were comfortable. The show, Spectator, was very interesting, very abstract and entertaining. The dance sequences were well executed and interpretive artists were amazing. I definitely would come back to see another show.

I went here to see a screening of early Japanimation.... It's a beautiful building...very Japanese in style and darn, the seats in the auditorium aren't made for American bodies!!! My date and I were squished and we're not big people! But the best part of the Japan Society? THE BATHROOM! There was a small box next to the toliet which allowed you to tilt the back of the toliet as needed, warm the seat, shoot water for a rinse, or give yourself a blast of air. I KID YOU NOT! There was a reception after and according to my date, they had the most amazing sushi...I wouldn't expect anything less! It's the Japan Society! What I wore to Japan Society: Black velvet jacket, black mock turtleneck t-shirt, black cordoroys, rubber cowboy boots (they're my rain boots)

Lovely place, the building has a wonderful interior inside, very relaxed, tranquil, and simple. I felt soothed just from being there.

The trek here is a walk if you're coming from the train, or even the bus. Well for one thing, I do take Japanese classes here.. but am also a member of the society. There are interesting lectures at times, and when you're hot.. walking into the building and hearing the man made waterfall running.. it is an interesting thing to sit through. At times there are also events such as cosplay displays, or Japan Cuts, which is right now going on. There are lots of areas within learning about the culture of Japan.. so Japan Society provides a bit for learning parts about it. There are about four levels to this building. The top part is a gallery or museum area. The main level is where there the box office, or lecture/party area with the waterfall. The area lower is the auditorium, bathroom.. while the bottom level is the language center for learning Japanese. Everyone talks about the Japanese toilets, and yes they are Toto Washlets... what ele to talk about it? Hmm... I enjoy the automatic soap dispenser and the faucet. One thing I do wish is that they would have hand dryers.. I keep on looking at the towels being used and I used them myself.. and think hmm.. Japanese bathroom... hand dryer..

I take Japanese language courses here, and language courses are, in my opinion, 30% contingent on quality teachers and 70% contingent on quality students. Japan Society scores 100%. Absolutely, I recommend this establishment if you're looking for a place to learn Japanese language. - Nearest subway station: (E), (M), or (6) to 51st. Then walk.

I came to visit during Murakami's "Little Boy" exhibit while out-of-town and thought this trip to see the exhibit worth it, it was almost the high point of my time in NY. The Japan Society put on an excellent space and treatment for the Murakami exhibit - I remember being impressed by how thoughtful the exhibit was, even the little museum pin had a murakami sketch on it. It's a bit of walk to get here from Times Square (where I was staying) but the hoofing was worth it! I agree, more people need to know about this place, they threw a great exhibit.

So we went from Penn, to Blockheads and finally, the Japan Society. Winding up here was a stroke of luck. I opened a Time Out New York and saw a listing for an event here, under the Your Perfect Weekend section..."Summer Sake Bomb DJ Night." Well, I was sold... It turned out to be awesome- it had free admission into it's "Bye, Bye Kitty" exhibit; which displays Japanese artwork, combining old and modern techniques, to create a more sinister feel to challenge what the curator believes the American impression of Japanese art is; created mostly by profiteers catering to a market that wants cute cat stickers and Pokemon cards. "Bye, Bye Kitty" is a jab at "Hello Kitty" and symbolizes the juxtaposition. Or according to the Web site.... "Bye Bye Kitty!!! is a radical departure from recent Japanese exhibitions. Moving far beyond the stereotypes of kawaii and otaku culture, Japan Society's show features sixteen emerging and mid-career artists whose paintings, objects, photographs, videos, and installations meld traditional styles with challenging visions of Japan's troubled present and uncertain future." For lack of a better word, the exhibit was cool. And it was small, so you could go through it in under and hour and get to the bar and sake bombs that were awaiting you in the reception area on the main level. Drinks were cheap. Music was good. What else do you want? Oh, and there was a full-figured gentleman wearing Mickey Mouse ears, black clothes, guy-liner makeup and platform boots. He was talking to a woman who was dressed youthful, but conservative, but seemed to be enjoying the conversation nonetheless. It's worth mentioning that they have no idea what a sake bomb is at the Japanese society. Or maybe I don't know not being Japanese, but a sake bomb is a pint of beer and a shot of sake- that you drop into the beer and down. They handed us a glass *plastic cup* of sake and a Shangai beer. I'm not complaining, just sayin'... Oh, and those hoping to meet Japanese girls at the event probably would have been disappointed. It was mostly white chicks.

I saw the Making a Home exhibit at Japan Society, with many installations focusing on usage of space, loneliness, and relevance to a new environment. It was free on Friday night, and after a fun bumpy ride on the M15, we ended up outside of the United Nations Plaza en route to the Japan Society. The event was well organized and very captivating. The flow of the works was well thought out and, as museums should, introduce questions and make you wonder at the scale of work that the artists do. Nina was there mainly for the On Megumi Akiyoshi room, which was a splendor in pink and other gorgeously bright colors; I really wanted to see Yoko Ono's two installations. Her "mother board" was a giant blank wall where patrons could write messages to their mothers. Right next to that was her wishing tree, where people from all over can make a wish by tying their wish on a branch. We were super excited about the prospect of going to Choux Factory immediately afterward but they had just closed. Darn you holiday hours!

Went there last evening with my GF to the exhibit currently on display. Absolutely loved it. Its so hidden from the main road and so tastefully made. Glad to know that they have free admission on Friday between 6-9 pm as well. The guards could get a little chatty but then again its up to you to manage. I shall definitely go back again.

They have a very interesting exhibit going on now called "Bye Bye Kitty" about the Hello Kitty culture and detriment it is doing to the japanese reputation (they don't just do "anime" and popart) and not having enough appreciation for their other types of artwork. I found it really interesting and they had some great pieces of artwork, beautiful detailed trees and a gorgeous hanging lace paper cutout, and such great paintings with so much meaning..... The space was larger than I thought inside and they did an excellent job of promoting and presenting all the galleries of artwork.

Japan Society is a landmark, museum, language, social and cultural center that will blow anyone away with the variety and consistency of their events & exhibits. Since moving to NYC, this has always been an incredible source of 'things to do'. They have a pretty big gallery that houses rotating exhibits, a theater for films, talks, performances, kabuki, and the room on the main floor hosts classes and most recently a sake tasting from several breweries from Japan. If you are interested in Japanese culture at all at any level, you will find something amazing here. Events happen all the time and having become a member has already paid itself of many times over. And it also helps that the building itself if beautiful and is just wonderful to look at inside.

I, too, was here for Murakami's Little Boy exhibit, and was frankly amazed that such an upscale and well-respected establishment would treat anime, toys, and sketches with such respect and pride. The curation and layout of the entire exhibit was enormously informative, well organized, and visually attractive. I was transfixed by much of the artists' work, as well as the huge-scale digital mural and sculpture in the middle of the walk. I also got in a lot of drawing book sketches of the sculptures and models on display, and would have bought the exhibit's book if it didn't cost so much. I have not been back since, but were I to hear about another exhibit which interests me, I would return without hesitation. This site features much of the work that was included in said exhibit: http://www.kaikaikiki.co.jp/