Do you have a favorite matsuri memory? Maybe it's the freshly fried Okinawan andagi, or the Duck Duck Duck game, or the lovely hula performances! Either way, we'd love for you to share with us what makes the GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser so special for you! Please note that the selection process is at the discretion of the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.
Please click the button below to fill out the form for a chance to be featured on our brand new GVJCI Matsuri Memories Board on our website.
Thank you for your support!
Please click the button below to fill out the form for a chance to be featured on our brand new GVJCI Matsuri Memories Board on our website.
Thank you for your support!
I have many memories from many years of attending the GVJCI Carnival/Matsuri. But one of my favorite parts, is something that happened every year, until the pandemic. That's the joy and surprise of randomly running into family and friends. They could be people I see all the time, or people I haven't seen in months or years. These brief encounters were filled with happiness. Some of them are fond memories of people who are no longer with us. The Matsuri is a truly special event that helps to bring us together to create these magical moments.
- Alvin T 
Cooking Hot Dogs and Tamales in the Gardena Judo booth between the Kendo Dojo making Yaki-Soba and the Okinawan Club making Andagi. It was great fun!
- Steve Y. 
One of my favorite memories of the Matsuri is when my granddaughter came to her first Matsuri when she was only 16 months old. She was having so much fun just playing each of the games – rolling balls, tossing bean bags, throwing ping pong balls, pulling a string and scooping folded scrips. She was so happy when she would win and was told to pick out a prize. She won every time! Her favorite prize was the rubber ducky from the Duck Duck Duck game.
- Marilyn T. 
My favorite memory is seeing the beginner JCI Taiko / Yuujou Daiko students perform for their first live audience and the progress year after year for the continuing students!
- Jomya L. 
My favorite memory of the GVJCI Matsuri is working the information booth with former staff Nicole Sato and watching all the kids excitedly run over with their raffle tickets and collecting their prizes :)
- Airi T 
"My favorite GVJCI Matsuri memory is dancing hula with Kanani Kalama Hula Studio!"
- Kimi N. 
Remembering Robert Horii...the GVJCI Board, Staff, and community is deeply saddened by the loss of Robert Horii, a longtime GVJCI Board of Director, on January 25, 2021. The GVJCI Matsuri held a special place in his heart, as well as his family’s. Bob helped with the planning details months in advance, then with the weeklong set-up of the booths, equipment, and lighting/electrical needs. He and his family also managed the Matsuri accounting. Bob would perform the cash and coupon pickups from each booth throughout the weekend, then he, his wife Mary, and their family members would meticulously account for all the monies raised. And then, of course, Bob was there till the very last tear down of the booths, and then back at it again for the next year! Bob, we thank you and miss you!
- Alison Kochiyama |
One of my favorite memories is volunteering in food prep for the matsuri. We would help put together so many spam musubi in the GVJCI Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall! Lots of fun!
- TNK Volunteer 
My favorite memories is how the Seniors got on the stage and performed. I also enjoyed seeing how they helped out and worked so hard as volunteers during the carnival. Here is a photo of my mother, Kinuyo Sugimoto, RIP, in 2012 helping at the White Elephant SaleMy favorite memories is how the Seniors got on the stage and performed. I also enjoyed seeing how they helped out and worked so hard as volunteers during the carnival. Here is a photo of my mother, Kinuyo Sugimoto, RIP, in 2012 helping at the White Elephant Sale.
- Susan M. 
All the long nights and days with the staff and volunteers! It feels great to play and work together for our community. My two favorite memories would have to be: 1. inventing DUCK DUCK DUCK with Sharon (not the game, but the name of the game. I love that banner so much, haha). 2. Making the beer garden and all the fun games we played with the community members.
- Michelle H. 
My Matsuri Memory is volunteering with my family! It was so fun! Look at those vintage bingo cards!
- Cathy L. 
"As a GVJCI intern, I was able to learn first hand about all the hard work that goes into the GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser each year! One of my favorite memories was working with my fellow interns on food prep. Here we are taking a shave ice break :P
- Stephanie M. |