Meet the Guinness World Record-holding “Tuna King,” explore the traditions of Japanese cuisine, and discover the connections between food, mindfulness, music, and tea
Global Rise of Sushi Event with Kiyoshi Kimura “Tuna King” of Sushizanmai
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This September, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles explores the many intersections between Japanese food, culture, and well-being through a diverse lineup of exhibitions, programs, and experiences. Highlights include the free “WASHOKU | Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine” exhibition, a special program featuring Sushizanmai’s legendary “Tuna King,” and “Music & Ma,” a multi-sensory experience combining piano performance, mindfulness, and Omotesenke tea ceremony. Visitors can also discover fermentation-related ingredients at WAZA Shop and bring elements of Japanese culinary tradition into their own homes.
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles’ September programming and events:
“WASHOKU | Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine” Exhibition
Dates: Now through Oct. 18, 2026
Time: (Mon. – Fri.) 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Sat. – Sun.) 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
Fee: Free
This complimentary exhibition explores the profound philosophy, history, and seasonal wisdom of UNESCO-recognized traditional Japanese cuisine. Through hyper-realistic food models, multimedia installations, and historical replicas spanning 10,000 years, visitors can explore how Japan’s diverse geography shapes its world-renowned culinary identity. Developed in collaboration with Asahi Shimbun and the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, the installation marks the exhibition’s first presentation outside of Japan.
Visitors and food enthusiasts can continue their exploration beyond the gallery with a curated selection of articles inspired by “WASHOKU,” delving into the rich cultural heritage behind Japanese cuisine. Families can also bring the spirit of washoku home with downloadable and
printable nurie (Japanese coloring sheets), featuring beloved dishes such as tempura and ramen, as well as iconic fish and seasonal ingredients.
“The Global Rise of Sushi” | Talk & Dining with the “Tuna King”
Date: Sat., Sept. 19, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5
Fee: $100 (incl. taxes and etc.)
Presented by the JAPAN HOUSE LA Foundation, this special talk and dining experience explores the global rise of sushi and the evolution of Japanese food in the United States. The program features sushi icon Kiyoshi Kimura, founder of Sushizanmai and widely known as the “Tuna King,” who made headlines when he purchased a bluefin tuna for a record-setting auction price officially recognized by Guinness World Records. The program will include a conversation on the growth of Japanese cuisine in the U.S., followed by an intimate discussion with Kimura and a sushi dining experience catered by the acclaimed Sushizanmai LA restaurant.
“Music & Ma” | The Language between Piano and Sadō
Date: Sat., Sept. 26, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5
Fee: $25 (incl. taxes and etc.)
This multi-sensory afternoon explores the connection between music and mindfulness through a traditional tea ceremony led by Omotesenke tea practitioner Ms. Sachiko Okazoe, followed by a live performance and talk by acclaimed Japanese pianist Dr. Makiko Hirata. Dr. Hirata will explore the healing power of music and the transformative act of listening, inviting guests to consider the value of pause, presence, and connection in an age shaped by AI, speed, and efficiency. The program concludes with freshly prepared matcha and sweets, offering an opportunity for conversation and cultural exchange.
WAZA Shop – The Magic of Fermentation
In-Person & Online Shopping
Dates: Mon. – Sun.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Shop, Level 2
Price: Varies
As the “WASHOKU” exhibition reveals, some of Japanese cuisine’s most distinctive flavors come from the art of fermentation. To celebrate, WAZA Shop is showcasing artisanal products from four prefectures across Japan – Kagoshima, Niigata, Ishikawa, and Ehime. From Sakamoto Kurozu’s Artisan Amber Rice Vinegar, brewed using a 200-year-old traditional process, to Naogen Shoyu’s innovative crystallized “soy salt flakes,” crafted by an eighth-generation soy sauce maker, each product offers a unique expression of Japanese fermentation.
Admission to the gallery, the library, and the Mindfulness Lounge (on select Mon. – Tue.) at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is free. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Mon. – Fri.) and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Sat. – Sun.).
For more information, visit the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles website and social channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.
ABOUT JAPAN HOUSE
JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs – London, Los Angeles, and São Paulo – conceived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding of Japan in the international community. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is a place for new discoveries, offering experiences that showcase the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs. Occupying two floors at Ovation Hollywood, the second floor features an exhibition gallery and WAZA Shop while the fifth floor offers a variety of programs and events at the multi-purpose hall (Salon), restaurant space, and the library.
Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website: www.japanhousela.com
Media Contacts:
Lisa Nakanouchi | 323-904-9298 | [email protected]
Nerissa Silao | 310-874-9230 | [email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1ff90cc-0dce-4cc6-ad95-49a68cdc4f27
