Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute’s 2025 Matsuri Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Gardena Valley JCI, 1964 W. 162nd St.
The Matsuri Fundraiser has always been a festive time where member organizations and supporters gather to raise funds to support the GVJCI. One of the year’s highlights, it is 100% volunteer-run.
This year’s event, a celebration of GVJCI’s 70+ years in the community, will feature delicious food, fun games, raffle drawings, bingo, a beer garden, indoor and outdoor entertainment, a white elephant sale, a plant sale, craft sale, and martial arts demonstrations.
Here are some ways you can help support the GVJCI Matsuri:
- Pre-sale Matsuri coupons. Coupon books will be distributed through member organizations and will only be sold prior to the Matsuri. You can also visit the GVJCI office. Each book contains 10 $2 coupons.
- Make an optional additional donation. $50+ donations will be gifted a special 2025 GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser T-shirt. Visit the website to donate online.
- Mark your calendar and attend the event.
- Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Note: The Matsuri is cashless this year. Presale coupons (PSC), credit and debit cards, and scrip accepted. You can purchase food, plants and items with your credit card, debit card, scrip or PSC.
GVJCI is located at 1964 W. 162nd St. in Gardena. For more information, call (310) 324-6611, email info@jci-gardena.org, or visit jci-gardena.org.
Food and Game Booths: Community organizations and classes housed at GVJCI run all of the booths, including games such as bingo and the ever-popular Pitch ‘Til U Win, or cooking/selling tasty food like chicken teriyaki, hot dogs, chili dogs, Spam Musubi, GVJCI’s famous shaved ice and Okinawa andagi, and more.
Performances: Arrive early, get some food, grab a seat and be ready to be entertained by programs such as taiko, hula, Japanese traditional dance, singing, and line dancing. See what these performers learn throughout the year, and maybe you’ll be encouraged to join them at their weekly classes and perform next year.
Martial Arts Demonstrations: Ever wonder what these various martial arts disciplines entail? GVJCI’s martial arts classes will be featured: naginata (pole weapon with single blade), Gardena Judo Club, Gardena Kendo, and Kyudo Renmei (Japanese archery). This is the perfect time to catch a glimpse and see if one is for you and/or your family.
Outdoor Plant Sale: One of the most popular booths, supporting nurseries and community plant enthusiasts who donate beautiful plants from their businesses and backyards. Nursery experts volunteer their time at the booth to answer questions about growing and maintaining plants.
Holding Station: Are your hands full of food items, white elephant treasures, and crafts … and you want to purchase a drink? Well, worry no more. Take all of your belongings to the holding station, where volunteers will keep a watchful eye on your items. Now you can roam the Matsuri “hands-free,” then drive your car by the loading zone and pick up your goodies.
Bingo: Try your luck at bingo. Games begin at 4 p.m. with chances to win cash and prizes.
Beer Garden: From opening to closing, take a break and come to the Beer Garden. Grab a beer, relax, and catch up with friends.
The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center: Visit the Japanese Cultural Heritage Library and educational Tokonoma Display. Do you want to inquire about the Japanese Language School? Pay a visit and receive the information you need to enroll in the upcoming fall session. Learn about Community Emergency Response Team and visit the Tomo No Kai Art display. See the ikebana class’ display and purchase beautiful handmade crafts from Tomo No Kai and Com-munity Crafts.
Raffles: The bonus hourly raffle ticket adds value to each PSC. Return your completed raffle tickets to the GVJCI office before June 28 or by 12 p.m. on June 28 at the Matsuri’s raffle booth for your chance to win prizes. You can also purchase special tickets for the Mega Matsuri Raffle. Visit the website for the Mega Matsuri Raffle prizes. The drawing will be held on Saturday, near closing.