The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) concluded a dynamic December with three signature events that drew record-breaking attendance and fostered cultural exchange, community bonding, and international friendship. The events included Anime Frontier, the inaugural Pickleball Social & Bonenkai Year-End Celebration, and a special welcome and reunion tied to the BMW Dallas Marathon.
Anime Frontier, held December 12–14 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, attracted approximately 50,000 attendees over the weekend. JASDFW utilized a complimentary booth to engage thousands with information about the organization, Japanese language classes, and upcoming cultural programs such as the popular Mochitsuki New Year celebration. A dot-survey revealed that culture, language, and food were the top interests among visitors. Highlights included a display of a 200-year-old Ukiyo-e woodblock print book and a hands-on printmaking activity inspired by traditional techniques. "Anime Frontier gave us an incredible opportunity to meet people where their passion already lives and invite them to explore deeper cultural experiences," said Grant Ogata, President of JASDFW.
On December 12, JASDFW members and friends gathered at RYSE Energy StarCenter Multisport for the organization's first-ever Pickleball Social & Bonenkai (year-end celebration). The event blended fun, food, and friendship, featuring Japanese izakaya-style dishes from Yama Izakaya & Sushi, along with sake, beer, and wine. Guests enjoyed friendly pickleball play while celebrating the close of 2025 and the relationships formed throughout the year.
JASDFW also supported international exchange through athletics by welcoming two elite runners from Sendai, Japan—Shiho Endo and Satoshi Tanaka—invited by the BMW Dallas Marathon with support from JASDFW and the City of Dallas, an International Friendship City of Sendai. The runners participated in JASDFW's Bonenkai and were honored at a post-race reunion luncheon. Despite freezing temperatures, Shiho Endo placed 4th overall among female marathon runners and 2nd in her age division, a remarkable achievement celebrated by the JASDFW community.
The December weekend highlighted the breadth of JASDFW's impact and the community's growing interest in Japanese culture, language, and friendship. JASDFW extends thanks to its volunteers, partners, and participants and looks forward to welcoming new faces to upcoming programs in 2026. For more information, visit https://www.jasdfw.org/.
