![[EXAMPLE] 2026 Holiday Craft Fair flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2F2026-Holiday-Boutique-1-PeLEimSWtvLYyaDLvaCGqPz3GT8kJJ.png&w=3840&q=75)
![[EXAMPLE] Shichi-Go-San Kimono Day flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2Fdemo-flyers%2Fshichi-go-san-2026-GiCw7tTHumTTIWEKfjS9FopQlQdluf.png&w=3840&q=75)
![[EXAMPLE] Mochitsuki & Toshikoshi Soba flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2Fdemo-flyers%2Fmochitsuki-2026-XlyT8M6vYnx0pMQ0gcitgO7qGN0D1q.png&w=3840&q=75)
Norwalk Judo
柔道At the center
Serving Norwalk, Cerritos, Fullerton, La Mirada, Lakewood and all surrounding areas.
ようこそWelcome · Norwalk, California · Since 1925
Southeast Japanese Schooland Community Center
For 101 years, Saturdays here have meant Japanese school. Throughout the week, the center is also home to dance, martial arts, music, sports, and more — a community for everyone.
おしらせEveryone Is Invited
There's a Seat for You
Next Up![[EXAMPLE] Norwalk Judo Fall Tournament flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2Fdemo-flyers%2Fnorwalk-judo-fall-tournament-2026-OUsY4DJ2xxPrguPuiT9AXv6GI9xPXN.png&w=3840&q=75)
[EXAMPLE] Norwalk Judo Fall Tournament
Sat, October 10, 20268:00 AM – 3:00 PM
At the center
DetailsSign up
[EXAMPLE] Nikkei Seniors Monthly Luncheon
Tue, October 13, 202611:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Second Tuesday of the month
![[EXAMPLE] Nikkei Seniors Monthly Luncheon flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2Fdemo-flyers%2Fnikkei-seniors-luncheon-y3TB2S5HOGqn6nMvEp9hvN7x21YQEn.png&w=3840&q=75)
At the center
Details
[EXAMPLE] Gakuen Undokai (Field Day)
Sat, October 17, 20269:00 AM – 12:00 PM
![[EXAMPLE] Gakuen Undokai (Field Day) flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2Fdemo-flyers%2Fundokai-2026-SXWSXaIghNfgglEPRzB4aRI0MOFX57.png&w=3840&q=75)
Norwalk Park, 13000 Clarkdale Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650
Details
[EXAMPLE] Monthly Bingo Games
Sat, November 7, 20265:00 PM – 9:00 PM
First Saturday of the month
![[EXAMPLE] Monthly Bingo Games flyer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitjd9wtkthyvzjjn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fflyers%2Fdemo-flyers%2Fmonthly-bingo-fhb6m3vJ0xBiwwiPOz1mIJZno3BTnD.png&w=3840&q=75)
At the center
Details
Japanese School
Japanese at heart.Learning for life.
Saturday mornings, since 1925.
Language, reading, and calligraphy from kindergarten through Level 12, with adult classes online. No Japanese background required — students of every heritage learn side by side.
クラブ活動Sports, Clubs & Classes
One roof, many circles
Over a dozen groups call the center home — the dojo, the gym, and the craft tables. Most welcome beginners year-round.
Kendo
剣道Monday & Friday nights
At the center
Norwalk Kendo Dojo belongs to the Southern California Kendo Federation and the All United States Kendo Federation.
Ikebana
生け花2nd & 4th Fridays, 2:00–4:00 pm & 7:00–8:00 pm
At the center
The Japanese art of flower arranging, taught by Tanaka sensei.
Japanese Dance
日本舞踊Saturdays 1:00 pm
At the center
Classical Japanese dance classes for children. Contact: Shiho Tendou.
Ballroom Dancing
社交ダンスTuesdays — Beginners 7–8 pm, Intermediate 8–9 pm, Advanced 9–10 pm
At the center
Dancing is healthy exercise that will tone your body and can improve cardiovascular health. Relax and have fun!
Hawaiian Dance
フラWednesdays 10:00–11:30 am & 6:00–8:00 pm
At the center
Hawaiian Hula Class for all ages. For info, text 323-714-9552.
Taiko
太鼓At the center
Hikari Taiko is based at the Southeast Japanese Community Center in Norwalk and was founded in 1978 by Tak Murata.
Ukulele
ウクレレMonday mornings, 9:00 am–12:00 pm (Room 11/12)
At the center
Contact: Kamaki Keawe, (714) 928-7157.
Nikkei Seniors
シニア2nd Tuesdays of the month, 11:30 am–2:30 pm
At the center
Contact: Bob Yamada.
Koto Class
琴Saturdays 12:30 pm
At the center
Come and observe — first class free. Contact: Kozue Matsumoto.
Photo coming soon
Paused
Shuji or Shodo
書道At the center
The way of the brush, or Japanese brush calligraphy. Classes were held Saturdays; discontinued until further notice.
Our History私たちの歩み
101 years,
still growing.
From a small group of Japanese immigrant families in 1925 to a vibrant community today. We honor our heritage while building connections for the future.
Our MissionTo preserve and share our Japanese heritage and its traditions with the community through cultural, educational, and social activities.
1925
Reverend Tsunesuke Hayashi had been teaching Japanese at the Friends Japanese Church since 1923. In 1925 the community broke ground on a school of its own on the Nawa Ranch, beside the land the center stands on today, and he became its first principal.
1930
Parents and community members paid for a new school building, raised under Takuichi Nakatani on the site the center still occupies. Judo classes began in 1931, kendo in 1934.
1936
The Gakuen had become the heart of Japanese immigrant life in Norwalk — Saturday classes for the children, and the community's own gatherings the rest of the year. Enrollment reached 250 before the war.
1942
Every Japanese American family in Norwalk was incarcerated, and the school building was rented to an American church. Families returned to the area in 1946, and Norwalk Gakuen reopened on June 22, 1957 under Principal Shuyu Kurai.
1962
On April 11 the school was granted nonprofit status and took the name it carries today. The Youth Activities Group — now Norwalk Youth Sports — was established the same year, parents hosted the first Summer Festival in 1963, and a kendo class formed in 1964.
1977
Years of fundraising opened a new building with a gymnasium, kitchen and three classrooms. Bonsai, ballroom dance and tea ceremony classes followed, and Hikari Taiko formed in 1978.
1994
After four years of fundraising, an annex was dedicated in July with ten more classrooms, a multipurpose room and two bathrooms.
2025
The center celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 26, with 132 students enrolled at the Gakuen and four generations together in the hall.
Our Volunteers運営委員会
Board of Directors
SEJSCC is entirely volunteer-run. The board sets direction on behalf of the community it serves.
- Dean Wada
- Simon Yao
- Carrie Nakatani
- Tye Masaki
- Ernie Nishii
- Masa Lau
- Colleen Sonoda
- Miki Suzuki
- Karrie Takeuchi
- Rich Tamaki
They're only part of the picture — dozens of volunteers teach classes, coach teams, run the kitchen, and keep the center open every week.
To reach a board member, leave a message with the center.
Featured Videos紹介動画
See the center in motion
A look inside the center, its history, and its traditions.
Our Communityコミュニティ
All Generations. One Community.
Everyone is welcome at SEJSCC. We are a nonprofit organization and all of our activities are open to anyone, regardless of race or religion. Together we learn, celebrate, volunteer, and create memories that last a lifetime.