Tonari Gumi Newsletter February 2026

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Table of Contents

Social Club: Late New Years Celebration

Notice Regarding Donations During Renovation

Outing Report: Tamio Wakayama Exhibition

Nikkei Place Oshōgatsu Event

March 9 ~ 27, 2026: Tonari Gumi CRA’s Community Volunteers Income Tax Program

Onigiri and Japanese Workshop

We’re Looking for Regular Volunteers!

⚠️ Important Travel Update: Construction on Broadway

Jan-Mar Tonari Gumi Birthday Invitation

📣Messages from the Community📣

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Newsletter Survey

Illustration by Tonari Gumi member Mr. Aso.

Social Club: Late New Years Celebration

Saturday, January 17^th was the start of the Year of the Horse as a full house of some 70 people met to enjoy good food, good company and to play nostalgic games at Tonari Gumi. The festivities started out with a number of TG’s strongest supporters, Kikko Tasaka, Henry and Yvonne Wakabayashi, Ken and Junko Shinozaki, Makiko Suzuki, Roberta Nasu and staff members gathering at the entrance with Tom Kusumoto to remember Tom’s mother, Yoneko Kusumoto, for whom Tonari Gumi’s new building is named.

Then as the crowds gathered and settled down inside, TG’s Chair, Makiko Suzuki, introduced the members of the Board of Directors and reminded everyone of the long-standing New Year’s traditions that link everyone of Japanese heritage together—such as making mochi and eating it as part of ‘ozoni’ soup to wish everyone long-life.

Thanks to chef Endo and the other Tonari Gumi volunteers, a sumptuous feast—both for the eyes and the palate—was placed on the tables. Preparing and sharing ‘osechi ryori’ is an important Japanese New Year’s ritual and everyone was thrilled to relive this experience at Tonari Gumi. Many of the participants recalled memories of how they celebrated New Years within the Japanese Canadian community -- visiting neighbours and sharing food and drinks to welcome in the new year.

Tonari Gumi had hoped to be able to make mochi the traditional way but decided it would be too complicated this year and instead showed a video of TG Staff joining with the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association in pounding the mochi. Maybe next year, everyone will be able to put their hand to it themselves – as long as they’re careful and are quick enough to get out of the way of the mallet. In any case, everyone enjoyed being able to tuck into the food without having to do all of the work.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed learning and playing traditional card games such as ‘gaji’ and some of the other games that were popular at this time of the year such as blackjack or craps – without the risk of betting real money.

A full slate of Social Club activities for the coming year were introduced and seniors were invited to register for a bus tour to Tashme in April and a one-night heritage visit to Lillooet in June. Anyone interested in joining the Tonari Gumi Social Club and participating in its activities is encouraged to contact Tonari Gumi for more information.

Notice Regarding Donations During Renovation

Dear TG Community,

Tonari Gumi will begin our renovation project in February, which is expected to continue until mid-June. During this period, we will not be able to accept any in-kind donations.

If you have kimonos you were planning to donate, we kindly ask that you hold onto them for now so we can receive them safely once renovations are complete. Also during this renovation period, we will not be accepting rummage and books.

We appreciate your understanding and patience, and we look forward to welcoming your generous donations again after our renovation is finished.

Thank you for your continued support of Tonari Gumi.

Outing Report: Tamio Wakayama Exhibition

On Thursday, January 22, Tonari Gumi members and volunteers enjoyed a special group outing to the Vancouver Art Gallery to see Tamio Wakayama’s photography exhibition.

This outing was especially meaningful because we were joined by Mayu Takasaki, Tamio Wakayama’s partner, and Tadafumi Tamura, a Japanese guide for this exhibition. Together, they kindly led a guided tour for our group. We are very grateful to Mayu and the Vancouver Art Gallery for arranging a special group-rate admission, which allowed everyone to participate at a discounted fee.

The guided tour was truly amazing. Mayu shared many behind-the-scenes stories and personal episodes about Tamio Wakayama and the background of his photographs. Thanks to her detailed explanations, participants were able to appreciate the works on a much deeper level. Everyone was very engaged and impressed by both the photographs and the stories behind them.

After the tour, we went to the food court together for lunch and enjoyed lively, endless conversations. Some participants also returned to the gallery after lunch to watch Cindy Mochizuki’s documentary film, Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama, making the outing even more fulfilling.

We sincerely thank Mayu Takasaki and Tadafumi Tamura for their generous time and wonderful guidance, and the Vancouver Art Gallery for their kind support. It was a memorable and enriching outing for everyone.

Nikkei Place Oshōgatsu Event

Reviving GAJI for the Next Generation

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, Tonari Gumi participated in the Oshōgatsu Japanese New Year Celebrations held at Nikkei Place. This event began last year and was held for the second time this year. Once again, many community members attended and enjoyed the traditions, culture, and games of the Japanese New Year.

Tonari Gumi hosted a GAJI game table, where visitors could experience this traditional card game. On the day of the event, 10 Tonari Gumi volunteers generously volunteered their time to carefully teach participants how to play GAJI.

GAJI: A Fading Japanese Canadian Game

The Tasaka family, who have lovingly preserved and played GAJI for many years, shared the following memories:

“These days, the Tasaka family may be the only ones still playing GAJI. However, it is also possible that other families, beyond the Tasakas, continue to enjoy the game quietly. In the past, people were completely absorbed in the game—we sometimes played for two days straight without sleeping. Later, aunties and uncles gathered weekly to play GAJI, and occasionally the games became so serious that arguments broke out. That’s how intense the game used to be.”

GAJI is believed to be a distinctly Japanese Canadian game that originated in Steveston and is different from traditional Japanese Hanafuda. During the wartime years, the game spread among people from Steveston who were interned in Greenwood.

At that time, not only Japanese Canadians but also non-Japanese (Hakujin) residents in Greenwood are said to have played GAJI together—an important and rarely known piece of history.

Sadly, many of the elders who knew the origins of GAJI firsthand are no longer with us, making it difficult to trace its exact beginnings. Nevertheless, GAJI remains a precious cultural tradition that was nurtured through daily life and human connections within the Japanese Canadian community.

Carrying GAJI into the Future

With the desire not to let this valuable game be forgotten, Tonari Gumi has been working to revive and pass on GAJI to future generations. With the generous support of GAJI veterans, including members of the Tasaka family, two GAJI tables were set up at the Oshōgatsu event. One table was led by Chuck, while the other was facilitated by experienced players who provided hands-on instruction.

Many visitors encountered GAJI for the first time and shared comments such as, “I didn’t know a game like this existed,” and “I’d love to play again.”

Tonari Gumi looks forward to continuing to enjoy GAJI together at upcoming social events. We believe that the simple act of laughing, talking, and playing together across generations is an important step in carrying community memories into the future.

Through GAJI, Tonari Gumi remains committed to cherishing and nurturing Japanese Canadian history and the bonds that connect our community.

March 9 ~ 27, 2026: Tonari Gumi CRA’s Community Volunteers Income Tax Program

This year, Tonari Gumi will once again participate in CRA’s Community Income Tax Program.

The goal of this volunteer-based program is to help eligible seniors file their income tax returns in confidence. Trained volunteers provide free filing support to individuals with modest income and simple tax situations.

The clinic helps to ensure that seniors with modest income will receive the benefits and credits to which they may be entitled, the GST/HST credit and other government benefits. Appointments are required, at which time staff will go through your tax-related paperwork with you. The tax return will usually be filed within 5-10 business days

For details, please visit the TG website:

tonarigumi.ca/services/outreach

Onigiri and Japanese Workshop

Planning a trip to Japan and want to learn some basic Japanese?

This small-group workshop introduces simple words and phrases for greetings, shopping, and dining out (restaurant situations), followed by a fun session of making popular ONIGIRI rice ball. Perfect for beginner and Japan lovers alike!

The workshop is designed for people who have little to no experience studying Japanese / visiting Japan.

Space is limited to 10 participants. The cost is $10 per person (pay at the door).

For details and registration, please visit the TG website:

tonarigumi.ca/events

We’re Looking for Regular Volunteers!

Tonari Gumi is looking for regular volunteers to support our programs and activities for seniors and community members. If you enjoy helping others, meeting new people and being part of a warm and welcoming team, we would love to hear from you!

🌱 Volunteer Opportunities

🍳 Monday Kitchen Volunteers

Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Help with meal preparation, light cleaning and kitchen support for our MOW program.

🍳 Tuesday Kitchen Volunteers

Time: 8:30 am – 11:00 am / 11:30 am

Assist with food preparation and kitchen tasks for MOW.

🎨 Tuesday Coq. Genki Program – Activity Assistant

Location: CoquitlamTime: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (first and third Tuesdays of the month)

Support staff with activities for seniors and help create a fun, engaging atmosphere.

🎶 Wednesday Genki Gumi at TG – Activity Assistant

Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

Help with set-up, group activities and clean-up.

📱 Thursday iPad Group Class – Assistant

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Assist seniors during iPad classes and help them feel comfortable using technology.

☕ Friday TG Café – Chatting Volunteers

Time: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm / 2:00 pm

Create a friendly atmosphere by chatting with our seniors and helping with lunch service, including set-up and clean-up.

🎂 Birthday Party Volunteers (Every 3 Months)

Prep: March 25 – Time TBD (cleaning teacups and plates)

Party Day: March 26, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (preparation, set-up, serving and clean-up)

We’re looking for volunteers to help make our birthday parties fun and special every 3 months! Join us and create a memorable celebration with our members!

💛 Who We’re Looking For

• Friendly, patient, and reliable individuals

• People who enjoy working with seniors and the community

• No special experience required (training and guidance provided)

📩 How to Apply

If you’re interested, please contact Rie, Volunteer Coordinator:

• Email: programs@tonarigumi.ca

• Tel: 604-687-2172 Ext 106 (please leave a message)

A brief interview will be conducted in person or via Zoom to assess potential volunteers.

⚠️ Important Travel Update: Construction on Broadway

Starting Monday, January 26, one block of East Broadway (between Main Street and Quebec Street) will be closed to vehicles for about four months for subway construction.

If you are taking the bus, driving a car or getting a ride to visit us, please keep the following in mind:

Bus Route Changes: Buses (like the 99 B-Line and #9) cannot use this block. They will be detoured to East 8th Avenue. Some bus stops may be moved a short distance, so please double-check your route and schedule before you leave.

Driving & Detours: If you are driving yourself or being dropped off by a volunteer, you will need to take a detour around the closed block. Expect extra traffic and congestion on the surrounding streets.

Allow Extra Time: Because of the detours, your trip will likely take longer than usual. We recommend leaving home 15 to 20 minutes earlier to ensure you arrive on time and without stress.

Sidewalks are Open: If you are walking, the sidewalks on Broadway will remain open, so you can still reach our building safely on foot.