JAPAN INFORMATION CENTER

2026/2/24

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Welcome to the Japan Information Center (JIC)!

The JIC is the Cultural and Educational Outreach office of the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, dedicated to promoting knowledge of Japan in the Consulate's 10-state jurisdiction.
 

Address: 737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000, Chicago IL 60611
Hours: Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 9:15am - 5:00pm
Telephone: (312) 280 - 0430
E-mail: jic@cg.mofa.go.jp

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Events calendar


The Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago serves the 10 Midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The Events Calendar shows Japan-related cultural events such as Japanese festivals, art exhibits, special events, etc. happening in the 10 states every month.
To view the events, click on the month name to expand.
 
MARCH
  • Hinamatsuri - Girl’s Day Celebration
  • Sunday, March 8
  • Japanese Culture Center, 2940 N Lincoln Avenue, #2, Chicago, IL 60657
  • $35 per person – Kids 4+ and Adults (includes all Japanese culture stations + ikebana, Japanese sweet and 1 reserved seat to observe a tea ceremony demo). Free Admission – Kids below 4 & Adults (Includes Japanese culture stations only) Since space is limited, we request that no more than 2 adults attend the event with free admission.
APRIL
MAY
  • Anime Central
  • Friday, May 15 - Sunday, May 17
  • Donald E. Stephens Convention Center & Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont IL 60018
  • Visit the event page for more info
JULY
  •  Japan Fest Chicago 2026
  • Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12
  • Skokie Sports Park East, 3333 Oakton St., Skokie IL 60076
  • Free Entry


japanese language

  Speech Contest
  • The Consulate holds two speech contests in the year - one for Japanese heritage speakers and one for Japanese language learners. Be sure to check out the Speech Contest page for information about the next upcoming contest (information released in late fall/early winter).
  Education and Cultural Studies Resources
  • A PDF listing some resources about Japanese language and culture studies.


exchange programs

jet   Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program

  • Every year, the Japanese government invites thousands of young college and university graduates from overseas to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program throughout Japan. Established in 1987, the program has earned a high reputation, both in Japan and overseas, for its efforts in human and cultural exchanges, and has become one of the largest cultural exchange programs in the world. Questions? Email us at jet@cg.mofa.go.jp.

  Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarships

  • Monbukagakusho (MEXT), the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology offers four different scholarships for non-Japanese nationals wishing to study in Japan. Only U.S. citizens living within the following states can apply for a MEXT Scholarship at this Consulate: IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI. U.S. citizens living in other states should apply through the consulate responsible for their state. 

  Youth Exchange Programs

  • A list of programs that specialize in youth cultural exchanges to Japan.


Inquiries and Resources

  Cultural Resources

  • The Japan Information Center provides cultural resources free of charge as available. We can answer basic questions, provide a selection of texts, posters, and periodicals at no charge, and loan cultural items to organizations and educators. For other inquiries not listed on the linked page, please send an email to the JIC information account: jic@cg.mofa.go.jp or call at (312) 280 - 0430.

  Cultural Presentations

  • The JIC provides members of its staff free of charge to deliver presentations about Japan and Japanese culture to schools and community groups during our regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:15 - 5:00 PM). Our staff can visit area schools or groups, or welcome visitors from anywhere in our ten-state jurisdiction. Please refer to our pamplet for more information on school visits. If you have any questions or would like to receive detailed information about our presentations, please contact the JIC office.

  • Click here to download our School and Community Visit Program pamphlet

  JIC Library

  • The JIC maintains a library of books, periodicals, films, and CDs to help you explore and discover Japan and Japanese culture. Anyone is welcome to browse the library, but only residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may borrow our materials. Please note that the library is intended as a source of general information on Japan and not as a research library.

  Nominal Support Submission

  • Any organization or body, etc. planning a project and seeking the nominal support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) should read the following and file an application by mail with the required application documents. The same applies where an application is filed with a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad, such as the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago. Please note that nominal support may not be granted depending on the content of the project. 

  e-Japan Journal (archive)

  • A monthly jurisdiction-focused e-newsletter once provided by JIC. For past newsletter interviews, please click here. 

  JIC Partner Organizations

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