About the Japan-America Grassroots Summit
What is the Japan-America Grassroots Summit?
The Japan-America Grassroots Summit is an annual gathering of Japanese and American citizens, held
alternately in Japan and America. It celebrates the historic friendship between Nakahama Manjiro and Captain
William Whitfield. Manjiro was a 14-year-old fisherman when he was marooned off Japan’s coast. Whitfield
rescued the young Manjiro, brought him back with him to the United States and shared his own home with him
there. Years later, because of his rare command of English and unmatched experience in America, Manjiro
played a pivotal role in the newly forming relationship between Japan and the United States.
Every year since 1991, some 100 to 200 people have traveled across the Pacific to take
part in the annual Grassroots Summit. Japanese prefectures and American states alternate as host regions for
about one week, with locals sharing their homes and the unique features of their communities and guests
enjoying sight-seeing, cultural activities, receptions, and homestays with them. Together, guests and hosts
make meaningful memories in the spirit of genuine omotenashi -- hospitality and open-hearted friendship.
What makes the Grassroots Summit a one-of-a-kind experience?
| The homestays | No better way to learn about life in a foreign country |
| The hosts | Homestay hosts who share your particular interests |
| The communities | local culture, the local landscape, and especially, the local people |
| The volunteers | hundreds of locals working to make the experience special for their guests |
| The guests | people of all backgrounds, ages 3 to 93, some who speak the host-country language and some who’ve never tried, seasoned travelers and first-timers, all of them eager to explore, learn, and share |
What happens at a Grassroots Summit?
First, an Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception -- with local entertainment and local cuisine. This is the first chance for guests to meet people from their host region -- local volunteers, performers and artists, dignitaries. Optional local sight-seeing tours are available earlier in the day.
Next, the local sessions, the highlight of every Summit: four days and three nights with host families in homestay towns thoughtfully matched to guest interests and preferences. During these homestay days, local town leaders and host families work together to share the best that their communities have to offer. This person-to-person exchange and shared enthusiasm for local and cultural experiences is the essence of the Japan-America Grassroots Summit.
Finally, the Closing Ceremony and Farewell program -- where guests, host families, volunteers, and others who have connected with each other during the Summit gather together as a group once last time.
From Keyperson Hiroshi Nakagawa, Noto 2007
The most memorable moment was seeing my mother, who is 80 years old this
year, speaking to our guest, Barbara! Of course my mother cannot speak English at all. Barbara spoke
English, and my mother spoke in Japanese, and yet somehow they seemed to understand what the other
wanted to say. So, we can connect heart to heart even without words, after all.
From host Amy Jackman, Kentucky, 2008
It is amazing how ‘close’ you can become to strangers who don’t speak your
language! (Amy Jackman)
From host Masatada Kawasaki, Kochi
''He's here, he's here!'' I shouted as Brady Hanson, our homestay son,
arrived. All 8 members of my family felt so happy to be able to welcome him into our home and show
him Kochi prefecture.
From host, Jeannie Ichimura （Host family and Participat of Kochi Summit in
2011）
It was extremely enriching to open our home to our new friends from Japan…
Our home-stay guests were a mother and daughter from the Sendai area… a perfect match since we also
have two daughters. The girls became instant friends despite the language barrier, and we have
remained in contact throughout the year. They even came back for another visit with us this
summer!
From guest, Brady Hanson
A Life - changing experience … It was like stepping into my wildest and most
wonderful dream.
From guests, Gary and Jinnifer Walsh, Kochi, 2011
an experience of Japan that is both memorable and poignant.
From guest, Kelly Morikawa Miyagi 2009
I will definitely plan to come back to Japan. Especially now that we have
many friends there!
How can I participate in a Grassroots Summit?
Join us as a guest, a host, or a volunteer! The Local Sessions are the highlight of the Grassroots Summit. Guests learn about local culture and traditions. Hosts and volunteers rediscover their own home towns through the eyes of their guests. And hosts, guests, local volunteers, and staff share in the adventure together and develop lasting friendships and mutual understanding.
More than 50,000 people have participated in the Grassroots Summits over the course of almost three decades. Year after year, the Grassroots Summit’s three-part program gives hundreds of people from Japan and America the chance to enjoy all that is best from each other’s homes in ways that they say they never forget.
Local non-profit organizations
The Grassroots
Summit is a great opportunity for Japan-America Societies and other local Japan-related organizations in
America to showcase their own activities and to invite their communities to become engaged with
Japan-America relations on a grassroots level.
Host family
As a host, you’ll welcome guests
into your home for four nights and three days, and enjoy making new friends and learning to communicate
with or without knowing each other’s languages. During the day Thursday and Friday, guests join in
activities planned by local organizers. Saturday and half Sunday are free time: your guests might want
to go shopping for souvenirs, or you and they might enjoy cooking together or just relaxing over a glass
of wine or sake.
Guest
As a guest, you’ll dive deep into the
culture of Japan, visiting treasured historical sites, meeting area artisans, or just dropping by local
shops and sharing gardening, cooking, music, or just relaxation with your host families. In the process,
you’ll develop lasting friendships and contribute to the mutual understanding that is so important to
world peace.
Volunteer
As a volunteer, you’ll play a
crucial role in organizing and running the Summit, especially the Local Sessions and the Post-Summit
Optional Programs. Thousands of ordinary volunteers participate in every summit with a warmth,
dedication, and passion that ensure that all participants enjoy a uniquely rewarding Summit experience.
Where have the Grassroots Summits been held?
34 years!
54,900 participants!
and looking forward to the 32nd Grassroots Summit!
Past summits
2024 The 31st Summit in Wakayama
2023 The 30th Summit in Ohio
31st Summit in Obuse & forum in chichijima
2019 The 29th Summit in Hyogo
2018 The 28th Summit in State of Washington
2017 The 27th Summit in Nara
2016 The 26th Summit in Atlanta
2015 The 25th Summit in Oita
2014 The 24th Summit in San Diego
2013 The 23rd Summit in Shimane
2012 The 22nd Summit in North Texas
2011 The 21st Summit in Kochi
2010 The 20th Summit in San Francisco Bay Area
2009 The 19th Summit in Miyagi
2008 The 18th Summit in Kentucky
2007 The 17th Summit in Noto
2006 The 16th Summit in Colorado
2005 The 15th Summit in Tokai
2004 The 14th Summit in New England
2003 The 13th Summit in Chiba
2002 The 12th Summit in Texas
2001 The 11th Summit in Hiroshima
2000 The 10th Summit in Illinois, Indiana & Wisconsin
1999 The 9th Summit in Shizuoka
1998 The 8th Summit in Georgia
1997 The 7th Summit in Yamagata & Tokyo
1996 The 6th Summit in Colorado
1995 The 5th Summit in Kagoshima & Tokyo
1994 The 4th Summit in Virginia
1993 The 3rd Summit in Nagoya & Tokyo
1992 The 2nd Summit in Massachusetts, Montana & Wyoming
1991 The 1st Summit in Tokyo & Kyoto