Tomoya Shimura

Irvine

Freelance Columnist at Jiji Press

Freelance Journalist at Irvine Standard

Journalist in English and Japanese. Author of Shohei Ohtani books. YouTube channel "Sho-Time Talk" host. 日本語 →@tomoyashimura

Articles

Neighbors connect and streets come alive at CicloIrvine

2 days ago | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Campus Drive transformed into a vibrant promenade of pedal power and community spirit during the second annual CicloIrvine, a family-friendly festival that drew thousands for an afternoon of live music, street activities and safe, car-free exploration. From salsa bands to youth ballet performances, two stages pulsed with music and dance, while attendees strolled, rolled and glided down the street – on bikes, scooters, skates and strollers – without a single car in sight.
Gobble up some nostalgia at Great Park

3 days ago | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

The Great Park Gallery is hosting “Journey Through the Maze: 45 Years of Pac-Man,” a new exhibition honoring the beloved arcade icon created by Bandai Namco, whose U.S. headquarters is here in Irvine. The free exhibition explores Pac-Man’s journey from a 1980s arcade hit to a global pop culture phenomenon. It features rare memorabilia, original arcade cabinets and work by more than 50 artists from around the world.
Rooted in nature: Irvine honors open space legacy

3 weeks ago | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Families, hikers and cyclists gathered under sunny skies at Quail Hill Trailhead on April 19 to celebrate Irvine’s expansive network of parks and open space – a cornerstone of the city’s master-planned design. The annual event, hosted by the city and Irvine Company, featured a free pancake breakfast, guided hike and a chance for residents to meet the Irvine Police Department’s Mounted Unit. Families stopped for photos with the horses, while kids munched on pancakes before heading off on the trail.
Surprising facts about Irvine Ranch Conservancy with CEO Michael O’Connell

3 weeks ago | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Michael O’Connell oversees all aspects of stewardship, public programs and business operations for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC). The Yale-educated CEO brings decades of experience to ensuring Irvine’s open spaces are well-maintained and available for public use. If you could select just one hike to take visitors on, which would it be? I would suggest Bommer Canyon. This area has healthy and globally endangered coastal sage scrub habitat and wildlife, and the trails are in excellent condition.
Arts Village at IVC transforms creativity on campus, with more projects on the way

3 weeks ago | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Since opening a year ago, Irvine Valley College’s Arts Village has improved how students learn and create in the arts. The $61 million complex includes three new buildings with dedicated spaces for music, dance, theater and visual arts. “As we celebrate Irvine Valley College’s 40-year legacy, the future has never looked brighter,” IVC President John Hernandez says.
Traditional Irish music comes to Barclay

Mar 6, 2025 | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Irish traditional music band Danú, which has thrilled Celtic music lovers around the globe for three decades, will perform March 20 at Irvine Barclay Theatre. We asked founding member Benny McCarthy about the upcoming concert. What makes performing in the U.S. special for you? There is a huge connection between Ireland and the American people, and we enjoy bringing our culture on tour there. Many people have Irish roots going back generations.
SoCal’s top bike system gets even safer

Jan 22, 2025 | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Irvine has made biking safer and more fun with the recent opening of a new Class IV Protected Bikeway – the first of its kind in the city. This special type of bike path keeps cyclists separated from cars with grade separation, flexible posts and other physical barriers, providing a safer space for riders. The 1.25-mile path runs along Cadence between Radial and Chinon. Cyclists of all ages can ride on it, and electric bikes of all classes are welcome, too.
Generosity on display

Nov 19, 2024 | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

The city of Irvine and the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee are inviting community members to join the annual Holiday Toy Drive, providing support and holiday cheer for families of Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion. Running through Dec. 14, the drive accepts new, unwrapped gifts for infants and children up to age 12. Drop-off boxes will be stationed at Irvine City Hall, the Irvine Police Department and the Great Park Visitors Center during business hours.
Art of the Eastern Sierra on display at UCI museum

Oct 2, 2024 | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Starting Oct. 5, the UCI Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art will present an exhibition showcasing the breathtaking beauty of California’s Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley desert landscapes through the vivid works of Charlotte B. Skinner. Running through Jan. 18, “End of the Range: Charlotte Skinner in the Eastern Sierra” features 40 paintings and drawings that capture the region’s charm, offering visitors a glimpse into the artist’s deep connection to the natural world.
Local builders craft miniature homes for Project Playhouse at Irvine Spectrum Center

Oct 2, 2024 | irvinestandard.com | Tomoya Shimura

Child-sized dream homes – including a surf shack, a Barbie-themed house, a dog house and a modern farmhouse – have transformed the Giant Wheel Lawn at Irvine Spectrum Center into a whimsical neighborhood. The custom-designed playhouses are part of the highly anticipated return of Project Playhouse, a beloved fundraiser that has been on hiatus since 2012. This year’s playhouses will be on display until Oct. 5, when they will be auctioned off at HomeAid’s 35th anniversary party.