Arching Oaks Japanese Art and Cultural Center (Kashimon Nihon Bijutsu Kaikan) is the largest zoned Japanese cultural center in the United States. Founded in 2013 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019, we are located on a 20-acre property in the geographic center of Florida, at 37114 North Thrill Hill Road in Eustis.
Our mission is to facilitate and preserve traditional Japanese arts and culture. The grounds feature two traditional Japanese dojos—including the only Kyudo dojo in Florida—a formal tatami room for tea and incense ceremonies, a full-sized art studio, classroom spaces, and a Japanese meditation and water garden.
Throughout the year, we offer classes, workshops, and events designed to immerse guests in authentic Japanese culture. Whether training in the martial arts, exploring the way of tea, or simply strolling through the gardens, visitors find Arching Oaks a place to decompress, reconnect, and share in a truly transformative cultural experience.
Our Mission:
The mission of Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center is to raise awareness and promote the artistic and cultural traditions of Japan and to provide its diverse community opportunities for growth of body, mind and spirit through high-quality programming rooted in these traditions.
Staff
Mayumi Soeda- Japanese Outreach Coordinator
Mrs. Soeda is from Nagasaki, Japan and has a strong passion for Japanese language and literature. She has master’s degree in linguistics from Nagasaki University and a bachelor’s degree in Japanese literature from Kumamoto University. Soeda Sensei has been a licensed teacher for middle and high school Japanese literature for 32 years and specializes in teaching Japanese language at the university level. Furthermore, Mayumi-san also successfully passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test, demonstrating her expertise in this field. In addition to her teaching qualifications, she is a Japanese calligraphy instructor (Shodo) with a 5 Dan ranking in calligraphy with a Level 2 achievement in the Kanji Proficiency Exam. She is married and has 2 grown children.
Our mission is to facilitate and preserve traditional Japanese arts and culture. The grounds feature two traditional Japanese dojos—including the only Kyudo dojo in Florida—a formal tatami room for tea and incense ceremonies, a full-sized art studio, classroom spaces, and a Japanese meditation and water garden.
Throughout the year, we offer classes, workshops, and events designed to immerse guests in authentic Japanese culture. Whether training in the martial arts, exploring the way of tea, or simply strolling through the gardens, visitors find Arching Oaks a place to decompress, reconnect, and share in a truly transformative cultural experience.
Our Mission:
The mission of Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center is to raise awareness and promote the artistic and cultural traditions of Japan and to provide its diverse community opportunities for growth of body, mind and spirit through high-quality programming rooted in these traditions.
Staff
Mayumi Soeda- Japanese Outreach Coordinator
Mrs. Soeda is from Nagasaki, Japan and has a strong passion for Japanese language and literature. She has master’s degree in linguistics from Nagasaki University and a bachelor’s degree in Japanese literature from Kumamoto University. Soeda Sensei has been a licensed teacher for middle and high school Japanese literature for 32 years and specializes in teaching Japanese language at the university level. Furthermore, Mayumi-san also successfully passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test, demonstrating her expertise in this field. In addition to her teaching qualifications, she is a Japanese calligraphy instructor (Shodo) with a 5 Dan ranking in calligraphy with a Level 2 achievement in the Kanji Proficiency Exam. She is married and has 2 grown children.
Chelsey Velilla
Chelsey Velilla first discovered her passion for archery in middle school through a western archery program. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. For 12 years, Chelsey dedicated herself to teaching art at the elementary level with Newport News Public Schools in Virginia, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2012. Beyond the classroom, she has served as Gallery Manager and grant writer for the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, helping to expand community access to cultural programming. Today, Chelsey is the Director of Japanese Arts and Cultural Programs at the Arching Oaks Arts and Culture Center in Eustis, Florida, and is also a certified Forest Therapy (Shinrin Yoku) Guide. She continues her leadership in traditional arts as the Vice President of Kashimon Nihon Bijutsu Kaikan, where she works to preserve and promote Japanese cultural and artistic traditions.
Chelsey Velilla first discovered her passion for archery in middle school through a western archery program. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. For 12 years, Chelsey dedicated herself to teaching art at the elementary level with Newport News Public Schools in Virginia, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2012. Beyond the classroom, she has served as Gallery Manager and grant writer for the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, helping to expand community access to cultural programming. Today, Chelsey is the Director of Japanese Arts and Cultural Programs at the Arching Oaks Arts and Culture Center in Eustis, Florida, and is also a certified Forest Therapy (Shinrin Yoku) Guide. She continues her leadership in traditional arts as the Vice President of Kashimon Nihon Bijutsu Kaikan, where she works to preserve and promote Japanese cultural and artistic traditions.
Sabastian Velilla
Sabastian Velilla has studied Budo since 1984 and is a U.S. Army veteran. He completed post-graduate programs in Japanese Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo and Advanced Public Policy at Old Dominion University in Virginia. During his federal career, he administered International Military Education and Training for the Japanese Self Defense Forces under the Department of the Army’s Security Assistance Program. A lifelong martial artist, Sabastian has competed and placed in multiple Budo disciplines in both the United States and Japan. His contributions to Japanese culture and martial arts have been recognized internationally—he was nominated for the prestigious Japan Foundation Award in 2023 and 2025, and in 2024 received the Korosho Award from the Kokusai Budoin (IMAF Japan) for meritorious service to Budo. Dedicated to protecting, preserving, and expanding traditional Japanese martial arts (Budo) and fine arts (Bijutsu), Sabastian emphasizes the cultivation of discipline, character, and spiritual growth through training. He currently serves as President of both Kashimon Nihon Bijutsu Kaikan and the Florida Budokan.
Sabastian Velilla has studied Budo since 1984 and is a U.S. Army veteran. He completed post-graduate programs in Japanese Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo and Advanced Public Policy at Old Dominion University in Virginia. During his federal career, he administered International Military Education and Training for the Japanese Self Defense Forces under the Department of the Army’s Security Assistance Program. A lifelong martial artist, Sabastian has competed and placed in multiple Budo disciplines in both the United States and Japan. His contributions to Japanese culture and martial arts have been recognized internationally—he was nominated for the prestigious Japan Foundation Award in 2023 and 2025, and in 2024 received the Korosho Award from the Kokusai Budoin (IMAF Japan) for meritorious service to Budo. Dedicated to protecting, preserving, and expanding traditional Japanese martial arts (Budo) and fine arts (Bijutsu), Sabastian emphasizes the cultivation of discipline, character, and spiritual growth through training. He currently serves as President of both Kashimon Nihon Bijutsu Kaikan and the Florida Budokan.
