Join us for Kakizome/First Writing on January 11-12, 2025 at the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, Japan Center East Mall, 2nd Floor. Register for 45-minute workshops with members of the Goyo-kai Calligraphy Studio on Saturday, 1/11, 1:30 pm -4:30 pm and Calligraphy Instructor Yaoi Sengoku on Sunday 1/12, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

Shodo calligraphy materials with shikishi calligraphy boards will be provided. Suggested donation for materials is $20 per person. 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. On both days, the exhibit will feature name-writing. RSVP required below. Space is very limited!

BONUS: Guests will be served a special New Year's beverage amazake(non-alcoholic). The Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center opens 12N to 5pm.

Join us in welcoming 2025, the year of the snake, at our annual Oshogatsu Matsuri! Co-hosted with the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC), API Legal Outreach, and the Hamilton Senior Center, we are excited to present an afternoon filled with cultural arts, crafts, food, and fun! Come with family and friends to enjoy shikishi art, *screen printing, our children’s art contest, a mochitsuki (rice pounding) demonstration, food for sale, and much more! We are excited to ring in the new year with everyone and encourage all to join us for this free community celebration!

*Bring a plain, light-colored t-shirt and Japantown artists will silkscreen print a Year of the Snake design on it for free!

The Tradition of Hatsumode
Hatsumode is the first temple or shrine visit of the new year, a cherished Japanese tradition where people express gratitude for the past year and pray for health, peace, and prosperity in the year ahead. This practice offers a moment of reflection and renewal, making it a meaningful start to the new year for many.

New Year’s Blessings at Sokoji
At Sokoji, we warmly welcome you to join us for our special New Year’s Blessings and Hatsumode.

• January 1

  • 11:00 AM: New Year’s Prayer Ceremony for temple members

  • 12:00 PM: Open for the public.

  • 1:00 PM: New Year’s Prayer Ceremony for the general public

• January 2 and 3

  • The temple will be open to the public for Hatsumode from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

  • Prayer Ceremony will be held at 1:00 PM for general public.

• Omamori, prayer tablets, and omikuji: Various lucky charms and blessings for the new year will be available for purchase.

Start the new year with prayer and hope at Sokoji. We warmly invite you, your family, and your friends to join us for this meaningful occasion.
We look forward to your visit!

Celebrate with your museum community for an experience the San Francisco Chronicle calls “a great way to end a year and start a new year.”

ing in the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, this inspiring ceremony will include a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Visitors will have an opportunity to ring the bell to leave behind any unfortunate experiences, regrettable deeds, or ill luck from the year. The bell will be struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires (bonno) that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind.

Schedule

10 AM | Doors open
10:30 AM–12 PM | Member Bell-Ringing
1–2:30 PM | Public Bell-Ringing

Holiday Night Market w/Lyfe Jennings, Vendors, Kids Wonderland & More! FREE

The free, family attractions seem infinite, beginning with the magic and joy at Kids Wonderland as Gene Suttle Plaza is transformed into a real-life snow globe with faux-snow, games & train ride, arts & crafts, photos with Santa and so much more.

It’s Winter family fun for kids of all ages.

Welcome to the Holiday Night Market! Join us for a festive evening featuring live music from Lyfe Jennings, a variety of amazing vendors to shop from, and a Kids Wonderland for the little ones to enjoy. The event is FREE and will be held at Fillmore Street & O'Farrell Street. Don't miss out on this exciting holiday event!

The outcome of the 2024 Presidential election came as a surprise to many of us. What were the key factors that influenced the vote? What happened in the swing states? Hear from Washington insider Glen S. Fukushima on these questions and implications of the election outcome.

LOCATION: KOHO Co-Creative Hub, Japan Center EAST Mall, 2nd Floor.
PARKING: Japan Center Garage.

SUGGESTED DONATION: $20, $10 Members (cash or card), collected at door.

CO-SPONSORS: Japanese American Citizens League San Francisco Chapter, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, Japantown Task Force/Japantown Cultural District.

Biography of Glen S. Fukshima from the Securities Investor Protection Corporation website. Glen S. Fukushima is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he focuses on U.S.-Asia relations. Before joining CAP in 2012, he was based in Asia for 22 years as a senior executive with one European and four American multinational corporations, including AT&T and NCR, and he served on the corporate advisory boards of the Industrial Bank of Japan and Daiwa Securities and on the board of directors of Mizuho Financial Group and Fidelity International Funds. He was elected to one term as Vice President and two terms as President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

Prior to his business career, he served in Washington, D.C. at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as Director for Japanese Affairs and as Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan and China. During the Clinton Administration, he was appointed as Vice Chair of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission.

A native of California, Fukushima is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Global Council of the Asia Society, President’s Leadership Council of the Asia Foundation, Board of Councilors of the U.S.-Japan Council, Advisory Committee of Harvard University’s Asia Center, and Leadership Council of the Harvard Law School. He has served as a Visiting Professor at Kyoto University, Waseda University, and Sophia University in Japan. He earned his B.A. at Stanford University, M.A. at Harvard University, and J.D. at the Harvard Law School. He also studied at the Harvard Business School and was a Fulbright Fellow at the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo.

Presented by Japantown Community Benefit District, Inc.

Welcome the holidays by creating your very own SNOW GLOBE with the Jtown Queen of Crafts Judy Hamaguchi on Sunday, December 15. Suggested donation of $10 to cover materials, payable at the door. You are welcome to bring a meaningful item to include in your snow globe but it MUST BE WATERPROOF and SMALL.

Session 1: 12:30-1:30 pm

Session 2: 1:45-2:45 pm

Session 3: 3-4 pm
There are only 5 spaces per time slot. Each person must register separately. If you are registering for your child, you are welcome to use the same contact information (email, phone). Please only select ONE time slot. If you select more than one time slot, your entire reservation will be cancelled. Unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule your session if you miss your workshop time as we expect to have a sellout crowd.

Parking is available at the Japan Center Garage.

Questions? Contact Akiko Yamada Klenk, aklenk@japantowntaskforce.org

Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and let the beautiful singing voices of the ladies of the SF Forest Choir soothe you. They'll be singing seasonal songs and wishes for peace from around the world in several languages. 

The San Francisco Forest Choir was founded in 2003 and is under the guidance of Artistic Director, Ruriko Miura.

Silver Bells is one of Kimochi’s longest running, most popular fundraising events featuring a large array of artisan handcrafts and food items. We greatly appreciate the participation of creative vendors and the many Silver Bells shoppers who help support Kimochi seniors

Reserve your seat at the Winter Tea Ceremony! This traditional event is held annually to celebrate the transition of the beautiful seasons and to enjoy a peaceful moment with friends and family.

There will be 4 tea ceremony sessions on December 8th, 2024 (Sun) at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm at the historical Kanso-An tea room in Hokka Nichi Bei Kai Building.

We will be serving traditional Japanese Green Tea and Sweets, also only for this Winter Ceremony, Soba (buckwheat noodle) will be served after the ceremony. You will have the opportunity to experience the Tea Ceremony and learn about its Rich History and Cultural significance. Participants can choose to sit on the Tatami floor or bench seat.

Each session is about 45 minutes. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the event. We can not guarantee your attendance at the ceremony if you are late.

S OCKS REQUIRED. White color is preferred per the examples of traditional Tabi socks.

Please refrain from wearing jeans as they may damage the tatami mats.

RSVP by December 7th, 2024. If you have any questions or special requests, please do not hesitate to contact us at hokka.nichibeikai@yahoo.com

We look forward to sharing this special occasion with you!

Online Reservation: $35 + fees (Credit card)

Nichibei Kai Member: $25 (w/Promo Code) + fees

Walk-in: $40 non-members, $30 members (Cash only) *Based on availability, first-come, first-serve

* Price increased to offer upgraded desserts and Soba noodle at this event.

Join us for the 19th Annual RWF World Tree of Hope Celebration LIVE at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco — Monday, December 9, 2024 from 6:30-8 PM

Rainbow World Fund Invites You To Make A Wish and Join us for Celebration of Hope

Join us as we gather wishes and hopes for the future of our global community and give them wings.

Come experience yet another session in the intimate salon setting of Genryu Arts’ cultural space. Enjoy performances by Erika Oba and Scott Ishiro.

Celebrate the Holidays with us!

#communityisanartform

December 7 + 8 

Japan Center East Mall (above Daiso)

12:00 - 5:00 PM 

KOHO warmly invites you to celebrate the holidays at our Creative Hub—a space dedicated to nurturing belonging, unity, and community spirit.  To kick off the holiday season, KOHO is hosting its first Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace!

We’re proud to uplift and amplify the stories, creativity, and passion of our local cultural entrepreneurs. Explore unique, handcrafted treasures, meet talented makers, and find the perfect gifts for your loved ones.

Bring your friends and family to share in the joy! Cozy up, shop small, and connect with our vibrant community.

KOHO is committed to uplifting, supporting and amplifying the stories, creative work and passion of entrepreneurs in our cultural communities. 

✨ Bonus: The first 50 guests to RSVP will receive an exclusive KOHO button pack!

Join us for some Holiday Cheer and refreshments Saturday, December 7, 2024, 12-5PM at the NJAHS Peace Gallery.

Hosted by NJAHS.

A message from the Consulate General of Japan: The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco is now accepting entries for the 2024 Once in Japan Photo Contest for a chance to win the latest cameras and products from Canon U.S.A., Inc.

This year, the contest has a theme of People-to-People EXCHANGE & CONNECTION with Japan! Show use your recent favorite photos from sister city events, study abroad, festivals, and more, highlighting memories that connect you to Japan and its culture and people! You can submit up to three photos taken on a recent trip to Japan, or up to two Japan photos, and up to one Local Photo taken in your neighborhood, city, and community in Northern/Central California or Nevada expressing a connection with Japan and/or Japanese culture. See the winners of the 2023 contest here.

The deadline for this contest is Sunday, 12/1/2024. Details and 2024 application form are available here.　

On November 18, 2024 join KOHO, the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF), Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, and the Office of Community and Infrastructure for an evening of sharing about how Urban Renewal effected the Japantown and Western Addition areas. Hear stories from our community, the work lead by NCLF and the investigators looking for the families who were displaced, and the City agencies with an update of the Certificate of Preference Program as it lives today.

11/18/24
6-8pm
KOHO Creative Hub, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd floor (above Daiso)
6:00p Light dinner for those who rsvp
6:30-8:00p Program

We are excited to announce our last Community Kitchen of the Year! Join us in celebrating our ongoing communal dinner program on Sunday, November 17, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Community Kitchen is organized by volunteers to bring members of our community together to learn how to cook Japanese and Japanese American family recipes and to share a multi-generational communal dinner. Adapting our Bachan's Kitchen program started in 2016, our Community Kitchen is open to all who want to enjoy and share Japanese home-style cooking while connecting with the community.

Each dinner consists of a menu determined in advance by the Community Kitchen volunteer committee, who then instruct and assist attendees in preparing the dishes on the menu. Participants of all ages and backgrounds are welcome! Just be prepared to help in the preparation, cooking, and cleanup, but most of all, to have a great time!

• November Community Kitchen menu: Winter Comfort Foods!

  • Beef Sukiyaki

  • Korokke

  • Corn Korokke

  • Sunomono Cucumber Salad

  • Spinach Ohitashi

  • Yaki Imo Sweet Potato

  • Fruit Sando Dessert

Register by Friday, November 15, 2024

From Friends of the San Francisco Public Library: Listen to the distinct sound of the shamisen, a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument, played by shamisen masters from the Fujimoto Shamisen School in Tokyo who have honed their skills for nearly 30 years. Free performance at 2-2:30 pm, Sat, 11/16, Western Addition Public Library, 1550 Scott Street.　

Join members of the Japantown-based We Are One at the SF Unity Fest this Sat, 11/16, 10 am-3 pm. RSVP for this free event here.　

Join the “Celebrate Our Communities” AAPI Empower Hour Networking Event @ Paina Restaurant in Japantown on Thursday, 11/14, 5:30-7:30 pm.