The AAPI 5K is a road race to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

• Create a safe and welcoming space for AAPI Runners / Walkers

• Raise funds and awareness for AAPI nonprofit organizations

• Support AAPI Small Businesses

Costume Challenge
Run or Walk the 5K in a costume, bonus points for Anime characters.

Bib Pickup Information

• NO RACE DAY BIB PICK UP*. This will help create a more fun experience on race day.

• Please pick up your BIB on the days listed below:Sports Basement Presidio (610 Old Old Mason St, San Francisco)

  • Wednesday, May 6 from 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

  • Thursday, May 7 from 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

  • Friday, May 8 from 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

  • Friends or family members can pick up your BIB on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Event Schedule | May 9 | Saturday

• 7:45 AM - Start & Finish Area Opens

• 8:15 AM - Announcements

• 8:30 AM - Run Starts

• 8:45 AM - BAOS for all Runners

• 10:00 AM - Event Finish

CAAMFest will be returning to San Francisco Japantown for its 44th year, with five days of events, conversations, and films featuring bold and unexpected stories from Asian America. Details/Tickets. The Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center will proudly host the CAAMFest VIP Reception and will be closed to the public from Thurs,5/7- Sat, 5/9. The Visitor Center will reopen to the public on Sun, 5/10. 

Friday, May 8, 2026

9:30 am From the Margins to the Blueprint @ KOHO Creative Hub

5:00 pmRevival & Reconnection@ AMC Kabuki

5:30 pm Seasons of Becoming @ AMC Kabuki

5:30 pm Meals That Made Us @ AMC Kabuki

6:30 pm Spotlight Documentary: Before the Moon Falls @ New People Cinema

7:00 pm Centerpiece: The Gas Station Attendant @ AMC Kabuki

7:30 pm Shifts and Dreams @ AMC Kabuki

8:00 pm Centerpiece Narrative: Forge @ AMC Kabuki

9:00 pm Uncommitted @ New People Cinema

CAAMFest will be returning to San Francisco Japantown for its 44th year, with five days of events, conversations, and films featuring bold and unexpected stories from Asian America. Details/Tickets. The Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center will proudly host the CAAMFest VIP Reception and will be closed to the public from Thurs, 5/7- Sat, 5/9. The Visitor Center will reopen to the public on Sun, 5/10. 

Thursday, May 7, 2026

12:00 pm Bad Asians, Good Trouble @ KOHO Creative Hub

6:45 pm Opening Night: THE A LIST: 15 STORIES FROM ASIAN AND PACIFIC DIASPORAS @ AMC Kabuki

9:30 pm Opening Night Gala @ Asian Art Museum

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with the APA Heritage and AAPI Youth Change Maker Awards and a festive gala reception at San Francisco City Hall with spectacular cultural performances. This year’s theme, “Elevating Cultures,” highlights the importance of amplifying diverse AAPI voices and uplifting AAPI communities. RSVP

Get the kids together and come out to our annual Children's Day Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 11:00am-4:00pm!

Bring out the kids and friends to enjoy our annual festival offering many fun games and prizes, craft activities, bounce house, and cultural and live stage performances for the community to enjoy. Admission is free and open to the public, and children are encouraged to wear kimono, yukata or other Japanese clothing. 

Please note that the Children's Day Festival will be held at the Center on Sutter Street while the Japantown Peace Plaza undergoes renovation.

Enjoy a BBQ lunch and fishing with your family on Sat, 5/2 at the San Pablo Dam Reservoir. Details here. To RSVP, complete this RSVP form and waiver. Email these back to sfjacl@yahoo.com or send via USPS mail to SFJACL, 1765 Sutter St, SF, CA, 94115 no later than 4/18/26.

Join us to experience Japanese tea culture in a comfortable chair-seated set. Select from among 3 hour-long sessions.

Tea Ceremony Experience | Omote Senke Instructor Junko Shikata

Join beloved tea instructor Junko Shikata for a hands-on tea ceremony of the Omote Senke School, featuring the elegant Ryurai style. Enjoy two different traditional Japanese sweets while experiencing Japanese tea culture in a comfortable, chair-seated setting.

This interactive session offers a rare opportunity to learn the art of traditional tea preparation, proper etiquette, and the cultural meaning behind each movement. Guided step-by-step, you’ll gain insight into the harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility that define the tea ceremony.

Perfect for both beginners and those familiar with Japanese traditions, this experience invites you to slow down, connect, and appreciate the beauty of the moment. Don’t miss this chance to engage with an authentic cultural practice in a welcoming and accessible setting. Tickets are $32/person, include 2 type of matcha ceremonial teas, 2 Japanese sweets, fees. Sessions are 1-hour. Select from 3 timeslots.

Youth Mini Market is coming up! 🎉

Shop for youth-made art, explore different community organizations and creator booths, and join our stamp rally + raffle! 🛒🎟️✨

Everyone is invited and we hope to see you all! 💚💜💙

📍Koho Japantown, SF
🗓️April 26 | 11:30 AM-4:00PM

Join us at the NJAHS Peace Gallery in SF Japantown on 4/22 for Earth Day vibes with poems and performances celebrating nature!

4/22/26 Earth Day Poetry & Performance

Planting a Seed in Japantown

Come celebrate Earth Day with us in person at this important community event, free with RSVP. Enjoy light refreshments and an evening of performances by USC Poet-in-Residence Mason Granger, world renowned storyteller Brenda Wong Aoki, and music educator and guitarist Lior Ben-Hur, to celebrate nature and community. This event is organized in the spirit of the "Reconnecting the Western Addition" initiative to bring together the Black, Japanese, and Jewish communities connected to the Western Addition. Emceed by next generation leader Seba Chang, Japantown Cultural District Community Outreach Lead, with closing remarks by next generation leader Emma Grover, National Japanese American Historical Society Program Manager. Seating is limited, so RSVP today. Help us plant seeds for a greener future! 🪴

Hosted by the Japantown Cultural District in partnership with the National Japanese American Historical Society. Refreshments provided, in part, by KOHO Creative Hub.

Get ready for two unforgettable weekends in Japantown, San Francisco. Full of culture, performances, food, and community vibes as we celebrate our rich traditions. 💖

NCCBF Grand Parade

Sunday, April 20th - 1pm to 3pm

Grand Marshal: Atsuko Akatsuka

Community Marshals: Roy & PJ Hirabayashi and Steve Nakajo

Get ready for two unforgettable weekends in Japantown, San Francisco. Full of culture, performances, food, and community vibes as we celebrate our rich traditions. 💖

📅 Save the dates (2026):
🌸 April 11–12
🌸 April 18–19

Experience the beauty and tranquility of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony this spring on April 12th!

Reserve your seat at the Spring 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 April 12th, 2026 (SUN) at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm at the historical Kanso-An tea room in Hokka Nichibei Kai Building.

We will be serving traditional Japanese Green Tea and Sweets at 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.

SEATING REQUIREMENT:Guests wearing Jeans or Cosplay are welcome on bench seating. Seating on tatami mats is not available for these types of attire.

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

RSVP by April 11th, 2026. 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: $33 + fees (Credit card)

Nichibei Kai Member: $23 (w/Promo Code) + fees

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

Get ready for two unforgettable weekends in Japantown, San Francisco. Full of culture, performances, food, and community vibes as we celebrate our rich traditions. 💖

📅 Save the dates (2026):
🌸 April 11–12
🌸 April 18–19

Cherry Blossom Festival book signing and fun family activity on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 1-3 pm at NJAHS, Japantown, SF.

UNBREAKABLE: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp, is a powerful and poignant picture book that delves into the world of American incarceration camps during World War II through the eyes of Min Tonai. Co-authored by Minoru "Min” Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Chris Sasaki.

Join John Tonai, Min's son, and co-author Jolene Gutiérrez for FREE Cherry Blossom Festival book signing and fun family activity on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 1-3 pm at the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) San Francisco Japantown Gallery.

Get ready for two unforgettable weekends in Japantown, San Francisco. Full of culture, performances, food, and community vibes as we celebrate our rich traditions. 💖

📅 Save the dates (2026):
🌸 April 11–12
🌸 April 18–19

Organizations from San Francisco Japantown and the East Bay, in partnership with The Bay School, invite you to join us for a community gathering to reclaim the truth about the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans and the role of the San Francisco Presidio’s building 35.

At a moment when historical erasure is rampant in this country, the intent of this event is to acknowledge the harm that originated from the former Western Defense Command Headquarters where the military orders to incarcerate Japanese Americans was signed by Lt. General DeWitt. It will also serve as a critical statement in partnership with the Bay School about healing the past and creating new opportunities to amplify the Presidio’s key role in the Japanese American incarceration story. 

Co-Hosts: JCYC, Tsuru For Solidarity, JCCCNC, Nichibei Foundation, SF JACL, Nihonmachi St Fair, Japantown CBD, KOHO, Japantown Merchants Association, Buchanan Y, Japanese American Religious Federation, Kimochi, Japantown Task Force

Refreshments will be provided. Transportation from San Francisco Japantown available. Please indicate interest in transportation below.

Questions? Please email building35@jcyc.org. 

April 2: API Council Congressional Town Hall for CA-11 Candidates

Thank you for your interest in attending API Council’s Congressional Town Hall for California’s 11th Congressional District (CA-11) candidates on April 2 from 2:00–3:30pm at 750 Kearny Street (Third Floor). 

This forum will bring together candidates for a timely conversation on the issues impacting our communities and the clients we collectively serve.

Please complete the form linked below to confirm your attendance by March 4th at 5pm PST. 

You may also submit suggested questions for the candidates, related to healthcare (Medi-Cal/Medicaid), education, immigration, housing, and other critical services provided to your clients.

Cantonese interpretation will be available to support language access.

You're Invited to Karaoke Night!

Join us for an evening of singing, laughter, and delicious food! We will also have an exciting raffle and a chili oil tasting and a potluck with catered food options.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, March 28th 2026

• Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm

• Location: Konko Church Social Hall

Featuring a Japantown Exclusive Raffle - 3 Chances to Win!

Raffle Information:

Participate in our raffle for a chance to win exciting prizes! For each donation you make, you will get...

$5 per Ticket, $20 for 5 tickets

Don't Miss Out!

This is a great opportunity to enjoy good food, great company, and showcase your singing talent. We can't wait to see you there!

Spring Kaiseki Virtual Cooking Workshop – 2026

Our popular seasonal Kaiseki cooking workshops consist of an elegant multi-course meal in the Kaiseki tradition using a menu of fresh ingredients to reflect the flavors and colors of each season. Instructors Larry Sokyo Tiscornia and Kimika Soko Takechi will show you step by step how to make this specially curated menu for the Spring season. Recipes for the workshop will be provided in advance to all registrants and the workshop will be recorded and made available for registrants following the live session. Sign up for this virtual workshop and cook along with us as we prepare for a Spring Kaiseki!

This spring kaiseki workshop will include sakana no kobujime (raw white fish fillet marinated in kelp), aosudofu (green pea “tofu” made with kudzu starch), vegetable kinomeae (with prickly ash herb & miso sauce) and sansai gohan (mountain vegetable mixed rice). Easy to follow recipes and a video recording link will be provided to all registrants.

Spring Kaiseki Menu:

• sakana no kobujime (raw white fish fillet marinated in kelp)

• aosudofu (green pea “tofu” made with kudzu starch)

• vegetable kinomeae (with prickly ash herb & miso sauce)

• sansai gohan (mountain vegetable mixed rice)

Kimochi Udon to Go

$18.00

A favorite lunch since 1976, Kimochi Udon has satisfied many with ingredients of noodles, chicken, Kakiage (fried vegetables), Kamaboko (fish cake), shitake mushroom, and green onion. Hijiki (seaweed) and fruit accompany the udon.

Curbside Pickup
1840 Sutter Street #101 San Francisco, CA 94115
Available between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in 30-minute intervals.
Please be sure to select your pickup time when placing your order.
Order deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026

Join us to view a historic art exhibit featuring the works of women artists in JAM - the Japan Art and Media Workshop of the 1970s - 1980s plus an artists talk featuring artists Stephanie Lowe and Nancy Hom, moderated by educator and artist Katie Quan.

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All - Kinokuniya Worldwide POP-UP

Starting 2/19 (Thu) - 3/22 (Sun)

To celebrate the release of the The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All, Vol. 4 in Japanese, Kinokuniya stores worldwide will host a pop-up shop for the award-winning manga series by Sumiko Arai from 2/19 - 3/22.

The pop-up shop will offer a variety of merchandise featuring newly drawn illustrations of Mitsuki and Aya, as well as other beautiful art from the manga.

* Please note that this merchandise will be available in our physical stores only and will not be available online at this time.

Join the World Dance and World Music students from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and community artists for a vibrant celebration of culture and rhythm. Every beat helps fundraise for our cultural exchange trip to Bahia, Brazil!

Experience the Magic:

• Live Performances: High-energy Frevo, Samba Reggae, Locomotiva, and Capoeira with live drumming!

• Interactive Fun: Face decoration booth, dance classes, Brazilian foods and drinks and more!

Your support ensures every student can join this life-changing journey. See you on the dance floor! 🔥🎶

1 session, 6 hours with a 45 minute lunch break

Instructor Katie Furukawa Bonifacio of Old River Design Co. will guide you in creating a unique and cherished wholecloth baby quilt – perfect for a memorable but not too complicated gift! 

Learn to cut adorable applique letters and apply them to your chosen fabric using fusible web. We’ll finish the edges with curved bias binding, adding a special touch to this handmade treasure. Even with beginner quilting experience, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind quilt that showcases your creativity and love.

While the sample quilt shows a name, you can also choose to do a monogram or a simple graphic, such as a flower, anchor, or footprint.

There will be a lunch break from 1:00pm – 1:45pm. Lunch is not provided – please bring a brown bag lunch or plan to grab takeout nearby.

Please note that participants in future Tezukuri Handcraft sewing workshops will need to know the skills taught in our Introduction to Sewing series in order to participate. Space is limited. Please e-mail us at programsevents@jcccnc.org if you are unable to register and would like to placed on a waitlist.

Spring Music at the Malls

Join Homestead High School Choir as they sing songs from all over the world.

Haru no Ikebana | Spring Japanese Flower Arrangement Workshop 2026

Join us in person for a fun and relaxing Ikebana workshop celebrating the beauty of spring! Whether you're a newbie or have tried Japanese flower arranging before, this event is perfect to get hands-on and create stunning floral art. It's all about creativity, nature, and chill vibes. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with flowers and friends in a cozy setting. See you there and let’s make some spring magic together!

This workshop is instructd by Connie Chen & Leona Fung, both study Ikebana under Sensei Fusako Seiga Hoyrup of the Wafu School of Ikebana. They are instructors for the Wafu School at Fremont Unified School District Adult Education, and both hold a Gakukan degree in Ikebana.

Please check in 15 minutes before the session starts.

Session 1: 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Session 2: 2:15 pm - 3:30 pm

10 seats per session.