Community Events
Japantown Merchants Association's Customer Appreciation Month
Japantown Merchants Association's Customer Appreciation Month. Enter for a chance to win the $5,000 Grand Prize! Shop or dine at participating Japantown Merchants Association member businesses (including Kissako Tea) during the promotion period and receive one raffle ticket for every $100 spent. Multiple receipts from the same day may be combined to reach the $100 threshold. Redeem your receipts for raffle tickets at the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, Japan Center EAST Mall, 2F, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 12N-5 pm. Raffle winners will be selected by the Japantown Merchants Association on Friday, 7/10.
JCCCNC Chabana Virtual Flower Arrangement Workshop – June 2026
Date: June 20, 2026
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Instructor: Larry Sokyo Tiscornia and Kimika Soko Takechi
Location: Online via Zoom, Meeting info will be sent upon registration
$25 Center Members, $30 General Public
Join us this summer as instructors Larry Sokyo Tiscornia and Kimika Soko Takechi teach us the history and techniques behind Chabana, a style of ikebana famous for being used in Chanoyu.
Chabana, the simple but elegant style of flower arranging for Chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony). This traditional Japanese art form has deep roots in the more formalized Ikebana style of flower arranging which is firmly seated in both Shintoism and Buddhism. Cha literally means tea and bana is taken from the word hana or flower. Various styles of vases and baskets will be discussed and there will be instruction on how to create simple and beautiful seasonal arrangements.
Sencha Green Tea 101 Tea Workshop for Everyday Drinking @ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center
While matcha ceremonial green tea is well known, sencha green tea is Japan's most popular daily tea. Join us a casual green tea workshop!
Sencha is Japan's most popular daily green tea, offering a balanced, refreshing flavor profile distinct from matcha. A casual, hands-on workshop is available for beginners and enthusiasts to master brewing techniques, including water temperature and steeping time. Participants will engage in a guided tasting of different Sencha types, transforming their daily tea routine. Reserve a spot to learn the art of this versatile tea.
JCYC Open House
Save the date for the JCYC Open House on Thursday, June 25 from 5-8 PM. This special one-night event offers a rare opportunity to step inside our Pine Street office as we open our doors to the public for an evening celebrating the impact, history, and future of JCYC. Guests will have the chance to learn about programs, connect with other community members, and be among the first to experience the unveiling of our new mural, a powerful visual story tracing our organization’s journey from its founding to the present day.
Light refreshments and drinks will be served. More information about how to RSVP will be released soon. We look forward to seeing you there!
Kimochi Saimin to Go Fundraiser @ Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Kimochi Saimin to Go: Friday, June 26
$18.00
This comforting noodle dish brings together Japanese and local Hawaiian flavors with noodles, char siu (pork), kamaboko (fish cake), shredded scrambled egg, and green onion. Wakame salad and fruit kanten accompany the saimin.
Curbside Pickup
1840 Sutter Street #101 San Francisco, CA 94115
Available between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm in 30-minute intervals.
Please be sure to select your pickup time when placing your order.
One DAY of Refinement / 雅の一日 @ Nichi Bei Kai Cultural Center
One day. Three classical Japanese arts taught by senior teachers invited from Japan. Charitable opportunity to support Japanese culture.
（日本語テキストは英語のあとに続きます。）
Experience three of Japan's most revered traditional arts in a single day: Kōdō (the Way of Incense), live Koto performance, and Tea Ceremony. Hosted at Kanso-an, the intimate cultural salon of Hokka Nichi Bei Kai in San Francisco.
Wonderful charitable opportunity to support Japanese traditional arts. Proceeds of this event will support preservation of Japanese culture, including maintenance of Kanso-an, one of the most authentic Tea Houses in California.
◆ Program
I｜Kōdō — The Way of Incense
Gyōyū Yashima, Licensed Senior Instructor of Oie-ryū Kōdō
Precious aromatic woods from Southeast Asia are gently warmed over charcoal, and participants quietly "listen" to the rising fragrance — a meditative practice refined over centuries. Guests will experience "kumikō," a traditional incense-matching game.
II｜Live Koto & Kaiseki Bento Lunch
Kō Ishikawa, Grand Senior Instructor, Ikuta Chikushikai
Enjoy a specially crafted Japanese Kaiseki bento lunch by a local acclaimed chef from Sora, accompanied by a live koto performance.
III｜Tea Ceremony Lecture & Thick-Thin Tea Sessions
Teruko Hatakeyama, Certified Teacher, Omotesenke-ryū
Observe the preparation of both "koicha" (thick tea) and "usucha" (thin tea), savor matcha, and learn the history of the Way of Tea — tracing its connections to Zen, political power, and Japan's unique aesthetic of harmony.
◆ Admission
Tatami seat $250 per person (10 seats available)
Bench seat $220 per person
*Hokka Nichi Bei Kai members enjoy 10% discount — please contact us before purchasing.
*Tatami seating places you inside the tatami room (Rinwa-ken), where you'll have an unobstructed, up-close view of the teachers at work — the most immersive experience of the day. Note that this is floor seating with no chairs, so please choose accordingly. Bench seating is located just outside the tatami room with a bench seating, and you'll have the opportunity to step inside during the Kōdō demonstration. All guests must bring white socks or white tabi (split-toe socks).
◆ Included
Kōdō incense experience
Japanese Kaiseki lunch
Matcha & wagashi (Japanese sweets)
A take home gift
◆ Schedule
Doors Open at 10:00AM
Event Begins at 10:30AM
*Please contact us if you will be late to join or leave early.
◆ Capacity Limited to 35 guests — advance reservation required
Questions? Contact us at
nichibeikaievents@gmail.com
Presented by Hokka Nichi Bei Kai (Japanese American Association of Northern California) www.nichibeikai.org
A MOMENT of Refinement / 雅の時間 @ Nichi Bei Kai Cultural Center
Your introduction to Kōdō & Tea Ceremony — taught by senior teachers invited from Japan. Charitable opportunity to support Japanese culture.
（日本語テキストは英語のあとに続きます。）
In one elegant afternoon or morning, experience Kōdō (the Way of Incense) and a Tea lecture and Tea ceremony — two of Japan's most treasured classical arts. Both AM and PM sessions share the same program.
Wonderful charitable opportunity to support Japanese traditional arts. Proceeds of this event will support preservation of Japanese culture, including maintenance of Kanso-an, one of the most authentic Tea Houses in California.
◆ Program
I｜Kōdō — The Way of Incense Lecture
Gyōyū Yashima, Licensed Senior Instructor of Oie-ryū Kōdō
Quietly appreciate the fragrance of rare aromatic woods in the traditional art of "monkō" — listening to incense.
II｜Tea Ceremony Lecture & Tea Ceremony, Omotesenke
Teruko Hatakeyama, Certified Teacher, Omotesenke-ryū
Observe the preparation of "usucha" (thin tea), savor Matcha and Wagashi (Japanese sweets), and learn the history of the Way of Tea — tracing Japan's unique aesthetic of harmony.
◆ Sessions
🕥 AM Session: Begins at 10:30 AM
🕥 PM Session: Begins at 1:30 PM
*You may not be able to join the session if you are late more than 15 minutes.
◆ Ticket
Tatami seat $75 (Tatami seating during tea ceremony)
Bench seat $65
*Nichi Bei Kai members enjoy 10% off
◆ Included
Kōdō & Tea Ceremony lectures, Matcha and Wagashi (Japanese sweets)
◆ Capacity Limited to 35 guests per session — advance reservation required
San Francisco Giants Hello Kitty Night vs. Chicago Cubs @ Oracle Park
San Francisco Giants Hello Kitty Night vs. Chicago Cubs @ Oracle Park
Join the Center at select Giants Special Event Games. Sit with other members and enjoy the game, discounted ticket prices and no added ticket fees.
All Special Event ticket holders will be eligible to receive the exclusive special event giveaway items. Ticket availability is limited and on a first-come basis.
Game Details:
All games will be played at Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco.
Please view the ticket and marketing materials for the exact date, time and giveaway items.
*The first 25,000 fans will receive a Hello Kitty Plush Key Chain Blind Box at the gate - NO GUARANTEE.
Queer Japantown Exhibit Opening Reception @ National Japanese American Historical Society
Join us the opening reception of Queer Japantown on Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2 PM- 4 PM.
Did you know that the Mattachine Society, one of the earliest gay rights organizations, had their first of many annual conventions right in Japantown? Or, that Chinatown was once known as being a nightlife entertainment capitol that had drag performers in 1942? The history of LGBTQ+ people is all around us. It is not isolated to a single neighborhood, a specific building, or a special district. It is everywhere where people who identify within the spectrum exist, you just have to know where to look.
Queer Japantown highlights some of the lesser-known items in history that happened in places you might not think. Specifically, these materials focus on things that happened in or have a connection to Japantown, and Asian American drag. This exhibit follows a few events like the Cherry Blossom Festival parade and the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, organizations like the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) and Older Asian Sisters in Solidarity (OASIS), and people like Li-Kar of Finocchio’s and George Choy.
Soy & Tofu Festival @ St. Mary’s Event Center
The Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival, with an aim to educate the public on the benefits of soy and tofu, is our signature fundraiser. The festival showcases soy and tofu vendors, cooking demonstrations, cooking workshops, Asian American entertainment, family-fun activities, and a Youth Art Contest! It also serves as a vehicle for community-building and leadership development.
“Diamond Diplomacy” Baseball Screening and Special Director’s Talk @ San Francisco Public Library
Join us at the San Francisco Main Library for a screening of Diamond Diplomacy, directed by Yuriko Gamo Romer. This engaging documentary explores how baseball became a beloved sport in Japan despite complex political tensions with the United States.
Diamond Diplomacy explores 150+ years of shared history between the United States and Japan through our shared love of baseball. Anchored by the stories of two former players—Japan’s Masanori “Mashi” Murakami and the USA’s Warren Cromartie—the film traces the evolution of a complex international relationship, touching on racism, diplomacy, and the unifying power of sports.
The screening will be followed by a special talk with director Yuriko Gamo Romer and executive producer Glen S. Fukushima.
Date & Time:
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 PM
Venue:
Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Public Library | 100 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102
Parking:
We highly recommend you take public transit to the event (Civic Center Station Muni/BART). If you must drive, please follow the SFPL’s recommendations for nearby parking.
Agenda:
5:00 PM Opening Remarks | Marc Smolowitz, Producer of “Diamond Diplomacy”
5:05 PM Film Begins
6:35 PM Director and Executive Producer Talk | Yuriko Gamo Romer, Director of “Diamond Diplomacy”; Glen S. Fukushima, Executive Producer of “Diamond Diplomacy”; and moderator Steve Pollock, President of Japan Society of Northern California
6:55 PM Audience Q&A
7:05 PM Closing Remarks | Steve Pollock, President of Japan Society of Northern California
Japanese Language Lounge Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center @
Join the Japanese Language Lounge! This is a relaxed, in-person meetup where participants of all levels can practice Japanese conversation and connect with others in a friendly, low-pressure environment. The program runs twice monthly on Sundays through 9/27, with two one-hour sessions offered at 12N and 2 pm, $10 per session. Join us at the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, Japan Center EAST Mall, 2F.
5th Annual Japantown Pride Flag Raising Ceremony
5th Annual Japantown Pride Flag Raising, 2-3 pm ceremony @ Osaka Way; 3:15-3:45 pm flag-raising @ Konko Church; 4-6:30 pm reception @ The Center. Please join for performances at Osaka Way, followed by a procession to Konko Church, 1909 Bush, and of course a flag raising! Afterwards, join Okaeri NorCal and The Center, 1840 Sutter, for an inaugural potluck to celebrate Pride Month!
Summer Wagashi Sweets Virtual Workshop @ ZOOM
Join us for our next virtual Zoom Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) Workshop! Our instructors Larry Sokyo Tiscornia and Kimika Soko Takechi will show you step by step how to make these unique, delectable and beautiful handmade treats over Zoom. Recipes for the workshop will be provided in advance to all registrants. The workshop will be recorded and made available for registrants following the live session. Sign up for this virtual workshop and give making your own wagashi a try!
This summer wagashi workshop will include sasamaki and hasunekan. Sasamaki are steamed bamboo leaf wrapped sweets with a black sugar and kuzu (kudzu) starch filling. They are often served chilled during the summer months bringing a refreshing feeling to the guests. Hasunekan (lotus root yokan), favored by the 14th generation Urasenke grand tea master Tantansai, is a yokan style sweet made with grated fresh lotus root, sugar and kanten (agar agar). Easy to follow recipes and a video recording link will be provided to all registrants.
Summer Wagashi Treats Workshop Menu:
sasamaki
hasunekan
Evening Of Voices And Dining @ Sasa Japanese Restaurant
A private dining experience with the voice behind Scaramouche/Wanderer - Patrick Pedraza. Only 6 seats available.
Genshin Impact Voice Actor Signing Event @ Japan Center East Malls
Genshin Impact Voice Actor Signing Event featuring Patrick Pedraza, Emi Lo, Deneen Melody, and Mick Wingert!
OK Marketplace OK in May @ NEW PEOPLE Building
it’s been a long time coming, but we are so excited to be celebrating our 4th birthday with @newpeoplesf !!!! we are taking over the mezzanine with all of your fav classic OK hits: vintage + clothing, music, retro video games, arcade, and so much more!
our soft launch will be this May 1 - 3 with our grand opening the weekend after! so if you’re in town, come say hi, see our small business vendors, and check out the new space ♡
OK in May
✩ Soft Opening: May 1st - 3rd
✩ Grand Opening: May 8th - 11th
✩ May 15th - 17th
✩ May 22nd - 24th
✩ May 29th - 31st
✩ New People 📍1746 Post Street
✩ 12:00 - 5:00 pm
can’t wait 2 c u ⋆✴︎˚。⋆
luv u ♡⋆⁺₊
Memorial Day Service Program @ Japanese Cemetery
Memorial Day Service Program
Our annual Memorial Service at Colma Cemetery this year will be held May 25, 2026 at 11am.
Generations of Expression: Japanese American Youth Shaping Culture @ KOHO Co-Creative Hub
Join us as we close out AAPI Month and usher in Pride Month with an afternoon of fashion, drag, and cultural expression at KOHO Co-Creative Hub. Organized by the National Japanese American Historical Society, this celebratory event takes place on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 12:30 PM and marks the opening day of a new exhibition at NJAHS’s Peace Gallery, Queer Japantown. This event will celebrate both the history and contemporary expressions of Japanese American youth self-expression—from repurposing Japanese textiles into new fashion forms to exploring Japanese American identity through drag.
Featuring a drag performance by Kristi Yummykochi, Kristi Yummykochi is a San Francisco Politi-Kween for the people, and member of the first A&PI drag collective in the US, the Rice Rockettes. She has been featured in publications from Vice News, NBC Asian American, and NewNowNext. In her spare time, she enjoys eating the rich and encouraging critical social dialog using her whip.
The event also includes a fashion show by Yutaka Ezekiel Goto, whose work reimagines Japanese American identity through sustainable design practices. Yutaka sources secondhand materials throughout the Bay Area alongside secondhand deadstock kimono textiles (tannmono 反物) from Japan to create garments that express a new form of Japanese American identity. Their work has been presented through their fashion brand Yutan_Ño, at San Francisco State University, pop-up venues, and other runway opportunities across San Francisco.
Together, this fashion show and drag performance offer a powerful celebration of creativity, identity, and self-expression—honoring how Japanese American youth, past and present, continue to shape culture, challenge norms, and imagine new possibilities.
This event is funded in-part by Grants for the Arts, and organized by the National Japanese American Historical Society, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, authentic interpretation, and sharing of historical information of the Japanese American experience. Marketing partners for this event include Japantown Cultural District (JCD) and 82ALLNIGHT.
Japanese Heritage Night - Giants vs Chicago White Socks
Japanese Heritage Night - Friday, May 22nd at 7:15 PM vs. Chicago White Socks
All tickets purchased through the link will receive a Japanese Heritage Night Baseball T-Shirt designed by Sumo Fish!
OK Marketplace OK in May @ NEW PEOPLE Building
it’s been a long time coming, but we are so excited to be celebrating our 4th birthday with @newpeoplesf !!!! we are taking over the mezzanine with all of your fav classic OK hits: vintage + clothing, music, retro video games, arcade, and so much more!
our soft launch will be this May 1 - 3 with our grand opening the weekend after! so if you’re in town, come say hi, see our small business vendors, and check out the new space ♡
OK in May
✩ Soft Opening: May 1st - 3rd
✩ Grand Opening: May 8th - 11th
✩ May 15th - 17th
✩ May 22nd - 24th
✩ May 29th - 31st
✩ New People 📍1746 Post Street
✩ 12:00 - 5:00 pm
can’t wait 2 c u ⋆✴︎˚。⋆
luv u ♡⋆⁺₊
Japanese Cemetery Clean Up
The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (the Center) is organizing its annual youth and family community Clean Up Day at the historical Japanese Cemetery in Colma. Join us and over 200 volunteers from the community at this year's annual clean up!
Often times we find ourselves too busy in our daily lives to honor our past and remember those who have passed on. The Japanese Cemetery in Colma is a unique cultural treasure that deserves our attention, our respect, OUR TIME. the place represents our history and our loved ones. For many of us, it’s the place where our grandparents, great grandparents, parents, family and friends are laid to rest.
During our lunch break, we will have a brief overview of the history of the cemetery. Please join us in helping us pay our respects and maintaining this historical jewel of our community.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Japanese Cemetery, 1300 Hillside Blvd., Colma, CA 94014
Fees: Free and open to the public - Please RSVP as light lunch will be served. (in order for us to group organization members together, please include your organizational affiliation under "preferences")
Intro to Washi Ningyo Paper Doll Workshop @ Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Discover the art of washi ningyo paper doll making with instructors Yuri Nakamura and Rochelle Lum! Learn to craft a beautiful ukibune doll using traditional techniques and simple materials—no experience needed. Join us 5/16 or 6/6 for this beginner-friendly workshop for ages 18+. For Center Members, $50, General Public, $60.
OK Marketplace OK in May @ NEW PEOPLE Building
it’s been a long time coming, but we are so excited to be celebrating our 4th birthday with @newpeoplesf !!!! we are taking over the mezzanine with all of your fav classic OK hits: vintage + clothing, music, retro video games, arcade, and so much more!
our soft launch will be this May 1 - 3 with our grand opening the weekend after! so if you’re in town, come say hi, see our small business vendors, and check out the new space ♡
OK in May
✩ Soft Opening: May 1st - 3rd
✩ Grand Opening: May 8th - 11th
✩ May 15th - 17th
✩ May 22nd - 24th
✩ May 29th - 31st
✩ New People 📍1746 Post Street
✩ 12:00 - 5:00 pm
can’t wait 2 c u ⋆✴︎˚。⋆
luv u ♡⋆⁺₊
Japanese Community Youth Council’s Excellence in Education Awards
SAVE THE DATE: Excellence in Education Awards
TICKETS AVAILABLE: March 2!
The JCYC College Access Programs’ second annual Excellence in Education Awards will celebrate the achievements of our students, educators, and 47 years of our unwavering commitment to equitable access to higher education. We will recognize pioneers who have been nominated by members of our community and carefully selected by JCYC staff and our Board of Directors. These will include school staff members and students. The goal of this event is to recognize the achievements of students and educators and help to ensure that JCYC’s College Access programs can maintain high-quality academic and educational services for students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds.
Mother’s Day @ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center
Happy Mother’s Day! Come celebrate, pick up a special gift, and enjoy specialty food samples at our Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center.
CAAMFest 2026 @ SF Japantown
CAAMFestwill 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.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
11:00 am Eve and the Fire Horse @ AMC Kabuki
2:00 pm Diamond Diplomacy @ AMC Kabuki
2:30 pm Frame By Frame @ AMC Kabuki
3:00 pm Shakti @ AMC Kabuki
3:30 pm Defiant to the Last @ Koret Auditorium
4:00 pm Love Massacre @ AMC Kabuki
4:15 pm The Auntie Sewing Squad Resistance Playbook @ AMC Kabuki
5:45 pm Old Roots, New Branches @ AMC Kabuki
6:30 pm Closing Night: Traces of Home @ AMC Kabuki
CAAMFest 2026 @ SF Japantown
CAAMFestwill 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.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
9:30 am Tea House Salon @ KOHO Creative Hub
11:00 am About Face: Disrupting Ballet @ AMC Kabuki
11:30 am Food Delivery: Fresh From the West Philippine Sea @ AMC Kabuki
12:00 pmSpotlight Narrative: Honeyjoon @ AMC Kabuki
12:00 pmThe Only Language She Knows @ Koret Auditorium
1:00 pm Another World @ AMC Kabuki
1:45 pm Hoop Like This @ AMC Kabuki
3:00 pm The Dao of Thao @ AMC Kabuki
5:00 pm Breaking the Code @ AMC Kabuki
5:30 pm Mouse @ AMC Kabuki
6:00 pm Seat at the Table @ AMC Kabuki
7:00 pm Jersey Boy @ AMC Kabuki
8:00 pm Mabuhay @ AMC Kabuki
8:30 pm Thirteen O’Clock @ AMC Kabuki
2026 SF AAPI 5K
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 2026 @ SF Japantown
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 2026 @ SF Japantown
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
2026 APA Heritage Awards & Community Gala @ Herbst Theatre
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
2026 Japantown Children’s Day Festival @ Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
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.
SFJACL Annual Family Fishing Day
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.
Tea Ceremony Experience @ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center
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 @ KOHO
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
Gunplamo [Gunpla Social] @ Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Gunplamo [Gunpla Social]
Join the community in building the popular Japanese mecha models! Gundam models allow individuals to showcase their craftsmanship and attention to detail creating miniature works of art! Whether you are a seasoned builder or a newcomer to the world of Gundam, this event promises to be a fun and enriching opportunity to connect with like-minded enthusiasts.