Community Events
Exhibition - New Japanese Clay @ Asian Art Museum
Playful colors, otherworldly surfaces, adventurous and gravity-defying shapes — the world of contemporary Japanese ceramics is brimming with dynamic approaches to the medium of clay. From rugged works that mimic chunks of earth or stone to delicate forms imitating folds of paper or billowing textiles, the unconventional techniques in New Japanese Clay will expand your idea of what is possible in this time-honored art form.
The exhibition also introduces visitors to the makers behind the works on view. “This new generation of potters from Japan are building on the legacy of the mingei (folk art) movement while charting their own boldly experimental courses,” says Chief Curator and exhibition curator Dr. Robert Mintz, who notes that many of the featured artists also maintain social media accounts offering behind-the-scenes looks at their studio process.
“The artists in New Japanese Clay are challenging the conventions of functional ceramics and pivoting toward a purely sculptural experience,” Dr. Mintz notes. “Their creations are meant to intrigue and delight; the vessel form is just a point of departure for spectacular experimentation. Through a wide range of innovative materials and methods, these artists are reimagining ceramics for the 21st century.”
Exhibit: Art of Manga @ the de Young Museum
Exhibit: Art of Manga @ the de Young Museum
Explore the rich history and vibrant art of Japanese manga in North America’s first major manga exhibition. Featuring over 600 original works by legendary artists, this show runs now until Jan 25!
Exhibit: JAM Workshop 50th Anniversary @ National Japanese American Historical Society Peace Gallery
Fifty years ago, 12 artists in San Francisco’s Nihonmachi founded “Community Arts” with practicality and social inclusion. They expressed their talents by serving their communities and instituting a new movement of conscientious artists and supporters – a movement that continues with a new generation of artists.
From the hundreds of posters created at the JAM Workshop, we’ll be displaying 56, representing some of our most important works from 1976 to 2000. The history of Asian Americans during the last quarter century of the 20th Century can be visualized through these significant posters, all printed in the traditional methods, each one by hand.The exhibit will take place in two venues: Studio Gen in Japan Center East on the 2nd floor showcasing 20 prints and 38 prints in the Japantown Peace Gallery at NJAHS, 1684 Post St. The exhibits are curated by Rich Tokeshi and Leon Sun, two of the original JAM members and two of the most prolific silkscreeners of our generation.
Japantenna Presents: Holiday Celebration w/ Tenna Bear @ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH TENNA BEAR
November 15, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Every weekend, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
GARA GARA SPIN FOR PRIZES
Spend $75 in combined same-day purchases at Japantown SF stores or restaurants to earn a spin.
Every spin wins!
Plus:
Photo-Op with Tenna Bear
Japanese Arts and Crafts
Visitor Center Gift Sets and More!
San Francisco Japantown Foundation's Osechi Ryori Fundraiser
Osechi Ryori Fundraiser
“Osechi Ryori” refers to a number of unique dishes that are prepared once a year to celebrate the New Year. Many of the items require hours of preparation, and are preserved in ways to make sure that they are delicious to eat throughout the first three days of the year. It is the traditional way of celebrating the Japanese New Year.
Save the Date: 2026 Osechi Ryori Annual Fundraiser
The highly anticipated 2026 Osechi Ryori event returns for the San Francisco Japantown Foundation's annual New Year's fundraiser on January 8th. Our event promises an exquisite showcase of authentic Osechi Ryori dishes, meticulously crafted to usher in the New Year with a celebration of health, happiness, and prosperity.
This is the San Francisco Japantown Foundation’s primary fundraiser and allows us to continue providing grants to Japantown and Japanese American-related nonprofit organizations.
Many of us remember waking up on New Year’s Day to have our bowl of ozoni and then patiently wait as all of the other osechi items were unveiled by our grandparents and great grandparents for us to eat. Being able to eat osechi ryori today, however, is a rarity.
That is one of the reasons the board of the SF Japantown Foundation continues to hold our annual Osechi Ryori event. It allows us to introduce and re-introduce the special food items that are prepared during the New Year that will bring us good luck, good health and prosperity throughout the year.
With the generous assistance of our restaurant partners, we are able to share authentically prepared osechi dishes that are expressly prepared for the event. We sincerely thank our culinary experts for supporting us in carrying on this important culture and tradition.
2026 Japantown Oshogatsu Matsuri @ JCCCNC
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 Horse design on it for free!
KADOMATSU: 2026 Sogetsu School Ikebana Workshop @ JCD Visitor Center
KADOMATSU: 2026 Sogetsu School Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop
Join us for a Sogetsu-style flower arranging workshop to create a KADOMATSU, traditional entryway decoration for the New Year.
The Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center is pleased to partner with the San Francisco Bay Area Branch of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana Flower-Arranging to present a unique and rich traditional Japanese cultural experience ONE DAY ONLY - Saturday, January 10, 2026.
KADOMATSU, a traditional entryway decoration for the New Year, adorns many Japanese households and businesses at this special time of year. Here's your chance to make your own KADOMATSU with reknown Sogetsu instructor Sahshah "Ko Sen" Middleton who holds a first class certification, "Riji," the highest level in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana.
A graduate of the Nang Yang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, where she was raised, Middletown has been studying ikebana since the age of 7. She has conducted workshops throughout California and the United States and exhibited in Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand, and Singapore.
ONE DAY ONLY, Saturday, January 10, 2026. Sign up for sessions held 11:15 am-12:30 pm and 1:45-3 pm. This event promises to sell out! Tickets: $35 + Eventbrite fees to cover materials.
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California's New Year's Celebration 2026 @ The Westin St. Francis Hotel
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (JCCNC) is pleased to announce that our 71st Annual New Year’s Party will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, starting at 4:30 PM at The Westin St. Francis Hotel.
This annual event is a cherished tradition where members of our business community and local residents come together to celebrate the start of a new year, strengthen connections, and enjoy an evening of entertainment and camaraderie.
We are thrilled to welcome our special guest artist, Crystal Kay, to headline this year’s celebration. Known for her hit songs such as “Koi ni Ochitara” and “Boyfriend - Part II”, Crystal Kay’s soulful voice resonates across generations and will surely bring a vibrant and heartfelt start to the new year.
We warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion and enjoy Crystal Kay’s live performance.
Daisuke Arai, Chair of New Year’s Party Committee
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Timeline:
4:30pm: Registration Starts, Cocktails (No-Host), Networking
6:00pm: Doors open, Dinner & Award Ceremony
8:00pm: Artist Performance
40th Annual Japanese New Year Bell-Ringing Ceremony @ Asian Art Museum
40th Annual Japanese New Year Bell-Ringing Ceremony
Join your museum community and ring the bell at one of our most beloved yearly events.
Welcome the New Year by ringing a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell, leaving behind any regrets or ill luck from 2025. The San Francisco Chronicle calls it “a great way to end a year and start a new year.”
Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, this inspiring ceremony includes a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. The bell is struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires (bonno) that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind.
We encourage visitors to purchase general admission tickets in advance. An admission ticket guarantees entry to the museum, but a separate numbered ticket (available at the entrance to Samsung Hall) is required to ring the bell.
Bell-Ringing Ceremonies
Public Bell-Ringing: 1 PM
All visitors are invited to take part in the afternoon ceremony. Numbered tickets to ring the bell are distributed beginning at 12 PM at the entrance to Samsung Hall on a first-come, first-served basis.
Member Bell-Ringing: 10:30 AM
A morning ceremony is offered for members. Not yet a member? Join today to experience this morning session and other exclusive benefits.
Art Activity
10:30 AM–4:30 PM | Kadomatsu Craft (Japanese New Year Decoration)
Tours and Storytelling
11 AM | New Japanese Clay Tour
11 AM | Family Storytelling (ages 3–6)
12:30 PM | Touch Tour of the Bell for Blind and Visually Impaired Community
2 PM | Collection Tour
2 PM | Family Storytelling (all ages)
3:30 PM | New Japanese Clay Tour
Accessibility
The Asian Art Museum is committed to ensuring our events are accessible to all. This program is wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices (ALDs) are available upon request.
As part of the celebration, we invite blind and visually impaired visitors to join a tactile touch tour of the bell at 12:30 PM, with priority seating for the afternoon ceremony. Space is limited.
KOHO’s Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace @ KOHO Creative Hub
Celebrate the Holidays with us!
#communityisanartform
December 20 + 21
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. For one weekend, we’ll take over areas of the East Mall as well as the KOHO Co-Creative hub to host a craft and art experience. Get to know the people who make your favorite gifts, appreciate the joy of creating, and enjoy the holiday spirit with your loved ones.
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!
Come Shop our Vendors!
Our KOHO marketplace brings together makers and artists who identify as Japanese or Japanese American and/or whose work draws inspiration from traditional Japanese or Japanese American arts and craft traditions.
Meet creators, support creative entrepreneurs, shop for your loved ones, and share in the joy of the season. Cozy up with us! Bring friends and family, enjoy a day with us!
The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California's Mochi Fundraiser Pick-up
As an exclusive MEMBER BENEFIT, the Center will sell a LIMITED quantity of handmade komochi* (small balls of pounded sweet rice) for your New Year's ozoni. (If eating this mochi for New Year's Day, you must freeze it, as it will be fresh and perishable).
You must PRE-ORDER for pick-up on Sunday, December 21, from 12p-5p.
$8.00 per box. Each box is approximately one lb. (12 pieces). Order is limited to 3 boxes per person.
Please submit your order form, as quantities are limited. NO WALK-INS PLEASE.
*Please note this is NOT the soft, sweet bean-filled dessert.
For more information or to place your order by phone, please call (415) 567-5505 or email membership@jcccnc.org.
Ok Marketplace @ Japan Center East Mall
OK Marketplace features vintage clothing, Sanrio, and more!
December 20th and 21st!
We Are One Family Holiday Party! @ Konko Church of San Francisco
We will be hosting a Holiday Party for our next We Are One Family event!
Feel free to bring a dish to share at our potluck, enjoy live music and karaoke, as well as a raffle & tip-only bar!
We will also be hosting an optional White Elephant exchange here! If you’d like to participate, please bring a $10-15 gift.
KOHO’s Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace @ KOHO Creative Hub
Celebrate the Holidays with us!
#communityisanartform
December 20 + 21
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. For one weekend, we’ll take over areas of the East Mall as well as the KOHO Co-Creative hub to host a craft and art experience. Get to know the people who make your favorite gifts, appreciate the joy of creating, and enjoy the holiday spirit with your loved ones.
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!
Come Shop our Vendors!
Our KOHO marketplace brings together makers and artists who identify as Japanese or Japanese American and/or whose work draws inspiration from traditional Japanese or Japanese American arts and craft traditions.
Meet creators, support creative entrepreneurs, shop for your loved ones, and share in the joy of the season. Cozy up with us! Bring friends and family, enjoy a day with us!
Ok Marketplace @ Japan Center East Mall
OK Marketplace features vintage clothing, Sanrio, and more!
December 20th and 21st!
Live Performance - History, Memory, Circumstance — A Japanese American Story
Join us for History, Memory, Circumstance - A Japanese American Story
A personal reflection by Joyce Nakamura, a Sansei (third generation Japanese American) who recounts her immigrant family's struggle to belong in the USA while facing racism, economic hardships, and incarceration. With music composed by Jon Jang
Performance
Date: December 18, 2025
Time: 6pm
Venue: Clarion Music Center
Tickets: $10
Joyce Nakamura: Narrator
Jon Jangtet:
Hitomi Oba, tenor saxophone
Nick DePinna, trombone
Erika Oba, piano and flute
Gary Brown, double bass
Deszon Claiborne, multiple percussion
Francis Wong, guest artist on tenor saxophone
Ok Marketplace's Doki Maker's Market @ Japan Center East Mall
OK Marketplace’s Doki Maker’s Market features local artists, makers, and more!
December 13th and 14th!
Exhibit: SF Japantown Celebrates Godzilla's 7 Decades @ New People's SuperFrog Gallery
What’s Happening? “Godzilla Through Our Eyes” Art Exhibit: See 7 Japantown community artists share their unique vision of Godzilla, plus a deep dive into 7 decades of film history & movie posters! (Inside New People SuperFrog Gallery, 1746 Post St., 3rd Flr.)
Outdoor Movie Night: Join us for a FREE screening of “Shin Godzilla” on Osaka Way under the iconic Japantown Trellis Gate! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. (Sat, Dec 6th starting at 6:45pm!)
Godzilla Stamp Rally: Support our Japantown small businesses and spend $100+ in Japantown, bring your one day receipts to 3 Pillars and get a keepsake stamped postcard, stickers, and a chance to win some awesome Godzilla prizes!
Special thanks to TOHO International for their continued partnership and for sharing this incredible history with us! Don’t forget to see the 2 Godzilla murals inside the Japan Center East Mall! During the 2 weekends from noon to 6pm listen closely as you approach the Japan Center East Mall you may hear the King of the Monster’s roars and footsteps!
Godzilla’s Seven Decade Celebration was made possible through the partnership and generous support of the following: New People, Inc., Japan Center Malls, Japan Center Garage, Japantown Merchants Association, Kinokuniya Bookstores of America, Hotel Kabuki, the Enso Hotel and 3 Pillars.
Don’t miss this historic, multi-generational event! See you in Japantown!
URSA MAJOR 2025: EGL & J-FASHION CONVENTION @ Hotel Kabuki
URSA MAJOR 2025: EGL & J-FASHION CONVENTION
PRESENTED BY BAY AREA KEI & THE BLACK RIBBON
Join us for URSA MAJOR, an EGL and J-Fashion convention!
The convention includes vendors, panels and workshops, photo gatherings, ribbon trading, and a stamp rally.
Sunday exclusive events: Swap Meet, Designer Roundtable, and Closing Bearamonies
Nakayoshi Bōnenkai @ SPARK Social SF
Nakayoshi Bōnenkai @ SPARK Social SF
WHEN: Saturday, December 13 at 6:00 PM
WHERE: Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Boulevard North, San Francisco, CA 94158
*We'll be at the Angel Island Fire Pit located on the left side of the entrance/bus. Look for a sign that says "Nakayoshi".
Join us for a casual holiday hangout to celebrate the end of 2025 with Nakayoshi! This event is open to all and is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new people while enjoying food and drinks, including s'mores!
SPARK is an outdoor social space in Mission Bay with food trucks and a beer/sangria garden. Pets are welcome. For more information about SPARK Social, see their website at https://sparksocialsf.com/.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
*****
5:00PM: We'll meet at 5pm at the public picnic tables near the center of Spark Social. Come early!
6:00PM: Migrate to the Angel Island Fire Pit at Spark Social
8:00PM: Close up!
*****
RSVP to let us know you're coming and to receive an email reminder. RSVP on our meet up as well.
https://www.meetup.com/nakayoshi/events/311641621
Gunplamo (Gunpla Social) @ The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Are you a fan of the iconic mecha anime Gundam? Join the community in building the popular Japanese mecha models! Gunpla models allows 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. (Never a better time to start going through your backlog!)
Participants below the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian throughout the event.
Exhibit: SF Japantown Celebrates Godzilla's 7 Decades @ New People's SuperFrog Gallery
What’s Happening? “Godzilla Through Our Eyes” Art Exhibit: See 7 Japantown community artists share their unique vision of Godzilla, plus a deep dive into 7 decades of film history & movie posters! (Inside New People SuperFrog Gallery, 1746 Post St., 3rd Flr.)
Outdoor Movie Night: Join us for a FREE screening of “Shin Godzilla” on Osaka Way under the iconic Japantown Trellis Gate! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. (Sat, Dec 6th starting at 6:45pm!)
Godzilla Stamp Rally: Support our Japantown small businesses and spend $100+ in Japantown, bring your one day receipts to 3 Pillars and get a keepsake stamped postcard, stickers, and a chance to win some awesome Godzilla prizes!
Special thanks to TOHO International for their continued partnership and for sharing this incredible history with us! Don’t forget to see the 2 Godzilla murals inside the Japan Center East Mall! During the 2 weekends from noon to 6pm listen closely as you approach the Japan Center East Mall you may hear the King of the Monster’s roars and footsteps!
Godzilla’s Seven Decade Celebration was made possible through the partnership and generous support of the following: New People, Inc., Japan Center Malls, Japan Center Garage, Japantown Merchants Association, Kinokuniya Bookstores of America, Hotel Kabuki, the Enso Hotel and 3 Pillars.
Don’t miss this historic, multi-generational event! See you in Japantown!
Ok Marketplace's Doki Maker's Market @ Japan Center East Mall
OK Marketplace’s Doki Maker’s Market features local artists, makers, and more!
December 13th and 14th!
Crafts Fair: Kimochi Silver Bells 2025 @ The Event Center at St. Mary's Cathedral
Kimochi, Inc.’s Silver Bells 2025 @ The Event Center at St. Mary’s Cathedral
Kimochi, Inc.’s annual Crafts Fair!
URSA MAJOR 2025: EGL & J-FASHION CONVENTION @ Hotel Kabuki
URSA MAJOR 2025: EGL & J-FASHION CONVENTION
PRESENTED BY BAY AREA KEI & THE BLACK RIBBON
Join us for URSA MAJOR, an EGL and J-Fashion convention!
The convention includes vendors, panels and workshops, photo gatherings, ribbon trading, and a stamp rally.
Saturday exclusive events: Artist Alley, Vendor Hall, Doll Museum, Dance Lessons, Game Lounge, and Holiday Ball
Holiday Mah Jongg Night! @ The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Join us for an evening of tiles, strategy, and community at our Mah Jongg Night! If you’re an experienced player or just have a love for the game, this event is a great way to connect, play, and enjoy the community favorite game of Mah Jongg.
Mah Jongg is a tile-based game that originated in China and has become a beloved pastime across cultures. It blends skill, memory, and a bit of luck—perfect for a fun and engaging night out. All skill levels are welcome. We’ll have tables for beginners and experienced players alike, plus instructors on hand to guide newcomers through the rules and gameplay.
Light refreshments will be provided. Come solo or bring friends—everyone is welcome!
Inami Woodcarving: Japan’s 250-Year Tradition of Wood Sculpture @ KOHO Creative Hub
Step into the world of Inami woodcarving, one of Japan’s most remarkable traditional arts — a living craft with more than 250 years of history, born in the temple town of Inami in Toyama Prefecture. Known as an art of subtraction, Inami woodcarving transforms a single block of wood into intricate sculptural forms through patient, precise carving. These skills are acquired through years of rigorous apprenticeship and refined across a lifetime. Every piece is created in close dialogue with clients, bringing their vision to life through the hands of artisans who devote themselves to this demanding, profoundly spiritual craft.
From its beginnings in the Edo period, when master carvers were invited to restore the temples of Inami, the town grew into Japan’s largest woodcarving center. Today, it remains a rare “town of artisans,” where more than 100 professional carvers still live and work side by side. Their legacy endures through masters such as Nambu Hakuun III, whose works blend centuries-old techniques with a refined contemporary sensibility.
For the first time, this revered tradition is being introduced to international audiences through a United States roadshow organized by Poiesis, featuring live demonstrations and cultural lectures in San Francisco. Join us for an unforgettable evening that brings together history, craftsmanship, and human connection — and witness the moment when one of Japan’s greatest carving traditions meets the world.
Agenda:
5:00 PM Doors Open
5:30 – 5:33 PM Opening Remarks, Steve Pollock | President, JSNC
5:33 – 5:40 PM Introduction, Karim Thalji | Founder, Poiesis
5:40 – 6:05 PM Historical & Cultural Background Lecture, Nambu Hakuun III | Master Inami Woodcarver
6:05 – 6:35 PM Sketching & Woodcarving Demonstration, Nambu Hakuun III | Master Inami Woodcarver
6:35 – 6:40 PM Hands-on Participation (2 people)
6:40 – 6:55 PM Q&A
6:55 – 7:00 PM Closing Remarks, Steve Pollock | President, JSNC
7:00 – 7:30 PM Reception & Networking
URSA MAJOR 2025: EGL & J-FASHION CONVENTION @ Hotel Kabuki
URSA MAJOR 2025: EGL & J-FASHION CONVENTION
PRESENTED BY BAY AREA KEI & THE BLACK RIBBON
Join us for URSA MAJOR, an EGL and J-Fashion convention!
The convention includes vendors, panels and workshops, photo gatherings, ribbon trading, and a stamp rally.
Friday exclusive events: Karaoke, Social Mixer, and Ribbon Station
Japan Society of Northern California 2025 Chairman’s Thank You Reception @ Morrison & Foerster Palo Alto
*This event is open to the public. Please come celebrate our 120th anniversary with us!
Join us for our annual chairman’s reception to celebrate the end of the year with us. To commemorate our historic 120th anniversary, this year we’ll kick off the celebration with a brief overview of our history by board chair Larry Greenwood, followed by a light reception with light snacks and drinks. Come celebrate with us!
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 10th from 5:00–7:00 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)
Venue: Morrison Foerster | 755 Page Mill Rd A, Building A100, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Agenda:
5:00 PM Doors Open
5:30 PM Opening Remarks and History Presentation
5:45 PM Networking
7:00 PM Closing Remarks
Directions: It is most convenient to park near building A, as it is closest to the conference room area.
(From SFO use 101 South directions)
From 101 North or South:
From 101 North or South: Exit at Oregon Expressway. Proceed west on Oregon to El Camino
Cross El Camino (Oregon becomes Page Mill Rd)
Turn left on Ramos (first light after El Camino)
You have entered Palo Alto Square
Go to the first stop sign and turn right. Building A
From 280 North or South:
Exit at Page Mill Road. Proceed east on Page Mill. Cross Hansen Way
Turn right on Ramos (you have entered Palo Alto Square)
Go to the first stop sign and turn right
Morrison & Foerster reception is located in Building “A (on your left)
Webinar: Pathways to Becoming a Japanese Language Educator
Are you a JET alum or Japanese language enthusiast interested in teaching Japanese?
Join us for a 90-minute session that brings together a panel of educators, including JET alumni teaching at the high school and university levels, as well as experts from Middlebury Language Schools and the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
Explore pathways into Japanese language education, from credentialing and certification to navigating careers in K-12 and higher education. Our panelists will share their experiences, guidance, and discuss resources and pathways to help you get started. The format will include informative presentations, a panel discussion and space to ask questions and virtually network with our presenters and fellow participants. If you're exploring or considering teaching Japanese here in the US, this session is for you!
Date & Time
US: Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 7-8:30 PM ET
Japan: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 9-10:30 AM JT
This event is free for USJETAA members (must be a JET or JET alum) and $5 for the general public. If you do not have a membership with us, you can sign up for a free or supporting membership here.
Book Signing With Kazumi Yamashita @ Kinokuniya
Meet Kazumi Yamashita
Dec 7 (Sun) 6PM at Kinokuniya San Francisco
Kazumi Yamashita, the acclaimed creator of LAND and one of the featured artists in the Art of Manga exhibit, will be visiting Kinokuniya San Francisco for a special signing event on Sunday, December 7.
WONDER BOY Special Early Release
WONDER BOY Vol. 1 in English will be available exclusively as a special early release at the event! Don’t miss your chance to get a copy before the official launch!
How to Attend the Event
To receive a signing ticket, pre-purchase WONDER BOY* Vol. 1 in English or purchase LAND Vol. 1 in English prior to the event at Kinokuniya San Francisco. Please note that tickets are now available in a limited quantity.
Can’t make it by the store in advance? Call Kinokuniya San Francisco to reserve your book and ticket!
(415) 567‑7625
* When you pre-purchase WONDER BOY Vol. 1 prior to the event, you will receive the copy during the event.
LAND
“One shall live and the other shall die.”
The younger sister ran through the fields, happy to live with the father who loved and adored her in the peaceful village under the watchful gaze of the four gods. Her elder twin ran through the mountains, swearing vengeance against the man who abandoned her to the very beasts she was hunting—her own father. When their paths finally cross, the terrible truth of their birth is revealed and An is left with a difficult decision: follow her twin to the mountains and beyond as she so desperately desires, or condemn her for trying to take her most precious person away…?!
WONDER BOY
A family, struggling to survive in Japan after the second World War. An orphan girl in London, working her fingers to the bone every day just to pay for the food on her table. A young man in a war-torn world, fighting without knowing his purpose for living. Across time and space, these strangers share just one thing in common—the wonder boy. A mysterious traveler who appears here and there throughout the ages, watching the triumphs and sorrows of humanity…
Community Kitchen – Sukiyaki! @ The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Come enjoy a classic sukiyaki dinner at our next Community Kitchen night! Organized by volunteers, this event brings members of our community together to learn how to cook Japanese and Japanese American family recipes while also sharing in a multi-generational communal dinner. Community Kitchen began by adapting the Baachan’s Kitchen program from 2016 and continues to grow each year – it is open to all, so come enjoy and share Japanese home-style cooking while connecting with the community! Register by Thursday, December 4th!
Every dinner has a curated menu that is determined in advance by the Community Kitchen volunteer committee, who then teach the attendees hands-on how to prepare the dishes for the dinner. Participants of all ages and backgrounds are welcome! Just come prepared to cook, clean up, and most importantly, have a great time!
Exhibit: SF Japantown Celebrates Godzilla's 7 Decades @ New People's SuperFrog Gallery
What’s Happening? “Godzilla Through Our Eyes” Art Exhibit: See 7 Japantown community artists share their unique vision of Godzilla, plus a deep dive into 7 decades of film history & movie posters! (Inside New People SuperFrog Gallery, 1746 Post St., 3rd Flr.)
Outdoor Movie Night: Join us for a FREE screening of “Shin Godzilla” on Osaka Way under the iconic Japantown Trellis Gate! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. (Sat, Dec 6th starting at 6:45pm!)
Godzilla Stamp Rally: Support our Japantown small businesses and spend $100+ in Japantown, bring your one day receipts to 3 Pillars and get a keepsake stamped postcard, stickers, and a chance to win some awesome Godzilla prizes!
Special thanks to TOHO International for their continued partnership and for sharing this incredible history with us! Don’t forget to see the 2 Godzilla murals inside the Japan Center East Mall! During the 2 weekends from noon to 6pm listen closely as you approach the Japan Center East Mall you may hear the King of the Monster’s roars and footsteps!
Godzilla’s Seven Decade Celebration was made possible through the partnership and generous support of the following: New People, Inc., Japan Center Malls, Japan Center Garage, Japantown Merchants Association, Kinokuniya Bookstores of America, Hotel Kabuki, the Enso Hotel and 3 Pillars.
Don’t miss this historic, multi-generational event! See you in Japantown!