Community Events
Once in Japan Photo Contest hosted by the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco! Deadline for entry
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.
2024 Presidential Election Recap with Washington Insider Glen S. Fukushima @ The KOHO Creative Hub
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.
Japantown Townhall: Redevelopment + the Certificate of Preference Program - Reclaiming Roots and Community in Japantown and the Western Addition @ The KOHO Creative Hub
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
Community Kitchen - November @ JCCCNC
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
Studio Gen Music Series: Living the Work @ Studio Gen
Merchants of Japan Center Malls, GenRyu Arts, API Cultural Center, and Asian Improv aRts present
Living the Work
An intimate multidisciplinary performing arts experience!
Free Fujimoto Shamisen Performance @ Western Addition Public Library
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.
We Are One's SF Unity Fest
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.
“Celebrate Our Communities” AAPI Empower Hour Networking Event @ Paina Restaurant
Join the “Celebrate Our Communities” AAPI Empower Hour Networking Event @ Paina Restaurant in Japantown on Thursday, 11/14, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Gentle Hatha Yoga and Meditation featuring Mayo Hunt @ JCD Visitor Center
Gentle Hatha Yoga and Meditation featuring Mayo Hunt
Come to the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center at 22 Peace Plaza East Mall, 2F every Friday 5:00pm - 6:00pm for relaxing yoga, gentle stretching, meditation and breath work led by yoga instructor Mayo Hunt!
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce & Asian Business League Networking Mixer @ Fermentation Lab
Join the fun at the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and Asian Business League Networking Mixer THIS THURS, 11/7, 5:30-6:30 pm at the Fermentation Lab, 1700 Post Street, corner of Post & Buchanan.
Japantown Cultural District's Cultural Connectors Series V
Cultural Connecter Series
@ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, 2nd Floor of the Japan Center East Mall
Join us to network and share resources with other Japanese/Japantown cultural leaders. Artists, musicians, performers, traditional arts, all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served!
This free networking event will feature special guest Jennifer Chu, Arts Commission Program Officer, who works on the grants programs. Come hear about funding opportunities for San Francisco-based artists and arts organizations.
RSVP below.
Fright Night at the Lab - I’m Every Woman Cabaret ft. Ladies of AsiaSF2.0 @ Fermentation Lab
Ronnie Reddick & Fermentation Lab Japantown presents
FRIGHT NIGHT AT THE LAB
I’m Every Woman Cabaret Feat. the Ladies of AsiaSF 2.0
Hosted by Jahnell Chanel
Come feast all your senses on this frightfully delicious night of fun and Ghoulish entertainment.
Opening with Michael Jackson’s Iconic Thriller, this night promises to be place to be on Halloween......
Costumes are encouraged (Best costume will win a prize!)
HALLOWEEN NIGHT
Thurs. October 31st
Doors open 6:15 pm
7:15 Dinner/Show
$85 (includes 4-course dinner)
Living the Work #8 @ Studio Gen
Merchants of Japan Center Malls, GenRyu Arts, API Cultural Center, and Asian Improv aRts present: Living the Work #8
@ Studio Gen, Japan Center East Mall, 2F
Saturday, October 26, 2024, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Come experience yet another session with multidisciplinary artist Johnny Nguyen and Taiko artist and Japantown culture bearer Melody Takata. Joining them will be saxophonist and curator Francis Wong and bassist Kumi Maxson.
Japantenna presents SHODO: Japanese Calligraphy Pop-up Experience @ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center
On October 19-20, JAPANTENNA presents a new exhibit on SHODO, traditional Japanese calligraphy in San Francisco Japantown at the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, Japan Center East Mall 2F, above Daiso. The exhibit will be held Saturday-Sunday, October 19-20.
Learn about the tools, techniques, and history of Japanese calligraphy
Showcase by Golden Gate Instititue, San Francisco’s oldest standing Japanese language school
Personalized name-writing and souvenirs
Imported calligraphy items and stationery for sale
Free Calligraphy workshops Saturday only
Sign up for a FREE 30-minute workshop to try your hand at calligraphy with the celebrated calligraphy instructor Goyo Morimoto and her students!
Goyo Morimoto holds the rank of 8th Dan/Level, the highest rank set by Nihon Shuji, one of the largest calligraphy associations in Japan. She leads Goyo-kai, a Japanese calligraphy studio composed of students from around the San Francisco Bay Area ranging in age from 7 - 70+ years old. In addition to teaching, she is an artist with a focus on collaboration of abstract painting and calligraphy and has also designed calligraphic logos for multiple organizations.
Join us as we celebrate traditional Japanese calligraphy!
While the calligraphy exhibit will be held October 19-20, the workshops are available for ONE DAY ONLY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024!
Japantenna presents SHODO: Japanese Calligraphy Pop-up Experience @ Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center
On October 19-20, JAPANTENNA presents a new exhibit on SHODO, traditional Japanese calligraphy in San Francisco Japantown at the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, Japan Center East Mall 2F, above Daiso. The exhibit will be held Saturday-Sunday, October 19-20.
Learn about the tools, techniques, and history of Japanese calligraphy
Showcase by Golden Gate Instititue, San Francisco’s oldest standing Japanese language school
Personalized name-writing and souvenirs
Imported calligraphy items and stationery for sale
Free Calligraphy workshops Saturday only
Sign up for a FREE 30-minute workshop to try your hand at calligraphy with the celebrated calligraphy instructor Goyo Morimoto and her students!
Goyo Morimoto holds the rank of 8th Dan/Level, the highest rank set by Nihon Shuji, one of the largest calligraphy associations in Japan. She leads Goyo-kai, a Japanese calligraphy studio composed of students from around the San Francisco Bay Area ranging in age from 7 - 70+ years old. In addition to teaching, she is an artist with a focus on collaboration of abstract painting and calligraphy and has also designed calligraphic logos for multiple organizations.
Join us as we celebrate traditional Japanese calligraphy!
While the calligraphy exhibit will be held October 19-20, the workshops are available for ONE DAY ONLY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024!
