Nippon Kobo Chamber Music and Calligraphy @ Gray Area Grand Theater

Nippon Kobo Vol.2 ~ Ma (間): The Space Between All Things ~

This season-opening event will showcase a chamber music program by Japanese composers, real-time calligraphy performance by Aoi Yamaguchi, and a special talk by Miryam Sas (Professor of Comparative Literature and Film & Media at the University of California, Berkeley). The program spotlights the world premiere performance of a new work by Hiroya Miura for chamber ensemble and calligrapher. Along with leading Japanese artists, local musicians, creators, and entrepreneurs, we look forward to sharing the Japanese aesthetic of Ma.

2025 Aki no Shodo | Autumn Calligraphy Workshop

Come join us for our Autumn Calligraphy Workshop at the Japanese Cultural District Visitor Center, located in the Japan Town EAST Mall (above Daiso). Immerse yourself in the art of Shodo and learn the traditional Japanese way of calligraphy. This in-person event is perfect for beginners and experienced calligraphers alike. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the beauty of Japanese culture through brush and ink. See you there!

3 sessions total / 8 seats per session
Participation fee: $30 with service fee → $25 (No service fee!)

Reserve your seat now — this special offer ends tomorrow at midnight!

• Session 1 | 11:45 am - 1 pm

• Session 2 | 1:30 - 2:45 pm

• Session 3 | 3:15 - 4:30 pm

This event is funded, in part, by the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development.

Proud Asian Men Bay Area Retreat Vol. 2 2025

​Asian men are experiencing a mental health epidemic.

​​In 2015-2019, Asian men were the least likely to use mental health services compared to any other race and gender combination (SAMHSA, 2021).

​​In order to combat this, Proud Asian Men was created.

​​Proud Asian Men is a support group and initiative created by JinShan Collective and hosted under Asian Mental Health Project whose mission is to create a safe and brave space for Asian men to explore the intersection of their culture and masculinity in a supportive environment.

​This is the second Proud Asian Men daylong mental health retreat in the Bay Area on 11/1 from 9 AM to 6 PM hosted at JACL SF.

Nihonmachi Little Friends In-Person Preschool Tour

Join us for an in-person tour of our preschool! During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to step into our classrooms, explore our outdoor play space, and observe the joy of learning in action. You’ll see our educators engaging with children giving you a true sense of our nurturing, inquiry and play-based environment.

TO RSVP, CALL 415-922-8898

Japantown Cultural District’s Halloween Sports Day Treasure Hunt

October 19, 25, 26. 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

FIND 5 TREASURES:

• Japanese-style roof

• Astro Boy

• Hello Kitty book

• Cat-themed store

• Favorite restaurant / shop

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Snap photos of your finds

2. Post to Instagram feed / story and tag @JapantownCulturalDistrict

3. Come to the Japantown Visitor Center for a free gift!

The Japanese American Religious Federation (JARF) will be having our 19th Annual Curry Cook-Off Fundraiser on Saturday, October 25, 2025. 4:00 pm-6:00 pm.

At Christ United Presbyterian Church, 1700 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94115

This is a DINE-IN, In-Person event. 

This year's beneficiary will be JCYC! https://www.jcyc.org/

Please fill in the following form to order your entry. 

PRE-SALE $17 suggested donation each. $8 Children 5-10 years old. Free for 4 and under.

$20 at the door, so order early!  DEADLINE TO PREORDER IS THURSDAY October 21, 2025. 

Come early before the curry runs out!

Note: Print out or show your paid receipt at the door. 

Contact Information: Rev. Elaine Donlin, edonlin1@yahoo.com or

Rev. Rodney Yano at (415) 517-1214 or ryano@konkosf.org

Japantown Cultural District’s Halloween Sports Day Treasure Hunt

October 19, 25, 26. 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

FIND 5 TREASURES:

• Japanese-style roof

• Astro Boy

• Hello Kitty book

• Cat-themed store

• Favorite restaurant / shop

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Snap photos of your finds

2. Post to Instagram feed / story and tag @JapantownCulturalDistrict

3. Come to the Japantown Visitor Center for a free gift!

Nihonmachi Street Fair and Corgi Con Present: A Paws-itively Spooky Howl-o-ween @ Japantown SF

Don’t forget this coming Saturday from noon to 4pm is Nihonmachi Street Fair & Corgi Con’s “A Paws-Itively Spooky Howl-O-Ween@ pop up that includes a corgi costume contest and corgi merch vendors.

Then at 6:45pm Nihonmachi Street Fair will present an Outdoor Movie Night featuring “Frankenweenie” Bring your lawn chairs!!

So yes it will be a fur baby Saturday in Japantown!

Japantown Cultural District’s Halloween Sports Day Treasure Hunt

October 19, 25, 26. 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

FIND 5 TREASURES:

• Japanese-style roof

• Astro Boy

• Hello Kitty book

• Cat-themed store

• Favorite restaurant / shop

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Snap photos of your finds

2. Post to Instagram feed / story and tag @JapantownCulturalDistrict

3. Come to the Japantown Visitor Center for a free gift!

Save the Date! The Buddhist Church of San Francisco’s Family Treasures Marketplace is coming up and are now accepting your donated treasures in excellent condition until Wed, 10/15. Call or email the BCSF Office to coordinate a drop-off (415) 776-3158 | bcsfoffice@buddhistchurchsf.org

 12th Annual Nihonmachi Little Friends

“Big Steps for Little Friends 5K Event”

Location: Golden Gate Park
Race Date:  Sunday, October 19, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Take Big Steps for Little Friends! 

Join us for NLF’s Big Steps for Little Friends 5K Run/Walk at beautiful Golden Gate Park! Lace up your shoes, gather your loved ones, and be part of a fun-filled day that supports our children, families, and community. Every step you take helps raise much-needed funds to sustain the programs that make NLF so special.

Your Registration and Donations Truly Make a Difference! 

Founded in 1975 by dedicated parents and community activists, NLF began with a single preschool serving just 15 children. Five decades later, we’ve grown into a vibrant organization with a bilingual, multicultural preschool and an elementary after-school program, nurturing over 150 children each year.

Even as we face reduced income from tuition, our commitment remains strong: to provide a safe, joyful, and enriching environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. With your generosity, we can continue to honor this legacy—ensuring the high-quality programs and caring educators that have defined NLF for 50 years.

 
Here is how you can help:

1. REGISTER

REGISTER BY October 3, 2025:
Adults: $50 - Celebrate in style with a commemorative event t-shirt featuring a fun, exclusive design by Sumofish! 

Children 17 years and under: $30 - Young participants will also receive a special Sumofish event t-shirt to mark the occasion! 

Registration received between October 4-19:
Adults: $60 - We'll do our very best to get you your preferred event tshirt size, though availability may be limited at October 4th.

Children (17 & under): $35 - Young participants will also receive a special Sumofish event t-shirt to mark the occasion!  While we'll make every effort to provide your chosen size, we can't guarantee exact availability.

2. FUNDRAISE

Create a Team Page!  

Load your team image, profile image and fundraising goals.

In the TEAM DESCRIPTION, please write:

"Please Donate and Join our Fundraising Team by clicking the links below.  I/We Love NLF because..."  Share one quote or aspect of the NLF program you LOVE! (i.e.quote from child, parent’s perspective, love for an NLF teacher or activity)

SEND link to family and friends and ask that they donate and register to join your team!  They can join from anywhere in the world!  
One additional Participation Point per NLF family for every accumulative $100 donation/pledge received above the $100 minimum requirement.  

Raffle Prizes
First Prize: FitBit 
Second Prize: $100 Sports Basement Gift Certificate
Third Prize: $50 Kabuki Springs & Spa Gift Certificate

3. Will you miss the event?  Make a Donation.

Click here to Donate by Credit Card. Checks can be made to: NLF, 1830 Sutter St. SF, CA 94115.   Be sure your donors name/dedicate/note the current NLF student to whom we should credit.  
 

COMPANY MATCH!

Matching gifts can double your support to our organization!

Many corporations offer programs that will match employee donations to our organizations.  Matching gifts are an important source of revenue for us.  Nihonmachi Little Friends is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.  All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.  If you believe your company will match your donation, feel free to apply, and submit  your forms to us at NLFchildcare@gmail.com.  Your donation, plus your company match will count in total for your required participation AND toward more raffle tickets for a better chance to win! Donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID#94-2325686

We truly appreciate the support of NLF friends, parents and alumni community that have helped us thrive for the last 49 years. 

Save the Date! The Buddhist Church of San Francisco’s Family Treasures Marketplace is coming up and are now accepting your donated treasures in excellent condition until Wed, 10/15. Call or email the BCSF Office to coordinate a drop-off (415) 776-3158 | bcsfoffice@buddhistchurchsf.org

Rise and Resist at Tanforan Memorial

Join us on Saturday, October 18th 2025 at 11am in San Bruno, CA for a rally at the at the San Bruno BART station near the Tanforan shopping center. Please RSVP to receive additional updates

This action will be at former location of the Tanforan Assembly Center during WWII, calling attention to the historical parallels between the experiences of Japanese Americans and current events. Tsuru for Solidarity, in partnership with the San Francisco Japantown community and Bay Area Japanese American organizations, calls on our communities to say NO to new detention centers in Northern California and across the US. This family-friendly action will feature powerful speakers, arts and crafts for kids, and opportunities to plug in and take action together.

The Tanforan Assembly Center served as the unjust detention center for nearly 8,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II in 1942. We want to ensure their stories are remembered and that this injustice is never repeated against any peoples.

Bring your signs, water, sun protection, and POWER! If you plan to drive, please park at San Bruno BART.

WHY ARE WE HOLDING THIS ACTION? We stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities targeted by racists and inhumane state violence. As ICE raids intensify and militarized tactics escalate nationwide, the fight to remove ICE from CA has never been more urgent. Now is the time to raise our voices and share our stories. Together we must stand against detention and state violence -- drawing on the legacy of Japanese American incarceration during WWII to resist its repetition today.

We must not let an ICE detention facility open in Dublin, CA or anywhere in Northern California. Our community members are more likely to be arrested & detained by ICE in counties with more detention beds. This is our moment to speak out, take action, and stand in solidarity with our community members!!! Never Again is NOW!

For more information or with any questions, reach out to basaki@tsuruforsolidarity.org

Join in for a captivating evening with KOHAKU, a dynamic trio of artists, as they bring to life the rich traditions of Japanese music and dance. Enjoy performances of Kagura (sacred Shinto dance), Taiko drumming, and more.
Get tickets here!

Welcome to 2025 Keiro no Hi honoring JAM50!

Come join us on Sat, Oct 11, 2025 at Japan Center East Mall, Studio Gen for a celebration of the work of the Japantown Art & Media Workshop and their contribution to SF Japantown and the Asian American Movement. Keiro no Hi, or Respect for the Aged Day, is a special day in Japan where we honor and show appreciation for the elderly in our community.

At this event, you can expect the unveiling of the exhibit Asian Women Artists Poster & Poem Project for all ages to enjoy. GenTaiko will be performing to kick-off the festivities. It's a great opportunity to connect with others and learn more about Japanese diaspora.

Locations

1pm @Studio Gen, Japan Center East Mall, Suite 505

GenTaiko Performance and Opening of the Women's Art Exhibit of 1980.

2pm @National Japanese American Historical Society

The program begins at 2pm with SF Poet Laureate Ginny Lim accompanied by Jazzist Francis Wong. JAM history panel, Taiko, Spoken Word, Refreshments and Light Table Folklore! National Japanese American Historical Society, 1684 Post Street, San Francisco.

Don't miss out on this wonderful event! Mark your calendars and we'll see you there!

Much Thanks

GenRyu Arts is proud to receive community support for our work.

Thanks Japan Center Malls for providing the space for Studio Gen.

Thanks to sponsors: San Francisco Grants for the Arts, Avenue Greenlight, Zellerbach Family Foundation, National Japanese American Historical Society.

Thanks to our community partners: AsianImprov Arts, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center.

Ace Washington’s Fillmore Corridor Ambassador 2025 Fillmore Tours

25 seats available by reservation: Call Ace Washington 415-573-8675

Yosakoi Dance Class

Fridays
Hybrid - Simultaneous In Person and Virtual Instruction
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PDT
Instructor: Ito Yosakoi Dance Group

Join the Ito Yosakoi Dance Group's weekly classes to learn the lively, energetic dance style of Yosakoi dancing! Yosakoi dancing features choreographed group dances with traditional movements mixed with modern, uptempo music to make for a captivating dance style that is growing in popularity in Japan and abroad! No dance experience is necessary. Class members have the option of dancing with the class recreationally, or learning the group's repertoire to perform in public, including at local festivals like Cherry Blossom Festival and the Center's annual Children's Day Festival!

Class Instructions

• Please wear comfortable clothing and have water on hand.

• Please give yourself enough space to move around.

• For online participants: If you are comfortable, please turn on your video, as it is helpful for the instructors to see participants to adjust the class' pace. If you do not want to turn on your video for any reason, that is okay too.  

If you have disabilities or require physical accommodations, or would otherwise like to contact us, please email itoyosakoi@gmail.com.

Dear Community Partners:  

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) invites you to save the date for a meeting with our community partners. We will host a meeting to discuss and share information on budget-related issues, including planning for budget reductions for FY 26-27. SFDPH is committed to approaching budget changes at the local, state and federal level in a thoughtful way that prioritizes patient care, centers equity, and preserves public health.   

To accommodate different schedules, we are offering two meeting times – please plan to attend one of the two sessions.  

SFDPH plans to hold additional meetings during the budget decision-making process.  

Hybrid Community Meeting 

• Date: Wednesday, October 8 

• Time: 4-5 p.m.  

• Location:  Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans Avenue or via Zoom 

• Format: This meeting will be presented in a hybrid format. Invitees can choose whether to join in person at the Southeast Community or online via Zoom. 

In-Person Community Meeting 

• Date: Thursday, October 9 

• Time: 4-5 p.m. 

• Location: 25 Van Ness Avenue, Room 610 

• Format: This is an in-person only meeting 

Please RSVP by October 3 at the following links: 

RSVP: October 8th  

RSVP: October 9th  

We will provide additional logistical details about these meetings closer to the date. We thank you for your valued partnership and hope you join us. 

Sincerely, 

SFDPH

Dear Community Partners:

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) invites you to save the date for a meeting with our community partners. We will host a meeting to discuss and share information on budget-related issues, including planning for budget reductions for FY 26-27. SFDPH is committed to approaching budget changes at the local, state and federal level in a thoughtful way that prioritizes patient care, centers equity, and preserves public health.

To accommodate different schedules, we are offering two meeting times – please plan to attend one of the two sessions.

SFDPH plans to hold additional meetings during the budget decision-making process.

Hybrid Community Meeting

• Date: Wednesday, October 8

• Time: 4-5 p.m.

• Location: Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans Avenue or via Zoom

• Format: This meeting will be presented in a hybrid format. Invitees can choose whether to join in person at the Southeast Community or online via Zoom.

• Free parking is available on the property and streets.

• In-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

In-Person Community Meeting

• Date: Thursday, October 9

• Time: 4-5 p.m.

• Location: 25 Van Ness Avenue, Room 610

• Format: This is an in-person only meeting

Please RSVP by October 3 at the following links:

RSVP: October 8th

RSVP: October 9th

We will provide additional logistical details about these meetings closer to the date. We thank you for your valued partnership and hope you join us.

Sincerely,

SFDPH

Join the Sharp Park Detention Center Memorial Committee to view and comment on the interpretive panels to be installed at Sharp Park.

Join Us for the 2025 Wakamatsu Pilgrimage

Honor the Pioneers. Discover Your Roots.
Join us for our fourth biennial pilgrimage to the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony, the site of the first large Japanese settlement in America. This is your rare chance to walk the grounds where Japanese pioneers made history, and to visit the gravesite of Okei, the first Japanese woman to die in the U.S.

This event is more than a historical tour—it’s a vibrant celebration of our shared heritage. Explore the 1850s farmhouse museum and learn about the colony’s fascinating history. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the largest gathering of descendants of the Wakamatsu colonists, including five originally from Japan. You can also participate in FREE family history consultations with volunteers from the California Genealogical Society. The day will also feature lively cultural performances, including Bon Odori dancing to honor ancestors and powerful taiko by Koyasan Kongo Gumi. And for a unique treat, enjoy a sake tasting with Gekkeikan!

To make your journey easy and enjoyable, we offer convenient bus and bento packages from San Jose, San Francisco, the East Bay, and Sacramento. We look forward to seeing you there as we continue this living legacy together.

Fifty years ago, a group of activists refused to accept the status quo. Today, their vision has become API Legal Outreach—a force that has transformed thousands of lives and reshaped what justice and equality looks like in the Bay Area. Now, as we face our greatest challenges yet, we’re gathering our community to celebrate this legacy and fuel the fight ahead.

Join us Friday, October 3rd at Hotel Nikko for an evening that honors the past while building the future. You’ll share exceptional cuisine with legal innovators, community champions, and corporate leaders who’ve chosen to stand in solidarity with immigrants, elders, youth, communities of color, LGBTQ+, abuse survivors, and individuals with disabilities. Through powerful storytelling, inspiring entertainment, and meaningful connections, you’ll experience firsthand why our work matters—and why your support right now is so crucial.

FEATURING
️ A multi-course seated dinner hosted by journalist Dion Lim ️ Honoree Speaker NANCY PELOSI! ️ Cultural entertainment and community awards ️ Silkscreen historical poster exhibit by JAM Workshop ️ Dancing with the Reverse DNA Band ️ Silent auction and raffle including two Cathay Pacific airline tix to Asia.

This is more than a gala. It’s a moment of collective power when your presence becomes resistance, your support becomes action, and your commitment helps us meet this moment head-on. The communities we serve are under attack, but history shows us that when we stand together, we don’t just survive—we thrive.

Mark your calendar for this upcoming Ikebana workshop!
We are thrilled to host the very first Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop at the JCD Visitor Center!  Discover the beauty and mindfulness of Ikebana while learning basic techniques and design tips from an experienced instructor.

We are very excited to host visiting Chef Aiko from Himeji, Japan for her onigiri and dashi cooking workshop! Aiko is also a Japanese culinary instructor and cooking expert, sharing her knowledge of washoku and dashi culture through cooking classes and workshops in Japan and abroad. This workshop’s theme will be Chōyō no Sekku, which is one of Japan’s five seasonal festivals, traditionally celebrated on the 9th of September. It is a day to pray for longevity and good health, and chrysanthemums—symbols of purity and rejuvenation—are used as decorations and also incorporated into food. Chestnut rice (kuri gohan) is eaten as a seasonal delicacy during this time, celebrating the autumn harvest and symbolizing prosperity.

In this fun and relaxing workshop, participants will not only cook a delicious meal, but learn stories about Chōyō no Sekku and the ties it has to Japanese food culture. Register today for this special workshop and enjoy a delicious meal!

Workshop Menu:

• Kuri gohan (Chestnut Rice) onigiri

• Miso soup made with authentic dashi

• Grilled salted salmon

Mark your calendar for this upcoming Ikebana workshop!
We are thrilled to host the very first Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop at the JCD Visitor Center!  Discover the beauty and mindfulness of Ikebana while learning basic techniques and design tips from an experienced instructor.

Join Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition for small bites and lightly structured conversations to engage and network with other API women across generations and industries.

We will organize into small groups on a variety of topics, such as finding your purpose, work-life balance, and telling your story. You’ll have a chance to meet other API women in your field or industry. With a multi-generational approach, we hope participants will benefit from sharing perspectives and advice across diverse backgrounds to promote personal growth and to foster our community. There will also be time for informal networking.

Please pay what you can ($10-$50). For those who can, we invite you to pay at the $100 level, which will support PAAWBAC to sponsor a young API woman. As always, please consider making a donation to PAAWBAC, even if you can't attend the event.

Through Network 2025, PAAWBAC is building on its 45 year legacy to usher in a new generation of young API women's leadership and connections.

Art & Activism for Peace. The role .of art making in community, art panel discussion, bon odori workshop.

LATENT AUGUST: Legacy of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. SFSU Panel Discussion.

Join the Sharp Park Detention Center Memorial Committee to view and comment on the interpretive panels to be installed at Sharp Park.

Soko Hardware Celebrates 100 Years in Japantown!

Join the Japantown Community Benefit District in honoring Soko Hardware’s 100th anniversary on Saturday, 9/27 from 2 PM—3 PM on Osaka Way. A designated San Francisco Legacy Business, Soko Hardware has been a family-run institution since 1925—celebrating a century of resilience, culture, and community in the heart of Japantown.