This year’s event will be unlike any other celebration before, featuring special guest artists from Japan, an array of elevated culinary offerings and a dynamic cultural celebration worthy of the Center’s 50 years of serving the community and being a place to gather.

Our theme, “Celebrating Generations,” recognizes the sacrifices and triumphs of our Issei and Nisei generations and celebrates the future of all Japanese Americans. We are excited to bring a renowned knife maker from Nagasaki prefecture and daruma artists from Shirakawa Fukushima, who will be sharing their beautiful crafts and artwork with the Tabemasho audience.

Our 50th Anniversary would not be possible without the support of the generations of Japanese Americans, particularly the Nisei, from all over the San Francisco Bay Area who gave generously and unselfishly to secure the future of the Center 50 years ago. We are celebrating this milestone because of their vision for a permanent place for the community in Japantown, where cultural practices could continue and the challenges and sacrifices by their parents, the Issei, could be honored.

Tabemasho (“let’s eat together”) was first envisioned as an annual Center event to celebrate the culinary creativity of chefs from local San Francisco restaurants, Japanese food enthusiasts and companies promoting and encouraging individuals to taste and appreciate Japanese ingredients, customs and traditions. Additionally, special guests from Japan are invited annually to provide guests with an up close and personal look into the rich history of preserving and sustaining Japanese crafts and culinary practices, further bridging the connection between Japanese Americans and their cultural heritage in Japan.