Learn how Paper Tree is leaning into the world’s latest augmented reality technology with an interactive approach to bring awareness, community, and a new perspective to the business and artistic culture. Each AR sculpture is accompanied by a list of materials that can be purchased at Paper Tree to create the origami for real. Hear from locals who have tried the experience and a local nonprofit association sharing the impact of augmented reality so far in the community.

LOCATION:
Paper Tree
1743 Buchanan Street, S.F., CA 94115

When you come to Japantown on between 11/11 – 11/19 make sure to hold on to your receipts totaling $50 from Japantown RETAIL stores. Once you collected $50 or more in receipts, head to the Heart of Jtown Pop-Up Gift Shop located on the first floor of the Kinokuniya building (around the corner from Matcha Cafe Maiko). In exchange you’ll get a pin designed by the Heart of Jtown artist, Brandt Fuse of SumoFish. One pin per person at one time.

LOCATION:
The Heart of Jtown Pop UP GIft Shop – Kinokuniya Bldg.
1581 Webster Street, S.F., CA 94115

The Japantown Community Benefit District in partnership with Ryotaro Muramatsu and NAKED, Inc. is excited to bring back the Dandelion Project, an interactive art exhibit to San Francisco’s Japantown. Created and conceived by artist Ryotaro Muramatsu, the Dandelion art pieces are planted (installed) at specific locations. Exhibit attendees use their smartphones to simulate blowing on the dandelion, sending its fluff in real-time to specific exhibit locations around the world. A symbol of peace, the dandelion fluff travels to destinations, spreading the seeds of peace all over the world.

Cost: FREE

LOCATION:
Kinokuniya Building
1581 Webster Street, S.F., CA 94115

ABOUT THE TOUR
Food and sake education by the certified sake sommelier/Japanese cuisine advisor, Chika Ohata from Iwate, Japan. Chika will be happy to answer any questions; from culinary ingredients to fermentation. On this fun and educational tour, guests will not only taste food and sake at a few of the most popular restaurants in Japantown, but also go home with more knowledge of them. We’ll be tasting different styles of sake from home brew-style doburoku to sweet kijoshu. If you’re a beginner or sake enthusiast you’ll equally have a blast.

The tour will meander through Japantown for a one-of-a-kind progressive dinner. JapanTown Food & Sake Tour sample stops may include:

– Sake cocktail featuring doburoku and appetizer pairing at neighborhood newcomer, Fermentation Lab

– The innovative and stylish Kaiseki-style restaurant, Sasa for an Omakase set including sashimi, nigiri, soup and affogato with kijoshu sake for dessert

– Umami-happy ramen and sake pairing at Hinodeya

Cost: $290

LOCATION:
Japantown

Japantenna is a program of the Japantown Cultural District. It highlights the various prefectures of Japan. In the past they have highlighted, Kagoshima, Ehime, Kobe, Fukuoka and Craft Valley. Find out more about the many prefectures of Japan and their specialties.

LOCATION:
Japantenna
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

The Enso Hotel in partnership with Kenshin Sake will hold an intimate evening to taste varieties of sake in their outdoor courtyard. Enjoy a great selection of sake while listening to shamisen musician, Kyle Abbott.

COST: FREE

LOCATION:
Enso Hotel
1800 Sutter Street, S.F., CA 94115

Have you heard of the game of Go, but don’t know where to start or who to ask questions? Mark your calendar for November 17th, and make your way to Japantown San Francisco.

The SF Go club will host a casual Go game night for anyone who wants to learn more about the game of go in a laid back environment. Stop in, meet Go club members, and ask away any questions you might have about the game of Go!

COST: FREE

LOCATION:
SF Go Club
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

ABOUT THE TOUR
One of only three remaining Japantowns in the United States, this San Francisco neighborhood is filled with culinary gems. Many locals have yet to uncover the hidden restaurants, ethnic markets, and mom-and-pop food businesses that make this district so special.

Tastes may include bento box of savory salads from locally owned Japanese market, Super Mira; onigiri (rice balls) from family-run Kissako Tea; Takoyaki (Japanese street food) from Yama-Chan; matcha soft serve boba sundae from Matcha Cafe Maiko; and steaming bowls of ramen from Hinodeya Ramen Bar. After the tour, you’ll be an expert on where to find the best bites in the neighborhood. You may even get an origami lesson at Paper Tree, home to a wide-range of elegant Japanese papers.

Cost: $130

LOCATION:
Japantown

ABOUT THE TOUR
San Francisco’s Japantown is one of only three remaining Japanese neighborhoods in the United States and home to authentic fare. Guests will come across neighborhood “secrets” often passed over by rushed visitors, learn about cultural talents, and taste specialties made with Japanese ingredients. During this desserts-only excursion guests will grow to appreciate and understand why this neighborhood is such an important place to San Franciscans and to the United States.

Tastes may include a sweet potato latte from YakiniQ Cafe, tea and mochi from Kissako, Japanese style mochi donuts from Mochill, boba sundae’s from Matcha Cafe Maiko, and a slice of heavenly coffee crunch from Yasukochi’s Sweet Shop. Make sure to bring your sweet tooth!

Cost: $90

LOCATION:
Japantown

Japantenna is a program of the Japantown Cultural District. It highlights the various prefectures of Japan. In the past they have highlighted, Kagoshima, Ehime, Kobe, Fukuoka and Craft Valley. Find out more about the many prefectures of Japan and their specialties.

LOCATION:
Japantenna
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

Come and visit one of the oldest Japanese language school in the Unites States. Take a peek into the classroom, learn about its deep history in Japantown from Principal Rev. Akihiko Tominaga and take part in a Haiku (Japanese shorty poetry) class.

COST: FREE

Cost: FREE

LOCATION:
Kinmon Gakuen (Golden Gate Institute)
2031 Bush Street, S.F., CA 94115

“Have you been a student of the game of Go for some time now? Want to gather with fellow students of the game to challenge your skills? Look no further, the SF Go Club will be hosting a Go tournament during APEC 2023!

Gather with other Go players, test your skills against some of the best players and have fun at the same time!

Sign up today to participate in this unique gaming experience here in Japantown San Francisco, and meet and gather with other Go players!”

COST:
$30 (Free for SF Go Club Members)

LOCATION:
SF Go Club
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Leland Wong Live Art
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Minyo Odori Workshop
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Taiko Workshop

APEC week at Studio Gen

November 18th @1pm-5pm

Sign up for a 30 minute workshop in Odori folk dance, taiko drumming, a shamisen demonstration by Studio Gen community group, and live visual art demonstration by Leland Wong. A wonderful way to experience community cultural arts. Many thanks to our presenting partner Japantown Merchant Association, and promotion by Japantown Cultural District and Japantown Task Force.

LOCATION:
Studio Gen
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

Japantenna is a program of the Japantown Cultural District. It highlights the various prefectures of Japan. In the past they have highlighted, Kagoshima, Ehime, Kobe, Fukuoka and Craft Valley. Find out more about the many prefectures of Japan and their specialties.

LOCATION:
Japantenna
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

LOCATION:
Paper Tree
1743 Buchanan Street

Japantenna is a program of the Japantown Cultural District. It highlights the various prefectures of Japan. In the past they have highlighted, Kagoshima, Ehime, Kobe, Fukuoka and Craft Valley. Find out more about the many prefectures of Japan and their specialties.

LOCATION:
Japantenna
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 2nd Floor, S.F., CA 94115

The traditional art of Washi Ningyo, Japanese Paper Dolls, has been cherished in Japan since the early 1500s. Through our exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops, we aim to educate and inspire individuals about the remarkable beauty that can be crafted from paper. This unique art form is not only a testament to our rich cultural heritage but also a creative expression that we hope will endure for generations to come.

With over 30 years of experience, Yurie Nakamura and Rochelle Lum have been dedicated to exhibiting and teaching the art of Washi Ningyo. Their expertise and passion have allowed them to share this captivating tradition with countless enthusiasts.

COST: FREE
The public is welcome to come by and try to make a simple Washi doll during the exhibit.

LOCATION:
US Bank Community Room
Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plaza, 1st Floor, S.F., CA 94115