San Francisco Japantown Events and Workshops

Japantown knows how to celebrate and that includes seasonal holidays as well as Japanese observances. Oshogatsu is the Japanese celebration of the new year with special ceremonies observed at local places of worship. In spring, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is the community’s biggest celebration culminating with the Grand Parade that runs through the heart of Japantown. Spring ends with the Kodomo No Hi (Children’s Day) in May. Summer is festival time when the community celebrates Anime, Japanese culture and Japanese Obon(honoring ancestors) with multiple festivals and events. In August, Nihonmachi Street Fair, the melting pot of street fairs, celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander communities and San Francisco.  Also, on Halloween, the Japantown Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) “The Center” welcomes trick or treaters with an indoor carnival. In the Winter, the Japantown community lights it up for the holidays where Santa can be found roaming the mall and lights at the Hotel Kabuki, Japan Center Malls, Peace Plaza and Osaka Way/Buchanan Street can be seen.