Japantown Task Force

03/19/2026

🌲2/19 Fillmore Community Visioning Session Recap🌲

Japantown Task Force attended the first Community Visioning Session hosted by Align Real Estate on the future of the former Fillmore Safeway site. The open house was a freeform event where community members shared concerns and hopes for the future of this important location for the Fillmore and Japantown.

Join the next session this Friday, March 20th, 5–7 pm at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (1840 Sutter).

03/14/2026

🏡 3/20 Community Visioning Session Two

Share your vision for the future of 1335 Webster (formerly Safeway) at the second interactive session hosted by site developer ALIGN in Japantown.

📍: Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (The Center) 1840 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94115
⏰: 5-7pm, Friday 3/20

02/27/2026

✨🍾2/27 NCLF Annual Vision Awards✨

Last night, JTF was proud to be in the house at the 2nd Annual Vision Awards hosted by the New Community Leadership Foundation at KOHO Co-Creative Hub in Japantown — what a powerful evening it was!

Japantown showed up strong alongside leaders and community members from the Jewish community, Black community, and neighborhoods across San Francisco. The room was filled with unity, purpose, incredible speeches, moving stories, and amazing food.

We were honored to hear from five outstanding changemakers:

• Dontaye Ball & Quanisha Johnson of Cafe Melange
• Richard Beal of Tenderloin Housing Clinic
• Susan Brown of Peer Talk Media
• Ken Johnson of Urban Advantage TV & San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce
• Cheryl Shanks of SoulStation

Each honoree embodied the theme of “Build It Here, Transform It Everywhere” — advancing equity, expanding opportunity, and strengthening communities across San Francisco. We’re grateful to celebrate alongside partners who believe that transformation starts at home.

CommunityStrong

02/26/2026

🚧 Peace Plaza Renovation Update🚧 March 2026

Information from the Recreation & Parks Department (RPD) Peace Plaza Renovation Design Team:

• The sidewalk on Post Street will be under construction starting the week of March 2nd. Pedestrians will be diverted into a protected pedestrian pathway adjacent to the work area. This phase is expected to take up to one month.

• Several evenings of night work are anticipated in March, possibly extending into April, to complete additional waterproofing.

The team is working hard to complete these tasks ahead of the major celebrations in April. More details will be shared once start dates are confirmed.

For questions or concerns, please contact RPD Project Manager Marien Coss at [email protected].

To stay informed and follow project progress, attend the monthly Peace Plaza Committee meeting (4th Tuesday at 5 PM via Zoom). Meeting details available at the link in bio or at japantowntaskforce.org/peace-plaza-committee.

Thank you for your patience and continued support for our beloved Peace Plaza ✌️🗼

02/13/2026

2/15 Bay Area Day of Remembrance 2026: Neighbors Not Enemies, Stronger Together - Carrying the Light for Justice 🕯️

Join us on Sunday, February 15th, from 2 to 4 PM to commemorate the signing of Executive Order 9066 and unite our Bay Area community against mass detention and deportation.

This in-person gathering will take place at the JCCCNC Gymnasium at 1824 Sutter Street. Reception will follow at the JCCCNC Issei Memorial Hall in San Francisco Japantown.

    •    Emcee Ryan Yamamoto (KPIX 5 Anchor).
    •    Round table panel discussion with David Chiu (City Attorney of San Francisco), Satsuki Ina (Co-Founder Tsuru for Solidarity), and Grace Shimizu (Campaign for Justice - Redress NOW for Japanese Latin Americans), and moderated by Kenji Taguma (Editor-in-Chief, Nichi Bei News).
    •    Dance Performance by IKKAI, choreography by Yayoi Kambara.
    •    Clifford Uyeda Award presentation.
    •    Presented by Bay Area DOR Consortium.

Free admission. All are welcome! Donations are appreciated. You can donate by selecting “Get tickets” and scrolling down to the donation option.
For convient, accessible, and secure parking, please use the Japan Center Garage (Post or Geary Entrances). For more information about the garage, please visit https://www.japancentergarage.org/ (https://www.japancentergarage.org/)

02/13/2026

🌳 2/19 Community Visioning Session

Share your vision for the future of 1335 Webster (formerly Safeway) at this interactive session hosted by site developer ALIGN.

📍: Third Baptist Church of San Francisco
1399 McAllister St, San Francisco CA 94115
⏰: 5-7pm, Thursday Feb 19th

02/03/2026

🚧 Peace Plaza Renovation Update 🚧 January 2026

JTF is happy to share that the Plaza renovations are two-thirds complete! This includes significant portions of the structure and utilities systems.

For more updates and details, see the link in bio or visit peaceplaza.org. Thank you for your patience and continued support for our beloved Peace Plaza ✌️🗼!

# sfjapantown

07/25/2025

🚧 Peace Plaza Renovation Update 🚧

The $33M renovation of San Francisco’s Peace Plaza has hit a delay due to unexpected construction challenges. Originally planned for 500 days, the timeline has now been extended to 733 days, pushing completion to Summer 2026 — after the April 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival.

🏗️ Osaka Way/Buchanan Mall will also begin renovation in early 2026 through the end of the year.

While the delay is not ideal, this work is necessary to fix ongoing issues and complete the fully funded projects before the budget deadline.

Thank you for your patience and continued support! 🙏✨

03/12/2025

[JTF/JCD Alert-3/11/25] Ribbon-cutting, free gifts, #2 Sutter success!

New this week: 3/15 ribbon-cutting with sister cities, Customer Appreciation Campaign this weekend, Jeanie Kashima’s collage exhibit and 3/15 talk at the National Japanese American Historical
Society, AND advocacy success on the #2 Sutter. Details below!
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
RIBBON-CUTTING to CELEBRATE BAY AREA SISTER CITIES

Join us on Saturday, March 15, 12N for a very special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Izumisano-Daly City Sister City AND the Kishiwada-South San Francisco Sister City relationships.

Location: Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, Japan Center EAST Mall, 2nd Floor.
This event is free and open to the public.

Wed, 3/12, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall
https://www.genryuarts.org/Home.html

Sat, 3/15, 12N-1 pm: Japantenna Ribbon Cutting for Daly City-Izumisano Sister City @ JCD Visitor Center

Sat, 3/15, 10 am-3 pm: Rummage Sale @ 2031 Bush. [Kinmon Gakuen]. Use this form to donate items.

Sat, 3/15, 2-4 pm: Artist Meet & Greet with Jeanie Kashima @ Peace Gallery, NJAHS, free.

Wed, 3/19, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall

Wed, 3/19, 12N-1 pm: “Women in Business Leadership: Succeeding in a Man’s World Webinar,” free. [National Association of Asian American Professionals]
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-business-leadership-succeeding-in-a-mans-world-tickets-1222525981119

Wed, 3/19, 2:30pm: Mobility Options for Seniors, People with Disabilities @ Western Addition Senior Center

Thurs, 3/20, 11am: Mobility Options for Seniors, People with Disabilities @ JCCCNC

Sat, 3/22, 11 am -7 pm: Signing Event with 3 Celebrity Anime Voice Actors Patty Mattson, Andrew Russell, Brenna Larsen, free. [SF Anime Festival, Japan Center East & West Malls]

Sun, 3/23, 2-4 pm: Bay Area Convening: connecting our history of Japanese American WWII incarceration to the current moment and uniting against mass detention and deportation @ KOHO [JCYC, APILO] RSVP: tinyurl.com/baja-convening

Wed, 3/26: 11am: Mobility Options for Seniors, People with Disabilities @ Buchanan YMCA
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer Appreciation Campaign

FREE Myaku Myaku Keychain w/ $50 purchase!
Holographic Myaku Myaku Sticker Sheet w/ $20 purchase!
Eligible purchase dates: FRI-SUN, 3/7-3/9 and FRI-SUN 3/14-3/16
To redeem: make a one day purchase of $50 or more from Japantown Merchants Association Members to receive a free keychain or spend $20 or more to receive the holographic sticker sheet. Save your receipts and redeem at the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center, open 12n-5p. Limit 1 person per day, while supplies last.
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Applications are open for the Summer 2025 Tomodachi Summer Program!

Program dates: June 9 - August 8, 2025
Tomodachi Summer Program: Incoming kindergarten - 6th grade
Tomodachi Summer Teen Group: 7th - 9th grade
Register here: https://www.jcyc.org/child-development
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Takahashi Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program Application Now Available for High Schoolers

A message from JCCCNC: The Takahashi Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program (TYAFP) was created as a dynamic youth exchange program between the United States (U.S.) and Japan. The 2025 Takahashi Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program will be an 8-month commitment with travel to Japan from July 31-August 8, 2025.

Activities for the Takahashi Fellows include community volunteer activities, Japanese and Japanese American history and cultural workshops, leadership development workshops, planning activities for a visit by Japanese students in the summer, team-building activities, family potlucks and get-togethers, and fundraising activities developed and implemented by the youth leaders.

DEADLINE: March 31, 2025
Apply here: https://www.jcccnc.org/programs-events-archive/youth-development/takahashi-youth-ambassador-fellowship-program/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIzigdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQ962VnAZCFKjI1jiqSG881c5X0J7qpZbOchs1tUM22gvsnj7iF48VjAvA_aem_TeYNXAUP8sWaebIv9H99HA%20
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Nikkei Community Internship Applications Open!

A message from the Japanese Community Youth Council: The Nikkei Community Internship (NCI) Program is a statewide initiative, which allows college students to support the work of community organizations while increasing their understanding of contemporary issues affecting Japanese Americans. Coordinated by JCYC in Northern California, the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose and Kizuna in Southern California, the program supports the development of the next generation of community leaders.

The program consists of an eight-week summer internship where interns are placed at organizations such as the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California, National Japanese American Historical Society, Go For Broke National Education Center and the Little Tokyo Service Center.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Job Opportunity! SFAC Community Investments Senior Program Officer

This position will lead new and existing initiatives to foster cultural equity in grantmaking, including increased technical assistance to communities historically underrepresented in SFAC grant applications and awards, professional development workshops for San Francisco artists and arts organizations, and improve strategies for engagement and outreach within historically marginalized communities.

Application Filing Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Apply here: https://sfartscommission.org/get-involved/volunteer-jobs
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMMEDIATE JOB OPENINGS
Super Mira Japanese Supermarket is seeking a weekend cashier. No experience necessary! Contact [email protected].

Japanese Tea Garden Tea House is seeking a staff member for Fridays and Saturdays, 9 am-6 pm. Contact the Tea House here.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more info + events: https://www.japantowntaskforce.org/campaigns/view-campaign/BRFBqvpJvjlqqZv_J10mGd9Ljntn1sqP5EYbkFuvkxGfyO2bdaKCdE36Pdg5mDbnDc0gj7O5jWszubldbcfd14bgKA6Kzv6O

New this week: 3/15 ribbon-cutting with sister cities, Customer Appreciation Campaign this weekend, Jeanie Kashima’s collage exhibit and 3/15 talk at the National Japanese American Historical Society, AND advocacy success on the #2 Sutter. Details below!

03/06/2025

[JTF/JCD Alert-3/4/25] Benkyodo Film, Mobility Sessions+Summer Programs

This Saturday, 3/8, don’t miss the amazing double feature: Eryn Kimura’s film “BENKYODO: The Last Manju Shop in J-Town” and Tad Nakamura’s film “Atomic Cafe" at the San Francisco Public Library (details below). Saturday, 3/8 is also the last day to donate items to the 3/15 Kinmon Gakuen Rummage Sale. Use the reservation form below. Come to community info sessions on mobility resources for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and check out Japantown-based summer opportunities for kids, teenagers, high schoolers, and college students!

Sat, 3/8, 2 pm: Benkyodo Documentary + Atomic Cafe Film Screening & Panel Discussion @ SF Main Library, Lower Level. Free.

Sat, 3/8-Sun, 3/9: Japantenna Osaka Showcase @ JCD Visitor Center

Mon, 3/10, 3-6 pm: Growing Solutions: U.S.-Japan Agri-Tech Innovations for a Carbon Neutral Future @ Digital Garage
https://lu.ma/qbdu5j9e?mc_cid=598cce08e7&mc_eid=ea6b91e3a7

Wed, 3/12, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall
https://www.genryuarts.org/Home.html

Sat, 3/15, 12N-1 pm: Japantenna Ribbon Cutting for Daly City-Izumisano Sister City @ JCD Visitor Center

Sat, 3/15, 10 am-3 pm: Rummage Sale @ 2031 Bush. [Kinmon Gakuen]. Use this form to donate items.

Wed, 3/19, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall

Wed, 3/19, 12N-1 pm: “Women in Business Leadership: Succeeding in a Man’s World Webinar,” free. [National Association of Asian American Professionals]
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-business-leadership-succeeding-in-a-mans-world-tickets-1222525981119

Wed, 3/19, 2:30pm: Mobility Options for Seniors, People with Disabilities @ Western Addition Senior Center
Thurs, 3/20, 11am: Mobility Options for Seniors, People with Disabilities @ JCCCNC

Sat, 3/22, 11 am -7 pm: Signing Event with 3 Celebrity Anime Voice Actors Patty Mattson, Andrew Russell, Brenna Larsen, free. [SF Anime Festival, Japan Center East & West Malls]

Sun, 3/23, 2-4 pm: Bay Area Convening: connecting our history of Japanese American WWII incarceration to the current moment and uniting against mass detention and deportation @ KOHO [JCYC, APILO]
RSVP: tinyurl.com/baja-convening

Wed, 3/26: 11am: Mobility Options for Seniors, People with Disabilities @ Buchanan YMCA
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications are open for the Summer 2025 Tomodachi Summer Program!
Program dates: June 9 - August 8, 2025
Tomodachi Summer Program: Incoming kindergarten - 6th grade
Tomodachi Summer Teen Group: 7th - 9th grade
Register here: https://www.jcyc.org/child-development
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Takahashi Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program Application

Now Available for High Schoolers
A message from JCCCNC: The Takahashi Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program (TYAFP) was created as a dynamic youth exchange program between the United States (U.S.) and Japan. The 2025 Takahashi Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program will be an 8-month commitment with travel to Japan from July 31-August 8, 2025.
Activities for the Takahashi Fellows include community volunteer activities, Japanese and Japanese American history and cultural workshops, leadership development workshops, planning activities for a visit by Japanese students in the summer, team-building activities, family potlucks and get-togethers, and fundraising activities developed and implemented by the youth leaders.
DEADLINE: March 31, 2025
Apply here: https://www.jcccnc.org/programs-events-archive/youth-development/takahashi-youth-ambassador-fellowship-program/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIzigdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQ962VnAZCFKjI1jiqSG881c5X0J7qpZbOchs1tUM22gvsnj7iF48VjAvA_aem_TeYNXAUP8sWaebIv9H99HA%20
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Nikkei Community Internship Applications Open!

A message from the Japanese Community Youth Council: The Nikkei Community Internship (NCI) Program is a statewide initiative, which allows college students to support the work of community organizations while increasing their understanding of contemporary issues affecting Japanese Americans. Coordinated by JCYC in Northern California, the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose and Kizuna in Southern California, the program supports the development of the next generation of community leaders. The program consists of an eight-week summer internship where interns are placed at organizations such as the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California, National Japanese American Historical Society, Go For Broke National Education Center and the Little Tokyo Service Center.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Job Opportunity! SFAC Community Investments Senior Program Officer

This position will lead new and existing initiatives to foster cultural equity in grantmaking, including increased technical assistance to communities historically underrepresented in SFAC grant applications and awards, professional development workshops for San Francisco artists and arts organizations, and improve strategies for engagement and outreach within historically marginalized communities.
Application Filing Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Apply here: https://sfartscommission.org/get-involved/volunteer-jobs
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more info + events: https://www.japantowntaskforce.org/campaigns/view-campaign/RGn-o4sH6SplhpspUfKjhA5rkPvbsimC8jGvu29PS3RwdBeXWCFpwE-DMQuYgE-n2MgiDR4Umbid8X4-o0QI90-ySeKQ7BL-

This Saturday, 3/8, don’t miss the amazing double feature: Eryn Kimura’s film “BENKYODO: The Last Manju Shop in J-Town” and Tad Nakamura’s film “Atomic Cafe" at the San Francisco Public Library (details below). Saturday, 3/8 is also the last day to donate items to the 3/15 Kinmon Gakuen ...

02/28/2025

[JTF/JCD Alert-2/27/25] Meet MYAKU MYAKU in Japantown THIS WEEKEND!

MYAKU MYAKU IS COMING THIS WEEKEND!
Meet the OFFICIAL mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai in San Francisco Japantown!

In partnership with the Consulate of Japan, the Japan Center East & West Malls, the Japan Center Garages, and the Japantown Merchants Association, the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Pop-up @ Japantenna begins on Friday, February 28 and runs until Sunday, March 2.

We start with an epic ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 am on Friday, February 28, followed by appearances by MYAKU MYAKU in Japantown throughout the day.

VIP Guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony:
State Senator Scott Wiener
Assemblymember Catherine Stefani
Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman
District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood
District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan
Consul General of Japan Yo Osumi
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Global Communications Chief Megumi Nakai
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Public Relations Kanako Kuzunuki
Japan Center Garages Board President Robert Hsu
Japantenna Co-Founder Kim Kolbe
Japantown Merchants Association President Rich Hashimoto
Japantown Task Force Board President Glynis Nakahara
Office of Mayor Daniel Lurie Director of International Trade & Commerce Mark Chandler
San Francisco-Osaka Sister City Association Executive Director Misako Sack.

If you have a preschooler in your family or neighborhood, come join MYAKU MYAKU for Preschool Hour on Sunday, March 2, 12N-1 pm at KOHO Creative Hub, across the way from the Japantown Cultural District Visitor Center. MYAKU MYAKU will also visit with Japanese speech contestants at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California from 2:30-3:30 pm.

Finally, on Monday, March 3, MYAKU MYAKU will travel to Rosa Parks Elementary School to see students at 7:30 am, then to Clarendon Elementary School to meet students at 9:15 am.
All events are FREE. Learn more about the Expo 2025 Kansai Osaka at this link: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

Fri, 2/28, 11 am: RIBBON CUTTING Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Pop-Up at Japantenna @ JCD Visitor Center.

Fri, 2/28 - Sun, 3/2, 12N-5 pm: Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Pop-up at Japantenna @ JCD Visitor Center.

Sun, 3/2, 12N- 1 pm: PRESCHOOL HOUR Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Pop-up at Japantenna @ JCD Visitor Center.

Wed, 3/5, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall

Sat, 3/8, 2 pm: Benkyodo Documentary + Atomic Cafe Film Screening & Panel Discussion @ SF Main Library, Lower Level. Free.

Mon, 3/10, 3-6 pm: Growing Solutions: U.S.-Japan Agri-Tech Innovations for a Carbon Neutral Future @ Digital Garage

Wed, 3/12, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes@ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall

Sat, 3/15, 10 am-3 pm: Rummage Sale @ 2031 Bush. [Kinmon Gakuen]. Use this form to donate items.

For more info + events: https://www.japantowntaskforce.org/campaigns/view-campaign/srfgc3q0Fev9b87maWtcYOIY6rF4baHY7ALon5U__PSO3ELE1ew0QNXX7lA2B6dYp82uJqfGwvoMqSygQJQGDx8-kVRSrw-D

In partnership with the Consulate of Japan, the Japan Center East & West Malls, the Japan Center Garages, and the Japantown Merchants Association, the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Pop-up @ Japantenna begins on Friday, February 28 and runs until Sunday, March 2.

02/19/2025

[JTF/JCD Alert-2/18/25] Sanctuary Vigil TOMORROW

The Reaffirming Sanctuary Procession & Vigil is TOMORROW. See schedule below.

NEW: Join us on 2/28/25 World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai launch in San Francisco RIBBON CUTTING with State Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood Consul General Yo Osumi, and many more VIPs! Details below.

Also new: Genryu Arts “Sounding Justice” Talk and Performance with Jon Jang and Francis Wong on 2/22/25. Check out the flyer below.

Wed, 2/19, 12:15 pm: Reaffirming Sanctuary - Interfaith Sanctuary Press Conference, Procession & Day of Remembrance Vigil @ Christ United Presbyterian Church.

Wed, 2/19, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall

Sun, 2/16-Sun, 2/23: Nihonmachi Little Friends Online Auction.

Fri, 2/21, 6 pm: NAACP SF 102nd Annual Freedom Fund Gala @ Hyatt Regency Embarcadero

Sat, 2/22, 2 pm: Author Kelly Goto in Conversation @ SF Main Library, 3rd Floor. Free.

Sat, 2/22, 6:30pm-8pm: Living The Work #11: Sounding Justice Gen, Japan Center East Mall

Sat/2/22: Films of Remembrance @ SF Japantown

Sun, 2/23: Films of Remembrance @ San Jose Japantown

Sun, 2/23, 12N-3 pm: Dowa no Omatsuri: A Festival of Children’s Stories @ Palace of Fine Arts. $30. [Nihonmachi Little Friends]

Fri, 2/28, 11 am: Osaka Expo @ Japantenna Ribbon-cutting @ JCD Visitor Center.

Fri, 2/28 - Sun, 3/2, 12N-5 pm: Osaka Expo @ Japantenna Pop-Up Experience @ JCD Visitor Center.

Wed, 3/5, 10:30-11:30am: Free Japanese dance classes @ Studio Gen Japan Center East Mall

Sat, 3/8, 2 pm: Benkyodo Documentary + Atomic Cafe Film Screening & Panel Discussion @ SF Main Library, Lower Level. Free.

Mon, 3/10, 3-6 pm: Growing Solutions: U.S.-Japan Agri-Tech Innovations for a Carbon Neutral Future @ Digital Garage

For more info + events:

The Reaffirming Sanctuary Procession & Vigil is TOMORROW. See schedule below. NEW: Join us on 2/28/25 World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai launch in San Francisco RIBBON CUTTING with State Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, District 1 Su...