Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California

Although we are apart, we remain a COMMUNITY at Heart!

Although we are apart, we remain a COMMUNITY at Heart!
PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS

The Center serves an estimated 180,000 people annually through its classes, programs and workshops, and community events, hosting over 80 on-going classes and programs for people of all ages. Read More
MEMBERSHIP

Open to all, membership is the most meaningful way to instantly become part of the Center family. Enjoy benefits while supporting your community. Join Today!
Tickets on Sale Now!

Reserve your tickets here for your chance to win one of many prizes in our Sweepstakes opportunity! This year’s sweepstakes will feature four different drawings! Click here to learn more.
Center Census 2020

By filling out the Center Census, you are helping us understand our constituents and cater our efforts to best serve the community’s needs. Click here to take survey.

Temporary Closure

(3/31/20): The City and County of San Francisco issued a recommendation requiring all residents to “stay at home.” Therefore, all Center programs/activities are
suspended and its offices closed until further notice.

Our concern is the health and well-being of all who frequent the Center.
Click here for our Covid-19 Updates

The Center created this video to bring hope; that beyond the politics and isolation at home there are better days ahead. See you soon!

Our Sweepstakes Opportunity is back with even more chances to win!

Tickets are $100 for 9; $50 for 3; or $25 each. Ticket sales will support the future of the Center and its mission. Reserve your tickets here. Click here to learn more.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES

The personal health and safety of our constituents is our number priority. We want to do everything possible for you to feel confident and comfortable returning to participate in our programs. For your safety we have completely cleaned, sanitized and/or repainted the walls on the first and second floors. We are also implementing the following health and safety procedures to better ensure your safety.

HAND SANITIZING
• Hand sanitizing stations will be placed at entrances
• Touchless hand soap dispensers

FACILITY CLEANING
• Daily interior cleaning will continue
• Weekly sanitizing of the entire facility
• Frequent sanitizing of highly used/heavily touched areas
• Daily sanitizing of program/sports equipment (prior to/after use)
• Cleaning schedule of the restrooms will be posted

PERSONAL SAFETY
• Face masks will be required
• Social distancing protocols will be instituted
• Daily temperature checks of staff and instructors; and if participant(s) exhibit flu-like symptoms
• Employee/instructor training on our health/safety policies and procedures
• A clear partition at the reception desk will be installed

Click here to download the full Health and Safety Procedures Notice

Author Talk: A Question of Loyalty by Mike Malaghan

Sunday, August 9, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Author Mike Malaghan presents his new novel, A Question of Loyalty, the second of his Picture Bride historical fiction trilogy. Mike Malaghan will discuss historic turning points dramatized in his novel from the wartime history of the Nisei veterans who served in the 100th MIS and 442nd RCT. More…

Kenji’s Kitchen: Chirashizushi Online Cooking Class

Sunday, August 16, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Our virtual cooking class for the month of August is chirashizushi, a fun and festive sushi rice dish! Follow along from your own kitchen with instructor Kenji Yokoo of YouTube channel Kenji’s Kitchen! More…

Webinar: Asian American Themes in Avatar: The Last Airbender
with Dr. Lori Kodi Lopez

Saturday, August 22, 2020
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Fans of the hit Nickelodeon animated TV series now streaming on Netflix won’t want to miss this discussion of Asian American themes presented in Avatar The Last Airbender, presented by Dr. Lori Kodi Lopez. More…

We’re looking for new instructors!

Have a skill or hobby that you want to share? We’re searching for new instructors who can add their talents to the diverse programs we offer each year. Take a moment to fill out our Instructor Recruitment form here

Job Opportunities

Inspiring, Creative, Committed, Detail-oriented, Team-Player, Positive and Outgoing – if these are some of the words that describe your work values and you want to help make a difference in people’s lives while contributing toward the future of the Japanese American community, maybe a career at the Center is for you.

Membership Coordinator
Programs Coordinator
Sr. Bookkeeper/Accountant

Visit employment opportunities page here

The Center has received the 2019 Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar

Donate Now

ALL IN-PERSON CLASSES and WORKSHOPS ARE CANCELLED until further notice.

Picnic at the Plaza

Saturday and Sundays
11:30am-8:00pm
July 18-September 27, 2020

Picnic at the Plaza is located in San Francisco Japantown’s Peace Plaza. Created to support local businesses by providing a free outdoor dining space including canopy, lighting, heaters, hand-wash stations, restrooms and socially distanced sanitized tables and chairs. Come and enjoy a meal while supporting Japantown!

To learn more visit our Facebook event!

This program is brought to you by the Center in cooperation with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the Japantown Merchants Association. Funded by The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation.

Complete the Center Census TODAY!Help us understand our constituents and cater our efforts to best serve the community’s needs. Click here to take survey.

Tadaima! Virtual Community Pilgrimage by Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages (JAMP)

June 13 – August 16

The Center is a proud community partner of the Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages’ (JAMP) 9-week virtual programs being held in place of WWII incarceration camp pilgrimages that have been canceled due to COVID-19. Check out the schedule of events and register online at the JAMP website! More…

Webinar – Helping Family and Friends Cope with the Stress of COVID-19 with Dr. Kayoko Yokoyama

Tuesday, August 11, 2020
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Sign up for our second mental wellness webinar featuring psychologist Dr. Kayoko Yokoyama and learn how you can help to support your family and friends who are struggling with the stress of the pandemic. More…

Webinar – Japanese American Figures in Politics with Dr. Emily Murase

Tuesday, August 18, 2020
6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Learn directly from past San Francisco Board of Education president Dr. Emily Murase on her experience as a Japanese American woman in politics. More…

Community Kitchen Virtual Potluck – Summer Obon and Matsuri Recipes

Tuesday, August 25, 2020
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

For those of you who have been missing summer obon foods due to COVID cancellations, share your favorite obon foods and summer festival recipes and memories at this month’s Community Kitchen virtual potluck! More…

Author Talk: We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
Co-Hosted by author Misa Sugiura

Tuesday, September 1, 2020
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Join NY Times best-selling author Traci Chee and fellow Japanese American author Misa Sugiura as they discuss Traci’s new novel about 14 teenagers in San Francisco Japantown during the time of the community’s forced removal and incarceration during WWII. More…