NikkeiWest--Northern California Japanese American Newspaper

A listing of Northern California's Nikkei community events and happenings.

Event schedules and times can change at a moments notice. It is suggested that you verify event status by calling the phone number provided. Send us your events by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, May 19

The American River Conservancy, owners of the Wakamatsu Colony Farm property in the Sierra foothills, is holding a fundraising event, “Wakamatsu Colony Festival” to benefit the historic site from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., located at 941 Cold Springs Road in Gold Hill, California. “This event is a means to start to raise money for the development of the site,” said a spokesperson. Online ticket sales will be available Monday, April 2.  Ticket prices are $15 adults; $7 youth; under 10 free. For more information, go online at www.arconservancy.org/wakamatsu

Saturday, May 19

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California is organizing a youth and family community Clean-Up Day at the Japanese Cemetery in Colma from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Oftentimes we find ourselves too busy in our daily lives to honor our past and remember those who have passed on,” event organizers said. “The Japanese Cemetery in Colma is a unique cultural treasure that deserves our attention, our respect, OUR TIME. During the lunch break, a brief overview of the history of the cemetery, which was established in 1901, will be given. (Colma is also home to Catholic, Jewish, Italian, Serbian, Greek, Chinese and non-dominational cemeteries). The Japanese Cemetery is located at 1300 Hillside Blvd. The event is free, but attendees are asked to RSVP as a light lunch will be served. Call (415) 567-5505 for more information and to RSVP.

Saturday, May 19

The San Jose Chidori Band will present its 59th Anniversary Concert at 7 p.m. at the San Jose Buddhist Church annex. A full program of live performances of popular Japanese songs, koto music, and Japanese classical dance is planned. Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto and Brian Mitsuhiro Wong will perform songs on koto and shamisen with the band. They both give koto lessons and perform at various Bay Area community events. Shirley is the founder of the Murasaki Ensemble which performs jazz fusion music with koto, guitar, percussion, flute and bass. Also appearing will be Japanese classical dancers from Bando Misayasu Kai. Madame Bando Misayasu, professional dancer and head instructor, began her studies in Japanese classical dance in 1960. Pre-sale tickets to the concert may be purchased at Nikkei Traditions, through any Chidori Band member, and also be sold at the door for a $12 donation. For more information about the concert or the CD, please call (408) 260-2533.

Saturday, May 19

Friends and Families of Nisei Veterans will host its annual memorial service at 12 noon at Roberts Park in the hills above Oakland.  The origin of this service dates back to 1992, when E Company veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team planted a redwood tree in honor of all 442nd veterans. Now this event includes the Military Intelligence Service and welcomes veterans of all wars, their families and friends. A potluck picnic will fol­low the service. For mom information, contact the following: Lawson Sakai, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (408) 782-2054; Brian Shiroyama, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (408) 896-1021; Jean Hirasaki, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (408) 842-6973; Shelby Kariya, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (650) 438-9139.

Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20

Taiko master Kenny Endo and renowned jazz drummer Akira Tana will headline the free entertainment at the 63rd annual Satsuki Bazaar and Arts Festival held from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday, and from 12 noon to 7 p.m., on Sunday, at the Berkeley Buddhist Temple, located at 2121 Channing Way. Kenny Endo is one of the leading personas in contemporary percussion and rhythm. He is the vanguard of the taiko genre, continuing to pave new paths in this Japanese-style drumming after more than 30 years as a taiko player. Endo, a performer, composer and teacher, has been honored with numerous awards and accolades. Akira Tana, son of the late Berkeley Buddhist Temple minister, Rev. Daisho Tana, has established himself as one of the most sought-after drummers on the international jazz scene. With degrees in East Asian Studies from Harvard University and percussion from the New England Conservatory of Music, Tana has performed with Lena Horne, The Manhattan Transfer, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Gunther Schuller and Charles Aznavour, among many others, with performances on more than 100 recordings. For more information, go to the temple website at www.berkeleysangha.org, or call (510) 841-1356.

Sunday, May 20

The Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) proudly present a free screening of “Gila River and Mama: The Ruth Mix Story,” at 1 p.m. at Japanese American Museum San Jose, located at 535 N. 5th Street.  Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required by Sunday, May 13. To register, call JAMsj at (408) 294-3138 or email Aggie Idemoto at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or contact CATS at (408) 867-4525 or email Reiko Iwanaga at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sunday, May 20

The San Leandro Public Library to present a special film screening of “Legacy of the Nisei,” digital oral histories of Japanese Americans and Veterans in the 100th/442nd, MIS (Military Intelligence Service). This is the second film in a Legacy series produced by the San Leandro Public Library. It features residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. The screening will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Avenue. Free tickets are available at the San Leandro Main Library information desk. For more information contact Addie Silveira and Mary Beth Barloga by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (510) 577-3991.

Thursday, May 24

Sake San Jose, is one of the most anticipated and successful annual fundraiser to benefit Yu-Ai Kai, the Japanese American Community Senior Service Center. The streets of Japantown (Jackson between 3rd and 7th St.) come alive when Yu-Ai Kai, along with Japantown merchants and restaurants, unite to host ticket holders to an evening of sampling favorite sakes and snacks from local restaurants.  Visitors are welcome to enjoy the live entertainment, shopping and the chance to meet family and friends.  Tickets will be available for purchase mid-April 2012, both online at www.sakesanjose.com and at Yu-Ai Kai.  Ticket price is $40 each if purchased on or before Wednesday, May 23 and will be $50 if purchased on Thursday, May 24, the day of the event.  Opening ceremony at Yu-Ai Kai will kick off the event at 5 p.m.; tasting stations open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 8:30 p.m.  More details can be found at www.sakesanjose.com.  All proceeds from Sake San Jose ticket and merchandise sales benefit Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services.

Saturday, May 26

Surviving World War II Nisei Veterans will be honored at the Sacramento Congressional Gold Medal ceremony to be held 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at California State Museum Courtyard, 1020 “O” St (at 10th Street)  in Sacramento. Doors open at 10 a.m. and ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Surviving Sacramento County Japanese American veterans who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service during World War II will justly be presented the Congressional Gold Medal by Congresswoman Doris Matsui.

Sunday, May 27

A one-hour documentary “Great Grandfather’s Drum” will be held at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Annex, 640 N. 5th St., in San Jose. Doors open/food sales begin at 11 a.m., movie/entertainment by San Jose Taiko from 12 noon to 2 p.m. The film is a benefit in recognition of the one year anniversary of the Japan earthquake and tsunami that caused devastation that still requires assistance. “Great Grandfather’s Drum” celebrates the Japanese American culture and history in Hawaii, by honoring the plantation life, World War II heroism and Hawaii’s statehood. The film portrays Maui Taiko, a contemporary Japanese American drum ensemble who seek their ancestral roots in Fukushima Japan, just prior to the earthquake and tsunami.  Kay Fukumoto of the film will be in attendance and will teach Fukushima Ondo. San Jose Taiko will make an appearance. Joining us for the film’s showing will be Kay Fukumoto to teach the Fukushima Ondo, a traditional folk dance.  There will be a raffle and DVD sales.

Donation $20; Seniors 80+, child 12 and under $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Betsuin, from temple members, and at Nikkei Traditions in San Jose Japantown. For more information, contact  Karen Akahoshi at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Monday, May 28

The annual Ecumenical Memorial Day Service will be held on at 10 a.m. in the Japanese section of Oak Hill Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Avenue, at Monterey Road. Everyone is encouraged to attend. The Memorial Service is open to all ages.  This event is sponsored by the Oak Hill Japanese Trust Committee, which was organized in 1926 to maintain the burial grounds. The burial grounds are now being maintained by the Oak Hill Memorial Park. Donations to the Oak Hill Japanese Trust Committee during the past many years have created a fund by which the earnings from it are used to donate a like amount each year to three community organizations. Yu-Ai Kai, San Jose J.A.C.L., West Valley J.A.C.L. and the Silicon Valley J.A.C.L. will each to receive gift of $500. The Trust Committee encourages the public to come early to this memorial service because parking is limited due to the other memorial services being held through out the park. For information, please call Chairman, Eric Masunaga (408) 729-5166.

Saturday, June 2

Stress Reduction is the topic for J-Sei’s Saturday Morning Series 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Lake Park United Methodist Church, 281 Santa Clara Avenue in Oakland.  Saturday Morning series is a series of stimulating panels, forums, and discussions about issues facing our multi-generational community. Speakers will be Mackenzie Stewart, Crisis Support Services, Counseling Service for Older Adults and Stress Counseling Project, and Lina Haniu-Hannigan, Ph.D, Clinical Health Psychologist. Registration and refreshments will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Suggested donation of $5 at the door (no one will be turned away). RSVP optional, but helpful. For more information, call (510) 848-3560.

Saturday, June 2

The 2012 Sacramento Buddhist Church Rummage Sale sponsored by the Legacy Endowment Fund Board takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Buddhist Church social hall and courtyard located at 2401 Riverside Blvd. With the current emphasis on re-purposing and reusing, the LEFB Rummage Sale provides a great opportunity for donors to pass on items no longer used or needed and makes them available to others.  The recyclables will be sold to raise funds to help church projects benefiting various programs while providing items at bargain prices and will keep them out of the landfills.  Unsold items will be donated to charitable organizations to extend the benefits to others in the community.  It is a winning situation for everyone. Rummage sale items will be accepted from Wednesday, May 29 through Friday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Buddhist Church.  Community support will be appreciated. For more information, call the church at (916) 446-0121 or online at www.buddhistchurch.com

Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10

The Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church, will hold their annual food bazaar, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The church is located at 5191 24th Street (2 blocks north of Fruitridge Road) in Sacramento. For more information, call (916) 443 3245.

Sunday, June 10

The San Jose Seicho-No-Ie Church located at 777 7th Street in San Jose’s Japantown, will be hosting its annual bazar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., specializing in delicious Japanese food at very thrifty prices. There will also be various items from small furniture, pots and pans, Japanese decorated items, clothes, fashionable items, accessories, and much more!! “This Bazaar is from our church members whom represent our sincere appreciation and thankfulness for you visiting and supporting us. Everyone is most welcomed, and please enjoy our delicious food, and fun shopping.” “Arigato Gozaimasu” Parking is the available in the spacious parking lots. For more information, call (408) 294-7120.

Saturday-Sunday, June 23-24,

Buddhist Church of Lodi will hold its annual bazaar festivities starting at 3 p.m.  The church is located at 23 N. Stockton Street in Lodi. This year’s raffle will include many new prizes in addition to the grand prize of $1,000 cash. The bazaar will feature many cultural displays and demonstrations, such as Japanese swords, folk and classical Japanese dancing, tea ceremony, koto, judo, ikebana, and Japanese cooking. Obon Odori will be held on Sunday starting at 7 p.m. On both days, a variety of Japanese food will be offered. Teriyaki chicken, sushi, curry rice, tempura, udon, Spam musubi, chicken salad, and chow mein will be available in the outdoor patio area.  For more information, call the church office at (209) 368-5589 or online at www.lodibuddhist.org

Saturday-Sunday, June 30 - July 1

The 58th annual Walnut Grove Buddhist Church Bazaar will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. The ever-popular teriyaki chicken, Bingo, with bonus prizes, will again be featured. The church is located off Hwy. 160 in Walnut Grove. (916) 776-1312, www.walnutgrovebc.org

Saturday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 3

The 2012 Tule Lake Pilgrimage Committee announces the four-day Tule Lake pilgrimage has stopped accepting applications. Please note that this year the pilgrimage is scheduled the weekend before the July 4th holiday. If you want more information, contact Hiroshi Shimizu, tel: (415) 566-2279 cell: (415) 317-2686 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday-Sunday, July 14-15

San Jose Buddhist Church Obon/Bazaar will be held on the street in front of the church located at 640 N. 5th St, in San Jose. For more information, call (408) 293-9292 or online at www.sjbetsuin.com

Saturday-Sunday, July 14-15

Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church’s Annual Bazaar will be held Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call the Church office at (510) 471-2581 or www.sacbc.org