Calendar of Events
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
Thursday, Dec. 13
A winter holiday party will be held at J-Sei Senior Center, located at Berkeley Methodist United Church, 1710 Carleton St., at 11 a.m. Reservations are appreciated. Contact person: Vickie Kawakami, (510) 883-1106, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Upcoming events include a talk on medication management by Dr. Kay Yatabe on Monday, Jan. 14, at 12 p.m. and a New Year’s lunch on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 12 p.m. For more information, visit on the Internet at www.j-sei.org.
Saturday, Dec. 15
Celebrate the holidays with Kimochi and longtime favorite and new vendors, at the Kimochi Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Faire from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in The Event Center at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St. (at Geary Blvd.), walking distance to/from San Francisco’s Japantown. What better way to give back and support a much needed non-profit community organization and feel good as you shop, knowing that a portion of all of your purchases will help support Kimochi’s programs and services for seniors! You’ll find plenty of unique and budget-friendly items, including jewelry, apparel, bags, frames, magnets, stationery, ornaments, artwork, candles, soaps, cards, keychains, ceramics, scarves, hats, and lots more! Many of the items are inspired by Asian/Pacific Island designs. For more information, call Kimochi, Inc. at (415) 931-2294 or visit www.kimochi-inc.org.
Saturday, Dec. 15
Stockton JACL Christmas Party starting at 4 p.m. at the Stockton Buddhist Temple Gym.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 15-16
Lewis Suzuki will show his work with the Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Suzuki is a well-known Japanese American watercolor artist who is turning 92 years old this month. He is known for his use of watercolor in a wide range of subject matter, from seascapes to country barns, and from nudes to abstract flowers. Suzuki Studio is located at 2240 Grant St. (at Bancroft Way) in Berkeley and is also open by appointment. For more information, call (510) 849-1427. Some 100 artists and craftspeople are opening their workshops and galleries to the public during the 22nd annual Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios from Nov. 24 to Dec. 24. For more information, visit http://berkeleyartisans.com
Saturday, Dec. 29
11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
(1/2 hour shifts)
Mochitsuki Workshops—Ever want to make your very own mochi? Learn from one of Japantown’s manju makers, Mr. George Yamada, owner of the Yamada Seika manju-ya, which served the community for 36 years and closed its doors in 1999. Mr. Yamada not only generously donated his mochi making machine to the JCCCNC, but has shared his talents and joy of this New Year’s tradition with the community. Watch Mr. Yamada transform hot rice into mochi, and learn how to make your own mochi plain, with kinako, anko, and other sweets. A fun filled cultural workshop you will not want to miss, and your friends will love you when you bring home all the extra mochi! Fees: $12 JCCCNC members/$17 non-members, children under 5 years of age are free. Event will be held at JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco. Free and open to the public. Call (415) 567-5505, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Saturday, Jan. 5
The JAMsj Book Club will discuss the book by Diane Fujino “Samurai Among Panthers: Richard Aoki on Race, Resistance, and a Paradoxical Life” at 1 p.m. at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Second Floor, 535 N. Fifth Street in San Jose. Admission is free for this event. An iconic figure of the Asian American movement, Richard Aoki (1938–2009) was also, as the most prominent non-Black member of the Black Panther Party, a key architect of Afro-Asian solidarity in the 1960s and ’70s. His life story exposes the personal side of political activism as it illuminates the history of ethnic nationalism and radical internationalism in America. The book club is always open to new members. Selections are chosen collaboratively at the end of each meeting and align with the JAMsj mission: the celebration of Japanese American art, history, and culture. Books may be purchased at the JAMsj museum store. If you have questions, please contact Aggie Idemoto at (408) 268-4440 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sunday, Jan. 6
A heart-thumping, tasty, fun Japanese American New Year’s tradition awaits families, students, parents, grandparents, nieces and nephews at Florin’s “Mochi Madness” workshop and potluck from 10:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of Florin, located at 7235 Pritchard Road (off of Florin Road between Power Inn Road and the railroad tracks).
This event is sponsored by the Florin JACL, the Buddhist Church of Florin’s Dharma School, Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA), and Young Adult Buddhist Association (YABA). The event is free to members and families, $5 each for non-members to cover supplies. Free for ages 5 and under. Additional information can be found online at Florin JACL Website: www.florinjacl.com or Buddhist Church of Florin Website: www.florinbuddhist.org
Saturday, Jan. 26
The Japanese American Citizens League, Sacramento Chapter will host its 2013 Annual Crab and Spaghetti Feed Benefit starting at 5 p.m., at the Sacramento Buddhist Church, 2401 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento. General Admission: $45, 6 - 10 years old $10, children 5 and under free. Have a blast and participate in our famous airplane flying contest!! It is for all ages. Advance purchase is preferred due to availability. For ticket purchase or for further information, please contact Sue Ann at (916) 525-4655 or Miko at (916) 717-3015.
Jan. 28 to March 22
The Japanese American “Time of Remembrance Educational Program” is scheduled to run at the California State Museum of History, Women, and the Arts, 1020 O Street in Sacramento. For more information, please contact Shelly Heyes, Education & Programs Manager, at (916) 654-5688 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The program runs until March 22, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fees are $5 per student and $3 per chaperone. The museum requires one adult for every 10 students. Teachers are always free. To schedule a tour, call (916) 653-3476, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the website at www.californiamuseum.org.