Join us at Plaza West Covina to learn more about Japanese culture, indulge in exquisite Japanese and Japanese-American flavors, enjoy traditional music and dance performances, shop at an array of different vendors, and watch Japanese taiko drums and martial arts performances.
The 42nd Annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival honors the bond between Cupertino and its Japanese sister city Toyokawa by showcasing Japanese art, culture, and traditions. With a wide variety of activities, the festival offers something for everyone, regardless of age. And, best of all, we offer free admission and parking at De Anza College and Flint Center!
Hosted by the Huntington Beach Sister City Association
Sunday, April 19, 2:00 pm
Huntington Beach Central Park, Band Stage Area
Open to the Public
Join us for our annual festival featuring tea ceremonies, martial arts, a kimono booth, Japanese music, dance, calligraphy, sumo, a Japanese food truck, and more!
Join us for the 51st Annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival on April 18–19, 2026!
Presented by the Torrance Sister City Association (TSCA), Bunka-Sai is a free, two-day Japanese cultural festival and TSCA's major fundraiser supporting the annual student cultural exchange program. Free admission and free parking. All are welcome!
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival® (NCCBF) is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Japanese and Japanese American traditions. This dazzling display showcases the vibrant colors and grace of the Japanese culture, and the rich heritage and diversity of the Japanese American community. All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms and Japanese and Japanese American culture.
Planned and coordinated by community volunteers, the Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival strives to provide a cultural arts event that offers a forum for learning, entertainment, fun, and community support.
The annual Japanese Speech Contest for students of Japanese in the state of Arizona.
Join us at the Sister City Friendship Dinner, the Sebastopol World Friends’ annual tradition where the community gathers together to celebrate Sebastopol's sister cities, their cultures, and our work for world peace.
The Consulates General of Japan in San Francisco & Los Angeles, together with the California-Japan Sister Cities Network (CJSCN), are co-hosting this workshop and reception for all individuals involved in California-Japan sister city relationships. Make sure to include your students and other younger folks!
October 18 and 19, 2025 Huntington Beach Sister City is hosting a mini Japan Culture Fair at Huntington Beach Central Library in Huntington Beach.
Please join the Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association for an evening of Japanese food, entertainment and moon viewing.
Please join us for a fun-filled event, comprising good food, including beer and sake, live stage performances, exhibits and demonstrations, hands-on participation in tea ceremony, calligraphy, origami, games and activities for all.
Huntington Beach Sister City Association is hosting a Kai Tai Tuna-cutting Ceremony & All-you-can-eat Sushi event on Tuesday, September 9, from 6:30-9:30 pm at Fisherman’s Table restaurant (7391 Warner Ave, Suite G, Huntington Beach).
We are delighted to announce that our Kishiwada Welcome Dinner is just around the corner! Please join us on on Friday, August 22—a special evening dedicated to celebrating friendship, cultural exchange, and the cherished connection between our communities.
The 3rd Annual Mendocino Obon Festival will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Mendocino Art Center lawns between 12 pm and 4 pm.
The Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities organization and City of Cupertino will host a Bell Ringing for World Peace ceremony to commemorate 80 years of peace since the bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Toyokawa.
On May 21, 2025, CJSCN will host an online workshop via Zoom, in partnership with the Consulates General of Japan in San Francisco and in Los Angeles. The workshop’s theme is “From Fandom to Friendship: Pop Culture as a Gateway for Youth Engagement.” Discover how Japanese pop culture - anime, manga, J-pop, and more - can strengthen sister city connections and engage new generations! This workshop will showcase actionable strategies and successful events to inspire dynamic, meaningful cultural exchange. Japanese speakers are also welcome. Registration is required for participation.
At 16:00 on 15 May 2025 the San Carlos Sister City Association will dedicate a building wide mural in Sister City Lane celebrating the relationship with Omura, Nagasaki, Japan with which we have had a high school student exchange for almost two decades.
April 26 & 27, 2025
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Memorial Park, Quinlan Community Center & Cupertino Senior Center
FREE Admission & FREE parking at De Anza College & Flint Center
The 58th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held April 12th and 13th and April 19th and 20th in San Francisco’s Japantown.
Presented by TSCA, Bunka Sai is a two-day Japanese Cultural Festival event that has free admission and parking, and is open to the public. Throughout the weekend, there are authentic performances including (but not limited to): traditional dance, music, tea ceremony, calligraphy, flower arranging, martial arts, taiko, origami, story reading, kimono dressing, and more! TSCA also hosts an Anime Contest for middle and high school students; all of the entries are showcased at Bunka Sai. Don't forget your appetite (and cash payment). Swing by the food booths for a tasty BBQ plate lunch, vegetable yakisoba, chicken curry and rice, dangos (donuts), and more!
Date/Time: Feb. 23, 2025, 5:00-7:30 pm
Location: Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA
Our entertainment comes from Shakuhachi masters Cody Westheimer and Bob Sedivy, playing duets from recent and ancient pieces.
There will be a Japanese dinner, dessert, and sake toast, all catered by Sushi Teri.
Cost is $50 members, $55 non-members. Your received check by Feb. 19 deadline is your reservation: made out to SBTSCO, send to: Rory Moore, P.O. Box 6866, Santa Barbara 93160. Japanese dress is always appropriate!
Join us at our annual tradition where friends and supporters gather and celebrate our community, our sister cities and their cultures, and our work for world peace. Enjoy food and cultural entertainment from Japan and Ukraine, where Sebastopol has our two sister cities: Takeo and Chyhyryn. We will be returning to our pre-pandemic format, with additional dishes and treats to complement our famous sushi rolls and borshch, to make it a dinner.
Are you curious about how learning Japanese can open doors to study abroad opportunities, scholarships, careers, and international experiences? Join our free online panel event on Wednesday, December 4 to learn about the many ways Japan awaits you!
Please join the Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association for an evening of Japanese food, entertainment and moon viewing.
On October 5, 2024, the Santa Cruz Sister City Committee will host a 50th anniversary celebration of the Santa Cruz and Shingu, Japan sister city relationship. The event includes music, entertainment, a pop-up market, access to the Museum of Art & History exhibits, speeches by members of the Shingu mayoral delegation, and remarks by state & local representatives. Cocktail attire. Tickets available at SantaCruzTickets.com
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Location: San Francisco Hilton Union Square (333 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102)
Event Details: Saturday, August 10th from 11am to 1pm at Shimada Friendship Park in Richmond!
Let’s enjoy the outdoors together while building connections with other sister-city-connected organizations in our local area. We’ll also play Ground Golf, a Japanese lawn game similar to croquet and enjoyed by all ages, gifted to us by our partners in Shimada.
Community Bell Ringing for Peace
August 6, 2024 6:00pm
Cupertino Memorial Park (near the corner of Alves and Anton)
