Oct
10
to Oct 11

2nd Japan Culture Fair in Huntington Beach

  • Huntington Beach Central Library (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Huntington Beach Sister City Association is excited to sponsor our 2nd Japan Culture Fair on October 10-11, 2026 at Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach beginning at 10:00am. There will be artisan craft vendors, workshops, (flower arrangement), martial arts, (Karate, Aikido), cultural performers (Taiko drum), kids’ crafts and games, Japanese food (sushi hand roll).

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Apr
25
to Apr 26

42nd Annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival

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!

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Apr
18
to Apr 19

51st Annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival in Torrance

  • Ken Miller Recreation Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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!

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Apr
11
to Apr 19

58th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

  • 1731 Geary Blvd SF, CA, 94115 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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.

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Nov
21
5:00 PM17:00
CJSCN Event

CJSCN Workshop & Reception in Northern California

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!

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2025 CJSCN Online Workshop
May
21
5:00 PM17:00
CJSCN Event

2025 CJSCN Online Workshop

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.

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Apr
5
to Apr 6

Torrance Bunka Sai 2025

  • Ken Miller Recreation Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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!

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Feb
23
5:00 PM17:00

Annual General Meeting "Shinnenkai": Japanese Dinner and Cultural Evening in Santa Barbara

  • 1535 Santa Barbara Street Santa Barbara, CA, 93101 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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!

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Jan
25
5:30 PM17:30

Sebastopol World Friends 2025 Friendship Dinner – Where Sushi Meets Borshch

  • Enmanji Temple Memorial Hall (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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.

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Oct
5
6:00 PM18:00

50th Anniversary Celebration of Santa Cruz & Shingu Friendship

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

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Aug
10
11:00 AM11:00

2024 Picnic & Volunteer Appreciation Party

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.

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