Japan Day Festival 2018

A One-Day Celebration of the Japanese Culture

Celebrate Japantown on Japan Day 2018. On this one day event, you will see traditional performances, demonstrations, and workshops by master Japanese artists.

All events are on Sunday, July 1 from 12pm to 4:30pm.

These are just some of the activities and performances planned for this year's event.

• Shubukai of Chicago dance troupe
• Tsukasa Taiko of Chicago
• Sakura Ren
• Sanjuro Toyoaki and Master Artist Chizuru Kineya Shamisen
• SF Koto Group Hanaikada

You will also find workshops and demonstrations to help you perfect your skills. This year's demonstrations include Japanese Dolls, Origami and Shodo. You can also participate in the Shodo Workshop from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in the Union Bank Hospitality Room.

This event is free and open to the public.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Other Festival Details

How to Get Here

Japantown is an easy place to get to from anywhere in SF. You can take the 2, 3, 22, and 38. All will drop you just a few blocks away.

If you decide to drive, there is a parking garage on the corner of Post and Fillmore (under Kabuki Theater). It's your best bet, unless you are lucky enough to find street parking.

Places to Stay Nearby

You will find three great places to stay near the Japan Day celebration.

• Hotel Tomo: A 3-star with great rankings on TripAdvisor, it is right in Japantown and rooms for this weekend start at around $295. It's at 1800 Sutter Street.


• Hotel Kabuki: A 3.5-star hotel with clean comfortable rooms near Japantown and the Japan Day festival. Rooms start at around $242 this weekend. It is at 1625 Post Street.


• Queen Anne Hotel: Just a few blocks away is the historic Queen Anne Hotel. This 3-star offers rooms with character for a more interesting stay. Rooms start at just under $200 a night for this weekend. It is at 1590 Sutter Street.

Hotel Deals: Before booking, make sure you check out the great deals on TripAdvisor.com. They feature specials every day of the week at dozens of hotels throughout the city. Check out their current hotel deals today!

My Favorite Restaurants

You will find a number of great places to grab lunch before or dinner after the Japan Day festival. You can either stay in Japantown or head up the street a few blocks to Pacific Heights. It just depends on what interests you.

Here are a few of my favorites nearby:

• Kappa Japanese Restaurant: It's a great restaurant with sushi and other Japanese cuisines. 1700 Post Street, $$$$


• Kushi Tsuru: It's one of the many sushi and Japanese cuisine places inside the Japan Center Malls in the area referred to as Restaurant Row. $$


• Suzu Noodle House: This is another one of my favorites. They have amazing ramen and other Japanese specialties. 1825 Post, $$


• Roam Artisan Burgers: Walk over to Fillmore Street for a great place for burgers. It's usually packed, so plan to wait a little bit for a table. 1923 Fillmore Street, $$


• The Elite Cafe: Another one of my favorites on Fillmore is The Elite Cafe. They serve up Cajun and Southern Food. 2049 Fillmore Street, $$

Other Japantown Festivals & Activities

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More SF Events this Month

Father's Day: Make this Father's Day extra special with my special guide to all of the top activities and events for the weekend. Click here to learn more!

Union Street Fair: Another fun street fair in June is the Union Street Fair. This popular event is held in the Marina district and features live music, delicious food, and a chance to hang out with your friends. Click here for details on this year's event.

Ways to Save: You will also discover an amazing selection of events on Goldstar. This retailer offers tickets online at up to half-off the full retail price. You will find bargains for tours, annual events, and more. Check them out today!

Sunday Streets: Once a month in SF, you will find dozens of car free streets during the Sunday Streets Event. These events also feature healthy screenings and other healthy living activities. Click here to learn more.

Stern Grove: One of the most popular events each summer is the Stern Grove Festival. Every Sunday between mid-June and mid-August, you can see live performances at 2pm in Stern Grove. Click here for this year's calendar.

Other Top SF Events this Summer

Outside Lands Music Festival: If you love music, then you must check out this outdoor music festival in Golden Gate Park. For three days in August, music lovers swarm the park for live music, gourmet food, and an amazing selection of beverages. Click here for more details.

Union Square Live: All summer long, check out the free performances in Union Square. They range from family friendly shows to performances by local artists. Click here for this year's line-up.

All SF Festivals and Street Fairs: SF hosts more than a hundred festivals every year. Click here to find a list of the biggest festivals for each month.

Add your questions or comments below!

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