Has the seemingly never-ending pandemic got you down? Come and hang out at the Nichi Bei Café, where east meets west to serve up a mixed plate of Japanese American news and culture.

An innovative monthly livestream program designed to keep the community engaged and connected from the comforts of their own homes, the Nichi Bei Café will feature news and events, cooking videos in collaboration with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook, origami video lessons with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree, cocktail recipes and more from The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto in Hawai‘i, and videos of Japanese American legacy businesses.

The Nichi Bei Café is funded by a generous grant from The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation.

Stay tuned here to find out what’s on the next menu…

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Season 2, Episode 4: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Pastry: Recap of the 2022 Soy and Tofu Festival

Salad: SF Asian Pacific American Heritage Awards

Chef Specials No. 1: A Memorable Memorial: Remembering James Wakasa

Chef Specials No. 2: The Heart of Jtown Pop-up

Dessert: Takoyaki with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Snack: Dollar Shirt Origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Tips: Community Events

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Season 2, Episode 3: Japanese Culture

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Nichi Bei contributor Gil Asakawa interviews singer-songwriter Kina Grannis, the Grand Marshal of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.

 

Zensai (appetizer):

Spring Cultural Festival Guide

 

Salad:

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade Grand Marshal Kina Grannis’ personal quest

 

Main Course:

SF Kendo Dojo’s Koji Lau-Ozawa — Way of the Sword

 

Dessert:

Cherry Blossom Cookies with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

 

Night Cap:

Onigiri Origami by Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

 

EXTRA!:

Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen announcement

Nichi Bei Day with the A’s

 

Tips:

Community Events

 

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Episode 12: Young Nikkei Newsmakers

Thursday, January 19, 2023, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

 

Appetizer:

• Nakayoshi — Community networking for young professionals

 

Salad:

•  Oshogatsu by the Bay

 

Main Course:

• Nikkei newsmaker Lindsay Nakano

• Yonsei Japan journey leads to Buddhist ministry

 

Dessert:

• Matcha Gateau au Chocolate with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

 

Nightcap:

• Origami Rabbit with Linda Mihara

Tip:

• Community Calendar

 

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Episode 11: San Jose’s Japantown

Thursday, December 15, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

Appetizer:

• Nichi Bei Bussan: Selling Items that Tell Stories

 

Salad:

•  Santo Market — Ahi Poké, Strawberry Mochi and Cha Siu Bao

 

Main Course:

• A Tour of San Jose’s Japantown

 

Dessert:

• Nishime with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Christmas Tree Origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

 

Nightcap:

• Lower Manhattan with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Community Calendar

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Episode 10: Holiday Shopping

Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 6 p.m.

on the Nichi Bei Foundation Facebook Live and YouTube channels

 

Appetizer:

• My Sister’s House: A domestic violence shelter for Asian Pacific women and children in Sacramento

 

Salad:

•  Animated gift picks by comic artist Sam Nakahira

 

Main Course:

• Craft Artisans: Sumofish Designs by Brandt Fuse and Nikkei Jeans by Amy Sueyoshi

• Gift picks from San Jose’s Japantown: Nikkei Traditions, Zonkey Toys and Kogura Gifts

• Gift picks from San Francisco’s Japantown: Paper Tree and ChaTo

 

Dessert:

• Matsutake Clear Soup with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook 

• Holiday gift wrapping with a furoshiki with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

 

Nightcap:

• Ways to give

Tip:

• Community Calendar

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Episode 9: Health and Wellness

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Episode 8: In the Mix 🥣

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Episode 7: 🍚Food🍙

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Episode 6: Summer Festivals

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Episode 5: The Joy of Soy

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Episode 4: AAPI Heritage Month Edition

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Episode 3: Culture Edition

Zensai (Appetizer):

• The world premiere of “Songs for J-Town” by Mark Izu

Salad:

• Ginger pork shogayaki by Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Main Course:

• Community festivals spring back to life
• Hawai‘i Okinawa Center

• Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Dessert:

• The end of an era at Benkyodo

• Happi coat origami with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• Negroni with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Cultural festivals across the country

Musical Interlude:

• “Songs for J-Town”

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Episode 2: Home & Garden Edition

Thursday, March 10, 2022, 6 p.m.

View Episode 2 HERE

Zensai (Appetizer):

• The Grateful Crane Ensemble marks 20th anniversary with Sacramento performances

Salad:

• Katsura Garden in San Francisco’s Japantown: Bonsai, flowers and more

Main Course:

• Hayward’s Japanese Garden: A hidden gem in the East Bay
• Tanaka Farms in Irvine: Educating the public through farm tours

Dessert:

• Benkyodo: San Francisco Japantown’s oldest business

• Sakura Mochi with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Nightcap:

• Hina Ningyo origami lesson with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Tip:

• Japanese Public Gardens

Musical Interlude:

• “Sukiyaki” for Tohoku by the Grateful Crane Ensemble

 

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Episode 1:

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, 6 p.m.

View Episode 1 HERE

Zensai (Appetizer):

• How to make Yuzu Sorbet with Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook

Salad:

• Preview of Northern California Day of Remembrance programs, including:

– Christine Umeda, chair of the Northern California Time of Remembrance in Sacramento

– Reiko Nakayama and Will Kaku, chair and vice chair of San Jose Day of Remembrance

– Jeffrey Matsuoka, chair of the Bay Area Day of Remembrance in San Francisco

Main Course:

• Creating Day of Remembrance, a video essay by Frank Abe, who helped to organize the first Day of Remembrance commemoration in 1978.

• The 11th annual Films of Remembrance, a showcase of films on the wartime forced relocation and incarceration of the Japanese American community.

Dessert:

• How to make an origami heart with Linda Mihara of Paper Tree

Nightcap:

• The Da Gala cocktail with The Gochiso Gourmet Ryan Tatsumoto

Tip:

• Upcoming community events