Japantown BNP organizers to deploy outreach efforts through upcoming meetings

On Feb. 16, the Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan (BNP) Organizing Committee held its monthly meeting at the Union Bank Community Room in San Francisco’s Japantown. The meeting, led by Karen Kai, included subcommittee chairs, members of Japantown’s residential and business communities and Paul Lord of the San Francisco Planning Department.   Finalizing community outreach plans […]

SF Japantown Foundation celebrates the New Year at NEW PEOPLE

On Jan. 13, the San Francisco Japantown Foundation hosted a fundraiser at the NEW PEOPLE building in Japantown.

That’s some strong grass!

Tomorrow, the kadomatsu that have been adorning doorways from Japan to San Francisco Japantown will be removed. These traditional pine-and-bamboo arrangements (such as the one pictured here that has been gracing the east entrance to the Kintetsu Mall on the Peace Plaza) symbolize long life (the pine) and strength (the bamboo). At least, that’s what my mom told me, explaining […]

Three to receive medals of honor from the Japanese government

Two Japanese and one American residing in Northern and Central California will receive kunsho, or medals of honor from Japan, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco announced Nov. 5. This fall’s Japanese recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays are Shigeru Kimura of San Francisco and Keizo Norimoto […]