The Festival grounds at Japantown are open to the public between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM on all four days.
Much of the festivities are located within San Francisco's Japantown. Information on the venues can be found on the Festival Areas page.
Visitors are encouraged to take public transportation or use a rideshare service as parking is limited during the Festival. Whichever method you choose, please allow extra time for traffic, parking, and/or walking to the Festival. Information is available on the Getting to the Festival page.
The Festival grounds are accessible from:
- Post Street & Laguna Street
- Post Street & Fillmore Street
- Sutter Street & Buchanan Street
- Sutter Street & Webster Street
- Geary Blvd & Webster Street
- Japan Center Garage’s Sutter Street exit
Leashed dogs are welcome in accordance with the City ordinances and City and County of San Francisco rules.
ATMs are available at various locations in and around Japantown.
The Children’s Cherry Blossom Village (子どもの桜町) will be located at 1675 Post Street in the new KOHO Co-Creative Hub on the first three days of the Festival.
Refer to the Special Programs and Schedule pages for information on the cultural performances, exhibits, demonstrations, and activities.
Information on the Grand Parade (last Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM) is available here.
Food, soft drinks, and beer are available for purchase at the non-profit Food Bazaar and the Sapporo Beer Garden (Webster Street between Post and Sutter Streets). Our Festival is one of the only festivals in San Francisco where all of our food booths are run by local nonprofits organizations!
Everyone is encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Water refill stations will be available around the Festival grounds.
Restaurants in Japantown are also open during the Festival hours.
Our Festival is organized by volunteers. Every year, 500+ volunteers help produce this Festival, along with a group of 40+ staff volunteers who work year-round.
The Logistics crew recruits volunteers annually! Volunteers may be asked to do a wide-range of activities including: helping with set up, maintenance and organization, sweeping, securing areas, gate & traffic monitoring, and more. Being a volunteer means you can meet new people, have fun, AND give back to the community! Visit the Volunteer page to sign up or contact [email protected] for additional information.
Each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt to be worn during the hours of participation.
During the Festival, lost and found items will be held at the main Information tent, located in the Peace Plaza. After the Festival, please send a message using the online lost-and-found form.
Carriers are accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis on the day of the Parade starting at 10 a.m. at the Nihomachi Terrace (1615 Sutter Street @ Octavia). Anyone over 18 years old is allowed to carry. Free dinner and shower coupon are provided. Bragging rights are guaranteed!
Visit their Facebook page to sign up!
The Raffle is the Festival’s biggest fundraiser! Raffle tickets can be purchased during the Festival at the Info Booth, on Post Street at Buchanan Street. Each ticket is $2.00 or 6 for $10.00 (one free ticket!).
Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on the last day at the Peace Plaza Stage (see Schedule for time). Winners will be contacted and posted on the webpage.
The Festival is made possible by the generous grants, donations, and support from our corporate and community sponsors. Opportunities to support the Festival include:
Various arts & crafts and food vendors will be onsite during the two weekends. Visit the Festival Areas page for more information.
If you are interested in being considered as a vendor, in the future, please contact us.
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