Our Mission

To support cultural, community and educational activities for San Francisco Japantown by preserving and honoring its history through fostering and providing funding for activities that reflect the Japanese American heritage, and to engage Japanese of all generations and all experiences.

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation was formed in December 2006 through generous endowments by Kintetsu Enterprises of America, Jack Hirose, Hats and Amey Aizawa, Union Bank, and Minami Tamaki LLP. Since then, the Foundation has provided more than $1M in funding.

In 2015, the Foundation’s board member Bob Hamaguchi and Jon Osaki brought forward a neglected, pipe dream of a project which had only the slimmest chances of success. Bob built a movement to create an open space that represents the needs and character of Japantown.

A huge THANK YOU to the donors who contributed to our Covid-19 funds. Thanks to your generosity, our vital Japantown organizations averted a major crisis to continue their important services. Your dollars are currently hard at work providing direct, essential assistance to the community.

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation’s annual New Year’s fundraiser offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese New Year’s cuisine called Osechi Ryori, an elaborate preparation of unique dishes with special significance to celebrate the New Year.

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