Spirit of Japantown Festival

At the turn of the 20th century, Japanese neighborhoods could be found in many cities on the West Coast. Now, most have diminished or died away, with only three major Japantowns left in the United States, one of which is in San Jose.

This area near downtown has retained much of its authentic character, with some of its businesses handed down through several generations. If you’re intrigued by Japanese and Pacific Rim culture, then this Saturday’s Spirit of Japantown Festival is an ideal introduction.

What to do here: “The festival grew to have a lot of components,” said festival chair Kathy Sakamoto, with live entertainment on four stages, a wide variety of food and beverage, vendors and screening of anime (Japanese animated films), as well as a car show, storytelling, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, martial arts demonstrations, and exhibitions of bonsai and ikebana.

The day opens with the traditional Kagami Wari ceremony — the breaking open of a ceremonial sake barrel, a ritual to signal the start of something special. The festivities  continue with performances by the Wesley Jazz Ensemble, the San Jose Metropolitan Band, and renowned drumming ensemble San Jose Taiko. There will also be ukelele jams and hula on the Hawaiian Stage, and demonstrations by the San Francisco Sword Society, Aikido of Japantown and San Jose Kendo on the Martial Arts Stage. Click here for the complete schedule.

Organizations and local restaurants will dish up a variety of Japanese fare, including pork buns and edame, teriyaki bowls, Asian wraps, sushi and gyoza, as well as Hawaiian specialties like lomi salmon and Kalua pork, Thai dishes, and cool treats such as ice cream, shaved ice and frozen yogurt. There will also be a beer garden serving beer, wine and sake.

And even more to like: Sakamoto notes that one of the sponsors of Spirit of Japantown is FanimeCon, the popular anime convention in downtown San Jose. So as you might expect, there’s plenty at the festival for anime fans to revel in, including film screenings, gaming, and the Fanime Maids Café show at 2 p.m. on the festival’s main stage. “A lot of the younger people are really involved with anime,” said Sakamoto.

There is also a serious side to the festival. A live art auction will raise money for the Japan relief effort, with all funds going to aid recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. Artists will paint during the day with the creations to be auctioned off in front of Cukui Clothing, on Jackson Street between Fifth and Sixth streets. Donations will also be accepted at the information booth at Fifth and Jackson.

About the Spirit of Japantown Festival: The festival was started in 2007 as a way to celebrate the Japantown community’s diversity. Japantown began in San Jose more than 120 years ago when Japanese laborers came to the area to work in the orchards; as time went on, a community of Japanese businesses sprang up in the Jackson street neighborhood. In 1907, wives and children were finally allowed to emigrate from Japan, changing the nature of Japantown to a more family-friendly environment.

Following internment during World War II, Japantown residents came back in 1947 and re-established their businesses and homes, and the community continues to thrive into the 21st century.

Directions and phone: Take Highway 880 north and take the First Street exit; then take left on Jackson Street. All-day parking is available for $2.

The Spirit of Japantown Festival takes place Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission is free. Information: www.spiritofjapantownfestival.com or www.japantownsanjose.org, or call (408) 298-4303.