Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California

I agree with everyone else — this place is really great! I came here with my bf and friend for the New Year’s mochi pounding with kendo and taiko performances, plus kids’ activities and free food like red bean mochi and ozoni (yum!) soup. How classy to have complimentary traditional foods such as these!

Like a YMCA but better and tailored for the Japanese American community (and their friends).
Saw a screening of the internment of Japanese Americans who lived in Hawaii during World War II in the gym. Really impressive and active setup. More than 200 folks attended and quite a few either were former internees or were related to someone who was. Quite a great asset to the area.

Always joining in on the fun festivals and events at Japan Town from the JPOP summit to Sake Day! The staff is always very courteous and kind, and I am looking forward to trying some of their classes. I will also see about volunteering as well as it is a great opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture whether you are a native, otaku or just love to explore what this historic center has to offer!

We are ever so grateful for the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California for keeping Japanese traditions and cultural activities going strong!
As each generation passes on their cultural traditions, there always seem to be a bit lost in the translation. Symbology and meanings become diluted, and what used to be a deeply rooted tradition has now only become a «thing to do» with no real definition as to how and why it is so. The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California helps generations pass on and live the Japanese way. Although I may be third generation Japanese-​American (sansei), I am proud of my Japanese heritage and way of life and wish preserve it for future generations to continue.
Whether it be through martial arts, music, or even food preparation, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California can help you experience them all, Japanese style. Ongoing classes or just a one day event can help open your eyes to the Japanese world. No ‘sa-​key’ (rather pronounced ‘sa-​kay’) or ‘ke-​ri-​o-​key’ (rather pronounced ‘ka-​ra-​o-​kay’) Americanized influences here, but the real deal. Thanks goodness!
We recently participated in their Kodomo no Hi — Children’s dressing, where the children can dress up in traditional kimono attire for Children’s day. I am from Hawaii, and we did this for our daughter’s 3 and 5 year old picture taking back in Hawaii. Earlier this year, I started looking for a place here in San Francisco that did the same, but I could not find one for her 7 year old picture taking. Thanks to the JCCNC, we were able to carry on and have her 7 year old picture taking done, and for a more than reasonable price — $ 20! We are so thankful to have such a center available to all.
Doomo arigatoo gozaimashita!

These people work hard and long hours and do a wonderful job helping the community. Currently as the sole supporters of the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, I am amazed at what they have been able to do for Japan in addition to continuing their community programs. Amazing dedication and very awesome results. Carry on, JCCCNC!

This is a wonderful place to learn about the Japanese culture. There are a variety of classes that are offered here. I’ve taken taiko classes on and off here for the past few years. It’s a small class, but a very tight knit bunch. They welcome newbies and past members with open arms. I’ve also volunteered at an event here as well and have grown very fond of the JCCCNC. If you’re ever in the area, pop in and check it out!

Cool cool place!
My cousin plays for an Asian League basketball team and they usually practice and have some of their games at this place.
The court itself is pretty legit, big enough for older girls to run up and down. The bleachers though could stand to hold a few more people.
I’ve seen a bunch of seniors having a $ 1 or $ 2 breakfast here before during the summer. It was cute because they can all just hang out and chat over some food.
Only bad thing is parking. Last Friday night I drove around for over 20 minutes just looking for a spot. All the parking garages in the area were full and let me just say it is not a fun experience.

Awesome host for ‘Give A Day Get a Disney Day’ on Sunday, February 28^th. JCCNC is right next to the Best Western in the center of Japantown. Their staff is super nice and their facilities are awesome for being in the middle of JT. I can see why it is so important to the Japanese community and I support them 100% with becoming a member in the near future.

yeaaaaaa community!!!
I took the Jtown historical tour and got myself educated today, big ups to the JCCCNC for giving me the tools to be more educated about America’s oldest as well as one of it’s last three Japan Towns
aaaand they have a basketball court. That’s pretty tight.

I’m currently taking a pottery class and while I’ve seen slightly cheaper classes, I’ve never seen another class where you can experiment with so many different clay bodies and where the clay supply is pretty much unlimited. This center seems to be empty at night except for a group of taiko drummers in the gym. There is tons of space for rental I’m sure.

JCCCNC: Japanese Cultural and Community Center Nor-​Cal
is a really good center that provides different community events, it also has different tenants in the building such as: AACE Educational Services TS (Daly City), the Kimochi (elderly-​service), Nobiru-​Kai (Japanese new immigrant service), Jap-​Am Historical Archive, etc. They also have basketball and volleyball leagues there as well. For basketball league it is on Monday and Wednesday night. Pretty nice location and building.

When I visited Jill K. we went to a Mochi Workshop at the JCCCNC (so many Cs!) and it was a lot of fun!
Being 3.5 generation Japanese American I didn’t grow up learning a lot about my family’s culture. It was awesome to see the process of mochi making and to get some hands on experience!
They seem to offer other interesting workshops that I wish I was able to attend.

Home to many of Japantown’s functions and activities, the JCCCNC is an anchor of the community.
The center will host the annual Day of Remembrance on Feb. 17, 2007. On Feb. 19, 1942, Frankling Roosevelt sign an executive order allowing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, one of our country’s most shameful actions.
One example was a film showing on Dec. 6 at 7pm. The JCCCNC, along with the Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the Center for Asian American Media (formerly NAATA) will première a film by one of Hawai’i’s most respected political observers explaining why the government during World War II did not mass intern Americans and immigrants of Japanese ancestry living in what would become the 50^th state. Check out
for more information on the film.
Info on Japantown’s centennial celebration in 2006:
Info on the new San Francisco Japantown Foundation:

Factoids:
1) 2006 marks SF Japantown’s Centennial!
2) The SF Japantown is the oldest and one of the three remaining Japantown’s in the U.S.
3) And while it may feel like private investors/​developers are starting to change the face of Japantown, the JCCCNC is firmly rooted in the community and strives to keep Japanese culture alive in SF.
So let’s see…
— My better half practically grew up in and around this center — and many of his friends still play basketball on Mon and Wed night league (which I believe is open to the public)
— My mother in law has been taking ukulele lessons here for years, from an amazing Hawaiian ukulele master.
— My son has been to every Halloween party they throw for neighborhood kids — we’re talking hundreds of kids and parents, a parade, we’re talking «the works!»
— The handful of employees that I know who work there are all SF natives
— They have a huge lunch program for local seniors
From educational programs, to organized sports and youth development the JCCCNC really has it all!
WHAT AN AMAZING GEM OF A CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN OUR MIDST. And to think… I was going to make a joke about their name having too many C’s in it. ;)
How lucky we truly are.
Their mission:
The JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community through offering programs, affordable services and facility usage. The goals are:
* To manage and maintain a multi-​service community center which is owned and operated by the Japanese American community.
* To organize and provide educational, cultural, recreational and social programs that meet the growing needs, interests and concerns of the community.
* To preserve and promote the Japanese American cultural and historical heritage.
* To enhance understanding and appreciation among the Japanese American community, American public and people of Japan.
* To provide administration and program space for non-​profit organizations in the community.