SAN FRANCISCO — The Visit Japan Festival will be held in San Francisco’s Union Square (Powell and Geary) on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Japan National Tourist Organization, and Japan External Trade Organization are hosting the two-day promotional event, which will feature all things Japanese, from entertainment to food to fashion. The goal is to attract more travelers to Japan.
Opening ceremony will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. Consul General Hiroshi Inomata and other dignitaries will take part in kagami-wari, the ceremonial breaking open of a wake barrel. San Francisco Taiko Dojo will perform.
Sponsoring organizations include: Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California, Japan Foundation, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Society of Northern California, Japanese Technology Professionals Association, Japanese University Network in the Bay Area, Keizai Society, Nihonmachi Merchants Association of San Francisco, Silicon Valley Japanese Entrepreneur Network, Silicon Valley Innovation Forum, San Francisco-Osaka Sister City Association, and San Francisco Travel Association.
Media sponsors: Bay Spo, Sports J and Weekly LALALA.
Visitors to Uniqlo San Francisco, 111 Powell St., will be able to meet Hello Kitty on both days from 1 to 5 p.m.