If you carry the Tanaka name — by birth, by marriage, or by family connection — this day is for you.
On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20, Tanaka Farms in Irvine will host the first-ever gathering of Tanaka families from across the country. Nearly 200 families have already responded from California, Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, and beyond. Some are definitely coming. Some are still deciding. All of them carry the Tanaka name.
Some know their family history well. Some know almost nothing. Most of us are somewhere in between.
That is exactly the point. We are all figuring it out together.
Saturday: The Full Tanaka Day Experience. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heritage Story displays — family histories submitted by Tanakas across the country
Family kamon (Japanese crest) collection
Interactive maps — where your Tanaka ancestors came from in Japan and where they first landed in America
A wagon ride to the top of the hill for lunch
Live Japanese calligraphy by Chiami Moriyama
Genealogy resources with Chester Hashizume and Ross Chun
Emcee-led family mixer — meet Tanakas you never knew existed
Group photo on the hillside
Closing ceremony — farm floor
Saturday attendees receive a commemorative Tanaka Day pin, a traditional Japanese masu (wooden sake cup), an event brochure, and lunch on the hilltop.
Sunday: A Lighter Half-Day. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Continental breakfast
Open mic family memory sharing
Heritage displays
Interactive maps
Tanaka Farms will be open for corn maze, animals, and wagon rides
A genealogy session is planned, subject to availability.
Sunday attendees receive a commemorative Tanaka Day pin, traditional Japanese masu, and an event brochure.
Tanaka Day is a community event, not a for-profit event. We have set the registration fee at $45 to keep it accessible for every Tanaka family. Any proceeds beyond our costs go directly to Project Uketsugu — The Issei and Nisei Farmers: Their Legacy, sponsored by OCO Helping Farms Feed Families.
If you or your business would like to help us keep this event affordable for all Tanaka families, we welcome sponsors, who are recognized in the event brochure and thanked personally by the Tanaka community at the event.
Registration closes Sept. 12. Info: https://tanakafarms.ticketspice.com/tanaka-day-2026