EVENT - JapanUp! magazine

EVENT EXPERIENCE WHAT’S HOT

2027 Coming-of-Age Ceremony presented by Nadeshiko-kai Kimono dressing and hair styling services provided

japanup_akane 10/04/2026

The 2027 Coming-of-Age Ceremony, hosted by Nadeshiko-kai, will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2027. This event is open to anyone turning 18 to 20 in 2027, regardless of nationality or gender. Those aged 21 and older are also warmly welcome—please feel free to reach out if you would like to participate. The celebration will feature a commemorative photo session, the official ceremony, and live music performance. Kimono (Furisode/Hakama) dressing and hair styling are also available (reservations required). Further details will be announced soon at the URL below.nedeshikokai.org Coming-of-Age Ceremony 2027（Presented by NADESHIKOKAI）1964 West 162nd St. Gardena, CA 90247 Instagram…

CUISINE EVENT EXPERIENCE RESTAURANTS WHAT’S HOT

Kappo Honda 30th Anniversary Charity Event

japanup_akane 10/03/2026

Kappo Honda’s 30th Anniversary Charity Event at Hondaya in Tustin! Join us on Sunday, October 4th, from 11 AM to 8 PM at Hondaya in Tustin to celebrate Kappo Honda’s 30th Anniversary! Admission is free! Enjoy food stalls, drinks, games, live performances, and more. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local community fund. LALALA will also have booths for Goldfish Scooping and Yo-Yo Fishing! Bring your family and friends for a fun day out! HONDA-YA Charity Event 2026556 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780Instagram @hondaya_ts_official

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE WHAT’S HOT

Chiikawa comes to Channel Oishii with 20 curated food-themed episodes!

Hiratsuka 09/25/2026

Based on the social media manga by Nagano, Chiikawa follows the everyday adventures of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi as they navigate a whimsical world filled with friendship, humor, and unexpected challenges. Food plays a memorable role throughout the series, from shared meals and snacks to scenes that highlight the joy of eating together. Reflecting Channel Oishii’s focus on Japanese food and culture, a curated selection of 20 food-themed episodes from Season 1 has been selected for broadcast. Since its television debut in Japan in 2022, Chiikawa has inspired a wide range of merchandise and collaborations. Viewers in the United States…

Premium Dassai sake served at the LA Dassai Experience at Uchi West Hollywood

EVENT EVENT IN LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE FOOD WHAT’S HOT

LA Dassai Experience: Japan and USA’s Finest Sake in West Hollywood

japanup_akane 09/17/2026

The LA Dassai Experience, the first event of its kind in Los Angeles, is coming to Uchi West Hollywood on Sunday, October 11, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. It is a rare chance to taste both the original Dassai from Yamaguchi, Japan, and Dassai Blue, brewed in New York’s Hudson Valley, side by side. Guests can enjoy them paired with Uchi’s inventive Japanese cuisine, including a limited menu made with Dassai Blue’s sake kasu (lees). Tickets are $100, and reservations are recommended early through the link below. What to Expect at the LA Dassai Experience The evening brings together classic Junmai…

EVENT EVENT IN LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE FOOD WHAT’S HOT

Honda-ya Charity Event Celebrates Kappo Honda’s 30th in Tustin

japanup_akane 09/16/2026

The Honda-ya charity event returns to Tustin on Sunday, October 4, from 11am to 8pm, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kappo Honda. Admission is free, and the day is packed with food booths, drinks, games, and live performances. A portion of the proceeds goes to a local community fund. It is shaping up to be a lively day out, so bring the family or a group of friends and join in. What’s Happening at the Honda-ya Charity Eventrite Expect a full day of street eats, drinks, taiko drumming, live music, dance, and games, with local vendors and community organizations joining…

EVENT EVENT IN LOS ANGELES Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Godzilla Is Coming to Dodger Stadium: Bobbleheads for 40,000, a Kaiju Drone Show, and Everything to Know About Minus Zero Night (9/24)

japanup_akane 09/15/2026

Los Angeles baseball and Japanese monsters have flirted for decades, but on Thursday, September 24, they make it official. The Dodgers and TOHO are throwing Godzilla Minus Zero Night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for the regular-season home finale against the San Diego Padres, and the headliners are worth planning an evening around: an exclusive Godzilla bobblehead for the first 40,000 fans, and a Godzilla-themed drone show lighting up the sky over Chavez Ravine after the final out. Quick Answer: Godzilla Minus Zero Night takes place Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Dodger Stadium (Dodgers vs. Padres, 7:10 PM). The…

EVENT IN LOS ANGELES WHAT’S HOT

Discover the Latest JINS TODAY Collection｜JINS

Hiratsuka 09/11/2026

. BThis season, JINS invites you to embrace effortless sophistication with our newest collection, themed around a “Noble and Clean” aesthetic. Designed for seamless everyday wear, these frames blend minimal lines, neutral tones, and intelligent detailing to bring a playful yet refined edge to your seasonal wardrobe. ▼Seasonal Items #1 Featuring light-toned, clear, and double-bridge metal frames, these versatile designs offer an airy, weightless look that effortlessly pairs with warm nude makeup, soft natural bangs, and relaxed, wavy hairstyle looks. ▼Seasonal Items #2 Highlighting sharp horizontal ovals and modern rimless silhouettes, these frames bring a sculpted edge to any look…

Pokemon World Championships 2026 San Francisco Pokemon Center pop-up

EVENT EVENT IN LOS ANGELES Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Pokemon Worlds Takes Over San Francisco, and We Got Inside the Pokemon Center Everyone’s Talking About

japanup_akane 08/27/2026

For one weekend a year, one city becomes the capital of the Pokemon world. However, this year that city is a two-hour flight from LA, and the scale is unprecedented: starting tomorrow, August 28, more than 50,000 trainers descend on San Francisco’s Moscone Center for the Pokemon World Championships 2026, running through Sunday, when, for the first time in the event’s history, the finals move into Chase Center, the NBA arena where the Golden State Warriors play. A card game born in Japan in 1996 will crown its world champions on an American basketball court. Our team is on the…

EVENT IN LOS ANGELES WHAT’S HOT

[Exclusive B2B Event | First 40 Free] “FRESH FISH EXPRESS” LA Tasting Event!

Hiratsuka 08/26/2026

. Bringing Japanese Seafood to LA Kitchens 🐟 A special tasting event for restaurant and foodservice professionals will be held in Los Angeles, featuring “FRESH FISH EXPRESS,” a new distribution model that brings Japanese seafood to the U.S. via sea freight. As a participant bonus, each attendee will receive $100 worth of “FRESH FISH EXPRESS” frozen fish! Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to experience everything firsthand, from live demonstrations of thawing, preparation, and cooking to actual tasting. Why Chefs and Owners Choose Us 🌟 ✅ Safe and secure with an effective Anisakis preventive measure ✅ Stable supply of high-quality seafood at…

EVENT IN LOS ANGELES WHAT’S HOT

[Exclusive B2B Event] Showcased by a Michelin Chef! JAPAN SCALLOP Showcase

Hiratsuka 08/26/2026

. Exclusive to the food and beverage industry! JAPAN SCALLOP Showcase where you can experience the charm of Japanese scallops, elevating your daily menu to the next level, will be held ✨ Featuring Chef Kevin Meehan, Owner and Executive Chef of the Michelin-starred KALI Restaurant as a guest chef, we will introduce approaches that bring out the full potential of Japanese scallops. ✅ Demonstration & Proposal by a Michelin Chef Chef Kevin Meehan will demonstrate and explain the versatility and appeal of Japanese scallops, which can be utilized across a wide variety of culinary genres. ✅ Exhibitions by Japanese Scallop…

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE WHAT’S HOT

Kiku Matsuri 2026: San Diego’s Japanese Festival Returns Bigger on Oct. 25

japanup_akane 08/21/2026

Kiku, a nonprofit serving the Nikkei community in and around San Diego, will host its Japanese festival, Kiku Matsuri, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last year’s edition, held as Akimatsuri, drew more than 1,600 people. This year the San Diego Japanese festival comes back with a new name and a new venue, plus two stages, Bon Odori dancing everyone can join, and a full day of Japanese food and activities. From 1,600 Guests to a New Name: Kiku Matsuri Last year’s Akimatsuri brought together local food vendors along with taiko drummers, dancers, musicians and…

MAOSHO performing, where Tsugaru shamisen and jazz piano meet at Japan House Los Angeles

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EVENT IN LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE WHAT’S HOT

Tsugaru Shamisen and Jazz Piano Meet for One Night in LA

japanup_akane 08/20/2026

A one-night-only collaboration of Tsugaru shamisen and jazz is coming to JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 8 at 7pm. The performance, MAOSHO featuring Ryota Kikuchi, brings together the unit MAOSHO, made up of Tsugaru shamisen player Sho Asano and jazz musician Mao Sone, with special guest Ryota Kikuchi, a pianist popular on YouTube. It is a special evening where traditional music, jazz, and piano all intersect. Tickets start at $40 and are available at the link below. Where Tsugaru Shamisen and Jazz Collide MAOSHO pairs Sho Asano, one of Japan’s foremost Tsugaru shamisen performers, with Mao Sone, an…