Santa Cruz, California

JAPANESE CULTURAL FAIR

June 8th 2024

Japanese culture, crafts, music, and food!

We showcase traditional Japanese Culture in Santa Cruz, CA

103 Emmett St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060






Our Mission:

The purpose of the Japanese Cultural Fair is to provide an opportunity for the community to increase its awareness and understanding of Japanese culture. We believe that through increased education and exposure to the culture of Japan, we can help to improve mutual understanding among neighbors of the Pacific Rim and enrich the community of Santa Cruz.

Participate

We are always looking for volunteers for the Fair. There are many positions open. Your time is greatly appreciated.

Click here to volunteer or find out more!


2024 Design Contest

The 2024 Design Contest is open for submissions. Please click on last year’s image to the left to download submission forms and instructions. The winner of this year’s contest will be featured on our website, t-shirts and promotional material. Entries must be received by March 6, 2024 to qualify for entry. We look forward to seeing your work!

(Artwork by Taeko D’Andrea for 2023)

2023 Bowling Fundraiser

Thank you to the Boardwalk Bowl, the Life Lab Teams and everyone else who made the Bowling Fundraiser a phenomenal success!

All money raised went directly to help fund the 2023 Japanese Cultural Fair!

Life Lab is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that cultivates children’s love of learning, healthy food, and nature through garden-based education. To find out more, click on the photo.


Access Information:

FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE
No need to worry about finding a parking spot or waiting in traffic when you ride the FREE JCF Shuttle Bus courtesy of Santa Cruz Toyota. Every year, shuttle service to and from the Santa Cruz Government Center to the Fair is provided free of charge! We thank them for their continued support.

Public parking is available on downtown Santa Cruz streets and parking garages — a 3-5 minute walk from downtown to Mission Plaza Park — across the street from Holy Cross Church & the Santa Cruz Mission. People are encouraged to bike or carpool to get to the Fair. A map of parking garages can be found here.

Designated bike parking will be available at the park. No sidewalk bike parking. Kindly leave your dogs at home — SERVICE DOGS ONLY ON A LEASH in Park on day of the Fair.

Handicap Access

HANDICAP PARKING
Vehicles properly displaying a valid handicap placard or handicap license plate can park FREE at any designated handicap parking stall or metered stall without paying the meter. Not applicable unless the physically disabled person is present in the vehicle.

Handicapped parking spaces will be available on Emmett Street.

We do our best to make this event accessible to everyone who wishes to attend. If any special accommodations are needed, please contact us either by phone or by email. Phone: (831) 462-4589 email: info@jcfsantacruz.org

SHUTTLE SERVICE TO AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT CENTER AND THE FAIR IS FREE !

(But Donations to the Fair are GREATLY appreciated)

 
 
 

About

Learn about our 35+ years of history, meet our team, and find out how to get involved!

 

Donate

Want to help us make the festival even better? You can become a contributor to our cause by making a donation here, and by saying thank you to our vendors for their support of the Japanese Cultural Fair.


Special Thanks to UC Santa Cruz for being a major sponsor for the 2023 Japanese Cultural Fair!

The Japanese Cultural Fair can only happen through the generous support of our sponsors and people like YOU!

This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation.