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.
2024 Design Contest
The 2024 Design Contest has come to a close. We wish to thank all those who submitted designs to be featured on our t-shirts, poster and promotional materials. We would especially like to thank the E A Hall Social Studies class of Akiko Minami for their wonderful work. We always appreciate the participation of our younger community members in all our events and functions.
Congratulations to this year’s design contest winner, Taeko D’Andrea! The contest was close, but in the end, her design won. Thank you to all those who participated. We always enjoy seeing how much creative spirit lives in Santa Cruz County
(Artwork by Taeko D’Andrea for 2024)
2024 Bowling Fundraiser
Thank you to the Boardwalk Bowl, the Life Lab Teams, and everyone else who made the 2023 Bowling Fundraiser a phenomenal success! All money raised went directly to help fund the 2023 Japanese Cultural Fair.
Mark your calendar for June 15th. This year’s fundraiser will be happening at the Boardwalk Bowl between 9am and 1pm. All funds raised will go directly to funding the Fair. More information will be available as we get closer, so please keep an eye on our website for more information.
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.
This year, the shuttle will be making stops at the River Front and Locust Street Garages when heading to the Fair. To get back, you will need to make the loop from the Government Center. A map of parking garages can be found here. Parking at the Ocean Street Government Center will be free, but only available on a first come, first served basis. Shuttle service will not be available between the hours of 12:30 and 1:30.
People are encouraged to bike or carpool to get to the Fair. 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.