Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco

09/22/2026

Now Entering Ballhalla! 🟣🏀
On Friday, September 18, Consul General Otsuki joined the Golden State Valkyries and the Bay Area Japanese & Japanese American community for the second Valkyries Japanese Heritage Night at Chase Center.

Celebrating Japanese culture and Japanese/Japanese American community, the event featured the Star-Spangled Banner sung by the talented Sophie Oda, halftime Yosakoi dance performance by UZUMARU, and special recognition of Japanese basketball phenom & 2026 Valkyries draft pick Kokoro Tanaka and Japanese American Museum of San Jose Executive Director Vanessa Hatakeyama!

The evening was capped off with an intimate chalk talk with Valkyries’ head coach & 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase!

Thank you Valks & fans for an evening full of great energy and Japanese culture & community!

09/18/2026

On September 16, Consul General Otsuki welcomed eight students participating in the 2026 BEYOND Tomorrow U.S. Summer Program. The students asking about his path in diplomacy, the values that guide him, and his perspective on the differences between Japan and the United States.

Organized by the Global Fund for Education Assistance, the program gives students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of international issues. We look forward to seeing how the students apply those insights to their future studies and careers! 🌟

#ビヨンドトゥモロー

09/17/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 21 in observance of Respect for the Aged Day (Japan), and will reopen on Tuesday, September 22.

For a full list of our holiday closures, please visit: https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/e_m01_02_holidays.html

📸 by Kevin A., 2023 Once in Japan Photo Contest Winner

在サンフランシスコ日本国総領事館は、2026年9月21日(月)、敬老の日のため休館となります。

その他の休館日については当館ウェブサイトをご覧ください。
https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/m01_02_holidays.html

09/16/2026

「日本からカリフォルニアへ：先人の軌跡をたどる」ページを更新しました。新たに「カリフォルニア州中北部の日本町」セクションを追加しています。どうぞご覧ください。https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/m08_05.html

09/16/2026

9月6日、大槻耕太郎総領事はシリコンバレー運動会に参加しました。☀️

晴天にも恵まれ、絶好の運動会日和となった当日、会場は参加者の熱気と笑顔に包まれ、綱引きや玉入れ、リレーなどの団体競技を通して多くの方々との親睦を深めることができました🤝✨

そして運動会をさらに熱く盛り上げてくださったのは、司会の田村淳さん！絶妙なトークとアツい進行で、会場全体が終始大盛り上がりでした🔥🎤

素晴らしいイベントを企画・運営してくださった主催のBaySpoの皆様、ならびに運営スタッフの皆様、本当にありがとうございました！

📸: BaySpo

#シリコンバレー運動会

09/15/2026

Share your “ARIGATO” on social media using !

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the JET Program!

To celebrate, CLAIR is launching the “JET Arigato Campaign,” inviting current and former JET participants, as well as everyone involved with the JET Program, to share messages of appreciation for the people, communities, and experiences that have made their JET journey special.

Share your “ARIGATO” on social media using !

Want your message to be featured at the JET Program 40th Anniversary Reception or on CLAIR’s website and social media? Submit it through the application form for a chance to receive a 40th anniversary commemorative gift!

- Application form deadline: September 18, 2026, 5:00 pm (JST). Social media posts may be made at any time.
- Further details: https://jetprogramme.org/en/voices/jetarigatocampaign40/

09/15/2026

September Japan-related Events…Part2! 🍂

Events not necessarily endorsed by nor associated with the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. See organizers’ page for more info.

Ikebana International San Francisco Bay Area Chapter #31
Golden State Valkyries
SFGodzillafest
Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center
Japanese American Museum of San Jose

09/07/2026

Want to live and work in Japan? We’re inviting all San Francisco State University students to come chat with Official JET Program USA alumni on Wednesday Sep, 9th at the IEEC Study Abroad Fair on campus!

Come by our booth!
Malcolm X Plaza - in front of Cesar Chavez Student Center
11am - 2pm

JET Program & Study Abroad Scholarship Info Session!
HUM 473
2:30pm – 3:30pm

See you there!

IEEC - International Education Exchange Council
San Francisco State University
Official JET Program USA

09/04/2026

On August 28, the Consulate and Japan Society of Northern California gathered representatives from organizations throughout California for the 2nd Northern California Japanese Language Conference in San Francisco.

Following opening remarks by Consul Hagiwara, community members shared their motivations and inspirations for learning Japanese. Participants had the opportunity to meet and further discuss Japanese language education in the region.

🤝 Thank you to all educators, community leaders, and supporters of Japanese language education for attending.

Northern California Japanese Teachers Association
Sakura Gakuen
JET Alumni Association of Northern California
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles　国際交流基金ロサンゼルス日本文化センター
California-Japan Sister Cities Network
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California - JCCNC

09/02/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8.

For a full list of our holiday closures, please visit: https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/e_m01_02_holidays.html

📸 by Zheng K., 2022 Once in Japan Photo Contest
Last chance to enter the 2026 Contest with a theme of "Country Roads." 🛤️ See our link in bio for more info!

在サンフランシスコ日本国総領事館は、2026年9月7日(月)、レイバーデーのため休館となります。

その他の休館日については当館ウェブサイトをご覧ください。
https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/m01_02_holidays.html