DON'T MISS the 2023 Japanese Cultural Bazaar, June 4
Come Early for More Choices, More Chances to Win
Our Annual Japanese Cultural Bazaar is coming soon, on Sunday, June 4. You don’t want to miss it!
More Choices
When you come early in the day, you will be able to order any of our great food items before they sell out. This gives you the biggest range of choices.
Food Items Available
First-time visitors are sometimes surprised to find more than Japanese food at our Japanese Bazaar. What can we say? Tacos> We live in San Diego, and some of our Temple members grew up speaking Spanish as a first language, Japanese as a second, and English as a third. One of those families prepares our tacos. Chow Mein? For Japanese in Japan and for Japanese-Americans in San Diego, Chinese food remains something special. For us it’s notalgia. If you remember the golden period of Cantonese-style Chinese take-out, try our old-school pan-fried noodles with tasty pork-laced sauce.
Here are just some of what we have planned.
Baked Half Chicken, teriyaki honey glaze, and fixings — sells out first!
Chow Mein with Pan-fried Noodles
Mako’s Tacos (v)
Angie’s Tacos
Tofu Salsd (v)
Bakery goods, including homemade delectables.
Snack Shack, drinks and more
Vegetarian Friendly. See food items followed by a (v). Food selection subject to change.
Stay for the Entertainment and Events
Admission is free to the Bazaar and all our presentation:s for the Bazaar. When you come early you won’t miss anything you want to see, including performances of taiko (drums), shamisen and koto; Mexican folklorico and Japanese dancing; demonstrations of martial arts and ink-brush painting; and more. See below for our schedule.
11:00 a.m.
OUTSIDE
Buddhist Temple of San Diego Taiko. Japanese Big Drum Ensemble.
11:45-12:15
ANNEX HALL
Matsumae Kai. Shamisen Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Monji. Japanese folk songs. The shamisen is a traditional three-stringed lute, resembling a banjo with a square body, played by strumming with a large plectrum.
HONDO
Intro to Buddhism. With Minister’s Assistant. View our Buddhist worship area and altar for a discussion of the basics of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Followed by Q&A.
12:30-1:00
OUTSIDE
San Diego Taiko. Japanese Big Drum Ensemble.
1:15-1:45
ANNEX HALL
Kamishibai. Featuring Walter Ritter. Japanese-style itinerant storytelling.In old rural Japan, professional story tellers would travel from village to village.
HONDO
Masazumi Kai. Koto Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Mizuno. The koto is a traditional stringed instrument, also known as “the Japanese Harp.” It is a longish flat instrument with 13 strings above a sounding board. Its unique sound enchants music lovers from around the world with its beautiful and serene sound.
2:00-2:30
ANNEX HALL
Edo Kotobuko Jishi. Shi Shi Mai or Lion Dance with live accompaniment by musicians playing taiko, yotobue, and atarigane (drums, Japanese flute, and gong).
2:45-3:15
ANNEX HALL
Ballet Folklorico. Featuring Andrea Covarrubias. Mexican folk dancing.
HONDO
Sumi-E. Japanese ink painting. Featuring Wendy Nakamura.
3:15-3:45
ANNEX HALL
Shofukan Kendo Dojo. Under the direction of Tiffany Kao. Martial art using the katana, the traditional Japanese sword.
Our Best OPPORTUNITY DRAWING Ever
Great Main Prizes
Grand Prize, $1,000
First Prize, Sycuan Casino & Resort for Two-Night Stay for Two, Meal for Two
Second Prize, Opening Night Tickets, Tina: The Muscial
Many More Prizes
New and returning vendors have donated a wealth of gift cards and other items, so don’t miss out! You can order tickets by calling the Temple or purchasing them at the door.
Door prizes are pulled at 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Come early to improve your chances for all four drawings. Come early and be in the running for all four chances. Winners of door prizes remain in the drawing for all our other prizes. You must be present to claim a door prize; you do not have go be present to win and prizes from the main drawing, conducted at 4 p.m. after the Bazaar closes its other booths.
White Elephant Shop — Crafts and Treasures
White Elephant Shop has fashion and handcrafted items along with other bargains.
This year, we have a large selection of designer purses, vintage jewelry, and Aloha-wear, plus cook books and crafting books, along with giftware, handcrafts, and a selection of craft supplies and tools. We don't have room to put everything out, so if there's something you are especially wanting, let us know in advance, and if we still have it, we'll put it out, or make arrangements for pre- or post-Bazaar sales and pick up. (Examples include knitting machines and accessories, and coned yarn for them!)
Small, FOCUSED Silent Auction
This year only, our Silent Auction will be at a booth with 15-20 our our most desirable donations from vendors.
The reason for this iteration, smaller than we have done traditionally? Key Temple members are in Kyoto for most of May to attend a special observation. So while we are not sharing a large roomfull of Silent Auction items, we are doing a miniature version at an outdoor booth. We set aside a few of our most valuable donations for you to bid on.
Community Booths
We welcome a variety of booths for community partners to share information with our guests.
Children’s Games
Our Jr. YBA is providing games for kids (low-cost ntickets required) as in previous years. Every kid wins a little something at the games.
Obon Again Asian Resale Shop
This year only, the shop has the entire Sangha Hall (this is the location of the Silent Auction in prior years) to display great bargains on new and gently used items from around Asia with an emphasis on Japanese things. We have clothing, ceramics, artwork, and more — all at rock-bottom prices. Find your one-of-a-kind souvenir here.
Note: Proceeds from the Bon Again Shop benefit the Temple’s Scholarship Fund. All other funds raised at the Bazaar go to the maintenance and upkeep of our physical plant.
Beer Garden
Featuring micro-brewery beer and sake from around California. Some selections include: Burning Beard Brewing Company, Creative Creature Brewing Company, Monkish Brewing Company, and Sake High! Craft Sake.
Bring your food and come enjoy some great libations! Must be 21+ to enter.
Parking and Directions
Please park nearby on surface streets, as our parking lot is used for our many booths, shops, and demontrations. Local businesses may not be open on Sunday but they typically have contracts with towing companies who will tow noncustomers’ cars at any time. If we learn of a specific business that will allow parking in their spaces, we will let you know.
Directions and a map of our Temple buildings can be found here.