The NCI program supports the leadership development of participants through by:

1. Giving young Nikkei greater exposure to opportunities and needs in the Japanese American community,
2. Promoting interaction and networking between existing Nikkei organizations and institutions,
3. Connecting young Nikkei with mentors in the Japanese American community, who inspire and peak their interest in the work of community organizations, and
4. Providing a fun learning experience that creates energy and a desire to participate in the Japanese American community and other communities to which they belong.

The program consists of an eight-week summer internship where interns are placed at organizations such as the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California, Kimochi Inc., Go For Broke, and the Japanese American Citizens League. Each intern earns a $2,000 scholarship for their participation in the program in addition to receiving training and experience in community service.

During the eight-week program, one day of each week is reserved for the interns to visit various Japanese American organizations and groups to expand their knowledge of available services and resources. The interns also meet and dialogue with various community leaders.

Submit your 2012 NCI  application now! The deadline for applications is March 16, 2012.

For more information, please contact:
Erika Tamura at or etamura@jcyc.org

The 2012 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival now celebrating its 45th year, is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions. Each year, over 200,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing the color and grace of the Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community. Please join us and become a sponsor of this popular Japanese American community event.

This year’s Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday April 14-15 and April 21-22, 2012. All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture in San Francisco’s Japantown!

The festival will be held on Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets. There will be food booths, cultural performances, martial arts, live bands, the annual Queen Program, and more. The Grand Parade will be held on April 22, beginning at City Hall and concluding in Japantown.

The 2012 Festival will celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. and will also pay tribute to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service comprised of all Japanese American soldiers receiving the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. The highest civilian honor bestowed by the U. S. Congress. The festival will also recognize the one year anniversary of the Tohoku Region Earthquake and Tsunami.

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is said to be the second largest festival outside of Washington, D.C. to celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms; and held at one of three remaining Japantowns in the United States.

When?

Festival: Saturday and Sunday, April 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 2012

Grand Parade: Sunday, April 22, 2012

Queen Pageant: Saturday, April 14, 2012

Where?

Festival: Japantown (@ Post & Buchanan Streets), San Francisco

Grand Parade: Begins at San Francisco City Hall and ends at Post & Fillmore

Queen Pageant: Sundance Kabuki 8 Theater, Japantown

The market is one of the last three pre-war family-owned businesses in San Francisco’s Japantown. It is also one of two businesses that have been in operation since 1906, when the present Japantown was formed after the earthquake that leveled much of the city that year.

The store was originally founded by Kitaichi Sakai, an Issei cook and fish peddler. The market was forced to close during the mass incarceration of persons of Japanese descent during World War II. At that time, the Sakai family moved their possessions into storage; after the war the family returned to San Francisco and was able to reopen.

According to a report in the Nichi Bei Times, the market was originally located on Geary Street before relocating to 1684 Post St. The business moved to its current location on 1656 Post St. in 1969.

The name Uoki is based on two Japanese characters, “fish” (uo) and “happiness” (ki), which also was part of Kitaichi Sakai’s name.

Robert Sakai, the third-generation owner of the market, confirmed to the Nichi Bei Weekly on Dec. 16 that he is planning to close his store at the end of the year. He declined to give an interview, however, saying that he “wished to let the store speak for itself.”

For the full article, visit Nichi Bei Times – “Uoki K. Sakai market to close at end of the month, ending 105-year run: Store operated for three generations”

Ekoji means “The Temple of the Gift of Light.” Our mother temple is Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha in Kyoto,Japanand our denomination is commonly known as Shin Buddhism. A Japanese monk named Shinran established this form of Buddhism in the 12th century. Our temple was founded in 1981 in Northern Virginia and moved to this facility in 1998. The aim of our fellowship is to live the life of gratitude, and share the rejoicing of it with others, having awakened to the fact that we are being taken care of by the Immeasurable Light and Life, the Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha.

URL: www.ekoji.org
Contact: – -

New York Buddhist Church

The New York Buddhist Church (NYBC) is a temple of Jodo shinshu True Pure Land School Buddhism, whose head temple is Nishi-Hongwanji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Shinran Shonin (1173-1262) is the founder of this school of Buddhism.

URL: http://www.newyorkbuddhistchurch.org/
Contact: – -

The Nishi Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin has been serving Southern California since 1905. It belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, one of the largest denominations of the Pure Landstream of Mahayana Buddhism. As a Betsuin, our temple is a direct branch of Nishi Hongwanji-ha inKyoto, Japan. It is also one of 62 temples affiliated with Nishi Hongwanji in the mainland United States.

URL: http://www.nishihongwanji-la.org/
Contact: – (213) 680-9130 -

Orange County Buddhist Church

Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC), located in Anaheim, California, is a member of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), headquartered in San Francisco, California. The temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Mahayana Buddhism and the Mother Temple is the Nishi Hongwanji located in Kyoto, Japan.

URL: http://www.bca-ocbc.org/
Contact: – -

San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Prior to World War II, Los Angeles Betsuin served San Fernando Valley Buddhists through services conducted regularly in such areas as San Fernando, Pacoima, and Canoga Park. San Fernando and Canoga Park had a Sunday School as well as a Young Buddhist Association (YBA).

URL: http://www.sfvhbt.org/
Contact: – -

The Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple facility was formally dedicated on April 13, 1947, however, the temple got its start long before the foundation was poured or the walls were formed.

URL: http://www.iobt.org/index.php
Contact: – -

Oregon Buddhist Temple

The Oregon Buddhist Temple was founded November 29, 1903 (originally as the Portland Buddhist Church), making us the oldest Buddhist organization in Oregon. We follow Jodo Shinshu (also known as Shin) Buddhism, a sect in the Pureland stream of Mahayana Buddhism and we are affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America.

URL: http://www.oregonbuddhisttemple.com/
Contact: – -

Seattle Buddhist Temple

The Seattle Buddhist Temple is in the Jodo Shinshu tradition under the mother temple of the Nishi Hongwanji in Japan and is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA). The history of the Seattle Betsuin officially began on November 15, 1901 when Rev. Kakuryo Nishijima performed the first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service in the Pacific Northwest. Since that time the temple has grown through many changes. The current temple complex, dedicated on October 4, 1941, became, for example, the US Maritime Commission Office from May 3, 1942 until August 4, 1946. Following this brief period in the history of the temple, the temple was able to grow again dedicating an auditorium in October, 1945, starting a Day Nursery Program and a Boy Scout Troop in 1948, and founding the Research Department headed by Grace McLeod and Yukiko Miyake in 1949. These and other activities of the temple were recognized by the mother temple in Kyoto, Japan–known as the Hongwanji or “temple of the Primal Vow”–and on March 11, 1954 the Seattle temple was elevated to Betsuin status. More locally, the activities of the Betsuin and its historical impact in the Seattle area was recognized in 1986 when the Betsuin was included as part of the Chinatown historic district which is registered in the national register of historic places.

URL: http://www.seattlebetsuin.com/
Contact: – -

Spokane Buddhist Temple

In 1945, with a nucleus of six dedicated Buddhists, the first Sunday service was performed by Reverend Eiyu Terao in a rented apartment at S. 516 Cowley Street. A month later a residence was purchased a half block south at S. 628 Cowley. A shrine, a gift from the Toppenish Buddhist Church, and a scroll with the inscription “Namu Amida Butsu” was installed in 1946. On October 3, 1948, the statue of Amida Buddha was enshrined and the Church was officially dedicated. The ceremony was officiated by Bishop Enryo Shigefuji.

URL: http://www.spokanebuddhisttemple.org/
Contact: – -

Tacoma Buddhist Temple

The Tacoma Buddhist Temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Nishi Hongwanji tradition of Buddhism. Our national organization is the Buddhist Churches of America, headquartered in San Francisco, California.

URL: http://www.tacomabt.org/
Contact: – -

Tri State/Denver Buddhist Temple

As a Jodo Shinshu Temple, we are associated with the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) based in San Francisco, California. The first BCA missionary arrived in Californiain 1898 under the sponsorship of Nishi Hongwanji, our mother temple in Kyoto, Japan.

URL: http://www.tsdbt.org/
Contact: – -

In 1911 the Berkeley Young Men’s Buddhist Association, composed of 73 members, was organized under the guidance of Reverend Gyodo Haguri. At the time, Reverend Haguri was minister of the Oakland Buddhist Church. The inaugural service was held on May 10, 1911 at the Odd Fellows Hotel. This marked the modest beginnings of the Berkeley Buddhist Temple which was to later impart its broad and pervasive influence on the future of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism inAmerica.

URL: http://www.berkeleysangha.org/
Contact: – -

Buddhist Church of Florin

The Buddhist Church of Florin is located at7235 Pritchard Roadin the southeast area of Sacramento County. BCF was established at its present location in 1919. Next year we will celebrate our 90th year of service to the local Sacramento community. We are affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America, the oldest and largest Buddhist organization in the West, and belong to the Shin or True Pure Landsect, the largest and most popular sect in Japan.

URL: http://florinbuddhist.org/home/
Contact: – -

Buddhist Church of Lodi

Our church belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Ha tradition of Buddhism and the Mother Temple is the Nishi Hongwanji located in Kyoto,Japan.

URL: http://lodibuddhist.org/home/
Contact: – -

Buddhist Church of Oakland

We extend our warmest welcome to you, whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time member of this church. Your interest in our temple is sincerely appreciated and we wish to make you feel comfortable attending our Sunday services, religious or cultural events, or participating in one of several church groups.

URL: http://www.buddhistchurchofoakland.org/
Contact: – -

Buddhist Church of Sacramento

The Buddhist Church of Sacramento Hongwanji Betsuin and its Sangha (congregation) extend a warm welcome to you to share with us the Dharma (teachings) as taught by Sakyamuni Buddha and expounded by Shinran Shonin.

URL: http://www.buddhistchurch.com/
Contact: – -

Buddhist Church of San Francisco

Founded in 1898, this church is the oldest Jodo Shinshu (PureLand) Buddhist temple that is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA). Buddhism is founded on the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha. His teachings originated inIndiaand came to theUnited StatesthroughAsia. The Jodo Shinshu Sect and is one of the major religions of Japan. Our sect’s mother temple is the Nishi Hongwanji temple in Kyoto.

URL: http://www.bcsfweb.org/
Contact: – -

San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin

The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin’s main temple is located at 640 North Fifth Streetin the Japantown section of Central San Jose. Our temple is part of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) headquartered in San Francisco,California. The BCA, in turn, is affiliated with the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha (Nishi Hongwanji) in Kyoto,Japan. InAmerica the term Betsuin refers to a special status accorded to certain temples of particular historic or geographical importance. This status was accorded to the San Jose Buddhist Church in 1966.

URL: http://www.sjbetsuin.com/
Contact: – -

San Mateo Buddhist Temple

From early 1900 to 1910, the religious needs of the Buddhists in the San Mateo area were filled by dedicated leaders in the community. With the growth of the Japanese group inSan Mateo, Belmont, and San Carlos areas, a decision was made to establish a branch of the San Francisco Buddhist Church in  San Mateo. On February 20, 1910, an inaugural ceremony was held. This Temple thereafter served the Buddhist Sangha of the San Mateo area by conducting services at various local residences and in rented halls.

URL: www.sanmateobuddhisttemple.org
Contact: – -

Stockton Buddhist Temple

The Stockton Buddhist Temple is a member of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) headquarters located in San Francisco, California. BCA is affiliated with Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Ha, also known as Nishi Hongwanji.

URL: http://stocktonbuddhisttemple.org/home/
Contact: – -

The National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), founded in 1980 inSan Francisco, is a non-profit membership supported organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, authentic interpretation, and sharing of historical information of the Japanese American experience for the diverse broader national community.

URL: http://www.njahs.org
Contact: – (415) 921-5007 – njahs@njahs.org

Chicago Japanese American Historical Society

The Chicago Japanese American Historical Society is a grassroots organization founded in the early 1990s. Our mission is to preserve, promote, and present the history of Japanese Americans in the Chicagoland area.

URL: http://www.cjahs.org/cjahs/
Contact: – -

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) is the preeminent presenter of Japanese and Japanese American, and Asian American performing and visual arts nationally.

URL: http://www.jaccc.org
Contact: – (213) 628-2725 -

Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC)

Founded in 1973, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) has been serving the community for over 30 years. The JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community through offering programs, affordable services and facility usage.

URL: http://www.jcccnc.org
Contact: – (415) 567-5505 – info@jcccnc.org

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. Located at 2454 South Beretania Street in Mō‘ili‘ili, the Cultural Center features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts dōjō, Seikōan Japanese teahouse and Gift Shop. TheCulturalCenterpresents various programs, festivals and exhibitions throughout the year.

URL: http://jcch.com/Default.asp
Contact: – (808) 945-7633 – info@jcch.com

Japanese Cultural and Community Center of WA

The Nikkei Heritage Association Washington dba Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington(NHAW/JCCCW) was formed in the fall of 2003 by a group of community leaders to fulfill a decades-long dream – to create a single place where Japanese heritage, culture, and community events could be celebrated and shared.

URL: http://www.jcccw.org/
Contact: – (206) 568-7114 – Info@JCCCW.org

The California Association of Japanese Language Schools Inc. (CAJLC) is a 501(c)(3) status non-profit organization that is comprised of Saturday-only Japanese language schools located in various parts ofCalifornia, organizations based in Japanese American communities and individual supporters.

URL: http://www.cajls.org
Contact: Sachiko Tu – (818) 887-1849 – tu_hjls@att.net

The Seattle Japanese Language School

The mission of theSeattleJapaneseLanguageSchoolis to give instructions in the Japanese Language augmented by the introduction of culture and history ofJapan.

URL: http://www.seattlejapaneseschool.org/index.htm
Contact: – (206) 323-0250 – jlsadmin@nwlink.com