GRACE HORIKIRI

Executive Director
Japantown Community Benefit District

‘The earliest memories I have at the Peace Plaza go back to my Japanese dancing days. I belonged to Fujimoto Kushige Kai and would be asked to preform during Cherry Blossom.’

RICHARD HASHIMOTO

President
Japan Town Merchant Association

‘As a kid growing up, Peace Plaza was my hangout spot.’

GEORGE YAMASAKI

Cherry Blossom Festival MC, Attorney, Musician, Member of the Human Services Commission

‘People would run into each other and would be overjoyed to see each other. If it weren’t for the festivals [at The Peace Plaza], they would have not gotten together.’

SHINICHI SEINO

Former Vice President
Kinokuniya Bookstores of America Co., Ltd

‘[The Peace Plaza] is a place I can come back to and feel the spirits of Japan. [It is] a very comfortable space.’

SANDY MORI

President of the Board of Directors
Japantown Taskforce Inc., Japantown Cultural District

‘The Peace Plaza has open space which is important for Japantown and the Western Addition. Different families use open space in the city so whatever we can promote and offer is good.’

STEVE NAKAJO

Executive Director
Japantown Task Force, Inc., Japantown Cultural District, Vice President of the San Francisco Fire Commission

‘The Peace Plaza is a historical, cultural, sacred, traditional, community ground.’

MR. ASAKICHI

Shop Owner
Asakichi

‘I’ve been here since 1980 and it was nice to move to the Japan Center. It’s been over 40 years and I’m still here. [Asakichi] is the second oldest merchant in the Japan Center. It’s nice to see people having bento boxes and drinking tea.’

PHIL ASHIZAWA

Shop Owner
Soko Hardware

’Being here [in Japantown] seems so natural. The Peace Plaza is important because it provides a space for performances. All that energy from the Japanese dancing, taiko drumming, and music brings the energy into the store so it’s nice to have across the street.’

TOSHIKO FUKAMI

Shop Owner
ChaTo Tea Shop

‘Seeing the bonodori (Japanese dance) is very nice. When I first came here there were very little people. Now, there are more people and it’s nice.’