The San Jose Buddhist Church Junior Choir performed a dance from Okayama at last year's festival.

SAN JOSE – Save the date — Saturday, Oct. 4 — for the second annual Spirit of Japantown Festival in the heart of San Jose Japantown, 5th and Jackson streets.

This eight-block street fair attracted over 10,000 visitors last year.

The festival’s goal is to unite and preserve Japantown’s rich multicultural community and to promote awareness of Japantown within the greater Bay Area.

The urgency to preserve Japantown is prompted by the fact that of the original pre-World War II Japantowns in the nation, only three remain: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose.

Leading the local preservation effort is the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj), in collaboration with the San Jose Redevelopment Agency. The JCCsj is the sponsoring organization for this festival.

Funding for this event has been provided by a grant from the City of San Jose and generous donations from local businesses.

New to this year’s event is a Hawaiian section and featured entertainer Daniel Ho from Hawaii. There’s something for everyone to enjoy — entertainment, artisans, vendors, ethnic food, neighbors, and friends.

For further details or questions, contact the co-chairs — Jeanne Katsuro, jeannekats@aol.com or (408) 569-1415; Kathy Sakamoto, sanjosejtown@sbcglobal.net or (408) 298-4303 — or visit www.spiritofjapantownfestival.com.

Entertainment Lineup

Daniel Ho, a three-time Grammy winner, will headline the entertainment with his bandmates, Randy Drake and Steve Billman. Dr. Jerry Hiura is underwriting the special appearance of Ho and his chart-topping band, Kilauea. Hiura is an arts patron and president of the JCCsj.

Those who embraced the nostalgia-laden musical “Nihonmachi: The Place to Be” when it came to San Jose recently are anticipating a performance by Keiko Kawashima, original cast member, and Scott Nagatani, musical director. Director Soji Kashiwagi will also attend. They will present songs from the show as well as other popular numbers from different eras.

The four organizations involved in the initial San Jose production are sponsoring this appearance: Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, Yu-Ai Kai, and San Jose JACL.

Charlie Chin, artist-in-residence of the Chinese Historical Society of America and an all-around musician and actor, will entertain the festival crowd. This special appearance is underwritten by Connie Young Yu, famed historian and author.

A special tribute will be held to acknowledge an individual who embodies the Spirit of Japantown ethos. The honoree is long-time advocate and activist Jimi Yamaichi.

San Jose Taiko, Hawaiian dancers, and martial arts groups are also scheduled to delight the crowd. Additionally, there will be appearances by the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Court, introductions of civic dignitaries and sponsors, and announcements of winners of the Car Show and donation drawing. A Kids’ Stage will feature many more acts, including cosplay by Fanime.

Major sponsors of the festival are KTVU Fox 2, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, City of San Jose, Miraido Village, Southwest Airlines, Mercury News, San Jose Police Officers Association, H.&R. Block, Nichi Bei Times, Williams & Dame, Joelle Creative Design, and Hokubei Mainichi.