A Taste Of Japan Comes To San Diego This Weekend At The First Ever Fall Japanese Festival

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This fall, experience the very first Akimatsuri San Diego Japanese Festival, presented by Kiku in cooperation with Japanese nonprofits, vendors, and community organizations. On Saturday, November 1st, 2025, head to the Julep Venue to celebrate this inaugural festival.

We love all the Japanese events in San Diego – Obon festivals, cherry blossom celebrations, you name it. But so far, there hasn’t been a hallmark autumn Japanese festival. Akimatsuri is here to fill that space, celebrating culture, food, and togetherness every fall from now on.

What’s Akimatsuri?

In Japan, fall (aki) is all about the harvest, being thankful, and eating lots of good food before winter. This festival channels that same vibe, celebrating what it means to be Japanese and Japanese American (Nikkei) right here in San Diego. The community is wonderful, but spread out all over, from Oceanside to Chula Vista. Akimatsuri aims to bring everyone together in one spot, and simply have a good time.

What to expect from this Japanese festival in San Diego

• Great food: Goes without saying, but get hungry! There’ll be 7 popular Japanese food vendors serving up all the festival favorites, from savory to sweet.
• Delicious drinks: Sip and sample from the best, including Hakutsuru, Asahi, Suntory, Aya Sake, and Heaven Sake.
• Shopping & crafts: Browse for unique gifts, check out local artists, and stop by booths to learn about great community groups. It’s the perfect way to kickstart holiday shopping!
• Kids’ zone: There are plenty of hands-on fun for the little ones, with origami and other cool crafts for families.
• Live shows: Catch one or all of the eight musical acts and high-energy taiko drummers, playing throughout the day.

Tickets

Tickets for this first-ever fall Japanese festival in San Diego cost only $5, as a donation. Admission is free for seniors and children under 12.