By admin 
One ton of chicken, 20 gallons of soy sauce and more than 1,000 pounds of rice are the foundation of one of the largest celebrations of Japanese cuisine and culture in California, and this year it’s celebrating 80 years in Sacramento.
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The Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar returns to the Sacramento Buddhist Church for its milestone anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 8, with Japanese street food, folk dance and martial arts performances, local music groups and more for thousands of expected attendees.
The annual celebration started in 1947 as a way to unify the Japanese community in Sacramento as they rebuilt their local community following widespread removal and internment across western states during World War II, according to the festival’s website.
In the mid-1960s, the festival expanded from an intimate get-together among church members to a cultural exchange for the greater Sacramento community. The organizers added taiko drum performances, Japanese flower arrangement demonstrations, calligraphy showcases and other staples of the culture, which have remained core to the festival over more than six decades.
Previously, the bazaar lasted a full weekend, according to previous Bee coverage, but it is now contained to a single-day event on Saturday. Here’s everything to check out at the Buddhist church’s milestone festival.
What is there to see at the Sacramento Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar?
Guests at the 80th annual bazaar have the chance to experience a sample of various Japanese art forms and stuff their faces with dozens of culinary delicacies.
Two stages — one outdoor and one indoor — will host 11 performances and demonstrations throughout the day. Outdoors, taiko ensembles will showcase their drumming and kung fu and kendo groups will demonstrate the martial arts disciplines. In between those performances, Japanese folk dancers, a local DJ and rappers, and a 10-piece band will entertain attendees in the afternoon and evening.
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At the indoor stage, church leader Rev. Yuki Sugahara will teach guests the basics of Buddhism and musicians will perform music on the koto, a large Japanese string instrument, in the early afternoon. A demonstration of ikebana — traditional Japanese floral arrangement — and a crash course on sake will follow the performance.
In the smaller of the church’s two temple halls, called hondos, artists will create personalized calligraphy pieces for attendees from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. A full schedule of events is available on the bazaar’s website.
Along X Street, numerous food vendors will serve literal tons of food to hungry festival goers lured in by wafting aromas of grilled chicken and beef. The festival’s specialty items are barbecue teriyaki chicken and a beef teriyaki sandwich, but attendees can also taste sushi rolls, udon bowls and a dessert menu featuring mochi, sweet an pan rolls, senbei rice crackers and other confections.
This year, the bazaar is adding two new stalls. Guests can try a selection of small izakaya plates like gyoza, chicken karaage and chow mein, as well as street food classics including furikake garlic fries, savory okonomiyaki pancakes and fried takoyaki octopus balls.
Admission to the bazaar is free, but guests can support the Buddhist church and the historic festival through a silent auction. The church is auctioning off gift cards to Sacramento-area businesses, Pokémon and Sanrio collectibles, a pair of Meta Ray Bans and more. The auction is accepting bids online through 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.
The 80th annual Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar will be hosted at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, 2401 Riverside Blvd., from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Aug. 8. Organizers suggest that attendees who drive to the event park underneath the Highway 50 overpass at Eighth Street and W Street, where there will be a free shuttle available to take guests straight to the church.
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