We hold our annual Otsukimi moon-viewing party on the Sunday closest to the full harvest moon each October, held at the Gardens at Lake Merritt. We have been holding these parties, which feature traditional Japanese entertainment, authentic Obento dinners, and astronomers with powerful telescopes, since 1965.  (See the attachment at the bottom of the page of a newspaper article about our 1984 Otsukimi.) 

The harvest moon is a symbol of blessing and abundance for many cultures, including Japan. Similar to tea parties, the moon viewing parties are occasions for for sharing food and stories, while enjoying what is considered the most beautiful moon of the year.

While our 2020-2022 Otsukimi events were unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are finally back in 2023!

2023 Event Schedule - Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 5:30-8:30pm

5:30pm - Bonsai Garden & Bento Dinner*

• Open House by the Golden State Bonsai Collection North, 5:30-6:30pm

• Japanese “Bento” box dinners (sushi & skewered meats/fish) created by Musashi of Berkeley. (Orders close Oct. 16, 2023)

• Come see our beautiful mosaic mural installed in 2022 in honor of our 60th anniversary, Japanese stone lanterns dedicated in honor of our 50th anniversary in 2012, and the magnificent Torii Gate (dedicated in the Memory of the late Oakland Council Member Frank Ogawa 1917-1994) in honor of our 40th anniversary in 2002.

6:30pm - Entertainment

• Diablo Taiko (Japanese drums)

• Performances by the student ambassadors from the 2023 Summer High School Exchange Program

• Las Lomas High School Japanese language class

7:30pm - Moon Viewing

• Telescopic Viewing of the Moon and other celestial points of interest provided by the Eastbay Astronomical Society - 10/22 Update, 3pm (Event Day): Unfortunately due to the rainy conditions today, the Eastbay Astronomical Society will not be able to set up their equipment today. However, we will still enjoy the gardens and the moon viewing.