Japan Week features food, drink, culture

Japan Week Spokane is designed to raise awareness of the Japanese cultural connection to the Spokane community and includes a host of food and drink events over the next 10 days.

Here is a list of the food events. For a complete schedule of Japan Week events, now in its 21st year, go to www.JapanWeekSpokane.com.

• Friday: Japanese Dinner and Cultural Night, Spokane Kendo Center, 829 W. Broadway Ave., 6-9 p.m., $20. Japanese buffet dinner, calligraphy, ikebana, kendo, iaido, jodo, karatedo and kaiko demonstrations. Reservations are required by today, call (509) 465-5207.

• Sunday: Haru Matsuri or Spring Food Festival, Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St., 4 p.m., $12. Chicken bento boxes, sushi and senbei. Takeout or eat in. Order ahead online at www.SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org or call (509) 534-7954. There are details and pictures of the recent Senbei Saturday at the temple on the Too Many Cooks blog at www.spokesman.com/blogs/ too-many-cooks.

• Also, Sunday: “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” Magic Lantern Theater, 6 p.m., $5. The 2011 documentary is the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, who is considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He’s the owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a tiny, 10-seat sushi restaurant in a Tokyo subway station. It was the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded three Michelin stars.

• Thursday, April 25: SFCC Sushi Sale, Student Union Building, No. 17, lounges A, B, C. 1 p.m. $6-$8. Contact (509) 533-3367 for more information.

• Saturday, April 27: 64th annual Sukiyaki Dinner and Crafts, Highland Park United Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield St. Sukiyaki dinner, baked goods, sushi and craft sale, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., $12.50 for dinner. Tickets or information are available by calling (509) 535-2687 or hpumcspokane@gmail.com.

Also, Saturday, April 27: Sake Tasting, Vino! A Wine Shop, 222 S. Washington St., 2-4:30 p.m., $10 per person, drop in. Guests can enjoy six different sakes. Cheese and crackers provided. (509) 838-1229.