Japantown San Francisco Website and Community Event DesignTroy Ziel2026-07-05T21:48:57+00:00

Japantown San Francisco Website Design & Event Graphic Design

Website Design, Event Promotion, and Visual Storytelling for San Francisco’s Japantown

The Challenge: Connecting Visitors to a Historic Neighborhood

San Francisco’s Japantown is one of only three remaining Japantowns in the United States. To boost tourism, celebrate culture, and support local businesses, the Japantown Community Benefit District needed a new website that could serve both locals and visitors while honoring the area’s rich heritage.

The Approach

I was brought on to lead the visual design and web development effort. The goal was to create an intuitive and engaging platform that reflects Japantown’s unique identity, supports small business promotion, provides event visibility, and helps preserve the community’s cultural legacy through modern storytelling tools.

The Execution

Custom Website: Designed a modern, responsive site that celebrates Japantown’s cultural identity while ensuring an intuitive user experience.

Searchable Business Directory: Integrated a searchable database of local dining, shopping, and lodging options.

Event Graphics: Created promotional graphics for seasonal festivals and district-wide campaigns hosted at the Japan Center Malls.

Anime Festival Branding: Branded the San Francisco Anime Festival & Cosplay featuring renowned Japanese cosplayer REIKA.

Ongoing Website Maintenance: Continue to maintain and update the site to support community needs and seasonal initiatives.

CLIENT
JCBD
Japantown Community Benefit District

SCOPE OF WORK
Website Design and Development
UX/UI Design
Business Directory Integration
Seasonal Event Posters
Promotional Signage & Materials
Ongoing Website Maintenance

The maneki-neko (招き猫, lit. 'beckoning cat') is a common Japanese figurine which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner.

Japantown San Francisco Website Design - Responsive on all Devices

Graphic Illustration of San Francisco's Japantown's Peace Plaza

Special Event Graphic Design

Branding the San Francisco Anime Festival & Cosplay Event

Reika 麗華 Arikawa, a globally renowned cosplayer based in Japan, was the featured guest in the San Francisco Anime Festival & Cosplay campaign. Visit Reika’s Instagram here.

Five objects on a black background: a floral clutch, a pair of tan zori sandals, a pink origami crane, a cylindrical lantern with a floral pattern, and a tray of assorted sushi.

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