Seijinshiki 2027 at the Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum hosts Seijinshiki, the Coming of Age Ceremony, on Saturday, January 9, 2027, in the Inamori Pavilion in the Lower Garden. Kimono dressing begins at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony starts at 1:00 p.m. Students from all cultures and backgrounds are encouraged to participate. Formal kimono, Western suits, or other cultural attire are welcome. The program includes speeches, musical and cultural performances, light refreshments, and a photoshoot by Pacific Fusion Photography with a minimum of ten edited images.

This is registration-only. There are no walk-ins. Participant photoshoot reservation fees on the garden page are $100 for JFGM members and $120 for non-members, suggested for ages 18 to 22. Each Seijin may bring up to five registered guests at $35 each. The fee includes garden access, the photoshoot, and refreshments. Kimono rental and dressing are separate through Yuko Niwa at yukoniwa@gmail.com after you register. Hair and makeup should be done before arrival. A Blackbaud cart also shows a non-member participant line near $110 and a 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. window for the day, so treat the niwa.org/comingofage numbers and ceremony clock as the page of record and confirm at checkout.

Refunds requested by December 20, 2026, carry a $15 admin fee. After January 6, 2027, cancellations are treated as donations. Payment, the 2027 registration form, and a waiver within one week of payment are all required. Send follow-up photos to programs@niwa.org as the acknowledgment email instructs.

This is not a free garden day and not Convoy Rising. Buddhist Temple mochi-tsuki is the December temple rice-cake weekend. Convoy Rising is the free Kearny Mesa Lunar New Year kickoff later in January. Seijinshiki is for the young adult who wants a San Diego seijin ceremony with garden portraits, and for the five guests who register with them.

Who this is for: 18-to-22-year-olds who want a formal coming-of-age day, and families who can register guests ahead. Skip it if you wanted a spectator festival without registering; that is not this event. Skip the kimono rental path if inventory timing does not work after you email Yuko. The ceremony itself is the reason to come, not a casual garden stroll that happens to include formalwear.

Confirm payment links, guest registration, and any cart mismatch on niwa.org/comingofage. Questions go to programs@niwa.org or education@niwa.org. The garden is at 2215 Pan American Road East in Balboa Park. Lower Garden paths include uneven terrain and hills; ADA routes exist, so plan shoes and mobility needs before kimono dressing starts at 10:00. Bring guest names ready when you register so the acknowledgment email can open the guest cart without a scramble.

When: January 9, 2027 (dressing from 10:00 a.m.; ceremony 1:00 p.m.; registration required)
Where: Inamori Pavilion, Japanese Friendship Garden, 2215 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101
Last checked: November 10, 2026

Details at niwa.org/comingofage.