A while back, in August to be precise, I attended San Francisco’s J-Pop Festival in honor of the grand opening of New People, a store/art gallery for everything japanese. Besides plenty of girls dressed up in cute dresses, Yoshitaka Amano made an appearance (renowned artist most known for his work on Final Fantasy and Vampire Hunter D), and even a fashion show was on for the day’s events. I debated with myself whether to post this up here as it’s now November but I decided what the hell as any J-pop is better than none. So with that said, I hope you enjoy the pictures.

It all begins here...

It all begins here...


A picture of New People, a new shop/art gallery in Japantown.

A picture of New People, a new shop/art gallery in Japantown.


A look at the store inside New People. Look at all those japanese goodies.

A look at the store inside New People.


Look at all those japanese goodies.

Look at all those japanese goodies.


Tell me these paper frogs aren\'t adorable?

Tell me these paper frogs aren't adorable?


Piperoids, my new japanese fascination.

Piperoids, my new japanese fascination.


On the second floor, is a clothing store. These shoes are stylin\'!

On the second floor is a clothing store. These shoes are stylin'!


Yoshitaka Amano makes an appearance. The guy on the far right isn\'t impressed.

Yoshitaka Amano makes an appearance. The guy on the far right isn't impressed.


The guy at the end gets more and more bored as time goes on.

As you can see, here he decides to text someone. I'm only guessing but it probably reads: GET ME OUT OF HERE.


The top floor of New People houses Amano\'s new, never before seen, exhibit.

The top floor of New People houses Amano's new, never before seen, exhibit.



Much of Amano\'s art in the exhibit is inspired by pop art.

Much of Amano's art in the exhibit is inspired by pop art.


A very large double canvas piece.

A very large double canvas piece.







There were even free hugs at the festival.

There were even free hugs at the festival.