Friday, August 9th & Saturday, August 10th

Join the Toro Nagashi Festival on August 9th & 10th! This traditional festival celebrates the circle of life together, as done each summer in Japan for generations, and welcome everyone to join our celebration! Between serving food, making arts and crafts in the kids area, manning our gift shop and more, there's a volunteer position for everyone. 

Some stations are slower in pacing, others are fast-paced - there's a spot for every kind of volunteer!
We ask that all volunteers are flexible in moving from position to position depending on volunteer needs. 

For more information about our Toro Nagashi Festival, please visit our festival page from here.

*A volunteer must be at least 14 years or older.
**We are unable to accept volunteers for the purposes of satisfying court-ordered community service.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Thank you so much for choosing to volunteer at Toro Nagashi Festival! Please read below for important information and instructions!

  • Each volunteer will have a 30-minute lunch break. Refreshments will be available for all JFG Volunteers.

  • Volunteers are permitted to explore the festival during their lunch break, but will still be held accountable for returning within 30 minutes.

  • Volunteers who require letters or signatures for community service hours MUST CHECK IN & OUT AT THE VOLUNTEER HEADQUARTER AREA and stay for their entire shift to receive credit. Otherwise, we cannot verify that you completed your hours.

  • Dress appropriately! Most stations are shaded but you may be out and about in the sun occasionally and on your feet most of the day. Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes, sunscreens, and a hat! Please make sure to bring your water bottles. We will have a water refill station for JFG Volunteers.

  • Personal belongings may be stored in the volunteer check-in and rest area, but the JFG is not responsible for any theft or damage.

  • Go Green! Please support our zero waste event effort by bringing reusable utensils, container/plates, and water bottles.

CANCELLATIONS:

If you need to cancel your shift, email Momoka Nakajima at visitorengagement@niwa.org ASAP. Please try to commit to your shift as much as possible. We understand that emergencies and last-minute cancellations are inevitable, but this event relies heavily on its volunteers. No volunteers, no Festival!

PARKING AND CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT: 

The Japanese Friendship Garden is located in Balboa Park at 2215 Pan American Rd E. The parking map below shows the southeastern corner of Balboa Park at the intersection of Park Blvd and President's Way, which is the Balboa Park entrance closest to the Japanese Friendship Garden. If you're taking the 163 South or 5 South to get the JFG, you will enter the park through this route.

The only other entrance to Balboa Park is on the west side over the Cabrillo Bridge (street name El Prado), which can be accessed via the 6th Avenue exit from the 5 North. This street will become Pan American Rd E, which connects to west end of President's Way (on the corner of the Air and Space Museum Lot).

The closest parking lot is the Organ Pavilion Parking Lot. The Volunteer Coordinator will meet you at the JGH backgate at your assigned time.

Parking will be more limited than usual on day of the festival.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need special accommodations, feel free to contact the Visitor Engagement Coordinator at visitorengagement@niwa.org.

Thank you for supporting your community festival at the JFGM - see you at the event!