J-Pop Summit in San Francisco, Calif.

If you’re looking for something bright, fun and quirky to explore, look no further than the annual J-POP SUMMIT in San Francisco. This Japanese cultural festive has been held annually since 2009 and serves as a platform to introduce fans to the latest in Japanese anime, tech-innovation, music, fashion and more. Of course, there’s also plenty of delicious Japanese food.

The festival is held at the Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture and allows Japanese companies to reach a wide audience here in the States, potentially introducing products to a bigger market. It’s also just a fun way for fans of Japanese culture to experience all of the bright, sometimes quirky, artistic endeavors that come from the country.

You’ll find scantily clad anime characters walking the halls, much like a comic book convention, along with the opportunity to test out some brand-new games yet to be released. Since Japan is also at the forefront of developing much of the world’s most innovative and popular tech gadgets, you can rest assured you’ll see some pretty unique gear on display.

Food booths, shows, competitions and movie premieres are all just part of the fun. It’s a great opportunity to experience a completely unique culture at its best.