Plaza Lights

Visitors to San Francisco Japantown on Nov. 29 look at newly installed holiday lights in Peace Plaza, including blue lighting for the Peace Pagoda. The night before, a “Light Up Japantown” ceremony was held, featuring prayers for peace led by Revs. Masato Kawahatsu of Konko Church and Ron Kobata of Buddhist Church of San Francisco, performances by storyteller Brenda Wong Aoki, musician Mark Izu and other artists, and an appearance by Board of Supervisors President London Breed, whose district includes Japantown. Organizers pressed on despite an unexpected power failure. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)