I think it's the density of Californians, and that Japanese culture, food, second language etc. is popular there probably not least due to their relative proxim

I think it's the density of Californians, and that Japanese culture, food, second language etc. is popular there probably not least due to their relative proximity. If HN was Brit-dominated, while less romanticised perhaps we probably would seem oddly fascinated with say France, to our minority members elsewhere.