Ganbare Japan (Kia Kaha Japan) was organised by staff from the Rees St cafe and booking agents QBook, with support in donations and raffle prizes from Skyline, Real Journeys, AJ Hackett, Nomad Safaris, Ziptrek and Kawarau Jet.
Graphic design company Fluid created posters and tickets for the event free of charge.
Organiser and head barrista Mika Sugano said she and Vudu Cafe duty manager Tokiko Matsuoka were "devastated" about what was happening to friends and families in their homeland.
"That is why we are holding the fundraising event to raise a good amount of money for the Red Cross Appeal for Japan."
Qbook director Yoji Kimura said Queenstown was directly affected by the events in Japan as the resort was a key market for Japanese tourists.
"Now is a good opportunity for us to stand beside Japan. The name of this event, Ganbare, has the same meaning as Kia Kaha, so it is about calling on inner strength and resolve for Japan as well as hopes of good fortune."
Vudu Café + Larder will serve Bento boxes, sake, plum wine, green tea and other Japanese delicacies, with live entertainment by Queenstown musicians and a raffle.
Cafe co-owner Rae Ellis said there would be two dinner sittings and they hoped to sell all the tickets before the event.
"Our café has a lot of association with Japan through friends and staff who regularly visit and our focus is to make Ganbare Japan a great night out all in the name of a good cause."
The first sitting for Ganbare Japan is 7pm to 9pm, and the second 9.30pm 11.30pm.
Tickets cost $25 and are available from the cafe.
All proceeds go to the Red Cross Appeal for Japan.
