I think this may be the best time to try EVO Japan. Not because of SFV, but it seems that the decline of arcades has allowed gaming to move beyond it and somehow creep onto the mainstream. They're starting to use the term "e-sports" and TV shows are starting to invite gamers from the Japanese FGC.
A notably well done show that aired in Japan recently was an episode of "Sashipedia" with host Rino Sashihara of AKB48 (or HKT48) fame. The episode featured ChocoBlanka and Momochi. They talked about how gaming allowed them to earn a full time living, as well as their "Shinobism" classes.
Here's the episode:
Sashipedia 160702 (sorry, no English subtitles. Japanese language only)
The ChocoBlanka segment starts at 12:30