Japantown, San Jose, California

The intersection of Jackson and North Fifth Streets

Japantown (also known as "Nihonmachi" (ja: 日本町) or "J Town") is the portion of San Jose, California bounded by First Street to the west, 8th Street to the east, Empire Street to the south and Taylor Street to the north; it is just north of Downtown San Jose. Japantown originally formed around the existing "Heinlenville" Chinatown settlement. During World War II, the Japanese American population was forcibly removed from Japantown and unjustly incarcerated in camps. On their return after the war, many resettled in the area. The expansion and growth of Silicon Valley caused many Japanese to leave the area, but the culture and vitality of this community remains. Japantown is designated as an authentic ethnic neighborhood and is home to many traditional Japanese restaurants as well. The California State Legislation designated this area as one of the last three remaining historical Japantowns in the United States. The area has embarked upon capital improvement projects that have engaged the neighborhood and community in discussion and planning for the future of the area. New market rate housing has attracted new residents who love the neighborly feel and walkable community. Currently, awards won for work on the first phase, Historic District Reconnaissance Survey recognize the significant contributions of the Chinese (Heinlenville Chinatown) and Japanese (Japantown) legacies.

Japantown is the site of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose,[1] San Jose Taiko, Shuei-do Manju Shop (the last visit of the Emperor of Japan saw these confections being requested specifically), Nichi Bei, hand-made tofu at San Jose Tofu,[2] and a variety of restaurants, professional services, community organizations (for example Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center, and the Japanese American Citizens League) and small retail shops. Having been written up in the New York Times, the 7 Bamboo Lounge is one of the most popular karaoke bars in the Bay Area. Two churches founded by Japanese over 100 years ago, Wesley United Methodist Church and San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, thrive on the same street, Fifth Street, which now also leads to the new San Jose City Hall. Indeed, the Fifth and Jackson Landmark was designed to be seen from City Hall as a beacon and reminder of the people that have helped to build the city.

Japantown is also home to a number of non-Japanese businesses, including Mexican, Hawaiian, Ethiopian and Korean restaurants.

A number of organizations, including the Japantown Neighborhood Association, have joined together to form the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose, which is a community partner to the City of San Jose (represented by the San Jose Redevelopment Agency) that looks after cultural preservation of the area (begun with CA SB 307). Major festivals are Obon (every July), Nikkei Matsuri (every spring) and Aki Matsuri (every fall) and a newer festival, The Spirit of Japantown Festival (also in the fall).[3] In addition there are events that are open to the public at Art Object Gallery and various street venues, including a year-round Certified Farmers Market run by the Japantown Business Association.

References

  1. ↑ Fernandez, Lisa (October 15, 2010). "Japanese American Museum of San Jose opens this weekend". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ Schmitz, Tom (April 5, 1994). "San Jose, Calif.'s Japantown Is Home to Freshest Tofu Around". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ Pizarro, Sal (June 27, 2007). "Update: Japantown festival taking shape". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 6, 2014.

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Further reading

Coordinates: 37°20′54″N 121°53′44″W / 37.348463°N 121.895421°W / 37.348463; -121.895421 (Japantown)

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