RSVP through this link.
Join us at JAMsj for a Meet & Greet with incoming Executive Director, Vanessa Hatakeyama on Monday, November 4 from 5:30PM at JAMsj.
You are warmly invited to join us at JAMsj as we dedicate our Barrack Exhibit to Jimi, one of our founders, and Eiko Yamaichi to honor their contributions to JAMsj and the Japantown Community. This event will feature a short program and remarks by community leaders and dignitaries, followed by a reception and open Gallery. Registration is recommended as space is limited.
Join us at JAMsj for a Panel Discussion in conjunction with the current Rotating Exhibit, “Never Again is Now,” where our panelists will engage in conversation and share ideas around community activism, allyship and solidarity.
聞く (kiku) is the Japanese word meaning "to listen", but can also mean "to ask".
The Kiku Healing Series is a collaboration between JAMsj and local healers to introduce various methods of healing and wellness rooted in Japanese traditions. The 聞く(kiku) Healing series seeks to engage participants in discourse around healing as individuals and as a community, cultivating deep listening and curiosity about about what is around us and what is within us. Learn more and register here.
Calling all Japanese Sake lovers! Taste samples of sake and be entertained while surrounded by the historical artifacts of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. Sake vendors will share their knowledge with you as you nibble on delicious Japanese delicacies which will be specially prepared for this event. More information and tickets can be purchased at: https://www.jamsj.org/sake-event-2024
Join us for our Exhibit Closing Reception for “Taken From Their Families”, featuring poetry readings and light refreshments! Register here: https://forms.gle/KuvhAjVwPgr8UTHB8
Tickets for Undokai are on sale now via Eventbrite or download the registration form and drop off (with payment) at JAMsj, Lotus Preschool or Yu-Ai Kai!
Come celebrate the Digital Archive & Curriculum Website Launch and learn more about the rich history and legacy of local AAPI Leaders and Activists.
JAMsj is proud to be partnering with Yu-Ai Kai to present a screening of "Wisdom Gone Wild", including a Q&A with filmmaker Rea Tajiri.
If you would like to reserve a spot, you may sign up at the Yu-Ai Kai reception desk or by emailing dives@yuakai.org, however registration is not required.
Don’t miss out on amazing deals at our annual Nikkei Treasures Parking Lot Sale!
Join us at JAMsj for the Exhibit Opening of “Taken From Their Families: Japanese American Incarceration on Angel Island During World War II”. Register through this link!
Please join us for this Sneak Preview of Kintsukuroi, a full-length film by local artist Kerwin Berk that depicts the devastating effect and aftermath of EO 9066 on two local Japanese American families.
Join us in conversation with Author Elizabeth Partridge at JAMsj for this collaboration with the Commonwealth Club as we learn about the inspiration and process behind her creation of her book, “Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adam’s Photographs Reveal about the Japanese American Incarceration”.
Join us for a showcase of over 40 local, talented artisans sharing their unique creations, including JAMsj Cardmaker Group’s crafts and Iris fold cards! The Japanese American Museum San Jose will be selling delicious menu items at the onsite Cafe!
Join us for an evening of cultural exploration and heartfelt dialogue as we celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The event will take place at the Japanese American Museum with FREE museum admission in San Jose, sponsored by the City of San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs Abierto Grant.
Learn about the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and the contributions of Japanese Americans to their communities.
Are you ready!? It’s that time again for JAMsj Nikkei Treasures Sale!
See the vast selection of tea sets, vases, dinnerware, pictures, sake sets, Japanese dolls, clothing, and many other items. All proceeds will enable our museum to fulfill its mission of sharing Japanese American History.
Thanks to the generosity of our many museum and community members, we have received an abundance of gently used and some brand new items!
Location:
JAMsj Parking Lot
535 N 5th St
San Jose, CA 95112
Admission:
Free
Visit JAMsj current rotating exhibit.
Lots of people come to the neighborhood for food, shopping, or cultural events. But did you know that San Jose Japantown used to be called “Chinatown” and that its past includes a bustling Filipino business and social community on 6th Street? Come check out the Hidden Histories of San Jose Japantown on our limited-run walking tours!
Health/Sports Day originally held on October 10th is the anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Join JAMsj as we celebrate the Tokyo Olympics with a kid friendly version of Health, Sports and Culture Day.
Please join us for an afternoon of cultural demonstrations that brings Health, Sports and Culture together. There will be various performances by our own local young talent followed by relay races (Undokai) for the kids. So pack your Obento lunch, blanket/mat/shikimono and enjoy the afternoon. The JAMsj Museum will also be open with docents on hand for tours. RSVP is required and we will have a limit on the number of relay race participants of no more than 50 kids, with an age limit up to elementary school children (6th Grade).
11:30AM Start (Door Open at 11:00AM)
Lotus Preschool Singers
Genki Kids Dancers
Nakano sensei Judo Demonstration
SJ Kendo
SJ Jr Taiko Performing Ensemble
Relay Races for the Kids (May Change)
Hula Hoop
Water Relay
Emperor and Empress Dress Up Relay
Tamaire
Kami Shibai (Agricultural Area)
Event Cost: Free thanks to the generous support of: Jins Eyewear, Itoen Tea, San Jose Taiko and Lotus Preschool
RSVP Required: LINK
COVID-19 Policy: We will require all participants (2 years and older) to wear masks and show proof of vaccination at check in. By entering the museum or participating in a museum event, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and answered “no” to all these questions:
Within the past 10 days, have you been diagnosed with, or tested positive for, COVID-19?
Have you had close contact or live in the same household with someone who in the past 10 days has been in isolation for, or tested positive for, COVID-19?
Have you had any of the following in the last 24 hours?
A cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
A fever of 100.4° or higher
Chills, fatigue, or muscle and body aches
Headache or a sore throat
A persistent runny nose
Diarrhea
A sudden loss of taste or smell
If anyone is not feeling well or has been in contact with someone not feeling well we ask that you stay home.
San Jose Japantown is fortunate to be home to a thriving and vibrant artist community, as seen in the colorful murals, sculptural monuments, and decorative banners that grace our buildings, sidewalks and public spaces.
Please join us to talk art and inspiration with 3 members of our Japantown Art Community: chalk artist and designer, Momo Cha, tattoo artist and founder of State of Grace Tattoo, Taki Kitamura, and Juan Carlos Araujo, artist and Co-Founder/Art Director of Empire 7 Studios, for an exhibit and artist panel hosted by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. Participants will be able to browse this limited-run art exhibit as well as the JAMsj Main Gallery and hear from the artists speak about what drives their creativity and how being a part of the Japantown community influences and supports their art. Standing room will be available in addition to limited seating.
Venue/Location
The Japanese American Museum of San Jose Parking Lot
535 N. 5th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Time/Date
Saturday, September 10, 2022
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Exhibit Open at 5:00PM
Panel from 5:30-6:30PM
RSVP Info
Admission is free and advanced registration is not required, however JAMsj Members can pre-register here to reserve a seat!
Contact
mail@jamsj.org
List of Partners/websites
Momo Cha | https://momo-cha.com/links
State of Grace Tattoo | https://stateofgracetattoo.com/
Empire 7 Studios | https://www.empiresevenstudios.com/
Additional Information
Note: COVID 19 Protocol will be followed.
Proof of vaccination (Fully vaccinated with 1 booster) will be required. You must present your physical or digital vaccination card and a valid form of ID. Face coverings must be worn at all times in the Museum's main building and Agricultural Display areas. If you feel ill or have recently been exposed to someone who is ill, please stay home.
Flyer image for the event
“San Jose Japantown: A Journey” chronicles Japantown from its beginnings adjacent to Heinleinville (San Jose Chinatown) to present day. It provides an engaging and informative historic overview for both people who are acquainted with Japantown and general audiences. Images from all eras have been gathered from private and public collections. The book also includes maps and reminisces from people whose lives were involved with San Jose Japantown.
Please join us as we celebrate the reissuing of the book: “San Jose Japantown: A Journey”
There will be a short presentation including Authors Curt Fukuda and Ralph Pearce. Following the presentation the authors will sign books
Date: Saturday September 10, 2022
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Issei Memorial Building (IMB) 565 N 5th St, San Jose CA 95112
Registration: https://bit.ly/3CpPtYH
Click here to read the JAMsj Blog article on “San Jose Japantown: A Journey”
For additional information, email PublicPrograms@jamsj.org
Cover image of book
Event Details:
JAMsj Kawakami House Fundraiser: A Sake Summer Event
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2022
Time: 6:30PM to 8:30PM (PDT)
Door open at 6:00PM
Venue: The Japanese American Museum of San Jose Parking Lot
535 North Fifth Street
San Jose, CA 95112
What:
Inviting all Sake lovers and those curious to experience the extraordinary world of Nihonshu! This Kawakami House fundraiser is your chance to taste many different types of Sake produced in both California and Japan, all while supporting our museum’s efforts to restore this historic building. There will be four Sake companies onsite serving samples, in addition to a local beer brewery. You'll also be introduced to foods from San Jose Japantown that pair well with Sake - some of which may be a surprise for you!
Join us for this fun evening as we explore Japanese American and Sake Making history in California. All proceeds will benefit the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and the restoration of the Kawakami House – a house which belonged to one of the first Japanese American homeowners in the nation. JAMsj is renovating this historic building to serve as a community and storytelling hub for Japanese American and Asian American communities, and you can read more about this project in our series of blogs. Please note that this event is intended only for adults 21 years and older.
Note: COVID 19 Protocol will be followed.
Proof of vaccination (Fully vaccinated and boosted) will be required. You must present your physical or digital vaccination card and a valid form of ID. Face coverings must be worn at all times in the Museum's main building and Agricultural Display areas. Distancing of at least 6 feet must be practiced when possible, except between members of the same household. If you feel ill or have recently been exposed to someone who is ill, please stay home.
Cost: Sake Tasting + Food Pairing $150
We will also have a Silent Auction for great Summer Sake Themed Items!
Registration: Register online now!
Participating Vendors:
Gordon Biersch
Koda Farms "Omurasaki"
Ozeki Sake
SakeTrend
Takara Sake
For event information, contact JAMsj at:
Phone: (408) 294-3138
Email: publicprograms@jamsj.org
Thanks to our sponsors: Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Gordon Biersch, Koda Farms, Ozeki Sake and Takara Sake
The Nikkei Treasures Parking Lot Sale has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 24, 2022.
For more information, email PublicPrograms@jamsj.org
Date: Sunday, April 24, 2022
Time: 10:00AM to 3:00PM
9:30am entry for JAMsj Members
Come by and take a look at the tea sets, vases, dinnerware, pictures, sake sets, Japanese dolls, clothing, and many other items.
Thanks to the generosity of our many museum and community members, we have received a trove of gently used and some brand new items!
All proceeds will enable our museum to fulfill its mission and continue to provide many informative public programs.
Early 9:30am entry for JAMsj members!
Location:
JAMsj Parking Lot
535 N 5th St
San Jose, CA 95112
Admission:
Free
Palo Alto Players theatre company has a tradition of giving back to the community by partnering with a local nonprofit for each of their productions. The Japanese American Museum of San Jose has been chosen as Players’ non-profit partner for ALLEGIANCE, the Broadway musical set during the Japanese American internment of World War II, that was inspired by the personal experiences of actor George Takei. Palo Alto Players will be collecting donations for the Japanese American Museum of San Jose in their lobby throughout the production, which runs April 22- May 8 at the Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto. Learn more about the show at paplayers.org.
You can take advantage of some wonderful local theater, while also supporting the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.
Date Time:
April 22 - May 8
Location:
Lucie Stern Theater
1305 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Tickets:
https://paplayers.org/event/allegiance/ or call (650) 329-0891
Palo Alto Players is offering $10 off tickets for every performance (excluding preview night) by using promo code JAMSJAL10.
Tule Lake Stockade Diary by Tatsuo Ryusei Inouye is a diary written during the brutal time he spent in the stockades.
This Zoom program will include:
Kyoko Oda, daughter of Tatsuo Ryusei Inouye, speaking of the book
Barbara Takei will speak about the events that lead up to the stockades
Hiroshi Shimizu will speak to the difficulties the Incarcerees faced
Prof. Masumi Izumi, who helped to translate the diary from Japanese to English, will give her perspective of the diary
For more information and to order the Tule Lake Stockade Diaries book: http://www.tulelakestockadediary.com/
RSVP/Registration:
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3JftXqg
Admission:
Free
March 3 is Girl's Day. It is celebrated throughout Japan as a day to celebrate the health and well being of daughters with the display of beautiful dolls from the Heian era.
Come see the Hinamatsuri Doll displays throughout San Jose Japantown and at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose to experience this seasonal Japanese tradition!
Japanese American Museum of San Jose
March 3rd - March 20th, 2022
Museum Hours: Thurs - Sun 12pm - 4pm
Free with museum admission
Other Hina displays in Japantown
Nikkei Traditions - San Jose
219 Jackson Street (in-store display)
Roy’s Station Coffee and Tea
197 Jackson Street (window display)
Headliners
210 Jackson Street (window display)
Event Details:
JAMsj Virtual Sake Tasting Fundraiser via Zoom
Date: Saturday, Feb 12, 2022
Time: 5:00PM to 6:00PM (CA Time)
Zoom will open at 4:50PM
Event starts at 5:00PM (Sharp)
Venue: Zoom (Link will be provided after you register)
What:
Calling all Japanese Sake lovers and those curious to experience the extraordinary world of Nihonshu! This is your chance to learn about the different types of Japanese Sake, from Premium Junmai to Honjozo to Nigori, and more. You'll also be introduced to foods that pair well with Sake, some of which may be a surprise for you!
Join us for this fun evening as we explore the Japanese American history in the Bay Area and how that led to Sake breweries locating in the region. We'll go through the tasting of five different types of Sake, that will also include a Snack Box that has been specially prepared for this night! All proceeds will benefit the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and the restoration of the Kawakami House. This event is intended for adults 21 years and older.
Cost: Sake Tasting + Snack Box $100 (Pick-up will be at JAMsj the week prior)
Includes 5 bottles of Ozeki Sake and a Snack Box
Registration Link: Sorry the event registration is now closed
*Note: Pre-orders must be made by Sunday, January 30th at Midnight and will only be available for Pick-up at JAMsj on Saturday, Feb 5th from 11:00AM to 2:00PM or Sunday, Feb 6th from 11:00AM to 2:00PM.
For Event information, contact JAMsj at:
Phone: (408) 294-3138
Email: publicprograms@jamsj.org
Co-Sponsored by:
Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Ozeki Sake
Takara Sake
Join us via Zoom for this exciting event as we honor Fred T. Korematsu.
Panel Discussion: “Building Resilience in the Fight for Racial Justice: Learning from the Past to Build a Better Future.”
Panelists:
Dr. Karen Korematsu, The Fred T. Korematsu Institute
Hon. Johnny Gogo, Santa Clara County Superior Court
Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of CAIR-SFBA
Moderator: Adena Ishii, Santa Clara University, School of Law
Click Here to register
For more information, please email PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or call JAMsj at (408) 294-3130
Registration:
https://bit.ly/3Kb3Npo
Admission:
Free
Event Details:
JAMsj Virtual Gallery Tour Launch Event
Date: Friday, January 21, 2022
Time: 5:00PM to 6:00PM (CA Time)
Zoom will open at 4:50PM
Event starts at 5:00PM (Sharp)
Venue: Zoom (Link will be provided after you register)
Event Objectives:
To share the Japanese American Museum of San Jose’s gallery with a broader audience virtually.
What:
Have you ever wanted to visit the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) but didn’t have the time, or have visited and wanted to share your experience with a friend? With our brand new Virtual Gallery Tour, you and your friends will now have a chance to take a 360 degree virtual tour through JAMsj from anywhere.
Cost: Free, but we welcome donations to help support programs like this and JAMsj
Registration Link: LINK
Zoom Link will be provided once you register
For Event information, contact JAMsj at:
Phone: (408) 294-3138
Email: publicprograms@jamsj.org
Thanks to the generous support of:
Matterport
Virtual Eyes Media
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern CA (JCCNC)
