Central San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Japantowns

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

1. Japantowns Marker

Inscription. From the late 1800s, Japantowns began to emerge in California’s port towns and agricultural areas where Japanese immigrants helped build the state’s economy through fishing, farming and other businesses. By the 1930s, as many as forty Japan towns existed throughout the state. The forced evacuation of Japanese Americans during World War II, and later urban renewal in the 1960s and 1970s, greatly impacted the fate of these unique historic districts. This common landmark resides in three of the remaining Japantowns in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles. It pays tribute to the contributions of Californians of Japanese Ancestry and is dedicated to Japantowns that today exist only in memories.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Asian Americans.

Location. 37° 20.89′ N, 121° 53.633′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Central San Jose. It is on North 5th Street south of Jackson Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 565 North 5th Street, San Jose CA 95112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Japanese Kuwabara Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Wesley United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Hori Midwife House (within shouting distance of this marker); Issei Voices (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nihonmachi (about 300 feet away); Jackson Drugs (about 300 feet away); Dobashi Market (about 400 feet away); Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

More about this marker. This marker is at the base of a triangular shaped pillar monument on the grounds of the Issei Memorial Building.

Additional keywords. Japantown

Japantowns Marker -side 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

2. Japantowns Marker -side 1

Japantowns Marker -side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

3. Japantowns Marker -side 2

Japantowns Marker -side 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

4. Japantowns Marker -side 3

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

5. Japantowns Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 953 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.