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

Japantowns

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.

Location. 37° 20.89′ N, 121° 53.633′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker 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.

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); Hori Midwife House

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

By Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

2. Japantowns Marker -side 1

(within shouting distance of this marker); Nihonmachi (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 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); Japantown Theater (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

Categories. • Asian Americans •

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

By Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

3. Japantowns Marker -side 2

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

By Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

4. Japantowns Marker -side 3

By Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

5. Japantowns Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.