San Jose Japantown

  • Issei Memorial Building

    July 27, 2023 by

    Built in 1910 as the Kuwabara Hospital, this building was originally named for its first resident physician, Dr. Taisuke Kuwabara. The hospital closed its doors in 1934. Several community members […] READ MORE

  • Wesley United Methodist Church

    July 27, 2023 by

    The Wesley United Methodist Church was founded as the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church in 1895 when Japanese immigrants began meeting in the Santa Clara Valley in search of a spiritual […] READ MORE

  • Hori Midwifery

    July 27, 2023 by

    Constructed in 1905 as two portable classrooms from Grant Elementary School. In 1915, a Nihonmachi midwife named Mrs. Hori purchased them and had them moved to her property at 580 […] READ MORE

  • San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin

    July 27, 2023 by

    The San Jose Hongwanji Buddhist Church was established in 1902 to bring together the growing community of new Japanese immigrants to the San Jose area. Designed after the Nishi Honganji […] READ MORE

  • Fuji Towers

    July 27, 2023 by

    Fuji Towers is a low-cost senior citizen apartment building with 140 units. Built as a major project to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, the […] READ MORE

  • Tahei Building (formerly Hank’s Rod and Reel)

    July 27, 2023 by

    This building (formerly the Taketa Building) was constructed in the early 1920s as the Hotel Tahei. It was the largest lodging establishment in the area and carried greater prestige than […] READ MORE

  • Old Dobashi Market (Tsugaru Restaurant)

    July 25, 2023 by

    Issei Kinosuke Dobashi opened the old Dobashi Market in 1912 as Kinokuniya Shoten. The original building was torn down in 1935. After the war the Dobashi family reopened the store […] READ MORE

  • Okida Hall

    July 25, 2023 by

    Built in the early 1900s, this building served the community as the Japanese Hall and was primarily used as a theater. Prior to World War II, the theater featured traditional […] READ MORE

  • Sumo Ring Site/Asahi Baseball Field

    July 25, 2023 by

    Once an empty lot at Sixth and Jackson Streets (opposite from the Japantown Bathhouse), a sumo ring was constructed at the current site of Miraido Village, where matches were set […] READ MORE

  • Japantown Bathhouse Site

    July 25, 2023 by

    The Yamada Bath House and Pool Hall, formerly located at the corner of Sixth and Jackson Streets, was one of the establishments (along with boarding houses and gambling establishments) that […] READ MORE

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