Japanese American Museum of San Jose

Address:	535 N 5th St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA
Phone:	+1 408-294-3138
Site:	jamsj.org
Rating:	4.5
Working:	Closed Closed Closed 12–4PM 12–4PM 12–4PM 12–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Joe G

A wonderful repository of the Japanese American history in San Jose. This is a small museum with very knowledgeable staff. The displays are of high quality and show the community and individuals in San Jose. The museum also teaches you about the shameful internment of the Japanese American people during WWII. During my visit there was another visitor who was interned in Utah and was sharing his experience with the docent. Listening to him speak about life in the camps was an unexpected privilege. You will also learn a little about other Japanese American communities in the West coast of the United States. It is inexpensive to visit and there may not be many other guests, so you may have the museum to yourself. It is situated in a pleasant neighborhood near the San Jose Bhuddist Church and the main area of Japantown, which has many nice places to eat of get coffee. This is a very worthwhile visit.

Sean Kelly

Excellent well designed, small cultural museum with exhibits on Japanese American life in San Jose and a powerful display about the Japanese American internment camps - complete with a replica of a camp barrack. Outdoor youll find an extensive collection of farming equipment used by a Japanese American farmer that gives perspective on crops used, home life, and how agriculture evolved. Changing exhibit focused on Hapa, or people of Asian or Pacific Islander mixed heritage and the challenges theyve faced in Japanese culture and their wider existence. Volunteer docent was a young woman who was so passionate and well educated on the history, she seemed wise beyond her years.

A Lin

One of the most important museums in the United States. Lessons which are still relevant today. Chronicles how Japanese Americans adapted and assimilated as Americans, and were then unjustly thrown into desert internment camps, many families losing their homes, property, and businesses. Also has history about the 442nd battalion which still remains the most decorated American army unit in US history. .

David Albrand

A treasure trove of Japanese history in early and war era San Jose. Displays of farm tools, tractors, newspaper and other articles on the time when the country relegated these people to "enemy" status. Glad and sad stories and history told in a wonderfully rich museum. You wont leave unchanged.

Dmitry Baranov

This museum worth a visit if you are looking for things to do in San Jose. Japanese immigrants experience and Japanese-Americans resettlement in particular are a lesser known pages in the story of American fight for equality. Very relevant knowledge in the context of 2016 presidential election.

Aurora Jones

Somehow Ive lived in the Bay Area all my life and never been here! I was glad to latch on to a tour that was just starting (ended up being about 90 minutes - which I think was the perfect amount of time). I also particularly enjoyed the Hapa exhibit.

Naveen Khanna

Small and calm fully guide place ticket price are five dollars

Michael16 Ran

Nice museum with a sad history of American Japanese history.

Kevin Brown

You have to see it. What an amazing story and history.

Sina Ferdosi

Awesome place, best musuem in San Jose

Tim Heath, DC

Helpful docents

Ana Delgado

Boring