-
September 2023 by Elaine Tse
I had the wonderful opportunity to come to the museum as a school chaperone. I have been to the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, but I didn't realize we had a local gem. I would put this on a list of "must visits" for anyone wanting to delve into WW2 history. We were able to see a replica of an internment camp home with real items in it. The docents were wonderful with the children. I think my husband was very curious and wants to make a return visit with us. Of course, a meal at a nearby local Japanese restaurant would make the trip complete.
-
September 2023 by vincent prado
The workers here make a serious effort to make you feel as welcomed as possible! They offered my mother and I a tour inside the area which we gladly accepted. I feel very informed about japanese american history after coming here. The museum itself is relatively small, but it is well maintained and built in such a way that they were able to completely explain the history of japanese americans within the area.
-
August 2023 by Joe San
Clean and nearby JapanTown. The ticket menu says “Military Family Members Free” but should say “Active Duty Military: Free” since only the service member is admitted free, not their family members.Aside from that, the museum is clean, items well described, and well organized. Excellent barracks display and farm equipment display. Heavy emphasis on FDR’s unconstitutional internment of US citizens following the “sneak” attack on Pearl Harbor.They showed case studies of three honorable US citizens of Japanese descent who filed lawsuits but lost their court cases because the FBI hid crucial evidence that they exhibited zero risk to the security of country prior to their internment. Politicians and the media should be doing all they can to prevent any U.S. citizen from being victims of this type of government conduct today.
-
August 2023 by Ali Yılmaz
Big thank you to the staff gentleman who accompanied me all over the museum and provided context. He spent his 1 hour explaining stuff. He was too kind to accept my tip, he refused taking it. Must visit if youre in Bay Area. I feel for all Japanese American people going through those things. Similar stories happen all around the world. Thats the world. Lets not overindex into how bad our ancestors failed to get along with each other, and look for ways to spread peace and prosperity. Love from Turkey.
-
July 2023 by EugeC
Well-done, small museum on an important historical chapter. Covering the history of Japanese Americans in the San Jose area as well as the internment, the exhibits inform and educate.
A special, unusual part of the museum is the collection of historical agricultural machinery/vehicles used by many Japanese farmers in California. The museum houses this collection in a separate building toward the back of the museum.
-
June 2023 by Lucas P
Chanced upon this community gem while heading to Nijiya Market: well worth the side trip!A small museum that details the history of:1. Japanese Americans in San Jose,2. the internment of Japanese Americans and3. the legacy of the 442nd BCT (most decorated US military unit ever) and other Japanese American veterans.A concise place to spend ~30min to learn more about what makes America great as well as the country's mistakes, whether you're a family with children beating the heat, or just a college student in the area.
-
June 2023 by Jackie M
Absolutely loved this place. There are so many artifacts and stories. The example room was very heart churning and the attention to detail was phenomenal.Price for entry: $8.00Ticket type: Student ticket.
-
April 2023 by Lo
This museum is located in Japantown San Mateo. There’s street parking and they have a small parking lot. Tickets are $8 for adults and you are given a brochure and a map. Although the museum is small, it contains a lot of information and artifacts and explains the history of Japanese American in America. In the back, they have farm equipments and household items. It’s a very interesting and informative museum, check it out if you’re near Japan town!
-
April 2023 by Beth Holmes
Very moving and educational tour. The docent's mother had been in one of the camps so that really grounded what she was saying. She did it in a really engaging & interactive way. I didn't plan on having a guided a tour but it was just starting when I arrived so they brought me in. The exhibits all make the stories more tangible. It is terrible what happened. The gift shop sells lovely cards made by the volunteers.
-
April 2023 by Craig Benting
All the people who work here were very nice and it was a very interesting museum as a whole. However, I think the general public should know that although this place is advertised as being a display of "Japanese American art and culture, focusing on the Bay Area", it really is not. 50% of the entire museum goes into very great detail of the Japanese American internment camps and Japanese American military service during WWII, and the vast majority of the guided tour I took focused on the internment camps.I have no problem with any of this and believe strongly that we need to remember our history to avoid future mistakes, but I was honestly expecting more actual art and culture with information about the local Japanese American community who contributed to it. About 25% of the Museum is that art and culture and 25% is about the Japanese Americans farmers with a large display of old farm equipment. The area about the internment camps is larger than the area about art and culture.Overall, the tour of this museum killed any desire we had to walk around the rest of Japantown that day. So, we just went back the next weekend and avoided this museum. I think this is why I've been going to Japantown in San Jose for over 30 years and have never heard of this museum. It does not add to the experience of visiting Japantown in San Jose, but it is worth visiting.Oh, it is also worth noting that as of March, 2023, this place still requires full medical grade face masks. It's very unusual today that any non-medical facility requires medical grade face masks (no cloth masks, N95 or N98 only).
-
March 2023 by Mike Tong
I had very moving and impactful visit to the Japanese American Museum of San Jose ????Thank you ?
-
March 2023 by Juan Coronado
Great place to learn about Japanese lifestyle during WWII in USA.
-
January 2023 by j g.
I encourage any family in San Jose with kids 10 to college age to visit this important museum. It is a gem of historic information on the Japanese-American Internment 1942-1945. Citizens of this great country need to understand our full history. Even the dark parts. To be an informed public will help preserve democracy and what makes this nation special. We need to understand our US Govt leadership mistakes so the next generation does not repeat them. The artifacts and an actual made to scale living quarters (barrack) give you a small idea of what it was like. It's the true stories of life disruption, detours, despair and some cases destruction of livelihoods and dignity that must be heard. As well as the determination, devotion, dedication and ultimate sacrifices made by Japanese-Americans for love of country in spite of the racism they faced.
-
December 2022 by Brad K.
Truly a must visit if you can carve out the time! The educational experience is priceless. And i can't say enough about the kindness of the staff and volunteers! Thank you for a wonderful visit.
-
December 2022 by Guamby Guambelle
If you find you have about an hour or two to spare when you're in or near Japantown in Downtown San Jose, please visit the Japanese American Museum! It's small but packed with such info on the history of Japanese in the area. My docent today was "Alice" and she really filled in many historical gaps in my education about the Japanese immigration to the West Coast. Hearing fact after fact from the daughter of an interned/imprisoned Japanese mother really hits the heart hard. But here's some of what you learn: when it comes to the history of the poor and disenfranchised, the Japanese farmer had much in common with any American farmer. A hard life! Being yanked from their homes, tagged and assigned i.d. numbers started out similar to what the Nazis did to the Jewish during WW2. The small gift shop is a true delight and there are beautiful cards, books and other items that make great gifts! The history in this small museum is dense but the docents will answer all your questions. I will enjoy returning again to spend more time, and look forward to taking my daughter with me. I highly recommend a visit!!
