Japantown  Celebrating 125 years
A real gem in the Silicon Valley.

This year San Jose Japantown, one of three remaining Japantowns in the United States, celebrates 125 years. If you can make it ride out to the Japantown’s Obon Festival this weekend, July 11th and 12th. Here is a link to the festivities this weekend.

If you visiting next week for Bike Party check out some of the restaurants or other attractions in the area. Japantown is a very scenic, walkable San Jose neighborhood.

Here are some Japantown favorites:

Roy’s Station – A popular hangout on the corner of 5th and Jackson, right in the middle of the Obon Festival. This converted gas stationed was owned by the owner’s grandparents and features a refurbished Coke machine and gas pump. Ample seating inside or out. Their pastries and other snacks like the Moon Pie are the best.

Japanese American Museum of San Jose
This landmark museum, located a half block south of Jackson St. on 5th Street, showcases a unique collection of permanent and rotating exhibits chronicling more than a century of Japanese American history. Visitors will learn about early immigration of Japanese to America, their leadership in the agricultural community,  their incarceration during World War II and the challenges they faced, while adapting and contributing to West Coast communities. The current exhibition, Twice Heroes and More honors the veterans who fought for America while their own families were interned during WWII.

San Jose Tofu Company – Located on Jackson St. San Jose Tofu is a small family owned and operated business that specializes in hand-made tofu. You can see them making right in front of your eyes every day but Sunday. Hours 9:00 am to 6: pm. (Featured on Bay Area Bites)

Petite Galleria – Over 50 Bay Area artists in one tiny boutique. Handmade gifts and affordable art. Located next to Shiseido at 5th and Jackson. Stop by and say hi to April Gee who was featured in the KQED program highlighted below.

Nijiya Market – This traditional Japanese Market gives Japantown that small town feel, selling produce and dry goods right on the sidewalk. Open 9am to 9pm seven days a week.

Getting There

Japantown is easily accessible by bicycle. Bicycle lanes connect to the Guadalupe Park Trail System, downtown, and to hotels in the area. There is also a convenient bike share pod right across from Roy’s Station. It’s also a four block walk from the Japantown/Ayers light rail station.

Other Resources:

Japantown was featured on a KQED’s forum program. Here is a list of some of the guests that were on the show:

Japantown Business Association

Anthony Bourdain pops into Minato Restaurant to talk with Curt for an upcoming segment on his show “Parts Unknown”