Walking Tour

3-Japantown Monument
and Ikoi no Ba 


The 3-Japantown monument and
the first Ikoi no Ba (rest space)!
By JCCsj and JACL.
on Fifth Street mid-block between Jackson and Empire Streets
in front of the
Issei Memorial Building - benches commemorating internment camps & actual sign EXEC Order 9066
< others
on Fifth - 'Festivals' - in front of Lotus Preschool mid-block between Taylor and Jackson Street
'Heritage' -grey granite in front of San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
'Community' - in front of Wesley United Methodist Church, 100th Anniversary logo, hand-rounded wooden benches
 

Yamato Bath House-1911
(Minato Bath House - 1920's-1941)

Photo courtesy: W. Kanemoto Collection

1. "Ken Ing Low" restaurant building, a remembrance of the Chinese community in the area, retains its architectural character. Currently the Cuban International Restaurant at 625 N Sixth Street.

2. This wood frame building, formerly the home of live Japanese theatre, was later used to show films. Currently the rehearsal studios for premiere Japantown performance company, San Jose Taiko at 587 N Sixth Street.

3. One of the early boarding houses where single Japanese males stayed while working on farms in the valley. 205 Jackson Street is Hank's Rod and Reel.

4. The Issei Memorial Buiding served as a hospital from 1910 to 1933. It is currently the home of the San Jose Chapter of the JACL and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene
 565 N Fifth Street.

5. Across the street from the hospital, this building was a midwifery. 580 N Fifth Street.

6. The 1988 addition to the Wesley United Methodist Church was designed to incorporate the original structure, built in 1941. 566 N Fifth Street. Photo of Issei Memorial Building: Curtis Fujita

7. The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin was designed by architect George Shimamoto, and built by the Nishiura brothers in 1937. 640 N Fifth Street. Photo of San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Courtesy of: Nagareda Studio