Japanese American Museum of San Jose

Japanese American Museum of San Jose The mission of JAMsj is to collect, preserve and share Japanese American history, culture and art with a focus on the Greater Bay Area.
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The Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) 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 W

est Coast communities. JAMsj provides a historical forum that stimulates present day discussions on civil liberties, race relations, discrimination, and American identity.

Joins us tomorrow (Saturday, 2/1) at 1:00pm at JAMsj for this free program! It’s an amazing opportunity to learn about b...
02/01/2025

Joins us tomorrow (Saturday, 2/1) at 1:00pm at JAMsj for this free program! It’s an amazing opportunity to learn about be multicultural roots of San Jose Japantown from celebrated local historians!

Join us on Saturday, January 25th at the Wesley United Methodist Church for the Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the...
01/15/2025

Join us on Saturday, January 25th at the Wesley United Methodist Church for the Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution event, a partnership between JAMsj, the Asian Law Alliance, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Santa Clara University! Learn more and get tickets to this free event here: https://www.jamsj.org/upcoming-events/2025/1/25/korematsu-day-2025

Opening January 25, the "Letters from the Camps" exhibit is JAMsj’s first bilingual display, featuring translations and ...
01/13/2025

Opening January 25, the "Letters from the Camps" exhibit is JAMsj’s first bilingual display, featuring translations and transcriptions of the original letters to ensure accessibility for all visitors. The exhibit will immerse guests in the heartfelt stories of daily life at Tanforan, Tule Lake, and Topaz through the words of those who lived it.

The exhibit is free with regular museum admission and will run through April! Come check in our later this month and be sure to sign up for our eNews to get all the latest updates on our upcoming exhibits and programming: https://www.jamsj.org/enews

We have a full roster of sound healers for our film screening and sound bath event on Friday and tickets are still avail...
01/08/2025

We have a full roster of sound healers for our film screening and sound bath event on Friday and tickets are still available. Visit https://www.jamsj.org/upcoming-events to get tickets and learn more!

Tickets still available for Friday's program (6:15-8:30PM), featuring Marlene Shigekawa, her film "The Blue Jay" and a h...
01/07/2025

Tickets still available for Friday's program (6:15-8:30PM), featuring Marlene Shigekawa, her film "The Blue Jay" and a healing soundbath in the JAMsj Gallery! More information and tickets are available at https://www.jamsj.org/upcoming-events

JAMsj is hiring! We're currently accepting applications as we seek a community-minded, detail oriented, and creative ind...
01/03/2025

JAMsj is hiring! We're currently accepting applications as we seek a community-minded, detail oriented, and creative individual to be our next Programs and Marketing Coordinator! Learn more and apply here:

Located in the heart of historic San Jose Japantown, JAMsj offers a friendly, engaging and fast paced work environment. We are currently seeking candidates for the Executive Director and Museum Operations Manager positions.

Start off your 2025 with community and healing at JAMsj's gallery soundbath and screening of Marlene Shigakawa's short f...
01/02/2025

Start off your 2025 with community and healing at JAMsj's gallery soundbath and screening of Marlene Shigakawa's short film, "The Blue Jay".

Learn more and register today before tickets sell out: https://www.jamsj.org/upcoming-events

Please join us in January for a screening of Marlene Shigekawa's "The Blue Jay", followed by a brief conversation with M...
12/18/2024

Please join us in January for a screening of Marlene Shigekawa's "The Blue Jay", followed by a brief conversation with Marlene, and a 45 minute soundbath experience in the JAMsj Gallery, amongst the artifacts, as part of our 聞く(kiku) Healing Series.

We invite you to start your 2025 being bathed in healing sound and grounding in our energetically rich Museum space to explore what is within.

Learn more and purchase tickets here: https://www.jamsj.org/upcoming-events

Get a jump on Shop Small Saturday and come down to JAMsj today from 12-4 to check out new products by local vendors, suc...
11/29/2024

Get a jump on Shop Small Saturday and come down to JAMsj today from 12-4 to check out new products by local vendors, such as Mango Mochi Studios, North Bay creator of this delightful onigiri family!

We will be open this week from Friday- Sunday from 12-4pm. Every purchase supports the museum and California creators. Stop by and find something special!

A quick reminder that we'll be closed tomorrow, Thursday 11/28, but that we'll be open the rest of the weekend! Come by ...
11/27/2024

A quick reminder that we'll be closed tomorrow, Thursday 11/28, but that we'll be open the rest of the weekend!

Come by JAMsj Friday-Sunday this weekend from 12-4 and check out our latest exhibit, "Heinlenville Neighbors: Pinoytown" and shop small at the Museum Store!

1 day left to squeeze your bid in at JAMsj's Online Auction! You have until 8:00PM tonight to get your winning bid in fo...
11/24/2024

1 day left to squeeze your bid in at JAMsj's Online Auction! You have until 8:00PM tonight to get your winning bid in for over 250 items and experiences, including priceless artisan-made items like this Kimono Quilt!

Last push to place your winning bid- good luck!
https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/x45qxq

11/24/2024

Don't miss your final opportunity to support the Japanese American Museum of San Jose! Our online auction ends TONIGHT at 8 PM (PST).
Bid on incredible items:
Unique Japanese art and collectibles
Exciting experiences and adventures
San Jose Obon parking
Food and treats from Japan

Your bid helps preserve our rich cultural heritage. Click below to help!

Welcome to the JAMsj Autumn Auction!Get ready to explore, experience, elevate, and decorate with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose's exciting online auction! Bidding opens November 15th at 12:00 PM and closes November 24th at 8:00 PM PST.

Our online auction ends TOMORROW, November 24th at 8 PM (PST). There are still dozens of items to bid on, from cute plus...
11/24/2024

Our online auction ends TOMORROW, November 24th at 8 PM (PST). There are still dozens of items to bid on, from cute plushies, to a parking spot for San Jose Obon, to traditional Japanese artifacts and antiques, to things you can use at home!

This is your chance to support our humble community museum in San Jose Japantown.

Click the link to place your bids:
https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/x45qxq

2 days left until bidding closes for the JAMsj Online Auction! We have 250+ items and experiences, including some super ...
11/23/2024

2 days left until bidding closes for the JAMsj Online Auction! We have 250+ items and experiences, including some super kawaii plushies that will make great gifts this holiday season!

Last 48 hours to bid: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/x45qxq

Only 3 days left to bid on items and experiences at the JAMsj online auction, such as this priceless opportunity for a d...
11/22/2024

Only 3 days left to bid on items and experiences at the JAMsj online auction, such as this priceless opportunity for a designated parking in the JAMsj lot for the 2025 Obon festival, just a block away!

Get your bid in before time runs out in 3 days: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/x45qxq

Just a reminder! We're closed today and Saturday as we wrap up the fumigation! Normal business hours will resume on Sund...
11/22/2024

Just a reminder! We're closed today and Saturday as we wrap up the fumigation! Normal business hours will resume on Sunday, November 24!

Address

535 N 5th Street
San Jose, CA
95112

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+14082943138

Website

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Videos

As California Assembly Member Evan Low evinces, an education that includes the history and perspectives of one's own community can have a huge impact on an individual's identity, sense of belonging, and voice. This is one of the many reasons why JAMsj believes AAPI perspectives and stories are an essential part of U.S. History that deserve to be celebrated, taught, and shared all year long, beyond the designated month of May! We are beyond grateful to our @aapi.perspectives project partners for driving and creating this project. Join JAMsj on June 1, 2024 at 10:30AM at the Buddhist Church Annex where we will showcase our new web platform which will house 33 new oral histories of Santa Clara County activists, including Evan, along with engaging learning modules for K-12 students and life-long learners alike! Reserve your spot today: https://forms.gle/NVcWWPA9zwe9B7xT8

We are so fortunate to have local AAPI Activists, like Cora Tomalinas, who remind us that supporting each other is not only about the big things, but also about putting intention and feeling into the small, everyday gestures and behaviors that have the power to lift up others. Join JAMsj on June 1, 2024 at 10:30AM at the Buddhist Church Annex where we will showcase our new web platform which will house 33 new oral histories of Santa Clara County activists, including Cora, along with engaging learning modules for K-12 students and life-long learners alike! Reserve your spot today: https://forms.gle/NVcWWPA9zwe9B7xT8

JAMsj is honored and humbled that, through this collaboration, we are are able to showcase the voices of our AAPI leaders, such as Margaret Abe-Koga, who uses her voice to honor those that spoke up and broke barriers, as well as to inspire future leaders to join the conversation. Join JAMsj on June 1, 2024 at 10:30AM at the Buddhist Church Annex where we will showcase our new web platform which will house 33 new oral histories of Santa Clara County activists, like Margaret, along with engaging learning modules for K-12 students and life-long learners alike! Reserve your spot today: https://forms.gle/NVcWWPA9zwe9B7xT8

We celebrate AAPI activists and leaders, such as Judge Johnny Gogo, who use their voices to raise awareness about our history in order to ensure that we do not repeat our past mistakes. Join JAMsj on June 1, 2024 at 10:30AM at the Buddhist Church Annex where we will showcase our new web platform which will house 33 new oral histories of local AAPI Activists, such as Judge Gogo, along with engaging learning modules for K-12 students and life-long learners alike! Reserve your spot today: https://forms.gle/NVcWWPA9zwe9B7xT8

We are so grateful to our local AAPI pioneers like PJ Hirabayashi, whose activism, spirit and courage blazed a trail for our community and continues to spark inspiration. Join JAMsj on June 1, 2024 at 10:30AM at the Buddhist Church Annex where we will showcase our new web platform which will house 33 new oral histories of local AAPI Activists, PJ included, along with engaging learning modules for K-12 students and life-long learners alike! Reserve your spot today: https://forms.gle/NVcWWPA9zwe9B7xT8

Stories from our elders, such the inimitable manong Robert Ragsac, about Japantown's multicultural origins enrich our understanding of community and solidarity. Join JAMsj on June 1, 2024 at 10:30AM at the Buddhist Church Annex where we will showcase our new web platform which will house 33 new oral histories of local AAPI Activists, Robert included, along with engaging learning modules for K-12 students and life-long learners alike! Reserve your spot today: https://forms.gle/NVcWWPA9zwe9B7xT8 This groundbreaking project, nearly 3 years in the making, is a collaboration with the SJSU Asian American Studies Program and generously funded by the County of Santa Clara.

It's #NationalVolunteerWeek! JAMsj wouldn't exist without the support of our #volunteers! If you would like to become a volunteer for JAMsj, visit: jamsj.org/volunteer2023.

Don't miss opening day of the State Of Grace Tattoo exhibit happening NEXT WEEK! Thursday, March 30th, from 5-8 pm. At 5:30 there will be short statements from our Honorable Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmember Omar Torres . #JAMsj, #Culture, #Arts, #SanJose

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Video(526828028572107)

Group photo from the program at Art Object Gallery last month with artists and committee members!

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Video(316482213600409)

The Hidden Histories Planning Committee hard at work (and enjoying some tasty bentos!) during their first meeting!

Hidden Histories of San Jose Japantown Episode 4
Hidden Histories of San Jose Japantown Episode 4

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