Japantown, San Jose

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Japantown San José has been here since about 1890, and plays an important part in San José area history. Japanese Americans were highly involved in agriculture and commerce in the city's earlier years, and Japantown was a hub of activity. Japantown today is centered around North 5th Street and Jackson Street, just a few blocks from downtown. The eight block historical district has many places of interest, including a Buddhist temple. There are several Japanese restaurants here, along with a Hawaiian place (live music on weekends) and a Korean restaurant.

Good times to visit Japan town are during festivals: The first Sunday in May, second weekend in July, and in October. Festivals include things like taiko performances, samurai sword exhibit, food, art, ikebana (flower arrangements) etc.

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Japantown in San Jose is located in the roughly 7 by 1 block district between Taylor and Jackson Streets from 1st to 7th Streets. It is home to a wide variety of mostly Japanese, but also Chinese, Korean, Hawaiian, and even Mexican restaurants. This is one of the nicest, cleanest, and busiest areas of the city, ranking right up there with San Pedro Square, though Japantown has more character in my opinion!

San Jose's Japantown is one of just three remaining in California in addition to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

There is a farmer's market on Sunday mornings, and the Japantown Buddhist Church is located at 640 North 5th Street. Parking on Taylor and Jackson Streets is metered, but there is free on-street parking on some of the nearby residential streets when the area isn't too busy.