Nihonmachi ("Japantowns")

Because of housing and employment discrimination, Japanese Americans tended to cluster in ethnic neighborhoods known as Nihonmachi, or "Japantowns." Living, working, studying, and worshiping in close proximity made for tight-knit communities. With the forced removal of Japanese Americans in the spring of 1942, the bustling Nihonmachis of the West Coast closed down and never fully recovered, even after the war ended.

Community activities (871)
Nihonmachi ("Japantowns") (205)

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205 items
Nihonmachi covered in snow (ddr-densho-16-14)
img Nihonmachi covered in snow (ddr-densho-16-14)
This photo shows Seattle's Nihonmachi or Japantown in the winter.
Interior of Higo Ten-Cent Store (ddr-densho-16-3)
img Interior of Higo Ten-Cent Store (ddr-densho-16-3)
The Higo Ten-Cent Store, established in the early 1900s by Sanzo Murakami and his wife Matsuyo, is one of the last prewar Japanese American businesses in Seattle's International District, formerly known as Nihonmachi. The store sold a wide variety of American- and Japanese-made goods to the surrounding Issei and Nisei community.
Nihonmachi covered in snow (ddr-densho-16-16)
img Nihonmachi covered in snow (ddr-densho-16-16)
This photo shows Seattle's Nihonmachi or Japantown in the winter.
Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-10)
img Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-10)
100 South between West Temple and 100 West. This photo was taken just before demolition and construction of Salt Palace convention center.
Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-8)
img Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-8)
100 South between West Temple and 100 West. This photo was taken just before demolition and construction of Salt Palace convention center.
Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-7)
img Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-7)
100 South between West Temple and 100 West. This photo was taken just before demolition and construction of Salt Palace convention center.
Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-9)
img Salt Lake City's Japantown (ddr-densho-162-9)
100 South between West Temple and 100 West. This photo was taken just before demolition and construction of Salt Palace convention center.
New Kimpa Cafe (ddr-densho-162-6)
img New Kimpa Cafe (ddr-densho-162-6)
The New Kimpa Cafe was located in Salt Lake City's Japantown. Pictured are Mary Doi and Kiyoko Nishida.
JACL Convention (ddr-densho-18-44)
img JACL Convention (ddr-densho-18-44)
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Convention outside the Jackson Building in Seattle's Nihonmachi.
Dai Nippon baseball team visiting from Japan (ddr-densho-18-14)
img Dai Nippon baseball team visiting from Japan (ddr-densho-18-14)
The Dai Nippon baseball team in front of the N-P Hotel in Seattle's Nihonmachi area.
Aiko Studio (ddr-densho-20-11)
img Aiko Studio (ddr-densho-20-11)
Aiko Studio, located in Seattle's Nihonmachi area, was one of several photography studios that catered to the Japanese American community before World War II.
Hand-drawn map of Seattle's Nihonmachi, or Japantown (ddr-densho-24-17)
doc Hand-drawn map of Seattle's Nihonmachi, or Japantown (ddr-densho-24-17)
This map of Nihonmachi, circa 1939, was drawn by Yukio Tazuma. Tazuma's parents owned the Tazuma Ten-Cent Store at 12th Avenue and Jackson Street before World War II. The map shows the many Japanese-owned businesses between 12th Avenue and Rainier Avenue South (upper Jackson Street).
View of Nihonmachi (Japantown) (ddr-densho-24-15)
img View of Nihonmachi (Japantown) (ddr-densho-24-15)
Seattle's Nihonmachi (Japantown) was a vibrant and active community prior to World War II. This view of Nihonmachi was taken from 12th Avenue and Jackson Street.
Dance party in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles (ddr-densho-242-12)
img Dance party in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles (ddr-densho-242-12)
Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "Dance Party LA 1923." Caption on reverse: "Little Tokyo, Los Angeles 1923. 'Dance Party.' No other detail."
Densho eNews, August 2008 (ddr-densho-431-23)
doc Densho eNews, August 2008 (ddr-densho-431-23)
Article titles: "From the Director," "From the Archive: An Extraordinary Citizen: Aiko Yoshinaga Herzig," "Densho News: Teacher Resources: New Lesson on CD and Online," "2008 Sushi & Sake Fest," "Densho on the Road and in the News," "Recommended Resource: Preserving California's Japantowns."
Densho eNews, September 2008 (ddr-densho-431-24)
doc Densho eNews, September 2008 (ddr-densho-431-24)
Article titles: "From the Director," "From the Archive: Inland Enterprise: Japanese Americans in Colorado and Utah," "Densho News: Vote in the Densho Poll," "2008 Sushi & Sake Fest!," "Donor Profiles: Tribute Gifts Help Densho," "Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program Grant."
Pacific Citizen, Vol. 44, No. 13 (March 29, 1957) (ddr-pc-29-13)
doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 44, No. 13 (March 29, 1957) (ddr-pc-29-13)
Select article titles: "JACL seeks deletion of 'Fuzz Young' text, use of 'Japs' may bias children" (p. 1); "First Japanese PW Taken in WW2 Found Working For Car Firm" (p. 1); "Nat'l Campaign on Anti-Nisei TV-Films Opens" (p. 1); "Hearing dates for Hawaii statehood set in both Houses" (p. 1); San Francisco 'Nipponmachi' suffers light damage …
Pacific Citizen, Vol. 48, No. 4 (January 23, 1959) (ddr-pc-31-4)
doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 48, No. 4 (January 23, 1959) (ddr-pc-31-4)
Selected article titles: "Clipping service for the word 'Jap'" (p. 1), "Specific JACL chapter projects aired, quota obligation should be met" (p. 1), "Nisei appointed administrative asst. to Wisconsin Congressman" (p. 1), "Vacaville Buddhist Church dissolved, area never fully resettled" (p. 2), "San Jose CLers to hear police chief" (p. 3), "Nisei architect criticizes contemporary styles …
Pacific Citizen, Vol. 54, No. 17 (April 27, 1962) (ddr-pc-34-17)
doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 54, No. 17 (April 27, 1962) (ddr-pc-34-17)
Selected article titles: "Non-Commercial FM Station Seeks Nisei Subscribers" (p.1), "Supreme Court Extends Reapportionment Decision to Empower State Courts to Review" (p.1), "Kennedy's Order Extending Civil Rights in Okinawa Welcomed but Not Enough" (p.2), "Dreamy Proposals of Future Li'l Tokio Unveiled at USC" (p.2), "JACL to Promote Equal Opportunties in Apprenticeship and Training of Minority Groups; …
Pacific Citizen, Vol. 55, No.2 (July 13, 1962) (ddr-pc-34-28)
doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 55, No.2 (July 13, 1962) (ddr-pc-34-28)
Selected article titles: "In Memoriam: Scotty Tsuchiya" (p.1), "Public School Prayers" (p.1), "Housing for Aged Issei in S.F. Urged" (p.2), "Architects Selected for 'Nihonmachi'" (p.2), "Early California History of Japanese Inspires Youth Delegates at NC-WNDC Meet" (p.4).
Pacific Citizen, Vol. 55, No. 13 (September 28, 1962) (ddr-pc-34-39)
doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 55, No. 13 (September 28, 1962) (ddr-pc-34-39)
Selected article titles: "Dillingham-Inouye Senate Race Big Election Issue" (p.1), "Emancipation Proclamation" (p.1-2), "Li'l Tokio Urban Renewal Panel Topic" (p.1), "Perils Dogged Nisei G-2 Men" (p.2), "History Project Seeks Background Info, Clues" (p.4)/
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