Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community (BIJAC) honors the heritage of the Issei (first generation Japanese) who came to the United States, and particularly to Bainbridge Island, to make a new life for themselves and their children. We hope to promote a better understanding of the diversity of our nation by sharing their history, customs, and values. _TIM3862 - Masaru Shibayama, Age 2, Looks at Soldier's Rifle BIJAC is dedicated to preserving and sharing an accurate historical record through oral histories and an outreach educational program.

BIJAC's principal focus is the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial to honor those forced to leave their homes during World War II. Joining BIJAC in this project are local, county, state, and federal governments, as well as many, many individuals who have donated their time, money and energy toward its completion.

BIJAC's other projects include an annual Mochi Tsuki celebration to ring in the new year and an annual BYOB (Bring You Own Bento) summer picnic that brings together old friends and new. Both events are open to the public.

Soldiers at Winslow Ferry Dock, Evacuation Day Other ongoing BIJAC programs are an oral history project, a traveling photo exhibit, Kodomo no Tame Ni ('For the Sake of the Children'), an educational outreach both locally and off Island, and the Milly and Walt Woodward Fund 'to promote the values of acceptance, understanding and respect of civil rights for all.' The Woodward Fund is named to honor the former editors of the Bainbridge Review who consistently opposed the exclusion of Japanese Americans in the 1940s

Tours
Special arrangements can be made for a guided tour of the site for groups with interests and purposes that align with the BIJAC mission statement. We have a small number of volunteers who can conduct these tours so we ask that arrangements be made 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Please contact the Bainbridge Island Historical Society at 206.842.2773 or info@bainbridgehistory.org.

Kitsap Tours offers tours of Bainbridge Island that include a guided visit to the Memorial. Guests are picked up at the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. (Please note that this is a privately owned and operated business that is not affiliated with BIJAC or BIJAEMA.)

Directions to Memorial (PDF)