Japantown - San Jose

Japantown Festival
The Spirit of Japantown Festival centered on Fifth and Jackson Streets, San Jose. This 8-block street faire, featuring entertainment, artisans, vendors, and ethnic food drew 10,000 visitors last year.

New attractions this year include the sale of samurai swords, orchids at growers' prices, Japanese Animation Cards, Costplay Cafe servers attired in Japanese Animation costumes, Spirit of Japantown Award, and much more! In efforts to model an eco-friendly environment, festival greening practices will be implemented, such as rewards for those traveling to the festival  by bike, bus, or light rail.

Hawaii's Daniel Ho, professional singer, promises to wow the entire family. And Grateful Crane Ensemble fans are in for a treat with the return of lead vocalist, Keiko and keyboard artist, Scott performing excerpts from their musical production, Nihonmachi: The Place to Be. 

The Spirit of Japantown is sponsored by the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj), a conglomerate of Japantown organizations, businesses, and neighborhood organizations. JCCsj, in collaboration with the San Jose Redevelopment Agency strives to preserve San Jose Japantown. Of the original 40+ Japantowns, those of San Jose, San Francisco and Los Angeles share the distinction of being the last three remaining in the nation.

Funding for this event has been provided by a grant from the city of San Jose and generous donations from local businesses: AM/PM Billboard, San Jose Mercury News, Valley Transportation Authority; Miraido Village; Nichi Bei Times, and Southwest Airlines.

The Japantown Business Association
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Japantown as a unique ethnic neighborhood offering a rare blend of business, cultural, and historical resources. With over 130 members comprised of local businesses, associations, and community organizations, JBA has played an important role in Japantown's continuing vitality.

Our current objectives are:
* To promote public awareness and appreciation for Japantown;
* To work with local government agencies to promote and preserve Japantown as a cultural and historic resource.
* To encourage the preservation of photos and artifacts which reflect the ethnic and historical fabric of the community; and
* To sponsor special events and fundraisers which support the goals above, such as the year-round Sunday Farmers' Market