All the people who work here were very nice and it was a very interesting museum as a whole. However, I think the general public should know that although this place is advertised as being a display of "Japanese American art and culture, focusing on the Bay Area", it really is not. 50% of the entire museum goes into very great detail of the Japanese American internment camps and Japanese American military service during WWII, and the vast majority of the guided tour I took focused on the internment camps. I have no problem with any of this and believe strongly that we need to remember our history to avoid future mistakes, but I was honestly expecting more actual art and culture with information about the local Japanese American community who contributed to it. About 25% of the Museum is that art and culture and 25% is about the Japanese Americans farmers with a large display of old farm equipment. The area about the internment camps is larger than the area about art and culture. Overall, the tour of this museum killed any desire we had to walk around the rest of Japantown that day. So, we just went back the next weekend and avoided this museum. I think this is why I've been going to Japantown in San Jose for over 30 years and have never heard of this museum. It does not add to the experience of visiting Japantown in San Jose, but it is worth visiting. Oh, it is also worth noting that as of March, 2023, this place still requires full medical grade face masks. It's very unusual today that any non-medical facility requires medical grade face masks (no cloth masks, N95 or N98 only).
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

If you find you have about an hour or two to spare when you're in or near Japantown in Downtown San Jose, please visit the Japanese American Museum! It's small but packed with such info on the history of Japanese in the area. My docent today was "Alice" and she really filled in many historical gaps in my education about the Japanese immigration to the West Coast. Hearing fact after fact from the daughter of an interned/imprisoned Japanese mother really hits the heart hard. But here's some of what you learn: when it comes to the history of the poor and disenfranchised, the Japanese farmer had much in common with any American farmer. A hard life! Being yanked from their homes, tagged and assigned i.d. numbers started out similar to what the Nazis did to the Jewish during WW2. The small gift shop is a true delight and there are beautiful cards, books and other items that make great gifts! The history in this small museum is dense but the docents will answer all your questions. I will enjoy returning again to spend more time, and look forward to taking my daughter with me. I highly recommend a visit!!

Educational and historically relevant to San Jose. Comfortable space, well aired out (except last shed area with equipment outside that is naturally musty). Lots of benches to sit and read exhibits. Wonderful for older visitors and also myself as I need to sit often. Staff are nice and welcoming. They offer free tours which sounded fun (we roamed alone, but could hear it going on). Student discounts bring the 8 dollars entrance fee to an affordable 5 bucks. One downside is you need to show proof of a booster vaccination (not just the initial vaccination doses, but your booster shot). So remember to prepare that! I enjoyed my visit. The gift shop is quite small. The museum exhibit is a pleasantly shorter length, as it took us about an hour to finish. It was quiet with only 1 moderately sized guided group and us there during weekend peak times.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

Clean and nearby JapanTown. The ticket menu says “Military Family Members Free” but should say “Active Duty Military: Free” since only the service member is admitted free, not their family members. Aside from that, the museum is clean, items well described, and well organized. Excellent barracks display and farm equipment display. Heavy emphasis on FDR’s unconstitutional internment of US citizens following the “sneak” attack on Pearl Harbor. They showed case studies of three honorable US citizens of Japanese descent who filed lawsuits but lost their court cases because the FBI hid crucial evidence that they exhibited zero risk to the security of country prior to their internment. Politicians and the media should be doing all they can to prevent any U.S. citizen from being victims of this type of government conduct today.

Chanced upon this community gem while heading to Nijiya Market: well worth the side trip! A small museum that details the history of: 1. Japanese Americans in San Jose, 2. the internment of Japanese Americans and 3. the legacy of the 442nd BCT (most decorated US military unit ever) and other Japanese American veterans. A concise place to spend ~30min to learn more about what makes America great as well as the country's mistakes, whether you're a family with children beating the heat, or just a college student in the area.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

This museum is located in Japantown San Mateo. There’s street parking and they have a small parking lot. Tickets are $8 for adults and you are given a brochure and a map. Although the museum is small, it contains a lot of information and artifacts and explains the history of Japanese American in America. In the back, they have farm equipments and household items. It’s a very interesting and informative museum, check it out if you’re near Japan town!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

I had the wonderful opportunity to come to the museum as a school chaperone. I have been to the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, but I didn't realize we had a local gem. I would put this on a list of "must visits" for anyone wanting to delve into WW2 history. We were able to see a replica of an internment camp home with real items in it. The docents were wonderful with the children. I think my husband was very curious and wants to make a return visit with us. Of course, a meal at a nearby local Japanese restaurant would make the trip complete.
Visited on
Weekday

Very moving and educational tour. The docent's mother had been in one of the camps so that really grounded what she was saying. She did it in a really engaging & interactive way. I didn't plan on having a guided a tour but it was just starting when I arrived so they brought me in. The exhibits all make the stories more tangible. It is terrible what happened. The gift shop sells lovely cards made by the volunteers.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$6–10

Big thank you to the staff gentleman who accompanied me all over the museum and provided context. He spent his 1 hour explaining stuff. He was too kind to accept my tip, he refused taking it. Must visit if youre in Bay Area. I feel for all Japanese American people going through those things. Similar stories happen all around the world. Thats the world. Lets not overindex into how bad our ancestors failed to get along with each other, and look for ways to spread peace and prosperity. Love from Turkey.

Great museum that covers the history of the San Jose JapanTown and the experiences of Japanese Americans during WWII. Lots of historic documents, pics and a reproduction of a room from a concentration camp. They also sell works from local artists and the docents are all very friendly. We only spent an hour here but it was very nice
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

This is not a huge museum, but there is plenty to see and learn about. The gentleman at the front desk was kind and friendly. He shared personal and relevant stories of his father and gave us a brief overview of what the museum had to offer. There is an outdoor area too! My husband and I really enjoyed this museum.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$11–15

The workers here make a serious effort to make you feel as welcomed as possible! They offered my mother and I a tour inside the area which we gladly accepted. I feel very informed about japanese american history after coming here. The museum itself is relatively small, but it is well maintained and built in such a way that they were able to completely explain the history of japanese americans within the area.

Definitely worth the visit. The back area is built to resemble one of the barracks in an interment camp, and some of the tools and paraphernalia of the time. One is able to get close enough for a good view, and it was a refreshing surprise to be able to go into the recreation of a portion of the barracks, it felt like I was there.

The museum was small but pack full of very relevant and very sobering memories, memorabilia and experiences. The presenter was amazing and knowing she was in the internment camps as a kid and her stories were so valuable and brings reality to heart!
Visited on
Weekday
Reservation recommended
Not sure

A very interesting tour. Alice was a wonderful guide. A very detailed exhibit on the internment camps. Also of Japan town in San Jose. I highly recommend it
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$1–5

Wonderful staff who were kind and open to chatting about the local area as well as the history and exhibits in the museum. A must see for all who visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

The workers here are very friendly. They provide brief overview for people who just wanna walk around, which is very clear and helpful.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

Amazing history and Leslie was a fabulous docent. Please support this museum so they can continue to tell this critical history.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

Great place to visit if you want to learn more about the Japanese Americans of Sj.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

Amazing Japanese American museum with knowledgeable tour guides (Will Kaku). The tour takes about an hour. Definitely a must visit if you're in San Jose. Opens only Thu - Sun.