Japantown Immersive 2023

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As part of our continued 50th Anniversary celebration we’re bringing back Japantown Immersive! This year’s theme is focused on the stories and histories of Japantown. What will you discover about our wonderful community?

When: Saturday, May 20 4:30 - 8:30PM
Where: San Jose Japantown (Event kick off at 4:30PM at 5th & Jackson)
Cost: FREE

Enjoy the many activities and performances hosted by our Japantown community!

4:30PM, ~7:45PM EPIC taiko performances from San Jose Taiko. You’ve never seen an SJT performance in Japantown like this!
~5:15PM Lotus Preschool Taiko Performance!
5:30, 6:00, 6:30PM Pop-up readings from “Japantown Returnings” an immersive play about historical eras of Japantown. Performed by Wesley United Methodist Church in partnership with JAMsj.
7:00PM Intro to Bon Odori by Reiko Iwanaga and the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Activations happening throughout the event:
- Learn Hanafuda (Japanese poker game) hosted by Silicon Valley Japanese American Citizens League
- Learn Fantan (a counting game) hosted by Robert Ragsac and FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society - Santa Clara Valley)
- Document your favorite Japantown story about you and/or your family at Story Station in the Issei Memorial Building, hosted by San Jose Taiko.
- Create and play taiko at San Jose Taiko’s interactive station!
- Get dressed up at Kimono Photo Booth hosted by Nichi Bei Bussan and Kimono Club
- Augmented Reality stations from Hidden Histories of San Jose Japantown by JAMsj.
- Japantown history scavenger Hunt hosted by Zonkey’s
- Check out Zonkey’s homage to Cook’s Appliance at their storefront
- Take a selfie by some classic cars hosted by Headliners
- Japantown history kids coloring station hosted by SV JACL
- Visit Roy’s Station and check out classic Japantown memorabilia as well as the 48-star flag signing project.
- Participate and win prizes such as commemorative pins from Kogura Company or special Hank’s Rod & Reel t-shirts by Headliners