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Closed for Renovations

JANM’s Pavilion is closed for renovation and will reopen in late 2026. While the museum and store are closed, join us for programs and events on our Little Tokyo campus, throughout Southern California, and beyond. 

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  • Exhibition Opening for Cruising J-Town

    Jul 31, 2025

    Celebrate Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community with an opening reception hosted by the ArtCenter College of Design!See the exhibition’s five classic cars: George Nakamura’s 1940s “Meteor” hot rod; Brian Omatsu’s custom 1951 Mercury coupe known as the “Purple Reign”; a 1956 Ford F100 pickup truck owned by Kirk Shimazu; Tod Kaneko’s 1973 Datsun 510, one of the models that launched the import car cr...

  • 2025 Natsumatsuri Family Festival is on Saturday, August 16

    Jul 22, 2025

    PSAWHAT: Celebrate summer with us at JANM’s Democracy Center and the Norman Y. Mineta Democracy Plaza featuring free cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages!The festival is sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Nissan Foundation, and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. The media sponsor is The Rafu Shimpo, and the promotional ...

  • The Japanese American National Museum Condemns Vandalism at Houses of Worship in Los Angeles

    Apr 28, 2023

    LOS ANGELES, CA – The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) condemns the recent burning of a rainbow flag at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple in Pasadena, California. This act of hate is under investigation by police and occurred two weeks after a man came to the temple to complain about that flag and ask that it and a Black Lives Matter flag be taken down from the temple’s fence. This incident is part of a larger tre...

  • GOTV: The Role of the Artist

    Oct 29, 2020

    FREE What is the role of art as we get out the vote and build larger movements for change? In this national conversation with engaged artists, hear about the importance of voting in both local and national elections, using art to challenge and shift culture, and how we build powerful, and beautiful, movements. Hear from Glenn Kaino, conceptual artist, Kristina Wong, performance artist and elected official, and...

  • ZÓCALO—Is Propaganda Keeping Americans from Thinking for Themselves?

    Jun 05, 2019

    A Zócalo/UCLA Downtown Event at JANM’s National Center for the Preservation of Democracy Moderated by Carla Hall, Editorial Board Member, Los Angeles Times In 1931, philosopher John Dewey warned that "democracy will be a farce unless individuals are trained to think for themselves, to judge independently, to be critical, to be able to detect subtle propaganda and the motives which inspire i...

  • 2017 Natsumatsuri Family Festival

    Aug 19, 2017

    FREE ALL DAY Join us for our annual summer celebration featuring Japanese and Japanese American performances, crafts, and activities. Musical performances Free souvenir photos at our happi coat photo booth Free samples of saataa andaagii (Okinawan deep-fried pastries) Basic taiko drumming lessons Fun crafts including origami and the ever-popular Natsumatsuri paper hats JANM Members ...

  • New Frontiers

    Mar 12, 2017 - Aug 20, 2017

    New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei explores the life and career of pioneering actor, activist, and social media icon George Takei, who currently serves on the Japanese American National Museum’s Board of Trustees. By examining Takei’s diverse experiences and achievements, this entertaining exhibition creates a portrait of a unique individual while offering an innovative means of engaging with the social h...

  • Tatau

    Jul 30, 2016 - Jan 22, 2017

    Tatau: Marks of Polynesia explores the beauty of Samoan tattoos as well as the key role they play in the preservation and propagation of Samoan culture. Through photographs taken in the studio and on location in Samoa and elsewhere, Tatau showcases the work of traditional Samoan tattoo masters alongside that of younger practitioners working within and influenced by the tradition today. Through exhibitions like Tatau,...

  • MUSEUM'S 13TH SUMMER FESTIVAL TO FEATURE CHADO TEA TASTINGS, CONCERT, FAMILY ACTIVITIES AUG. 13-14

    Aug 09, 2011

    The Japanese American National Museum celebrates its 13th Annual Summer Festival on the Courtyard with the Los Angeles Tea Festival by Chado Tea Room, free hands-on arts and crafts activities for families, a ticketed concert featuring traditional Japanese folk songs, and fun features related to its latest exhibition, Year of the Rabbit: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, on Saturday, August 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tra...

  • AUTHOR KAREN YAMASHITA TO DISCUSS LATEST BOOK, 'I HOTEL', ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

    Sep 08, 2010

    Award-winning writer and novelist Karen Tei Yamashita will read from and discuss her latest book, I Hotel, at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo on Saturday, September 18, beginning at 2 p.m. Yamashita, who came to prominence with her novel, Through the Arc of the Rain Forest (1990), is also author of Brazil-Maru (1992), Tropic of Orange (1997) and Circle K Cycles (2001). Her latest book is orga...