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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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  • The Japanese American National Museum Welcomes the Passage of two Japanese American History Bills in the Omnibus Appropriations Package

    Dec 23, 2022

    LOS ANGELES, CA – The Japanese American National Museum celebrates today’s passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 is an omnibus bill that will provide annual funding for the federal government and the passage of a variety of bills including the Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American C...

  • The Japanese American National Museum Denounces Racist Remarks from the Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest

    Dec 22, 2022

    LOS ANGELES, CA – The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) is gravely concerned by the offensive tropes designed to mock Asian languages that Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon uttered during a commencement ceremony on December 10, 2022. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee released a letter demanding Keon’s resignation and has yet to hear from him. “As the public face and leader of the unive...

  • hapa.me - 15 years of the hapa project

    Apr 07, 2018 - Oct 28, 2018

    The word “hapa” is the Hawaiian transliteration of the English word “half.” Much of its current usage derives from the phrase hapa haole, meaning “half white.” The phrase was originally coined by native Hawaiians to describe the mixed offspring resulting from encounters between islanders and White settlers. In subsequent years, hapa (or Hapa) has come into popular usage away from the islands, most frequently embraced...

  • 2015 Natsumatsuri Family Festival

    Aug 15, 2015

    FREE ALL DAY Our popular annual summer celebration features Japanese and Japanese American performances, crafts, and activities for the whole family. • Enjoy stimulating performances by Minyo Station, Random Ninjas, and TAIKOPROJECT with Quetzal • Impress the crowd at our Karaoke Open Mic • Take a basic taiko drumming lesson with docent Hal Keimi • Join our community bon odori dance • Participate in...

  • 2013 Natsumatsuri Family Festival

    Aug 10, 2013

    FREE ALL DAY! This year JANM is excited to be starting a new tradition. Natsumatsuri means “summer festival” in Japanese and we hope you will join us for a day of sharing and learning, as we celebrate old and new traditions with cultural performances, demonstrations, activities, and crafts! Members Only Special perks available for JANM members! Be sure to check in at the front desk to get a member sticker so yo...

  • LEAPS OF FAITH

    Mar 08, 2008 - Mar 09, 2008

    Three special performances: 2 pm, 7 pm on March 8 and 2 pm on March 9. Ten artists of different faiths and spiritual paths boldly jump into the swirling waters of interfaith collaboration in this work-in-progress performance of personal stories, dance, poetry and song. Come witness their plunge into the deep as they question: How can multi-dimensional religious identities live side by side? How do we navi...

  • Community Day of Remembrance

    Feb 16, 2008

    REDRESS REMEMBERED FREE ALL DAY The Day of Remembrance marks President Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942, which authorized the unconstitutional forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast and Hawai'i during World War II. On August 10, 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 which legislated monetary reparations and an offical apol...

  • "Lost & Found: Reclaiming the Japanese American Incarceration" by Karen L. Ishizuka

    Jan 27, 2007

    Ideal for Educators Combining heartfelt stories with first-rate scholarship, Lost & Found reveals the complexity of people reclaiming their own history by exploring the meaning of the World War II camps from the inmates' own memories. Ishizuka, former Senior Curator and Director of the Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center at the Japanese American National Museum, deftly blends official history with community memory t...

  • Tokens of Friendship

    Jan 15, 2005

    In honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, this program will explore ways to extend friendship in our diverse community. Join us for storytelling and music, and make a token of friendship -- bracelet, keychain, or necklace -- to share with a friend.

  • 2004 "Oshogatsu": New Year Family Day Festival

    Jan 04, 2004

    1 p.m.–4 p.m. Arts and Crafts Classes for Children of All Ages—Learn about New Year’s symbols and traditions 1 p.m. Oshogatsu Storytelling with the improv troupe Cold Tofu. 1 p.m. New Year’s Craft Class with Ryosen Shibata 2 p.m. Mochitsuki, traditional rice cake pounding performance with Kodama Taiko 3 p.m. Aikido & Iaido Martial Arts demonstration by the Aikido Center of Los Angeles. Aiki...