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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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  • “Cruising J-Town”—JANM Members Curator Tour

    Sep 25, 2025

    Meet us in Pasadena for a Members Only tour of JANM’s exhibition, Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community, with exhibition curator Dr. Oliver Wang.Cruising J-Town tells the stories of influential figures and everyday car lovers alike. See the five classic cars anchoring the exhibition: George Nakamura’s 1940s “Meteor” hot rod; Brian Omatsu’s custom 1951 Mercury coupe known as the “Purple Reign”; a 1...

  • Cruising J-Town—Press

    For press inquiries, email mediarelations@janm.org or call 213.625.0414.Press Image Gallery(Password Access Only—contact mediarelations@janm.org for access.)

  • Cruising J-Town—Community

    Browse the resources below to see the many different ways that the Japanese American community has fueled evolutions in car culture.

  • Cruising J-Town—Photos

    Southern California is one of America’s original autopias—a region built from and for car and truck culture. For over one hundred years, the Nikkei (Japanese American) community has shared a profound, complicated relationship with that culture.Whether driving fish trucks or drift racers, joining teenage car clubs or professional race teams, this community has long embraced the automobile to express creative identitie...

  • Cruising J-Town—Audio Guide

    Seven years in the making, Cruising J-Town is one of the first exhibitions to ever highlight the rich history of the Japanese American community here in Los Angeles, and its long relationship to the world of cars and trucks. The stories cover everything from import tuners to gardening trucks, auto designers to gas station mechanics, prewar hot rodders to 21st century drift racers.At the heart of Cruising J-Town are t...

  • Cruising J-Town—Resources

    Explore the world of cars and trucks as powerful vehicles for personal expression, collective identity, and social mobility. Read stories and watch videos that share stories related to the exhibition. Check back as we add more content throughout the run of the exhibition (July 31 through November 12, 2025).CRUISING J-TOWN: SIDE TRIPS—Articles and testimonials related to the personal, family, and community stories and...

  • Contested Histories: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection—Events

    Public programs related to Contested Histories: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection.

  • Contested Histories: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection—Press

    For press inquiries, email mediarelations@janm.org or call 213.625.0414.Press Image Gallery(Password Access Only—contact mediarelations@janm.org for access.)

  • Contested Histories: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection—JANM Store

    Purchase related items from the JANM Store, including books, prints, and other items.Buy Now JANM members receive a 10% discount! Join or renew now

  • Contested Histories - Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection - Resources

    Learn more about the restored artworks and other items in the Eaton Collection.