Virtual Visits
Connect with JANM Virtually
Virtual visits use video conferencing technology to engage visitors and students in conversations surrounding JANM’s collections. These visits offer a new way to make sure that the important lessons of history are not forgotten.
Virtual visits must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance. Virtual visits for grades 4–12 require pre-work with suggested time spent on the content in advance of the facilitated live experience. Pre-visit curriculum is vital in ensuring that the live video-conferencing session is spent on meaningful dialogue. Pre-work is designed to be completed either independently by students, or as a teacher-led lesson. Completion of a facilitated virtual visit reserved via the Education Unit is required in order to book a Q&A session with a first-person survivor of incarceration.
Higher education and adult groups can also book a virtual visit in English or Japanese. The presentations explore the Japanese American experience from the 1860s through the post-war era and can be tailored to particular areas of interest for students, seniors, and other groups. Companies can book a virtual visit for multicultural awareness or as part of their diversity and inclusion training.
Planning your visit
Plan a virtual visit to JANM to explore stories about the Japanese American experience.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to qualifying schools and groups while funds last.
Virtual visits must be booked three weeks in advance.
Please note that availability, pricing, requirements, and options are subject to change.
If you have any questions, please email us at groupvisits@janm.org. We are happy to help you!
Special Programs
Customized virtual content for students and teacher professional development is available.
Funding has been provided by California Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
More Ways to Visit
School Visits
A JANM School Visit spurs students to learn about the Japanese American story and its significance today.
Group Visits
Book a group visit, both guided (including in Japanese) and self-guided, for seniors, adults, collegians, or students.
Virtual Visits’ Policies and Information
Hours and Pricing
Virtual visits are available Monday–Friday with one morning availability and one afternoon availability each day. Virtual visits run 45–60 minutes and include non-customized content as well as live, structured facilitation. Prices for virtual visits are applicable for all ages. Please see below for information about financial assistance for Title I schools.
| Group size | Price |
| 10-30 participants | $125 |
| 31-60 participants | $250 |
| 61-100 participants | $500 |
A 20-min Q&A with a first-person camp survivor is available ($50 additional fee). This is not available as a stand-alone program and must be booked in conjunction with a virtual visit. To inquire about pricing for customized content and professional development please email groupvisits@janm.org. Prices are subject to change.
Payment
Full payment for your virtual visit is due one week prior to the date of the visit. Checks and credit card payment are accepted. JANM cannot accept purchase orders or cash for payment at this time.
Virtual Visit Pricing and Refund Information
We understand that it can be difficult to estimate the exact number of participants for a virtual visit. Please review our price tier chart before making a reservation. And please note:
- If your actual group size is smaller than your reservation price tier, we can only issue a refund before your virtual visit starts. (Sorry, no refunds after the virtual visit.)
- If your actual group size is larger than your reservation price tier, then we will apply the correct higher price tier fees after your visit.
Financial Assistance: Grants for School Groups
JANM’s Bid for Education is a fundraising initiative that helps cover virtual visit fees for Title I schools and groups with demonstrated financial need. These grants are for groups who make advance reservations scheduled through the Education Unit and are available on a first come, first served basis. Groups must have a minimum of 10 participants to qualify.
Learn more
Chaperones
We require at least one teacher or supervising adult to be online with students during virtual visits.
Cancellations and Late Arrivals
Cancellations up to 14 days prior to the virtual visit are eligible for a full refund. After that, JANM is unable to issue a refund. Late arrivals into a virtual classroom exceeding 20 minutes beyond a scheduled start time may result in cancellation of a virtual visit.
Prior to Your Visit
Before your virtual visit, please make sure your group has completed any pre-visit activities which will be sent to the group leader (Grades 4–12). All groups should log-in to the videoconferencing waiting room at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions or specific concerns regarding your visit to JANM, please contact groupvisits@janm.org. The museum’s staff will be happy to help you arrange your visit logistics. Our goal is for you and your students to have a rewarding and educational visit.
Virtual Visit FAQ
How do I qualify for financial assistance to virtually visit the Japanese American National Museum (JANM)?
In order to qualify for JANM’s virtual visit waivers, groups must be Title I. Our grants are available to groups who come for an experience scheduled through the Education Unit. Grants are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Groups must have a minimum of 10 participants to qualify.
What videoconference technology will be used during a virtual visit?
We find it easiest for us to join your virtual classroom as guests using whichever videoconferencing platform your students are most familiar with, but we are also able to set up a JANM Zoom room.
If joining your classroom, we ask that we are made a co-host or presenter as we will need to share our screen. If using a JANM Zoom room, a unique Zoom room link and password will be set up for your visit and sent to the teacher ahead of time. The waiting room feature will be enabled and the teacher will be allowed into the Zoom room first and asked to let students in from the waiting room.
What is a teacher’s role in a virtual visit?
JANM relies upon teachers to closely monitor students during virtual visits. We require one supervising adult to be in the virtual classroom at all times during the virtual visit. If using a Zoom room link from JANM, we will allow the teacher into the Zoom room first and ask that they let their students in from the waiting room.
Do you have docents who are veterans or former inmates that my students can talk to?
Virtual visits for school groups will be led by JANM Education Staff. Adult, college, and senior group tours will be facilitated by JANM Education Staff or trained JANM volunteer docents or facilitators. While some of our volunteers have first-hand experience with America’s concentration camps, we cannot guarantee that your group will be led (on-site or virtual) by a WWII veteran or former camp inmate.
For the unique experience of speaking to a first-person survivor of WWII incarceration, groups who have scheduled or completed virtual visits may book an additional 20-minute Q&A ($50 fee). To access oral histories online, visit DiscoverNikkei.org.
Do you offer virtual visits in multiple languages?
We are now offering Japanese language visits with limited availability for college, adult, and senior groups only.
For more information please email jpngroupvisits@janm.org with the name of your school, group, or company; number of participants; and potential dates and times for your tour.
Will this visit be age appropriate for my students?
Virtual museum experiences are designed to meet the needs of 1st–12th grades plus adult and college groups. Please tell us as much information as possible (what your students are studying, what books/materials they have read, etc.) when booking your reservation. We will be happy to make sure that your experience is tailored to the appropriate grade/age level.
Do you have pre-, post-, or digital activities that I can do with my students?
Students who join a virtual visit with a basic understanding of the Japanese American story have a better and deeper experience while they are here. For students 4th grade and above, there is an accompanying pre-visit curriculum that should be completed prior to the visit. Click on the link below for lesson plans and resources that may be of use.
What happens if I am running late to join the virtual visit?
Please contact us at groupvisits@janm.org as soon as you become aware of a delay. We understand that due unforeseen reasons, your group may arrive late. We may not be able to accommodate your group if you arrive more than 20 minutes late to a virtual visit.
Do you have a cancellation policy for virtual visits?
Virtual visits can be cancelled without penalty up to 14 days prior to the virtual visit. After that, JANM is not able to issue a refund.
We understand that it can be difficult to estimate the exact number of participants for a virtual visit. Please review our price tier chart before making a reservation. And please note:
- If your actual group size is smaller than your reservation price tier, we can only issue a refund before your virtual visit starts. (Sorry, no refunds after the virtual visit.)
- If your actual group size is larger than your reservation price tier, then we will apply the correct higher price tier fees after your visit.
Why does JANM use the term “concentration camp” when speaking of the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans?
The terms used to describe what happened to 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II—relocation, evacuation, incarceration, internment, or concentration camp—vary among scholars, government officials, and even Japanese Americans themselves. While most people associate “concentration camp” with the Holocaust and many Americans feel more comfortable with milder terms like internment camps, JANM uses the term “concentration camp” because by definition a concentration camp is a place where people are imprisoned not because they are guilty of any crimes, but simply because of who they are. The U.S. government, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, used the phrase “concentration camp” in speeches and written documents during World War II.