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Japanese American National Museum

Photo Credit: Japanese American National Museum

What does a former Buddhist temple, used as an internment site during World War II, have in common with an 85,000-square-foot pavilion designed by the famous architect, Gyo Obata? Together, they house the Japanese American National Museum, which honors the contributions of Japanese Americans through a variety of permanent and traveling exhibits.

Focusing on internment experiences and Japanese culture, the museum displays World War II artifacts and recorded life histories, as well as vintage kimonos, textiles, and contemporary art. One permanent exhibit is "The Common Ground: The Heart of Community," a history of Japanese immigrants from 1885 to the present. A highlight of this exhibit is Heart Mountain barracks, an original structure saved and preserved from the relocation camp in Heart Mountain, Wyoming.

A particularly moving exhibit is "Dear Miss Breed: Letters from Camp," which is comprised of letters written to San Diego librarian Clara Breed from Japanese-American children who were held in camps during World War II. Also on display is contemporary art by George Hoshida, Hisako Hibi, and Estelle Ishigo, and photographs by Jack Iwata, Toyo Miyatake, and Walter Wataru.

The Japanese American National Museum distinguishes itself as the only museum in the country committed to sharing the experience and contributions of Americans of Japanese ancestry. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ability of governments to mistreat loyal citizens during times of international crisis.

Location
The Japanese American National Museum is located at 369 East First Street. Driving directions and a map can be found at the museum’s Web site.

Hours of operation
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closing time is extended until 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Cost

Adults	$6.00
Seniors	$5.00
Students (with ID)	$3.00
Children (ages 6-17)	$3.00
Children (under age 5)	Free
Museum members	Free

Groups of 10 or more receive a discounted admission price ($1 per ticket). Admission is free to everyone each third Thursday of the month, and every Thursday night between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Contact information
Call the Visitor Services department at (213) 625-0414.

Disabled access
The Japanese American National Museum is disabled accessible.

Additional information

• Guided group tours, available for ten or more people, must be booked at least three weeks in advance.
• Visit the Japanese American National Museum Web site

Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.