Japantown

San Jose, United States

One of only three remaining Japantowns in the U.S., packed with independent restaurants, mochi shops, and the annual Obon Festival.

Places in Japantown

Okayama One of the top sushi restaurants in Japantown.
Japantown mochi shops Independent mochi shops along North 5th Street in Japantown.
Japantown and the Obon Festival One of only three remaining Japantowns in the U.S., hosting the annual San Jose Obon Festival in July.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October offer mild, dry weather ideal for exploring Japantown, Santana Row, and downtown on foot.
Getting around: The VTA Light Rail connects the airport, downtown, and Campbell, BART reaches Berryessa and Milpitas, and the free Downtown Area Shuttle loops through the core on weekdays, making Santana Row, Japantown, and downtown all easily reachable.
Currency: US Dollar ($)
Language: English; Spanish and Vietnamese are widely spoken.
Timezone: PST (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Current trends: San Jose's downtown continues its major revitalization push around the SAP Center corridor and Diridon Station area, where Google's mixed-use development is reshaping the neighborhood, while Japantown's century-old restaurants and the annual Obon Festival preserve one of only three remaining Japantowns in the US amid the city's rapid Silicon Valley-driven growth.

Santana Row — San Jose's most polished district, an open-air mix of high-end shops, hotel terraces, and restaurants.
West San Jose — Home to the Winchester Mystery House and Santana Row Shopping Center.