Why Live in Japantown
Japantown in San Jose, California, is a historic neighborhood that combines vibrant dining options with convenient commuter access. The walkable core along Jackson, Fourth and Fifth streets features family-owned restaurants, cafés, shops and attractions, making it a lively area with plenty of things to do. Residents enjoy regular festivals and annual events that celebrate the community’s history. The neighborhood offers diverse architecture, including early to late 20th-century homes such as bungalows, ranch-style houses, Spanish Revivals, Victorians and Craftsman-style homes. Contemporary high-density apartments and mid-density condo communities are also around. Popular dining spots include Minato Japanese Restaurant, Omogari, Hukilau, Sushi Maru and Shuei-Do Manju Shop. For shopping, boutiques like Nikkei Traditions and Cukui offer handmade gifts, art and clothing, while Santo Market is the go-to for groceries. Cultural highlights include the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, the Japantown Farmers Market and annual festivals like Nikkei Matsuri, Obon and Aki Matsuri. Commuting is straightforward with access to state Route 87, the Highway 101-Interstate 880 interchange, VTA bus stops and light rail stations. The neighborhood is part of the San Jose Unified School District, with several preschools and Muwekma Ohlone Middle School nearby. While traffic and noise levels are higher during the day, evenings are quieter, except during festival weekends when congestion increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Japantown a good place to live?
Japantown is a good place to live. Japantown is considered somewhat walkable and very bikeable with good transit options. Japantown has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 24.8 people per acre and a median age of 38. The average household income is $160,583 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 53.2% of residents. A majority of residents in Japantown are renters, with 75.3% of residents renting and 24.7% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Japantown can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Japantown neighborhood guide.
Is Japantown, CA a safe neighborhood?
Japantown, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 5 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Japantown?
The median home price in Japantown is $893,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $178,600 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.53%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $4,530 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $194K a year to afford the median home price in Japantown. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Japantown is $161K.
What are the best public schools in Japantown?
The best public schools that serve Japantown are:
What are the best private schools in Japantown?
The best private schools that serve Japantown are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Japantown, San Jose, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Japantown, San Jose, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Japantown?
Yes, home prices in Japantown are down 9% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Japantown, CA
On average, homes in Japantown, San Jose sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Japantown, San Jose over the last 12 months is $906,500, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$906,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,425,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$890,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$719,500
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$600,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$699
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Last 12 months Home Sales
36
Median List Price
$893,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-18%