$1,016,893Average Value$716Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
A thriving Japanese cultural district in the heart of San Jose
Known locally as “J-Town,” San Jose’s Japantown is one of only three original Japantowns remaining in the United States. Japantown traces its roots back to the early 20th century when Japanese farmworkers and families moved to the city. “Most other [Japantowns] were taken over from the Japanese internment,” says Michelle Elliott, Coldwell Banker Realtor and longtime San Jose resident. “Some families whose ancestors were interned are still here.” Today, the area is a thriving district with diverse dining and entertainment options. “It’s kind of its own little walkable downtown area, but it’s a little quieter than downtown San Jose. It’s really unique,” says Jeff Hansen, a broker with Exp Realty who has worked in real estate in the city for over 30 years.
Now one of only three original Japantowns remaining in the United States.
Japantown is home to countless restaurants and shops for residents to enjoy.
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Honoring Japanese-American history and culture
In the middle of Japantown, Roy’s Station Coffee & Tea exemplifies the soul of the neighborhood. It was formerly a gas station owned by Roy Murotsune, a survivor of Japanese internment. “Roy’s children and grandchildren turned the old gas station into a local coffee shop, so the property has been in the family for three generations,” says Elliott. “That family has been a staple in the community.” The café is a social hub, as is the Northside Community Center, which provides lunches five days a week as part of the senior nutrition program. Neighbors can also meet at the Japantown Farmers Market on Sundays and the neighborhood’s houses of worship, like San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin and La Luz Del Mundo Church. J-Town is also home to the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, which preserves and shares the Bay Area’s Japanese American culture.
Japantown Farmer’s Market is a favorite Sunday tradition in Japantown San Jose!
Grab a drink at Roy's Station Coffee & Teas in Japantown.
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Japanese cuisine and shops on Jackson Street
Japantown offers residents and visitors a lively atmosphere and dynamic nightlife, and its restaurants draw people from across San Jose. In the business district, the wide, two-lane streets in front of commercial buildings have room for sidewalks and street parking. Shuei-Do Manju Shop serves sweet and savory Japanese baked goods, and Okayama Sushi is a cozy spot for fresh seafood. Several spots also serve authentic Hawaiian food, like Aloha Fresh, known for its poke bowls. Jackson Street is home to eclectic shops, art galleries, karaoke bars and Nijiya Market San Jose Store, which supplies the area with groceries. Colorful murals encompass the sides of some commercial buildings.
Japantown is home to countless restaurants and shops for residents to enjoy.
Okayama Sushi is a local favorite of residents in Japantown.
Nijiyama Market has everything you need when it comes to groceries, sushi, and deli items.
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Getting around San Jose
J-Town is very walkable, and many streets have bike lanes. It borders State Route 87, also known as the Guadalupe Parkway. Buses stop on Taylor Street, taking passengers to Good Samaritan Hospital, Civic Center Station and other spots around the city, and the light rail line stops on nearby First Street. J-Town is about 2 miles from the San Jose train station, where residents can hop on the Amtrak or Caltrain. It’s also just a few blocks from San Jose Mineta International Airport and the nearest hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Between all the convenient transportation options, the neighborhood can get noisy. Motor vehicle theft is an 8 out of 10 according to the CAP Index. The overall crime score is 6 out of 10, slightly above the national average of 4.
Hop on the light rail at First Street for an easy commute from Japantown.
Japantown offers bike lanes throughout the neighborhood for easy and safe cycling.
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Historic Victorians, Craftsman bungalows
J-Town’s flat, gridded streets leave room for parallel parking and bike lanes. Neighborhood roads are lined with telephone wires and tidy lawns. “There’s a pretty good mix of bungalows and some historic homes in the outskirts of Japantown,” Hansen says. Ornate, 19th century Victorians and early 20th century Craftsman bungalows can be found here, with prices ranging from around $1.1 million to around $2 million. These homes are on the smaller side, usually with 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of space. Japantown’s wide range of residences also includes condos ranging from $578,000 to $825,000 and multifamily homes priced between $1.2 and $1.6 million. Townhouses cost between $800,000 and $1.19 million; homes built after the year 2000 tend to cost more. However, most residents rent; one-bedroom apartments start at about $2,000 monthly.
Japanese American Museum dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Japanese Americans.
Townhomes and apartments are common in the densely populated neighborhood of Japantown.
Japantown tree-lined streets are lined with comfortable ranch-style homes.
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Walking to Ryland Park and Columbus Park
Residents of Japantown can frequent Ryland Park, a small, urban green space with a playground, pool, athletic courts and a dog park. Nearby Columbus Park is an expansive public space with landscaped rose gardens and long, paved bike paths stretching parallel to the Guadalupe River.
Columbus Park is home to a large encampment of people experiencing homelessness. In September 2024, city officials began clearing the site in an attempt to begin major renovations on the park, according to local news reports.
Workout stations are available at Ryland Park.
Ryland Park has one of the best public pools in the community.
Your dogs will love the grass at Ryland Park.
Your kids will love the playground at Ryland Park in San Jose.
Your children will have fun on the playground at Ryland Park in Japantown!
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Students attend San Jose public schools
Students may attend Grant Elementary School and Muwekma Ohlone Middle School, both of which are rated C on Niche. San Jose High School is rated B. Both Muwekma Ohlone Middle and San Jose High offer International Baccalaureate programs.
Grant Elementary School nurtures a learning environment for all students.
San Jose High School is a selective public magnet school that was founded in 1863.
Muwekma Ohlone Middle challenges and encourages children to learn.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Japantown, San Jose sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Japantown, San Jose over the last 12 months is $1,109,000, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
