April 11, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

🌸 Preserving the past, paving the future

A street-facing sign reads "Japantown: Welcome to Nihonmachi, established 1891" and depicts a green illustration of Mount Fuji, with a row of businesses lining the street behind it.

First established in 1891, Seattle’s Japantown is home to historic buildings and businesses. | Photo by SEAtoday staff

Seattle’s Japantown, or Nihonmachi, is a microcosm of Japanese American history — from the first settlers in the late nineteenth century to modern preservation efforts today.

We have Seattle’s Japanese community to thank for the foundation of the Japanese American Citizens League in 1929, now a national entity + the oldest and largest Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights organization.

The city’s economic stability cannot be fully understood without recognizing the pivotal role of early Japanese immigrants, who comprised Seattle’s biggest minority group by 1900 and supplied labor in booming industries.

Let’s get into it.

A wall made of wood and painted red and black displays historical documents and photographs depicting the history of Japanese Americans in Seattle's Japantown. The title of the display reads "Japantown" in English and Japanese. — “Memory Walls” in Japantown depict the area’s past through preserved documents, photographs, and historical summaries.
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Photo by SEAtoday staff, concept by Zocalo Studios

Early history

Between the late 1890s and 1910, Seattle’s Japanese population grew by 2500% — increasing from 200 to 5,000 residents.

During this period, several key Japanese institutions were erected that still hold significance today:

Seattle Dojo — North America’s first and oldest judo dojo, established in the early 1900s.
Nippon Kan Theatre — Built in 1909, this building housed shows by visiting actors and musicians, local competitions, and community meetings.
Panama Hotel — Designed by Seattle’s first Japanese architect Saburo Ozasa and completed in 1910, the basement features Hashidate-yu Bathhouse (the last intact Japanese-style public bathhouse in North America).

The Danny Woo International District Community Garden features rows of park seating on the left underneath some trees, with a wooden structure in the background leading to winding paths + a red lamp post to the right sporting a decorative banner reading "Kodomo." — This lampost by Danny Woo International District Community Garden sports one of the new Japantown banners.
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Photo by SEAtoday staff

Just when the community was gaining a foothold, Executive Order 9066 forced people of Japanese ancestry out of their homes and storefronts and into internment camps, rapidly unraveling the first generation’s hard-won commonwealth.

The power of preservation

In an effort to maintain + restore Japantown’s culture, several incentives launched:

2013 — Historic Seattle began rehabilitation efforts to keep the Panama Hotel’s history in tact, allowing its retail spaces to continue operation for future generations.
2022 — The Japantown Banner Project collaborated with neighborhood residents to install banners throughout the area in an artistic approach to commemorate history.
2023 — Friends of Japantown received a $50,000 grant for improvements in Nihonmachi Alley via redesigns of the space + community projects.

Upcoming events in Japantown

Asked

What’s your go-to spot to visit in Japantown?

A. Wing Luke Museum
B. Chiyo’s Garden
C. Panama Hotel & Tea House
D. Kobe Terrace
E. Other

Let us know

Events

Thursday, April 11

Capitol Hill Art Walk | Thursday, April 11 | 5-8 p.m. | Chophouse Row, 1424 11th Ave., Seattle | Free | Shop from a variety of neighborhood artists + vendors in a quaint space, with plenty of food and beverage options for the whole crew.
Unwrapped Collab x Frye Art Museum | Thursday, April 11 | 6-8 p.m. | Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle | $8-$10 | Learn the best practices for figure drawing with a live nude figure model.
Mixingle | Thursday, April 11 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Locust Cider Market Place, 2003 Western Ave., Ste. 110C, Seattle | $16 | Shake off that Seattle Freeze with some “speed friending,” casual convos, and guided activities.

Friday, April 12

JUOIGGAS! Sámi National Theater | Friday, April 12-Saturday, April 13 | Times vary | National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market St., Seattle | Free | This live performance of Sami traditional music, yoik, is said to be a mythical gift from the Sun’s Daughter.
Family Beach Bingo | Friday, April 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Dr., Issaquah | $10 | Stop by this beach-themed bingo night for prizes from local businesses + tropical drinks.
Copperleaf & Rooftop Brewery Beer Dinner | Friday, April 12 | 6-9 p.m. | CedarBrook Lodge, 18525 36th Ave. S., Seattle | $90 | This four-course meal features pairings for every dish, celebrating the release of a new IPA.
ChaiiComedy Presents: LOL | Friday, April 12 | 7 p.m. | The Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., Seattle | $15 | This comedy special is about human connection in a virtual world.
Sorry For Party Rocking | Friday, April 12 | 9 p.m. | Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., Seattle | $0-$15 | Pop and EDM hits from the 2010s take center stage for this night of dancing and throwbacks.

Saturday, April 13

Fat Ham | Saturday, April 13 + Sunday, April 14 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Seattle Rep, 155 Mercer St., Seattle | $16-$105 | Catch a preview performance of this Pulitzer Prize-winning, Shakespeare-inspired production that blends comedy with queer, Black love and liberation.

Events calendar here

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Eat

Don’t miss out on this dazzling dining experience

a cocktail in a coupe glass with smoke coming off the top

Sip on craft cocktails, like the Intangible (pictured above), during the experience. | Photo provided by Space Needle

Located in the iconic Space Needle, The Loupe Lounge offers diners a change of scenery on the world’s first revolving glass floor.

Each Loupe season features a limited-edition menu that pairs showstopping mixology with locally influenced food towers, taking a night out to new heights. (Hint: This Loupe season ends in late April.)

The best way to experience The Loupe Lounge is with a prepaid reservation. Dive right into an evening of yummy bites + sips overlooking the Emerald City.

Make a reservation

News Notes

Travel

Looking for an easy getaway? Travel experts recently dubbed the 50 best vacations in the U.S. and Bellingham, WA ranked No. 20. Just ~1.5 hours north of Seattle by car, this “sleeper PNW hotspot” is lauded for its 125 parks, quirky attractions, and selection of brewpubs. Check out our guide. (Men’s Journal)

Wellness

Seattle Parks and Recreation has partnered with Oshun Swim School to offer trauma-informed + Afro-Indigenous swim opportunities. Open swims and educational workshops have been scheduled for Saturdays once a month through November at the Rainier Beach Community Center and Pool.

Watch

Broadway Seattle just dropped new subscription packages for the 2024-2025 season lineup, which include productions like “Wicked,” “Hamilton,” and “Mamma Mia!.” Prices begin at $260.

Real Estate

Cornish College of Arts recently put Kerry Hall at 710 E. Roy St. in Capitol Hill up for sale. Built in 1921, this listing is on the National Registry of Historic Places and includes 49 stalls of underground parking. There isn’t a current asking price, but sale proceeds will be reinvested into Cornish’s existing facilities and operations. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Traffic

The Shoreline community can expect N. 145th St. to remain closed for seven months as crews renovate the road in preparation for the new light rail opening later this year. Depending on congestion, detours can add 10-15 minutes to the typical travel time. (KING 5)

Giveaway

Donut miss out on this one — Mighty-O Donuts is giving away a box of its seasonal carrot cake donuts via an Instagram giveaway. Just like the post + tag a friend (like us, @ourSEAtoday) by Sunday, April 14. The winner will. be announced on Monday, April 15.

Sports

“I just can’t justify the expense that bringing on one of those quarterbacks would be.” Hear from the local experts on how the Seahawks could be addressing offensive line concerns with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Plan Ahead

Psst — Taxes are almost due. Use E-file for quick, online filing. Plus, file your federal taxes for free with their basic software plan.*

The Buy

Your furry friend’s new spot to sleep. Say goodbye to traditional pet beds and pick your favorite print.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madeline

From the editor

I finally saw “Love Lies Bleeding” (TW: violence) — I think it’s safe to say, nothing prepared me for the way it ended. I’m still confused.

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