The Japanese Hall San Jose Japantown

The Japanese Hall San Jose Japantown

Japantown, San Jose, 1910's, Japanese Hall, Jackson Street, 6th Street, Okida Hall, Fukuichi Okida, Gentaro Nishiura, Shinzaburo Nishiura, Theater, Entertainment

Built in 1916 the Japanese Hall replaced the previous hall located on 5th and Taylor Streets that burned down the previous year. The hall was built thanks to Fukuichi Okida and other community leaders who put up the funds for it and was constructed by brothers Gentaro and Shinzaburo Nishura. During its run the theater would have live performances and later would show movies both American and Japanese. The theater eventually would be called the Okida Hall as Fukuichi and his son Harry Okida owned the surrounding properties. In this image a group of children from the Japanese language school are in costume to perform a play at the theater.

Japanese American Museum San Jose

Japanese American Museum San Jose