Japantown Returnings

A Theatrical Tribute to 135 Years of San Jose Japantown

In honor of 135 years of San Jose Japantown, Japantown Returnings invites you to step into the stories that shaped one of the last remaining Japantowns in the United States.

Presented by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), Wesley United Methodist Church, and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS), this one-day theatrical event brings the neighborhood’s layered past to life through live performance, music, and memory.

Event Details

🗓 Saturday, May 31, 2025

⏰ Two performances: 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

📍 Wesley United Methodist Church Sanctuary (566 N. 5th St, San Jose)

Japantown Returnings is directed by Tasi Alabastro, written by playwright Mark Teagle, with music direction by Wayne Adachi and accompaniment by the Wesley Jazz Ensemble. This heartfelt production will interweave historical recollection, dramatic storytelling, and original compositions to celebrate the legacy and endurance of San Jose’s Japantown community.

Using archival imagery, live actors, and jazz music, the performance serves as both a remembrance and a reflection—on community, belonging, and the people whose resilience made Japantown what it is today.

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor the past while celebrating the vibrant present of San Jose Japantown. Whether you’ve grown up in the neighborhood or are just beginning to learn its history, Japantown Returnings promises a powerful, enriching experience for all.