www.pufs.com - PUFS.com

Japanese American National Museum Reviews

Submitted by Ginger Tamijani on 09/13/2021

Ginger Tamijani 5 stars rating.

Overall Rating

A great museum filled with facts and information I never knew. Reading the letter that required all people of Japanese ancestry to pack up and enter the concentration camps brought me to tears. A worker there saw me crying and came by to talk to me; turns out he was forced into a concentration camp as a child. He told me about what it was like and I am so thankful to have heard his story! This was a life changing experience!

Do You Know Japanese American National Museum? Write a Review

Brian Ringer 5 stars rating.

Insightful, impactful, informational look at Japanese American history and the forced relocation during WWII in particular. Didn't know if the kids would be into it, they were. Have lunch in little Tokyo and make an afternoon of it

Submitted by Brian Ringer on 04/14/2022

Alex Kruse 5 stars rating.

The visit was worth it and I was fascinated with the Japanese American history. The knowledge and insights were very interesting. I'll surely visit again.

Submitted by Alex Kruse on 03/16/2022

Casandra Antillon 4 stars rating.

Fun time making memories here with my family. Free admission! Just be sure to reserve your tickets prior to arrival or you'll be in line waiting your turn to enter. My fave was Infinity room, Blue balloon animal and oversized table and chair. I suggest everyone visit Japanese American National Museum.

Submitted by Casandra Antillon on 02/03/2022

et yoshi 5 stars rating.

The museum is open with proof of vaccination and mask needed, but their store is not. They did say that you can order online and pick-up at the museum to save delivery charges. Current exhibit is A Life in Pieces containing diary/letters of Stanley Hayami and other items reflecting his incarceration at Heart Mountain.

Submitted by Et Yoshi on 11/24/2021

Gina T 5 stars rating.

It was informative traditional museum. I remember in the past I went there to see the hello Kitty exhibition. This time it is the past history of Japanese culture in different stories of people going through life in the past. Not much stuff to do for children, but if you want to learn anything it's definitely worth it.

Submitted by Gina T on 11/20/2021

Christina Hooper 5 stars rating.

So much to see here… I spent two hours but I could have easily spent an hour more (had to rush because of my parking meter darn!). Plan for 3 hours. Very interesting exhibits, you’ll want to read everything. I knew about the internment camps for the Japanese during WWII, but this just digs into it on another level, it’s very personal. Highly recommend.

Submitted by Christina Hooper on 11/09/2021

Stacey Ramirez 5 stars rating.

A very thorough, intuitive, and beautiful look into Japanese American history. It is clear, through choice wording and explanations on plaques, that guests are not just expected to look at artifacts, but to learn from the museum. One of the best heritage museums I have ever been to.

Submitted by Stacey Ramirez on 11/03/2021

Donald Smith 5 stars rating.

Beautiful building. I look forward to it being open. One of the stops along the Haunted Little Tokyo scavenger hunt this Halloween weekend 2021

Submitted by Donald Smith on 10/30/2021

Maya Roman 5 stars rating.

I loved learning about the history of Japanese Americans. The exhibits were very insightful, especially to those who were never taught about the internment camps and the prejudice Japanese Americans face. My favorite exhibit was the one about the young Japanese American soldier, it was heartbreaking but his art was beautiful. It was an overall enlightening experience and I hope to visit again and see more in the future!

Submitted by Maya Roman on 10/16/2021

Shaun Chiu 5 stars rating.

Beautiful set up and presentation. Came with a friend with Japanese heritage and had lots of discussions through out the tour. Multiple thought-provoking sections that defines the Japanese American culture.

Reserve tickets in advance for easy access. $16 is the price of admission. No food and drinks allowed. I had quite a head rush to the start of my museum experience after chugging 24 ounces of iced coffee....

Submitted by Shaun Chiu on 06/28/2021

Jen Mather 5 stars rating.

A truly moving and educational space that reaffirms the necessity to love one another and recognize each other's humanity. Located in a new, modern glass and metal building across from their old brick, iron shaped one, this museum is a must see experience for everyone. Focusing on the Japanese experience from the first laborers who were immigrants to the Japanese American experience through forced internment and beyond, the history lesson was eye opening. We really enjoyed the Trancendients, recognizing many of the people who have worked at the borders of their passions and activism. Also very touching to see the Covid-19 installation and read the stories of just a minute sample of those we lost to the pandemic. We were able to visit for donation only as they are just reopening now. It was a great way to spend Mother's Day.

Submitted by Jen Mather on 05/14/2021

Emilie K 5 stars rating.

Especially being half Japanese, I found this museum very interesting. I enjoyed my time there, the museum is rather small in size but there is a good amount of photos, artifacts, and reading that will keep you occupied for an hour or more. I used my student discount. It was sad learning what Japanese Americans had to face and I pray this type of history to never repeat itself.

Submitted by Emilie K on 01/23/2021

Mytao Westside 5 stars rating.

Heart warming ❤️ and shocking. Today's experience through the Japanese American museum. What a ride. They have the museum set up in a very storytelling way. The museum offers an audio tour but if you opt out you can still learn alot with what is written all over the walls.great place to bring young adults or Teens. Honestly wish everyone would have to be required to go through a museum like this once a month for differnt culture's. Maybe it would help people get along better. Parking cost more than $10

Submitted by Mytao Westside on 02/20/2020

Scott Jakubowski, CM 5 stars rating.

Wonderful museum in the heart of downtown in the little Tokyo district of Los Angeles. Very safe area with plenty of parking and absolutely delicious dining options. The museum is huge and in the prime Center making it very easy to see and find. The people are very friendly at the front and two are guides excellent. The museum is bright and vibrant with very captivating exhibits and this is definitely a great place to learn about history in the United States especially how the Japanese Americans were treated through the years.Right across the street, there is also another satellite museum office and also a mural celebrating the contribution of Japanese Americans to Little Tokyo. This is a must visit!

Submitted by Scott Jakubowski, Cm on 11/27/2019

Nathaniel Liao 5 stars rating.

I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful museum and I was not disappointed. The price is a bit high but the facility is very clean and well organized. Also they do offer student discounts if you bring your school ID. The exhibits were phenomenal and the ideas that they share are extremely enlightening. You learn a lot of the life style during the time and the staff and guides there are always willing to help you if you’re looking for a specific exhibit. I definitely recommend going for the At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America before October 20th when they change the exhibit or Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We, the People”? By January 5th. Both exhibits are very detailed and the latter talks about more than just Japanese Americans and focuses on just 7 people of different races who fought for our country during WWII.

Submitted by Nathaniel Liao on 09/29/2019

Owen 4 stars rating.

A lot of artifacts and photos about the internment camps. Much of the focus is on the camps and the war years, as well as pre-war communities in Hawaii and the U.S. It is presented in Japanese, English, and Spanish. It has a good mix of visual, some media, and historical artifacts. You really sense the discrimination and hysteria during those years from the posters and media that is highlighted. It seems to stop at the 80’s with Reagan and I wish there was more modern information. Still it is well laid out. It is definitely a sobering walkthrough.

Submitted by Owen on 07/09/2019

Ayad Kadhim 4 stars rating.

It was a great opportunity to get to know of the aspects of the Japanese history in the last two centuries in the United States. Well organized museum and very warm and friendly.

Submitted by Ayad Kadhim on 12/22/2018

Justin Yoshida 4 stars rating.

Look at my name and you will see why I consider this one of the most important museums in this country, especially during these tumultuous times. If you hear some of the insidious policies put forth by our elected officials, you will know that this museum serves as much more than a record of past injustices, it also serves as a warning for us in modern times.

Submitted by Justin Yoshida on 05/04/2018

Dick Wolfe 4 stars rating.

An excellent place to learn how and why the Japanese-American's were incarcerated during WWII. The museum also has many exhibitions and lectures on the accomplishments of the Japanese throughout the world. The museum demonstrates the pride and achievements of people of Japanese ancestry.

Submitted by Dick Wolfe on 02/18/2018