Japanese
Community Overview
The first Japanese arrived in Colorado in the late 1800's as visitors and students, followed by a large wave of Japanese immigrants moving eastward from the Pacific Coast to work on the railroad and in the coal mines and later in farming. By 1940, Denver had over 800 first generation and second generation Japanese citizens living mainly in the Larimer section of downtown. During WWII the community grew rapidly as a result of "voluntary" relocation of Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Governor Ralph L. Carr welcomed Japanese Americans in the face of widespread anti-Japanese sentiment. Following the war, the population declined significantly, as restrictions were lifted on the West Coast.
Today, there are over 18,000 Japanese Americans in Colorado, the largest community residing in the Denver Metro area. Sakura Square continues to be a significant gathering place for Japanese Americans today. Community Institutions, such as the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and the Pacific Mercantile grocery store are located in the Square, which hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival each year.
Source: Enduring Communities - Japanese Americans in Colorado, by Daryl J. Maeda http://www.discovernikkei.org/forum/es/node/2149
Community Resources
Consulate General of Japan at Denver
1225 17th St., Ste. 3000
Denver, CO 80202
303-534-1511
http://www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp/
Boulder Yamagata City Friendship Committee
3355 15th St.
Boulder, CO 80304
303-447-3117
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/yamagata/
Brighton Japanese American Association
237 S. 12th Ave.
Brighton, CO 80601
303-941-4001
Broomfield, Colorado Sister Cities
City and County of Broomfield
One DesCombes Dr.
Broomfield, CO 80020
http://www.broomfieldsistercities.com/
Maruko, Japan is a sister city of Broomfield.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
605 Parfet St., Ste. 200
Lakewood, CO 80215
303-722-6852
http://cdbf.org/
The mission of the festival is to build bridges of awareness, knowledge and understanding between the diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities and the general public through cultural education, leadership development and athletic competition.
Denver-Takayama Friendship Association
225 S. Grape St.
Denver, CO 80246
303-333-5200
http://www.htia.org/e/tdfa/index.html
Takayama, Japan is a sister city of Denver.
Denver Sister Cities
Takayama, Japan
Chair: Kimiko Side
303.333.5200
eside3990@aol.com
Co-ViceChair: Sachiko Nakahira
720.244.2798
sachikonakahira@yahoo.com
Co-ViceChair: Brian Matsumoto
303.916.9988
matsi80012@juno.com
Japanese America Society of Colorado
1625 Broadway, Ste. 680
Denver, CO 80202
303-592-5364
http://www.jascolorado.org/
The Japan America Society of Colorado promotes mutual understanding and commerce between the people of Japan and Colorado at a grass roots level by serving as a resource and providing opportunities for exchange.
Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado
719-266-0190
The Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado is a non-profit that promotes awareness, education and understanding between the citizens of Southern Colorado and Japan.
Japanese Association of Colorado
797 Nighthawk Cir.
Louisville, CO 80027
303-296-7858
Japanese Firms Association of Colorado
http://www.jfacolorado.org/
*Japanese language website for businesses.
Longmont Sister Cities Association
P.O. Box 2216
Longmont, CO 80502
303-651-8601
http://www.longmontsistercities.com/main.htm
Chino, Japan is a sister city to Longmont.
Mile-Hi JACL
333 E. 16th Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
303-831-7625
http://www.milehijacl.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40795
The mission of JACL is to uphold and secure the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all Americans, while preserving the cultural heritage of the Japanese people.
Rocky Mountain Jiho
http://www.coloradojijo.com/
*Japanese language online newspaper.
Cultural, Educational Organizations
Denver Botanic Gardens
1005 York St.
Denver, CO 80206
720-865-3500
http://www.botanicgardens.org
Japanese Tea Gardens
Denver Taiko
c/o Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple
1947 Lawrence St.
Denver, CO 80202
http://www.denvertaiko.org/
Denver Taiko is an ensemble of third, fourth and fifth generation Japanese Americans honoring their cultural heritage through the exhilarating performance art of taiko.
Nippon Kan (Japan House) Cultural Center
1365 Osage St.
Denver, CO 80204
303-595-3666
Taiko with Toni
303-753-9160
http://www.dmamusic.org/taikowithtoni/
Toni Yagami leads this percussion ensemble, which performs around Denver and Colorado.
Religious Organizations
Browse Japanese Religious OrganizationsMarkets
Oriental Food Market
1750 30th St.
Boulder, CO
303-442-7830
Pacific Mercantile Company
1925 Lawrence St.
Denver, Co 80202
303-295-0293
http://www.pacificeastwest.com/
Restaurants
Browse Japanese RestaurantsBusinesses
Nakata Magic
7481 E. Easter Way
Centennial, CO 80112
303-779-4676
http://www.nakatamagic.com
What is going on in Denver this month?
For more information about events in the Denver Metro area, please visit the Global Denver calendar.
View additional Denver events here.
Featured Sponsors
The 2010 Biennial of the Americas celebrates the culture, ideas and people of the Western Hemisphere. Throughout the entire month of July, Denver will offer visitors cross-cultural experiences through a wide array of art exhibits, live music and special cultural programming. Emerging talent and leaders in the arts, culture, sciences, politics, economics and technology will also convene roundtable discussions designed to create a shared vision for a more cohesive hemisphere. It will be one of the most exciting international events of 2010, and something you won't want to miss. For more information, visit www.biennialoftheamericas.org
