Archie MontroseVancouver’s Japantown is more than just another neighborhood—it’s a living piece of history. I remember wandering through its streets, thinking I was lost until I realized I was walking through Vancouver’s roots.
From the early days of Japanese immigration to its role in shaping the city’s cultural fabric, Japantown has stories hidden in every corner. I once tried to find an “old shop” a local recommended, only to realize it had closed decades ago.
But that’s the charm of this place—its past is always present, waiting to surprise you. Now, join us as we explore the rich history and vibrant culture of Vancouver’s Japantown, where every building and street has a story to tell.
What is the history of Vancouver’s Japantown?
Vancouver’s Japantown, Powell Street, was home to one of the largest Japanese neighborhoods in Canada. In the late 1870s, Japanese immigrants arrived here to work in mills, fishing, mining, and railroads.
In the 1890s, the area flourished with Japanese houses and establishments, but in 1907, riots damaged the area. While the government helped repair the damage, they have placed limitations on Japanese immigration.
However, Japantown still thrived, with over 600 businesses. Fast forward to World War II when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, this was when the government grew suspicious of Japanese Canadians.
Therefore, 22,000 Japanese Canadians were forced into internment camps and they had to sell their properties. After the war, many didn’t return to Japantown, and the community slowly faded.
Today, Japantown has experienced a revitalization with new businesses and cultural events like the Powell Street Festival. This festival celebrates Japanese Canadian art and culture.
One important building, the Vancouver Japanese Language School, was returned to the Japanese community and declared a National Historic Site in 2019.
Japantown’s Evolving Identity
A lot of efforts have been and are being done to preserve Vancouver’s Japantown. For instance, the Vancouver Heritage Register listed some of the historic buildings that remain here.
Heritage Vancouver is on a mission to safeguard what’s left, pushing for more sites to be added to the Heritage Register and creating a ‘Japantown’ Heritage Conservation Area.
While Japantown may not have the bustling vibe of its heyday, it’s still a fascinating blend of old and new.
With its mix of diverse residents and businesses, it’s a district that wears its history proudly while navigating the twists and turns of modern city life.
Where is Vancouver’s Japantown?
Vancouver’s Japantown is located east of Gastown and north of Chinatown. The area can be reached by taking a bus to Dunlevy Avenue.The nearest SkyTrain station to Japantown in Vancouver is Stadium-Chinatown Station.
How to Get to Vancouver’s Japantown
What to Do and See in and near Vancouver’s Japantown
Visit the Vancouver Buddhist Temple
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Address: 220 Jackson Avenue
Phone: +1 604-253-7033
Pricing: $$
The Vancouver Buddhist Temple is a historical landmark in Japantown. It was inhabited by Japanese immigrants who left during the war but its legacy remains today.
In 1949, Japanese-Canadians were finally allowed to return to the coast. And by 1979, the temple was completed, and it remains the home of the Vancouver Buddhist Temple today.
The temple hosts weekly services and, twice a year—usually in March and October—they hold a Japanese food bazaar. It’s a great spot to enjoy affordable, authentic Japanese food at their Social Hall.
Drop by Oppenheimer Park
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Address: 400 Powell Street
Phone: +1 604-253-8830
Pricing: Free
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:15am to 5pm
Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is a spacious, family-friendly park with plenty to offer. There’s a small, gated playground, and it’s clean with a few fun items for kids, including wide swings.
A totem pole adds a nice cultural touch to the park. The park itself is large, with tree-covered paths providing good shade, lots of grassy areas, and several upgrades, including a new field house, accessible walkways, a basketball court, picnic areas, and more.
Join the Powell Street Festival
Media credit: powellstfest
Address: 111 W Hastings Street #410
Phone: +1 604-739-9388
Pricing: $
Operating hours: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
The Powell Street Festival is a vibrant celebration of Japanese-Canadian culture held around Oppenheimer Park. It focuses on the arts and offers easy access to washrooms, dining areas, and a variety of services.
You can enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with interesting people, unique booths featuring cool knick-knacks, and an abundance of delicious food.
With multiple stages hosting live performances, the festival showcases a range of entertainment, including dance, music, martial arts, sumo, crafts, and, of course, plenty of tasty Japanese cuisine.
Browse Through the Vancouver Police Museum & Archives
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Address: 240 E Cordova Street
Phone: +1 604-665-3346
Pricing: $
Operating hours:
- Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm
- Sunday: 12pm to 5pm
Just a stone’s throw from Powell Street is the Vancouver Police Museum & Archives. While it’s a small space, it’s well worth the $12 admission. The museum features four exhibit areas, each brimming with fascinating information and artifacts.
The exhibits offer a well-curated mix of Vancouver Police Department history, intriguing crimes, and contemporary issues. Despite its size, the museum provides a surprisingly comprehensive overview, covering topics like past murders, corrupt officers, and the impacts of riots.
Explore Commercial Drive
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Address: East Vancouver neighborhood of Grandview-Woodland and extends along Commercial Drive from Venables Street to East Broadway
Commercial Drive is a lively and exciting part of Vancouver that’s definitely worth a visit! It serves as a central hub for the SkyTrain public transit line, making it easy to hop off and back on with just one transfer.
Although the area has undergone gentrification over the years, it still boasts a vibrant multicultural mix of restaurants, bars, shops, and great people-watching opportunities—it’s a hipster’s paradise!
The street is lined with eclectic stores and fantastic dining options, showcasing a wonderful blend of cultures that come together in a special way, all without judgment or prejudice.
Where to Eat and Drink in Vancouver’s Japantown
Dosanko
Media credit: dosankorestaurant
Address: 566 Powell St Unit #100
Phone: +1 604-251-2020
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30am to 8:45pm
- Friday and Saturday: 11:30am to 9:30pm
Good to know: Great place for gatherings
Dosanko is undoubtedly one of the top Japanese-inspired restaurants and a must-visit food destination. It’s one of the few places in the Lower Mainland where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese set menu breakfast, meticulously crafted and utterly delicious.
The Omurice paired with vegetable curry is a standout dish, while the sandwiches are light and fluffy, making for a delightful bite. The don bowls are generously packed with tasty goodies, and the nigiri rice alone is fantastic.
Powell Brewery
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Address: 1357 Powell Street
Phone: +1 604-558-2537
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 2pm to 9pm
- Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 10pm
- Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
Good to know: Wide selection of housemade ales and pilsners
Powell Brewery is a standout spot in Vancouver’s craft beer scene. The cozy seating area features two pinball machines and bar stools that feel like they could double as exercise equipment!
While the patio is decent, it’s not situated in the most picturesque neighborhood. However, the brewery offers a great selection of taps, perfect for trying a flight or two. Our top picks are the Old Jalopy and Lazy D’Haze.
Straight & Marrow
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Address: 1869 Powell Street
Phone: +1 604-251-4813
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 5:30pm to 12am
Good to know: Ideal late night dinner place
Straight & Marrow is a cozy yet lively bistro and bar that serves up delicious food and decent cocktails! Every dish is well-presented and expertly executed.
What we loved most about this bistro was its impressive list of wines and beers. They feature a fantastic selection from mostly local wineries and breweries, making for some excellent choices that perfectly complement the menu!
When dining here, don’t miss the escargot toast, soft shell crab, bone marrow, and duck breast. And definitely get the brandy luge to enjoy with the bone marrow—it’s a unique touch you won’t want to skip!
Kissa Tanto
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Address: 263 E Pender Street
Phone: +1 778-379-8078
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday: 5:30pm to 11pm
- Friday and Saturday: 5:30pm to 12am
Good to know: Instagrammable 1960s-inspired space
Kissa Tanto is a fantastic fusion restaurant where you might even spot a celebrity or two! Blending Japanese and Italian flavors, it’s a showcase of culinary creativity and perfection.
For an unforgettable experience, go for the omakase—the beef tartare is a standout dish! The Tajarin pasta offers a unique twist, while the scallop paired with shiso leaf and a delicate sauce is simply delicious.
The 24-hour braised pork was nothing short of incredible—absolutely genius in execution! Paired with the whipped tofu plum wine tiramisu, it left me feeling rosy and completely satisfied. Honestly, this might just be the best restaurant in the whole city!
Where to Shop in Vancouver’s Japantown
Neighbour at 51 Powell
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Address: 51 Powell Street
Phone: +1 604-620-6911
Pricing: $$
Opened in 2011, Neighbour at 51 is a charming boutique along Powell Street, specializing in handpicked clothes, items, and objects, each with its own unique story to tell.
With a delightful selection of cute and interesting home decor and magazines, this well-curated shop is a treasure trove for those looking to add a personal touch to their space!
Sunrise Market
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Address: 300 Powell Street
Phone: +1 604-685-8019
Pricing: $
Sunrise Market is your go-to spot for hard-to-find Asian and Thai products, from Pad Thai sauce to soy sauce. This iconic store has been a neighborhood staple for decades, run by the same family behind Sunrise Tofu down the block.
You’ll find produce that’s often perfectly ripe and ready to eat, all at fantastic prices—many local restaurants source their ingredients here for that very reason!
Plus, keep an eye out for unique snacks at discounted prices; they often stock items that may have missed the mark at other stores. Swing by regularly, because once something’s gone, it might just be gone for good!
