Japanese American Historical Plaza

Japanese American Historical Plaza is located where the Portland Japantown was in the past. The plaza goes northward from the Burnside Bridge along NW Naito Parkway and follows the flow of the Willamette River. It was designed by landscape architect Robert Murase. It was created to tell the important history of the Japanese in Oregon, showing the difficulties of being a Japanese immigrant and the incarnations of people with Japanese ancestors. The plan was sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League, with the proposal being encouraged by Bill Naito and accepted in 1988. The plaza represents the poems of the experience of the Japanese immigrants and an important reminder of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The plaza is administrated by the Oregon Nikkei Endowment.