Group Visits
Sharing the richness of the Japanese American experience
Book an on-site group visit for seniors, adults, and college students.
Visitor Notice
The JANM Pavilion will be closed for renovations starting in January 2025. We are therefore unable to accept reservations for onsite visits to take place after December 31, 2024.
Please note that at this time, guided group visits are being booked at a reduced capacity and we may not be able to accommodate all requests. Groups are also welcome to book a visit to JANM for a self-guided experience. Requests for a guided or self-guided visit may be made below.
If you have any questions, please email us at groupvisits@janm.org.
Planning your visit
Plan your group’s JANM visit to explore stories about the Japanese American experience.
FAQ
Have questions? Here are answers to the most common inquiries.
Education Resources
Prepare for your visit to JANM by exploring resources prepared by JANM’s Education Unit.
More Ways to Visit
Virtual Visits
Virtual visits use video conferencing technology to engage visitors and students in conversations surrounding JANM’s collections.These visits offer a new way to make sure that the important lessons of history are not forgotten.
School Visits
A JANM School Visit inspires students to learn about the Japanese American story and its significance today.
Group Visits’ Policies and Procedures
Admission
Adult and senior groups of 10 or more receive an admission discount: $10/adult, $7/senior.
To qualify for group rates, groups must schedule their visit in advance through the Education Unit. Admission rates are subject to change. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted. Group payment is due upon arrival.
Cancellations
Call 213.625.0414 or email groupvisits@janm.org.
Contact the Education Unit immediately if your group must cancel. If you cancel well in advance, your spot can be offered to other visitors. If your group expects to be delayed, please call to inform us of your estimated arrival time. We may not be able to accommodate groups arriving more than 20 minutes late.
Parking
Please check Metro.net for a list of local parking lots. From the Regional Connector Transit Project page, in the sidebar menu, under “Maps,” click on “Little Tokyo Parking Facilities” to view a list of locations.
Public Transportation
JANM is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Dash and Metro lines. Union Station is a 15-minute walk or a short ride on a Dash bus. Contact your local public transportation agency for bus routes, times, and fees: ladottransit.com/dash, metro.net.
Due to ongoing construction of the Metro Regional Connector, there may be changes to schedules and routes. Please check their websites for updated information.
Accessibility
The Japanese American National Museum is fully accessible. Please notify the Education Unit of any special needs when you make your reservation.
FAQ
Do you have a place where we can eat lunch?
JANM does not have group dining facilities. Small groups are welcome to sit on the plaza outside of the museum to enjoy their lunches or order food from any number of restaurants in the Little Tokyo area. A list of restaurants can be provided upon request.
Do you have a place to store personal belongings?
Large bags and food items are not allowed in exhibition areas. We recommend leaving these items at home.
A limited number of self-serve storage lockers (9"W x 22"H x 16"D) available on a first-come basis. Valid ID required to use lockers. JANM cannot hold any jackets, clothing, or bags.
Do you have docents who are veterans or former inmates that we can talk to?
Our volunteer docents and facilitators may not be on-site for your visit. If you wish to speak to a volunteer through a virtual platform, please submit a reservation request for a Virtual Visits experience.
Many of our docents have first-hand experience with the American concentration camps. We cannot guarantee, however, that your group will be led by a WWII veteran or former camp inmate. All of our volunteers are well-trained and will be able to provide their own unique perspectives. To access oral histories online, visit DiscoverNikkei.org.
Do you have Japanese-speaking docents?
Guided tours of the Common Ground exhibition are available with Japanese-speaking guides. Please note that the availability of these tours is extremely limited. To inquire about a guided visit in Japanese, please complete the online reservation form. We will inform you of the availability.
Why does JANM use the term “concentration camp” when speaking of the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans?
The terms used to describe what happened to 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II—relocation, evacuation, incarceration, internment, or concentration camp—vary among scholars, government officials, and even Japanese Americans themselves. While most people associate “concentration camp” with the Holocaust and many Americans feel more comfortable with milder terms like internment camps, JANM uses the term “concentration camp” because by definition a concentration camp is a place where people are imprisoned not because they are guilty of any crimes, but simply because of who they are. The U.S. government, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, used the phrase “concentration camp” in speeches and written documents during World War II.