Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

The Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on Bainbridge Island is a profoundly moving and sacred space that honors the sacrifices and injustices endured by the Japanese American community during World War II. This thoughtfully designed memorial serves as a powerful reminder of a dark chapter in American history when entire families were forcibly removed from their homes on Bainbridge Island and from West Coast states. The site's quiet dignity and educational displays create a contemplative atmosphere that encourages reflection and remembrance. Guided by the mission of Nidoto Nai Yoni (二度とないように) - it stands as an enduring testament to resilience and a solemn promise, "Let It Not Happen Again."

A powerful and moving tribute to history. This memorial honors the first Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their homes during WWII, and it does so with deep respect and thoughtfulness. The design is beautiful, blending nature with history, and the personal stories engraved along the wall make it even more impactful. It’s a quiet, reflective place that reminds visitors of the importance of remembering and learning from the past. If you’re on Bainbridge Island, this is a must-visit for a meaningful experience.

Very impressive, although not yet complete. A sobering reminder of the evil that the USA has done to its own citizens in the past (with lessons for today), but it was heartening to read about some of the community who stood by their friends and neighbors in various ways.

What a memorial with great history of Japanese immigrants in this island. The admission is free. I felt more inspired and educational to keep the peace.

This place is beautiful. Hallowed ground. Sometimes we think things happen somewhere else, when it was also in our backyards. This is a must see. History is vital. We seem to continue making the same mistakes.

This was a very emotional and humbling experience. I had no idea this happened to our Japanese residents. So sad. The memorial is very educational and tugs at your heartstrings. Adequate free parking. Very quiet place of reflection.

Amazing historical monument and a grim reminder of the potential power the government has over its people. We must never allow something like this to happen again. To ANYONE in this country. Stand up for your neighbors. For your fellow citizens' rights. Don't remain silent when others spout off bigotry. 🫶

What a meaningful and beautiful memorial. I was completely unaware of this event in history and it was an eye opening experience. We came in as rangers were closing up but since it's an outdoor exhibit we were able to stay. My kids learned quite a bit from this short exhibit. I loved the peaceful and serene surroundings so you could really reflect and take the time to read everything. It feels like a different time when you are at this exhibit. I hope that the visitor center gets completed. After I went home I went online to donate, and watched the video. The video really painted the full picture and it would be a great addition to the experience.

What "an unwavering testament to the events of March 30, 1942, serving as a poignant reminder of the past." "The Memorial Wall winds solemnly down to the historic Eagledale ferry dock landing site, where the first of more than 120,000 Japanese individuals--two-thirds of whom were American citizens--were forcibly uprooted from their West Coast homes and confined to concentration camps during World War II." May we not only remember, but may we never let it happen again.

Visited the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial during a day trip from Seattle. While small in size, this memorial is significant in impact. Commemorating the internment of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island, the memorial shares the story of the forced removal of Japanese Americans from their homes on the island during World War II, as well as their subsequent incarceration in Manzanar and Minidoka concentration camps - their only "crime" being their ethnicity. Told in the words of Bainbridge Islanders who survived the camps, the memorial explores the experience of incarceration and the unconstitutional suspension of these islanders' civil rights. The memorial is well maintained and so tastefully done... and walking through can be quite emotional. When walking through a memorial such as this, I also can't help but think "those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it", a quote attributed to British statesman Winston Churchill. A memorial such as this is of great historical importance, as it serves as a reminder to all who visit - "Nidoto Nai Yoni" (Let it not happen again). If you're able, I highly recommend a visit.

A lovely memorial and worth the visit. It is outdoors so you might want to have a jacket, umbrella, and comfy walking shoes. It is not in the touristy part of town and we took an Uber. We were greeted by a Ranger? Docent? Either way, he was friendly and very knowledgeable on the area. The memorial was smaller in size than I had anticipated. However, it's impact on me was not. Beautiful, informative, and humbling. These places are special and necessary because these moments in history are not taught in schools. Uber took about 30 minutes to arrive for our ride back to the ferry...you may want to take that into consideration.

I was visiting Bainbridge Island and saw this place on a map, not knowing what to expect. We arrived and I almost wondered if we took a wrong turn because it looked like we had entered a park. For some reason I thought this was going to be a museum and we'd go inside a building. But no, as we read the signs and wandered along the path nestled by trees, I realized this set-up was intentional. You walk the same path the Japanese Americans on this island walked as they were forcibly removed from their homes. And I had no idea that the residents of Japanese descent on Bainbridge Island were the FIRST to be targeted in the U.S. Oh, it was emotional. As you walk along a wall, it contains historical information, stories, and the names and ages of those who had to leave on the ferry that once took them away. It wasn't a huge memorial, but it made a huge impression. I definitely feel anyone visiting Bainbridge should visit the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.

My visit to this memorial was very emotional, and rightfully so. Parking is in a dirt lot. Park docent Carolyn met us as we approached the entrance and asked "do you want stories, or just walk the memorial?" Oh, stories please!! And stories we got! Stories of people who were born on Brainbridge Island, were put in a camp and returned to Bainbridge Island. Very personal stories. The memorial is beautiful. Names and ages of those affected are listed on the memorial. The original dock has fallen, but you can still walk a short way out and see what they saw as they took, for some, their last steps on Bainbridge Island. A pavillion near the entrance has more info and the docent will happily answer questions and tell stories. The 'office' also has more photos and information. Quickly walk through, or spend some time exploring the stories. This is a must-see site. It's history we should all know.

A very small outdoor museum dedicated to the Japanese that were sent away to camps during WWII. Easily accessible for walkers from the parking lot. So much history and very nicely displayed for public viewing.

A thoughtful and sincere memorial for the exclusion of Japanese people living on Bainbridge Island. East to find using the google map. If the map takes you to a bus roundabout, go back on Eagle view Drive for about 100 yards to make a left into the parking area. Let this never happen again! If you have time, go to Sakai Park. The land was donated by the family in memorial to their grandparents or parents who were wrongfully relocated. God Bless America. A thoughtful and sincere memorial for the exclusion of Japanese people living on Bainbridge Island. East to find using the google map. If the map takes you to a bus roundabout, go back on Eagle view Drive for about 100 yards to make a left into the parking area. Let this never happen again! If you have time, go to Sakai Park. The land was donated by the family in memorial to their grandparents or parents who were wrongfully relocated. God Bless America.

We stopped by Friday morning. The memorial is well maintained and walks through the history of the Japanese exclusion from Bainbridge Island. We had the pleasure to meet a man who's grandfather was apart of the Japanese community that were taken from the island. The man told us about the history in detail and the effect it still has on those who went through the exclusion and rebuilding the present community. I highly recommend stopping by to learn more about Asian American history in Washington.

A place with important, tragic history that is important to acknowledge so it does not happen again.

It's well thought out and very poetic place. Beautifully done. The volunteer guide and staff there were very attentive and helpful. They helped us to find our friend's name in the camp record. It made me cry. It worth visiting.

What a meaningful and beautiful memorial. I was completely unaware of this event in history and it was an eye opening experience. We came in as rangers were closing up but since it's an outdoor exhibit we were able to stay. My kids learned quite a bit from this short exhibit. I loved the peaceful and serene surroundings so you could really reflect and take the time to read everything. It feels like a different time when you are at this exhibit. I hope that the visitor center gets completed. After I went home I went online to donate, and watched the video. The video really painted the full picture and it would be a great addition to the experience.

Enjoyed the volunteer docent lining up visitors to listen to her storytelling of the Memorial area. I did not know there was a Japanese community living on this island as early as 1941. 227 Japanese Bainbridger Islanders were taken away and forced to leave this area. There were brought to the dock area to leave the area and evacuate to areas like Tanforan detention center in California. At this location, you can learn a small part of history where Japanese people were brought to injustice in 1942. https://www.nps.gov/miin/learn/historyculture/bainbridge-island-japanese-american-exclusion-memorial.htm https://bijac.org/about-us/bijac-officers-and-trustees/ There is no giftshop but there will be mochi making in January as well as the Strawberry festival coming up.

A beautiful place with a somber history. I took my family here to learn a part of history that should not be forgotten and also learn from. Nidoto Nai Yoni (Let it not happen again).

I took a ferry off Bainbridge Island in late December 2022. In 1942, two hundred and twenty seven Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes in Bainbridge Island and go on a ferry to incarceration camps courtesy of the United States government when President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 into law. Anyone who was at least 1/16th Japanese was required to go. Executive Order 9066 affected the lives of many American citizens of Japanese descent as they were forced to go to incarceration camp in Manzanar, CA or Minidoka, Idaho. Japanese immigrants first came to Bainbridge Island in the 1880s, working in sawmills and strawberry harvesting, and by the 1940s had become an integral part of the island's community. Because of the island's proximity to naval bases, local Japanese Americans were the first in the country to be interned; 227 Japanese Americans were ordered to leave the island with six days' notice. They departed by ferry on March 30, 1942. Homes and businesses were lost. This is a moving memorial of the events that happened here in 1942. Names and ages of those imprisoned are printed on the walls of the display. The youngest I saw was a 3 year old. You see the phrase "Nidoto Nai Yoni" or "Let it not happen again". My only regret visiting this memorial was that my visit was too short as I had to voluntarily catch a ferry back to Seattle. It is a great place to visit while at Bainbridge Island to learn about the struggles that Japanese Americans experienced the war. Nidoto Nai Yoni...Let it not happen again.

This is one of the destinations I wanted to hit when I knew I was visiting Bainbridge Island this past weekend. Being a Japanese American it was important to me to after seeing some posts on Instagram from friends. It's a beautiful outdoor memorial and well cared for. I took many shots and am sharing a few. It's about a seven minute drive from E Winslow the main of Bainbridge Island where the majority of tourists visit. Part if Pritchard Park I believe. It's an emotional memorial. "commemorating the internment of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island in the state of Washington. It is a unit of the Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho. Because of the island's proximity to naval bases, local Japanese Americans were the first in the country to be interned; 227 Japanese Americans were ordered to leave the island with six days' notice. They departed by ferry on March 30, 1942". I love all the origami cranes and the words and hearts people have created with rocks.

Visiting this site was a spontaneous road trip detour before catching the ferry back to Seattle (4/8/22). Giving this site 5 stars is irrelevent because of its sheer historical importance. It should have never happened to all the affected Japanese Americans families from Bainbridge Island 80 years ago. The springtime serene walk gave pause for much reflection.

Such a moving and beautiful memorial. It's for Japanese-Americans who were sent to incarceration camps during WWII. It's small yet very informative and sad wrong doing that happened in history. You get to learn and pay tribute. The Nidoto Nai Yoni, "Let it not happen again," is written everywhere here. This Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is built at the site where the first group of internees were taken from the island. The memorial honors those who suffered this injustice and the friends and neighbors who stood beside them and welcomed them back. It's a must visit. They have sample quarters where families were put in at incarceration camps but as well as their lives on the island before. And the names of victims who died during.. with their ages.. some were tiny babies. It's heart breaking! Paper cranes flowing from each quarter represents all those who died at the camps. Nidoto Nai Yoni. This is located outside of downtown / shops area. Worth a drive and worth a visit.

We were welcomed with the tour guide who gave us a brief explanation on what this place is all about. We left with a lot of things to reflect and ponder on. I learned so much about the history of Japanese-Americans. Highly recommend going to this place. It will move you.

Beautiful and moving memorial, commemorating the Japanese-Americans from Bainbridge Island who were sent to incarceration camps during WWII. I recommend anyone visiting Bainbridge Island to visit the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and reflect on history's wrongdoing. It's a small memorial, yet you will find yourself spending some time here, reading about the Japanese-Americans who lived on the Island and life during WWII. There's a mural wall and a long pathway to walk along on, which is the same path that the Japanese-Americans walked along to get to the ferry, which took them to the camp. The names written on the wall are the victims. It's not located near where the main business area is on Bainbridge Island. We drove here, and were able to find parking along a gravel area nearby. There's no fee for admission and it is open 24/7.

This is a beautiful memorial. It's a reminder of a time where people were gathered up simply due to their ethnic background, forcibly removed from their homes to the middle of no where. It is also a reminder of how some of these families were able to have something to come back to, because their neighbors worked their land while they were in Internment Camps.

When I was in Seattle, WA, I took a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, I need to visit this memorial, and it talks about the Japanese being put interment camps from this island. You would learn about this island and its role in WWIi

Small memorial but nicely made and maintained. Lot of History is attached to it. Not a must visit place but it doesn't take much time to see and you should visit once. Small island is linked to the history and this is best place to learn it.

Visited Bainbridge island and decided to see this memorial. It has such a beautiful message for people to see and lovely pictures/ descriptions if you like to read about history. It is located in a lovely clean & quiet area and is a great place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.

No words can describe the beauty of this memorial. The length of the memorial represents the number of Japanese people taken from Bainbridge. The quotes and images along the way impress the reality of this time period-- which oddly feels similar to today's treatment of immigrants and undocumented citizens. Take a page from this memorial-- "Nidoto nai yoni - Let it not happen again". If you're on the main road, you'll see signs pointing you in the right direction. It's a little off the beaten path, but definitely a stop worth taking.

This is a lovely memorial. It is a very quiet and peaceful way to remember and reflect on the past.

It was relaxing and there are benches all throughout the small trail. It is rather small but you can sit and relax and just take in the view. The area is peaceful and you can read all the post and really open your eyes to what the Japanese Americans had to go through.

I learned of the Japanese American Interment from Mark Mitsui. We met at Western Washington University, in Bellingham. I had recognized him as the son of one of my Judo instructors, Sam Mitsui. Sam, not much more than a child was released from the camp to fight with the 442nd. I can't stop crying to write. I am so ashamed.

This is a really well done memorial that presents the facts and conveys the experiences of the unjust forced removal of Japanese-American and Japanese Bainbridge islanders, through basic history, personal perspectives, photos, artistic depictions and the design of the memorial itself. It's a moving remembrance, in a peaceful setting (which only highlights the brutality of removal and internment) with a pace and spareness that creates space for reflection.

Worth the trip. It's a little hard to find and there's construction going on near it. You park and then you have to walk up to an unassuming "entrance" that takes you across a bridge to the memorial area. It's all outdoors. There's no building. Just large wooden exhibits with personal accounts, history of Japanese people on Bainbridge Island and photos. Very moving and educational. As the memorial says "Let it not happen again"

A very well done memorial that tells the stories of hundreds of Bainbridge Island Japanese Americans who were forcefully removed and sent to internment camps during WWII. The memorial is set in a beautiful backdrop but it tells a very sad story. History is brought to life with words and photos and the memorial honors those who were affected with their names displayed one-by-one. Hundreds of paper cranes hang at the memorial to symbolize hope, peace, and wishes. We spent a quiet 30 minutes here absorbing everything we saw. Although there was a sense of heaviness when we left, we were glad to have stopped by and taken this in.

Somehow I was under the impression I would see how the people lived during the period of internment. However this was not to be, it was simply as named a memorial. There were many pieces of art and the names of the families and those who were interned in this area during wartime. It would have been nice to have something such as recorded stories by those who were willing to tell their story. I'm sure it would be difficult to relive those times however it is important to help ensure something like this never happens again . Something very short like brief comments or a history of what happened when the war was over, where did they go something to that effect. Nevertheless it was a very moving and touching memorial. Being able to touch the names and imagine families if only as a vision in my own mind. But as for me luck would have it I ran into one of the children of an interned Japanese citizen. I turned to ask questions of the park ranger on the site about a movie (Snow Falling on Cedars) that I believed was about the people of this island. He gave me a brief synopsis and the name of the movie as well as introducing me to the daughter of one of the 270+ interned citizens. She was so informative, I was shown her family plaque and given a brief oral history as told to her from several perspectives. This family member helps with the upkeep of the memorial along with volunteers there happened to be a Boy Scout there at the time assisting with maintaining the memorial . She went over the many things learned through the course of time from her father, grandmother and her aunt who never actually spoke about this period. If you are a history buff it's the stuff that you should make if you happen to visit Seattle or the island itself.

This was the perfect place to start out at when you're in need of a Vacay from the busy city life. Every hour, a ferry docks at the Ferry Terminal from Downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Took our car, used Waze to navigate to the ferry. Thank goodness we drove our car there so that we were able to venture out around the island! We didn't know what to do, so I searched Yelp and the Japanese Exclusion Memorial was one of the top choices! So quiet, yet so serene! The hike was easy and very short. Origami cranes sway in the wind, along names posted along mini huts. We were the only ones there and it kinda felt nice having that entire place to ourselves for awhile. "Nidoto Nai Yoni"

Small historic site with big impact. Looking forward to an expansion for an even more informative experience. Would be nice to see this expanded to add artifacts, physical cultural examples, items or art that can help my students visualize. I was disappointed that a few things repeated in such a small area.

This is a somewhat hidden, small but neat Memorial dedicated to the exclusion of Japanese civilians during WWII. A part of american history that is not often talked about. I recommend visiting it if you are into history. I would plant about 15 minutes to go through the whole thing.

NIDOTO NAI YONI - "LET IT NOT HAPPEN AGAIN" This elegant memorial to the tragic incident of the internment of the Bainbridge Japanese Americans (the first to be interred) in WWII. The location selected for this memorial is the dock area they were sent to as they took their last steps before they boarded the boats which would take them to the internment camps. The rock and stone wall opens to a winding wooden memorial that weaves down the path down to the water's edge. The long wall holds the names of those taken (many of which were Bainbridge farm families) and documents their stories and of their community of friends who recall this sad tragic time in American history. Stories range from a despondent dog who tried to jump into the truck which took it's family away to a coach who allowed all his Japanese American players play one last game before they went off to internment. Other stories enlighten the viewer into the deeper social issues - such as the photo and story of the local Washington paper that was one of the only media which openly opposed the internment throughout the war. Another heartwarming story is of a family who wisely made arrangements with a community friend who agreed to watch over their property in their absence...and at the end of the war, this family was one of the lucky few who were able to reclaim their farm. A beautiful and peaceful location to visit now, it's hard to imagine that such a sad experience happened here.

This is a small, low-key memorial, but it is a must-visit if you're anywhere near Bainbridge Island. It's easy to point fingers at how terrible the Axis Powers during WWII were, but our own government made some terrible mistakes as well. In this time of rising tensions with immigrants, this Memorial is a reminder of how awfully this country has treated minorities over the years. May this the Lord keep us from treating our fellow human beings with such contempt ever again.

This is a beautiful little park! But if there is snow on the road, park up by the entrance and walk down unless u have 4-wheel drive.

Such a reflective experience, a must see. Hubby and I happened soon this place while visiting the island. Beautifully done. Thank you!

Such a beautiful hidden gem with such heartbreaking history. I left feeling very humble.

I love visiting National Parks and have the NPS passport. My family and I took the Bainbridge Island ferry on our way to Olympic National Park and I wanted to take a detour here as I find the history of Japanese Relocation Centers interesting. I did not know that this was an NPS site (it's listed as Minidoka which is in Idaho) so that was a surprise. There was a very friendly ranger there with lots of information to share. He seemed genuinely happy to be able to answer questions and talk. There are a few displays to read about the history of Bainbridge Island's involvement in WWII and about Japanese exclusion there. They are interesting, but there isn't much. There is also a really lovely memorial along the path that Japanese residents were focused to walk as they made their way to the boats that ferried them to the closest relocation center. This is a great place to memorialize and learn though I can see some people driving here and being disappointed because there isn't "much" but I thought it was definitely worth the time. My wife wasn't keen on the extra driving time but she told me it was a worthwhile detour. They is apparently plans to add to this site by building a meeting hall and a larger visitor center. It doesn't seem like they've started on breaking ground yet, but I'd love to return when that's done.

I wasn't expecting much at this memorial, maybe a little history lesson. But I found myself really touched and sometimes tearful at reading the personal stories of the 277 Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island who were given 6 days to give away all their possessions and be taken by ferry to an internment camp. Mothers told their children they were going on a "fun vacation" to alleviate their fears. 2nd and 3rd generation Japanese Americans were vilified as traitors or potential traitors. Very sad. One story I found very touching was one Japanese American farmer who sold his farm to a neighbor for one dollar, and when he returned almost 4 years later, that farmer sold it right back for $1. Many of the Japanese Americans were welcomed back with open arms by their schoolmates and neighbors. There were so much from that history that seems chillingly modern -- identifying a group of people as "the enemy" simply b/c they are not the majority race or religion. It's terrifying and can so easily happen again (if it's not already happening in today's politically racist climate)

Smaller than expected but worth seeing. Didn't have a car, couldn't figure out bus system so we took lyft - $16 round trip. Only took us about 20 minutes to see it all but it was very impactful.

Bainbridge Island's Japanese American community was the first in the US to be interned. The community of about 272 were given six days notice to depart. The group of over 200 residents were taken down the Eagledale ferry landing and boarded onto a ferry. From there, the majority of the group were taken to Mazanar interment camp in California, and the rest to Minidoka in Idhao. This memorial tells the story of those interned and takes you along the path that they may have walked to the water's edge where the ferry dock once was. This outdoor memorial is a sister unit of the Minidoka National Historic site in Idaho, and sometimes has a ranger on site during the tourist season. The cedar wall full of names and beautiful hand crafted plaques is moving. It tells a piece of our history, that many still today aren't aware of. The memorial succeeds in telling it's clear message of "Nidoto Nai Yoni," translated in English as "Let it not happen again". There are future plans for this site to house a visitor center. Currently, you will find additional information and a great video regarding the history of these residents at the Bainbridge History Museum in downtown Winslow. This is something not to miss if visiting Bainbridge.

This place offers a fascinating account of a chapter of history that should resonate with anyone concerned today with the demonization of the immigrant for problems largely due to automation and technology disruption rather than the delusional specter of economic competition foisted upon us by the current administration.

a beautiful serene memorial of those forced from the island into american concentration camps during WWII. the traditional-inspired curved wall looks like it flows down the pebbled path and the colorful origami cranes hanging from the wall add a lovely personal and warm touch. history is profound and the backdrop with the harbor and boats provide a quiet space to reflect and remember. the memorial os located opposite the ferry terminal on the other side. you need to drive about 6-7 minutes along the road/water till you reach the park.