Places of Memory: Heritage and Legacy Sites
The Japanese Canadian Legacies Society (JCLS) works to preserve and share the history of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia — honouring the pre-war communities that thrived here, and bearing witness to the injustices they endured during and after the war.
The BC Heritage Sites program funds interpretive projects, restorations, and signage at historically significant locations across the province — from coastal fishing and farming communities to interior internment sites.
Legacy Community Projects create tangible, lasting, meaningful works that tells the full story of the pre-war, wartime, and postwar Japanese Canadian experience, leaving a permanent record for generations to come.
By preserving these physical spaces and documenting their stories, we ensure that the enduring spirit of this community is never forgotten. These places of memory reconnect the history of Japanese Canadians in BC, making visible what has been lost to time and offering a path forward for learning, healing, and remembrance.
For a directory of upcoming openings, visit https://jclegacies.com/save-the-dates
Exhibit at Nikkei National Museum
Onwards: Powell Street Festival at 50 Years
March 26 – September 5
Gabriola Island
Omoide – Memories, Recollections, Reminiscences
Salt Spring Island
Memorial Story Project
City of Greenwood
Nikkei Legacy Park & Memorial Garden
Port Edward
North Pacific Cannery
Sunshine Valley/Tashme
Tashme Research & Archive Centre and Tashme Kindergarten Schoolhouse
Galiano Island
Japanese Charcoal Pit Kiln
Sandon
Windows to the Past
Maple Ridge
Japanese Canadian Farming Legacy Project
Exhibit at Nikkei National Museum
Onwards: Powell Street Festival at 50 Years
Organization: Powell Street Festival Society
Address: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC
March 26 to September 5 | 2026
A retrospective exhibition celebrating 50 years of Powell Street Festival’s art and activism through photographs, videos and installations. Curated by Emiko Morita.
Visit centre.nikkeiplace.org for hours
Gabriola Island
Omoide – Memories, Recollections, Reminiscences
Organization: Gabriola Historical and Museum Society
Address: 505 South Road, Gabriola Island, BC
Contact: Brenda Joy
info@gabriolamuseum.org | 250.247.9987
Omoide is a project of The Gabriola Historical and Museum Society, featuring the permanent Omoide exhibit at the Museum, a mobile exhibit, Gaman, at Page’s Inn, and two Shinto Gates erected at Page’s Inn and Page’s Marina, celebrating and acknowledging the significance of Japanese Gabriolans who were a part of Gabriola’s history.
The exhibits, curated by Yarrow Koontz, are collectively referred to as Omoide, meaning memories, recollections, and reminiscence.
Gabriola Island
Exhibit: Omoide – Memories, Recollections, Reminiscences
Gabriola Museum
505 South Road, Gabriola Island, BC
Hours of operation:
Friday to Saturday 11am–4pm until June 15
Tuesday to Saturday 11am–4pm from June 16–end of Dec
Closed January – April but open for school, group and private tours
Admission by donation. $5 min suggested for visitors 10 and over
Gabriola Island
Exhibit: Gaman Mobile Outdoor Exhibit
Address: 3145 South Road, Gabriola Island, BC, V0R 1X6 (summer location)
Hours of operation:
Summer viewing hours: daytime viewing Mon-Sun until October. Closed at night and during inclement weather. Group, individual and school tours available by request. Contact info@gabriolamuseum.org or 250-247-9987.
October–May: closed for the season and located at Gabriola Museum
Admission cost: Free admission
Gabriola Island
Exhibit: Torii-gate Inspired Outdoor Monument to the Sunrise Sawmill & Shinde Family
Address: 3145 South Road, Gabriola Island, BC, V0R 1X6
Hours of operation:
Exhibit viewing: Daytime and evening viewing, all year round.
Group, individual and school tours available by request. Contact info@gabriolmuseum.org or 250-247-9987
Admission cost: Free admission
Gabriola Island
Exhibit: Torii-gate Inspired Outdoor Monument to the Koyama Floating Fish Camp & General Store & Koyama Family
Address: 3350 Coast Road, Gabriola Island BC, V0R 1X6
Hours of operation:
Exhibit viewing: Daytime and evening viewing, all year round.
Group, individual and school tours available by request. Contact info@gabriolmuseum.org or 250-247-9987
Admission cost: Free admission
Salt Spring Island
Memorial Story Project
Organization: The Japanese Garden Society of Salt Spring Island
Address: 101 Jackson Ave, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2V8
Contact: Rumiko Kanesaka
info@saltspringjapanesegarden.com | 250.537.4716
Visitor Information
Open year-round, outdoor site accessible at all times.
Greenwood
Nikkei Legacy Park & Nikkei Memorial Garden
Organization: City of Greenwood
Address: Mineral St, Greenwood, BC V0H 1J0
Contact: Chuck Tasaka
info@greenwoodnikkei.ca | 250.445.6644
Visitor Information
The Nikkei Legacy Park & Nikkei Memorial Garden is open to visitors year-round. There is no admission fee but general donations are welcome to support the Nikkei Legacy Park Project, with tax receipts available through the City of Greenwood.
Port Edward
Restoration of Japanese Tri-Plexes and Japanese Bunkhouse
Organization: Port Edward Historical Society
Address: 1889 Skeena Dr, Port Edward, BC
Contact: Heather Dudoward
manager@northpacificcannery.ca | 250.628.3538
Visitor Information
Hours of operation: Open seasonally from May to September (closed October–May); open Tuesday–Sunday from 10am–5pm in May, June, and September with guided tours at 11am and 2pm, and daily from 10am–5pm in July and August with guided tours at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm (tour schedule subject to change).
Admission includes site access and complimentary guided tours offered at scheduled times. Group and school tours may require advance arrangements.
Admission cost: Adults (18–64) $18, Seniors (65+) $16, Youth (6–17) $11, Children under 6 free, with family and group rates available. School group tours are $9 per person. Admission includes guided tours and applicable taxes. Cash, debit, VISA, and MasterCard accepted (cash recommended due to occasional weather-related card machine disruptions).
northpacificcannery.ca
Sunshine Valley/Tashme
Tashme Research & Archive Centre and Kindergarten Schoolhouse
Organization: Tashme Historical Society
Address: 14781 Alpine Blvd, Sunshine Valley, BC
Contact: Ryan Ellan
tashmemuseum@gmail.com | 604.869.7070
Visitor Information
Hours of operation: Open Saturdays year-round from 10am–4pm; open 6–7 days per week during the summer season.
Closed Sundays except occasional long weekends or special events.
Admission cost: Free admission
Galiano Island
Restoration of Japanese Charcoal Pit Kilns
Organization: The Galiano Club
Address: VM94+QG, Galiano Island, BC V0N 0E9
Contact:
galianoclub@gmail.com | 250.539.2175
Visitor Information
Open year-round, outdoor site accessible at all times.
No admission fee. General donations are welcome to support the maintenance of the pit kilns.
Sandon
Windows to the Past
Organization: Sandon Historical Society
Address: Slocan Ave, Sandon, BC V0G 1M0
Contact: Marsh Garrick Rice
sandonmuseum@gmail.com | 250.916.9034
Visitor Information
Hours of operation: 10am–5pm daily (May long weekend to October long weekend)
Closed October long weekend to May long weekend
Admission: Ages 13+ $5 / children free / tours $4 per person
Maple Ridge
Japanese Canadian Farming Legacy Project
Organization: CEED Centre Society
Address: 11739 223rd St, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 5X8
Contact: Christian Cowley
community@ceedcentre.com | 604.463.2229
Visitor Information
Free admission
Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am–4:30pm and Thursday from 10am–7:30pm
Closed Friday through Monday