Kogura Company, San Jose

Established in 1928 by Kohei Kogura, the Kogura Company is more than just a store-it’s a living piece of San Jose’s Japantown history. Originally located on the north part of Sixth Street, the business found its permanent home at 231 Jackson Street in 1934, where it has operated ever since. That remarkable continuity makes it not only the oldest shop in San Jose’s Japantown but also the longest-standing business to remain in its original location in any Japantown in the United States.

Surviving the upheaval of World War II and the internment of Japanese Americans, the store became a symbol of resilience and community spirit. In the early days, Kohei Kogura sold household items and appliances-his inventory included RCA radios-and the store carried the mission of “building the community with appliances and gifts.”

Today, the Kogura Company continues that legacy under the stewardship of Carolyn Kogura, with support from family members like Richard Kogura. The shop is a charming blend of tradition and modernity, offering a wide range of Japanese goods-kachi kachi toys, uchiwa fans, elegant vases, Japanese-designed cards, sake sets, dolls, and even rice cookers. Approximately 95% of its items are made in Japan, a testament to the shop’s dedication to authenticity and quality.

Kogura Company remains a beloved neighborhood store, proud of its 95-year history and committed to providing a warm, local shopping experience rooted in cultural heritage. Through the decades, its purpose has stayed the same: to serve the community with meaningful gifts, household items, and a continued sense of belonging.