Sakura Square For Future Generations

As Sakura Square celebrates 50 years, we will build upon the rich legacy and plan for the next 50 years, promoting a sustainable, vibrant and thriving community.

The redevelopment of Sakura Square is guided by the shared vision and commitment to three priorities:

Long term viability of Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple
Cultural sustainability
Financial stability

To prepare for the future, we’ve embarked on a process that includes an assessment of the buildings and infrastructure, consultation with the community and Sakura Square community stakeholders and discussions about new opportunities and future use. Working in partnership with Sakura Foundation and Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, we’re carefully assessing options for the future redevelopment of Sakura Square.

Patience, dedication, and a continuous eye on our shared cultural vision have been guiding us, especially through the challenges that are a result of the global pandemic. Through this dynamic process, we are committed to working with Sakura Square tenants and residents, including Pacific Mercantile and community organizations, to create and sustain a vibrant community through this project. We are grateful to the volunteers, community leaders and staff of Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, Sakura Foundation and Sakura Square for their commitment.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Sakura Square Experience Timeline window. Escape will close the window and bring you back to the main website. The website is more easily navigable outside of this predominantly visual experience.

Experience Sakura Square

Stories within the "Vision" category.

Stories within the "Legacy" category.

Our Legacy

Honoring Sakura Square’s rich cultural history and heritage.

Legacy

Sakura Square Beginnings

Charles Ozaki

There were Japanese businesses along Larimer for several blocks going into the Red Line neighborhoods of Curtis Park and Five Points. There were approximately 30 Japanese-owned grocery stores in these neighborhoods. Sakura Square block was the center of the Japanese community in Denver.

On Lawrence, there was Granada Fish Market and as you went towards the corner, there was a manju and shave ice shop, and then around the corner there were restaurants, a hotel, service providers and other stores including Pacific Mercantile.

Legacy

All Are Welcome

Reverend Nari Hayashi

Japanese immigrants developed this block and there is a long history of welcoming newcomers. We practice that at the Temple and at Sakura Square at Cherry Blossom Festival and throughout the year. We provide something at Sakura Square that many in our region might not be familiar with through festivals, religion, culture, food and celebration.

Legacy

Timeless Connections

Joni Sakaguchi

I have a lot of memories of Sakura Square. From a young child to coming back in the early 70s after going away to college. Growing up this was the only area and community where you could see a lot of Japanese American faces. Sakura Square provided a grounding area to connect to my heritage.

Denver was one of the connectors and transition areas for a lot of the people leaving camp after World War II – you had Heart Mountain in Wyoming and Amache in southern Colorado and a lot of people came through Denver going either back to the west coast or through to Chicago and east. My father’s family came to Denver after leaving camp in Rohwer, Arkansas. Having family friends who were in Denver after camp made it easier to resettle in the area.

Legacy

A Labor of Love Across Generations

Kyle Nagai

This November marks 80 years for our family business, Pacific Mercantile. The grocery business is hard and for us, it’s a labor of love in service to the Denver community. I recall my grandfather, father and uncles driving to Sedwick, Rocky Ford, Nebraska and Wyoming to bring fresh farm produce from Japanese growers to Denver.

Stories within the "Community" category.

Our Community

Inspiring stories of personal memories and deep connections to Sakura Square.

Community

Finding Community

Charles Ozaki

When my parents came to Denver, they lived in the Curtis Park/Five Points neighborhood where along with allowing African American and Mexican American families, Japanese Americans were allowed to live within redlined areas. We were welcomed at the Temple and Sakura Square. The block was a safe haven.

My parents were Japanese immigrants to Peru, my father was kidnapped by the US government from his home in Peru to be held as a hostage during World War II (WWII) and taken to one of the WWII concentration camps in Crystal City, TX. The family was allowed to join him in the camp and they were kept as “illegal aliens” with their passports taken away. After the war, the government intended to deport them to war torn Japan but through legal intervention they were fortunate to be paroled to stay in the U.S. under the sponsorship of a cousin living in Denver.

Community

Japanese American Roots in Denver

Joni Sakaguchi

Like many Japanese American families, it was through family and friends’ connections that we came to Denver after the war. We would come to Temple and run around the block. You would have no worries about leaving the Temple to go to Pacific Mercantile or to just wander around as a kid.

The Temple drew people to services on Sunday and then everybody went shopping afterwards to Pacific or ate lunch at a restaurant. The Temple brought people together and the businesses benefited from people gathering at the Temple.

Community

Pacific Mercantile, Four Generations

Jolie Noguchi

People connect with Pacific Mercantile. We are a landmark. My grandfather instilled in us the values of working hard and that customers come first. I remember my grandmother cooking in the old store for our family and employees. She and my grandfather worked hard. It was a big family scene.

People connect with Pacific Mercantile. We are a landmark.

My grandfather instilled in us the values of working hard and that customers come first. I remember my grandmother cooking in the old store for our family and employees. She and my grandfather worked hard. It was a big family scene.

Community

A Bridge to Home & Japan

Masaki Hirano

Sakura Square has been a very special place to me since I moved to Colorado. I came by myself from Japan without knowing anyone and lived in Tamai Tower when I was in college. Seeing and meeting other Japanese at Sakura Square made me feel at home and safe. Sakura Square is the only bridge that connects me to Japan in Colorado and I have many memories at Sakura Square.

Stories within the "Vision" category.

Our Vision

Building a vibrant and sustainable future for generations to come.

Vision

Building on a Strong Foundation

Alyssa Nilemo

Growing up at Sakura Square and the Temple gave me the foundation of who I am and what I do. I want this place to provide the same sense of family and community for generations to come. A vibrant and sustainable future is about honoring those who came before and creating a gathering space for those who come next.

Vision

Spirit of Community

Charles Ozaki

Our community is diverse and founded on the Buddhist teaching, “you are embraced regardless of who you are, so come as you are.”

Sakura Square is a place where in the past families and friends were connected. It's where people stay connected, make new connections and is home for the community. It’s special and like no other place.

Vision

Belonging For All

Joni Sakaguchi

The Sakura Square community is multiracial and multiethnic. Sakura Square is a place where the next generation can feel comfortable being from a diverse background. And I think that's what the Temple offers too, a place to find comfort and belonging.

Vision

Embracing New Connections

Reverend Nari Hayashi

At Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, we value our rich legacy and history. As we prepare for the future, we are practicing a mindset of how we welcome the stranger, embrace change, make new human connections and create new pathways in the Denver community.

Vision

Next Generation Legacy

Jolie Noguchi

It’s gratifying to know that my daughter Alyssa wants to be the 4th generation [owner]. She brings fresh vision and new products from local vendors and a connection to the community while still honoring our past and memories of Grandma and Grandpa to carry on their legacy. We’re not going anywhere, we will be doing this for another 70 years!

We’re not going anywhere, we will be doing this for another 70 years!

Story Menu