Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

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.

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.

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.