is there a large Japanese population living in Lower East Side?

[citychik]

Hi everyone,

Resurrecting this thread to find out more on the topic. I'm looking for an area (even if it's just one or two streets) which has a fairly plentiful amount of Japanese-owned businesses - markets, convenience stores, etc., with signs and displays in Japanese. I'd prefer it to be in one of the five boroughs, but am also intrigued by the previous post which mentioned Westchester County. I would need specific locales and streets to find - this is for a short digital media project. The area would play an important role as backdrop to Japanese characters. Anyone know where I should look for this? NJ okay, too, but prefer NY.

All suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mead

There are still a good number of Japanese in Ft. Lee, they make up about 6% of the population, but I think Koreans make up close to 25%. The largest Japanese store in the NYC area is in neighboring Edgewater, so I think that keeps a lot of Japanese in the area.

There are a lot of younger Japanese in the East Village around St. Mark's Place and 9th street. There are a good number of Japanese bars and restaurants in this area.

The other large concentration of Japanese in the NYC is in Westchester county. This is because there is decent sized Japanese language high school outside of White Plains, so there is a good number of Japanese living in the surrounding suburban towns. In Westchester County there are also a good number of Japanese owned and run markets and restaurants which caters to the expat population.

[Biskit]

Definitely St. Marks, though there are Japanese businesses scattered all over Midtown east of Broadway and south of 57th street.

[mead]

Haven't posted in a while, but couldn't resist.

Not too many real concentrations like Korea Town in Manhattan or Chinatown, however you'll find them scattered in certain areas. For the younger crowd a lot of Japanese in their 20s/30s hang around the east village by St. Mark's Place and the surrounding streets (I think 9th street has a grocery store). You'll find a good number of japanese restaurants, bars, etc.

The other main concentration is in Midtown near Grand Central station. Lots of Japanese businessmen work in the area and many live in Westchester county so they use Metro-North. So in this area you'll find a couple of Japanese bars and a bunch of pretty good restaurants.

Then there is a scattering around Westchester county, mostly in the wealthier towns. White Plains, Hartsdale, Scarsdale, Tuckahoe all have a decent showing of japanese grocery stores and restaraunts.

Of course there is also Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ. That is by far the largest Japanese store in the NYC metro area. Its like a large Japanese grocery store/upscale food court (comparable to what you'd find in the basement of Asian department stores, not like an American food court). So its good if you're looking to buy some Japanese items and get a really authentic & good Japanese meal for under $10.

[vitalove]

Astoria has a lot of shopping for Japanese products and foods as well. I have a friend from Japan who lives here now. He lived in Astoria and when we hang out sometimes, we meet up in the St. Marks Place area. Funny thing is, even though we go to the restaurants and shops in the area, I had no idea that it was known for a large Japanese population or as a Japanese hang out spot. Pretty cool.

[kofem]

i know theres koreans in manhattan but i have no idea if japanese people have a special area...koreans live near koreatown and near colleges where they attend

[kofem]

also i live in white plains and theres a large japanese population in hartsdale and scarsdale the koreans i know in westchester are so scattered like yonkers or conneticut

[Tiger Beer]

St. Marks/9th Street. But its really just a collection of business and Japanese patrons who visit them - restaurants, some bars, etc.

Not really a 'community' of Japanese people living there or anything like that though..