Japanese Temple/Shrine in Idaho Falls

A Japanese Quarter in Idaho Falls? Sounds neat to me. I like the idea of an area where the architecture, shops, food, and decorations are a world away from what you would expect in Southeast Idaho.

Having this dedicated zone could also help increase Japanese tourists, and improve relations with our sister city. It would be a draw for American tourists, also.

This is a really good idea, I like it. I don’t think the district would need a full blown tax exemption like some of our other local developments, but a tax reduction district could help spur the growth.

Where in our city could this be located? The north end of downtown, where the downtown becomes residential over a few blocks? South of Broadway just west of the freeway has some open land. North of John’s Hole Bridge on the westside of the river is still undeveloped land, and it would be a nice prominent location on the greenbelt.

I guess you could put it anywhere, but I see it having some smaller streets where you could walk around comfortably.

Joe…
Interesting article but Dnix was off on the facts, way off. First of all there were no “Concentration” Camps in Idaho during WW2, there were several “Internment” Camps and those were located is Southern Idaho around Twin Falls. Theres a huge difference in Concentration Camp and Internment.

Great story! I have a question - What IS a “sister city” and who decides where the sister city is?

Is there a process for changing the sister city? Why not have a sister city in Russia or Africa or in a country that may need our support a little more?

i would love to have something like that here in Idaho Falls i was born in this state and grew up in I.F. i am a huge fan of the japanese and chinese arts and culture i would love to have something like that so close and be able to really study more about it….SO TWO THUMBS UP FOR THE IDEA.

I am all for anything that will force diversity into this town, I think another temple would be just lovely!

I apologize, DNIX0112, for not posting earlier. I know it will be a while before you can see what I write.

I like your idea and can see a lot of potential in it.

I think it would be great to have this diversity honored more. I do understand what Joe is saying having an area near the Greenbelt, and agree that perhaps none of the current redevelopment really is geared for this new type of International District in their current plans.

I have few basic ideas about this, to determine just general interest. First, in next year’s commUNITY Fest, would any residents who have Japanese ancestors, be willing to sponsor a booth so locals can learn more about the Japanese culture?

There may have been a booth at this year’s new commUNITY Fest, but I somehow didn’t hear about it. I believe there has to become a “presence,” if you will, of Idaho Falls area Japanese residents educating and sharing information at a diversity festival.

Having Japanese food, toys, some fine arts like the beautiful hand fans, and other parts of Japanese culture be available for purchase and would show a greater commitment by business owners, the city and local citizens to making this connection to our sister city more than a periodic visit and a few other gifts.

I think many have difficulty realizing what we have already received from our sister city, as so many of the gifts and good will exchanges etc., primarily end up in the Mayor’s office or somewhere within city facilities (as I understand it, which may be wrong).

I question how much the average citizen is even aware of Tokai-Mura, let alone any gifts or good-will gestures we’ve received. And how many have actually seen where the gifts etc. Idaho Falls has received from Tokai-Mura are physically located?

So public access to what currently exists, say even in the Museum of Idaho in a dedicated area, to start a better education system so residents and visitors can learn more about Tokai-Mura, would be a big step forward, from my POV.

IMHO, there has to be enough people with basic understanding of who and where our sister city is and what to date has been exchanged to grow the idea more.

Besides a booth at commUNITY Fest, perhaps a permanent section in the Museum of ID, also pariticipation of local Japanese American residents, who wish to advance this idea, in something like the 4th of July parade would help tremendously.

I saw a parade, in another state, this past month. I was impressed how the different diverse populations had organized into their own groups, either forming bands, singing groups, those marching playing Scottish Bagpipes, dancers or others proudly walking with matching outfits and a banner proudly stating what their native culture. At the time, I thought about this thread and thought we need more of this in Idaho Falls and a parade is a great way to promote the different cultures within a city.

That doesn’t mean all the cultures don’t work for the common good. It just means we have more diversity among us than some may realize. And sometimes, it takes something like watching a parade where 30-60 people will walk, or drive a parade route, saying they are a member of that city’s Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Scottish or other minority community.

That idea may sound like it devates from what DNIX0112 originally proposed with our sister city. I think it only ensures more unity as the need for a specific area in town, to develop into what may become a multi-cultural or International District.

Being realistic, we’re not going to have a China Town like San Francisco or New York. Perhaps one idea to think about would be creating a cultural district, similar in a way to what Disney has done with Epcot Center.

It may be cheaper and a great use of some areas of downtown that seem somewhat blighted to begin a district in an area that doesn’t have much draw currently.

I propose, however, instead of building many blocks for this district, we approach this a little more slowly and create a International District of Idaho Falls, which could be anchored by the section representing our sister city and Japan as a nation. I would encourage a Chinatown-like area in the Interntional District as well as an Italian, UK, French, German, Ukraine, Russian etc. Why not celebrate our roots?

While the crowned jewel could be the tribute to Tokai-Mura, why not create more International restaurants and offerings to tourists and ourselves?

Why not create an area where different food vendors can sell foods from their countries and shoppers could stroll through shops of more than one country, or read history about the countries their ancestors immegrated from, all in the same area of town?

This is not a religious remark, rather a practical one. An area to consider would be near the LDS Church-owned Family History Center (I think that is the right name).

I don’t know if you’ve ever read the acitivities visitors and area residents do when they come to town. But, the Family History Center draws people every day they are open who want to learn more about their ancestors. Often, this is a planned stop for those who are vacationing.

Why not appeal to a crowd who has already demonstrated an interest in their heritage? Why not create the cultural district that has a permanent present already in that area of Idaho Falls?

I do know a lot of the area currently provides housing to residents, but if investors are serious about this, I believe those houses could be some of the cheaper land to buy in the city. Perhaps some houses could be remodeled to be used to represent a culture/country where they stand now. Additionally, by developing a cultural center or district in this area of town, some investors may see the benefits of what could be an International or Cultural District to Melaleuca Field and the Family History Center.

We’ve been told about the lack of food services currently available at ball games. IMO, that only emphasizes more why restaurants in that area of town are needed.

And before someone says I’m not thinking about displaced homeowners in the area, I believe a developer shold compensate fairly for their housing so they can relocate. Maybe some should remain in the area to be the first residents of this Multi-cultural or Internatonal District?

Synergy is a funny thing. If you can link two attractions, the Family History Center and the new Melaleuca Field together by a few blocks and more parking, an entirely new District could be created, meeting the needs at both ends of the area, while creating jobs in that specific area.

I think this could be a major tourist area, if built correctly, to encourage those coming to Idaho Falls to do research at the Family History Center, to remember authentic food from X amount of countires is right around the corner or down the street. And perhaps retail shops may have to be shared at first, with different countries and cultures moving to their own bigger quarters when demand necessitates it.

Besides Chukars games and those visiting the Family History Library, what about all of the touranments played at Melaleuca Field by non-Chukar teams (AKA _ HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS FROM DIFFERENT IDAHO CITIES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES, LIKE BOZEMAN AND LOGAN, IN OTHER STATES?

Do those families/players need to eat (YES - having had to compete with some a few times to get to eat in a restaurant when various touranments were scheduled).

If there were central parking and people didn’t have to drive away for food, then more shops would emerge by the restaurants. And over time, perhaps different goods and services could be added.

I like DNIX0112’s idea. I think education of our existing gifts and tributes from Tokai-Mura, Japan, need to have a higher priority somewhere in Idaho Falls so people can learn more about our sister city. From learning hopefully comes interest to explore and learn more.

I honestly don’t know as a project begins, if a shrine or other large building is affordable, to honor our sister city. So I say start with what we have and could most easily convert into a dedicated area of town for a Japanese (and perhaps, a multi-cultural, International District). As we see success, then we could start to expand our ideas of other ways to honor Tokai-Mura, Japan.

What do you think of this way to incorporate celebrating Tokai-Mura, Japan, in Idaho Falls, along with other cultures?

Good post Ok4now! I like your “International District” idea and I think a great sponser for that would be our very own Destinations Inn. You thoughts regarding Epcot were great as well. I think that’d be an awesome tourist attraction and would also be a wonderful asset to the community.
Great ideas.