NCYC Nikkei Intern Roundtable

The Japantown Task Force organized a tour and roundtable discussion with JCYC’s Nikkei Interns, who were interning at local businesses and organizations in and around Osaka Way for the Summer.

Linda Mihara, the owner of Paper Tree, which was established on Buchanan Mall in 1978, shares a bit of the history of Osaka Way with college-aged Nikkei Interns. Various features of the existing space were highlighted, including clay benches which feature children’s artwork as well as origami lanterns that were designed by Paper Tree.

After the tour, the interns participated in a roundtable discussion on what constitutes good open space, and how a future Osaka Way could incorporate such elements. Many of the interns expressed a desire to see better signage and wayfinding along with more color and greenery to liven up the space.