Nikkei Senior Gardens

In approximately 1996, the leadership of the board of directors of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center (SFVJACC) began discussing the need for higher quality care and services for the aging population of Japanese American Seniors in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. Toji Hashimoto, the president of the board and his wife Hitomi began thinking of the possibility of building such a special care community on their land after caring for their parents. Harold Muraoka & Harry Nakada had been thinking along the same lines and together they grasped the opportunity. Toji sold his family owned Nursery business and approximately 5 acres of land in Arleta California, just blocks away from the SFVJACC. A partnership blossomed and after much determination and hard work, Nikkei Senior Gardens was born.

The community provides a program of life enhancing social and recreational activities including cultural events and celebrations; wellness classes and educational seminars; gardening; Tai Chi; traditional arts and crafts; day trips to events, parks and places of cultural interest; interfaith spiritual support and activities; and volunteer opportunities for residents, family members and the community. Since Nikkei Senior Gardens has a distinct cultural identity, the team members are trained to be sensitive to the cultural, spiritual and language needs of the residents.

Nikkei Senior Gardens symbolizes a vision to provide for the physical and emotional needs of seniors enabling them to live independently and thrive in the culture, family and warmth of the Japanese American community.