Nippon Kan Theatre

The Nippon Kan Theatre stands out for its narrow, dark brick facade topped by a distinct, pedimented cornice that contrasts with the surrounding modern buildings. Built in nineteen oh nine by Japanese immigrant Frank Hattori, it served as the cultural heartbeat for Seattle’s Japanese community for decades. During the nineteen thirties, the auditorium hosted everything from traditional kabuki plays to community meetings. When the government forced the community out during the Second World War, the building boarded its windows and sat silent for years.