Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony

The Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony is a 272-acre historical site in Gold Hill that preserves traditional Japanese agricultural methods and original 19th-century structures. The grounds display the settlement's layout with buildings that reflect how residents conducted their daily work and operations.

In 1869, 22 Japanese immigrants from the Aizu Wakamatsu region established this first Japanese colony in North America. The settlement marks the beginning of organized Japanese immigration to the United States and how these families built their economic foundations in a foreign country.

The site holds deep meaning for Japanese-American communities as a place where immigrant families established their first roots in North America. Visitors walking through the grounds can sense how the settlers maintained their traditions and family bonds in this new land.

The site is accessible through guided tours where docents explain the history and layout of the property. Wear suitable footwear and prepare for outdoor walking, as much of the experience takes place across the open grounds.

The burial site of Okei Ito, the first Japanese woman buried on American soil, is located on the grounds but often goes unnoticed by visitors. This quiet spot tells the story of an individual whose life and death became an important part of Japanese-American migration history.

Location: El Dorado County

GPS coordinates: 38.77089,-120.88678

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44