Welcome

Our Roots in Japan is one of the cornerstone collections of the Tanaka Heritage Project.

Every family’s journey begins somewhere. For many Tanaka families, that journey began in a village, town, or city in Japan before leading to a new life in the United States.

By documenting our families’ Ken (Prefecture) and, when known, their hometowns, we hope to preserve these important connections and create a visual map of where Tanaka families originated.

Every contribution adds another piece to the story of the Tanaka family.

Why this collection matters

For many families, the name of a prefecture or hometown has been passed down through generations. For others, that information has been forgotten or was never shared.

This collection encourages families to ask questions, reconnect with relatives, and discover the places in Japan where their family’s journey began.

Whether your family came from Hiroshima Ken, Fukushima Ken, Okinawa Ken, or another part of Japan, every place has its own history and becomes part of the larger Tanaka story.

Share your family’s roots

If you know your family’s Ken (Prefecture) or hometown, we invite you to share it.

If you are unsure, this may be the perfect opportunity to ask parents, grandparents, relatives in Japan, or other family members. Even partial information can help preserve your family’s history.

Multiple members of the same family are welcome to contribute additional information as they learn more.

What you’ll need

Before beginning your submission, you may wish to gather:

• Your family’s Ken (Prefecture), if known.
• Your family’s hometown, village, or city, if known.
• Any additional family information that may help identify your family’s place of origin.

The submission form will guide you through the rest.

Building a living map

As more families participate, this collection will grow into a visual map showing the places in Japan where Tanaka families began their journeys.

Together, these contributions will help preserve the geographic roots of Tanaka families and create a lasting connection between Japan and the generations who followed.