A Journey Through Times of Internment
Connecting us to the Japanese Canadian history of internment and resilience in the BC interior.
A Trail Through History
Beginning in the 1942 more than 22,000 Japanese Canadians were forcibly displaced from their coastal homes into the BC interior. Internment camps were created throughout this region, although most were dismantled when the war ended.
Despite the hardships and adversity they faced, internees survived and created meaningful lives throughout the Arrow Lakes and Slocan Valley.
This trail is a way to connect to nature, history, and the courage, conviction and determination of Japanese Canadians and the proud communities they have created - a symbol of their resilience in the face of adversity and incarceration.
The Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail
Travel through history and across a living landscape on this self-guided tour.
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About JCLT
Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail is a new heritage and tourism initiative that invites visitors to explore the physical and emotional landscape of one of Canada’s darkest chapters – the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. Stretching across the Arrow Lakes and Slocan Valley in British Columbia, the trail connects key sites where Japanese Canadian families were forcibly relocated, interned, and ultimately rebuilt their lives with resilience and dignity. While still in its early stages, the trail is envisioned as a multi-stop journey through sites such as New Denver, Slocan, and Sandon, each offering a different perspective on internment, recovery, and resistance.
Experience the Past, Walk the Present.
The Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail is designed to complement existing institutions such as the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, adding narrative depth and geographical context to the broader story of Japanese Canadian history. Together, these efforts aim to preserve memory, promote cultural awareness, and inspire meaningful travel rooted in learning and empathy.
Why ASTA is Leading the Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail?
At the Arrow Slocan Tourism Association (ASTA), we believe in Tourism for Good—an approach to destination management where travel actively respects local history, supports community well-being, and enriches the lives of both residents and visitors. Leading the Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail (JCLT) project aligns directly with this belief. Tourism should do more than showcase breathtaking landscapes; it should offer meaningful, reflective experiences that honour the full truth of the places we explore.
By championing the JCLT, ASTA aims to make this history easily accessible to travellers through a thoughtful cultural journey. Connecting key historic sites—such as New Denver, Sandon, and Slocan—allows visitors to travel with intention, turning standard sightseeing into a deeply educational journey of empathy, remembrance, and respect.
As the regions Destination Management Organization, ASTA is uniquely positioned to build lasting partnerships with local societies, historians, and Japanese Canadian community leaders to steward this trail sustainably. We are dedicated to ensuring that as visitors travel through the valley, they walk away with a deeper appreciation for the resilience of Japanese Canadians, leaving a positive and respectful footprint across our region.