Roots Journal
Practical guides on koseki records, Japanese ancestry research, and tracing your Nikkei roots — written in English, for people who don't read Japanese.
13 articles
Not sure where to start looking?
Tell us what you know — even a single name or place is often enough. We'll outline what's possible, in English.

Adopted and Curious About Japanese Ancestry? Where to Start
2026.09.17

What Is a Kamon? Understanding Your Family's Crest
2026.09.16

Tracing a Japanese Brazilian Family: What's Different From US-Based Research
2026.09.15

Japanese American Family History and WWII Incarceration Records
2026.09.14

Understanding Honseki: Why Your Ancestor's "Registered Address" Isn't Where They Lived
2026.09.11

What Your Family's Emigration Story Can Tell You Before You Ever Contact Japan
2026.09.10

Started with a DNA Test? Here's What to Do With a Japanese Ancestry Result
2026.09.09

Who Can Request a Koseki? Direct Descendants, Third Parties, and What Each Needs
2026.09.04

Tracing Your Nikkei Roots: What the Koseki Can (and Can't) Tell You
2026.09.03

How to Find Your Japanese Ancestors When You Don't Read Japanese
2026.09.02
