2024: 3rd Annual Nikkei Celebration Festival Event in Boyle Heights (Parade, Public Ondo, Entertainment & Performances..) SaturdayNEW

Annual Nikkei Celebration in Boyle Heights in collaboration with the Little Tokyo Historical Society.
This vibrant event honors the incredible impact of our Japanese community. Join us as we experience the rich history of Japanese culture in Boyle Heights.

Our Nikkei Celebration highlights the enduring legacy of Otomisan Historical Cultural Monument Landmark, as the only continuously operating authentic Japanese restaurant in the same location since 1956, serving Boyle Heights.

By participating, you're not just supporting an event but investing in keeping Boyle Heights' vibrant Nikkei heritage alive for generations.

Our parade begins at 5 pm at Saratoga/1st St in front of Tenrikyo Church and ends as we walk into our entertainment area in front of Otomisan, where the stage will be waiting to be opened by our Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles.

We encourage Japanese groups and businesses to join us.

Festival Event Date
August 3, 2024, Saturday

Festival Time
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Festival Schedule
5:00 pm: Parade Starts at: Saratoga on East First St to Otomisan Restaurant 
• After Parade: Entertainment & Performances
• Public Ondo Dancing 

Where to Park? 
Street Parking only (no designated parking)
• The street will be closed in front of the restaurant and a stage will be setup (that's where entertainment and performances will take place.).

Tips: Recommended to bring blankets to sit on the sidewalk or chairs for the parade.  Limited seating.  

Pets
We welcome everyone - please note that if you bring your pet they must be on a lease and please be prepared to clean up after them).

References

Otomisan Restaurant - Landmark

Event Title
Annual Nikkei Celebration Festival Event in Boyle Heights (Parade, Public Ondo, Entertainment & Performances..) Sunday

Previous Year

We will be honoring the historic brass plaque we presented, which is now mounted on the bottom left as you are enter, as well as the new red paper lanterns donated by Irene Tsukada Simonian, owner of Bunkado in Little Tokyo.

The Little Tokyo Dance Club featuring Ryujin Taiko will be leading the public Ondo.  The dances with be a mix of Traditional Ondo and Pop Ondo.  We encourage Ondo Groups to bring music and ondo dances creating a "potluck" public ondo (never done before...)  If anyone would like to join the Little Tokyo Dance Club in ondo dancing  inthe parade, meet at the beginning of the parade route at least 1/2  hour before the start.  The Little Tokyo Dance Club will also be conducting two public ondo dance practices (joint with Nisei Week Closing Ceremonie and Street ondo on tue aug 1 and Thurs aug 3.  8 pm to 9 pm at the JACCC.  Come to watch, come to join in  All welcome.  The Little Tokyo Dance Club,  we Dance UNITED (UNDIVIDED) IN SPIRIT  CULTURE  AND COMMUNITY 

Entertainment will range from the Hikari Taiko Drummer's to our Neighborhood Music School to, Nancy Hayata's Classic Japanese Dancers and much more.

At the end of the event we begin our Japanese street dancing, which we encourage everyone to participate in and have enjoy.

Parade Route
Our parade lines up at Saratoga Street and E. 1st . at 5p.m.,  ending in front of the Historic Japanese Restaurant Otomisan, which has been serving our community in this same location since the 1950s, located at 2506 E. 1st. St. 90033.

After The Parade, Entertainment & Performances
After the parade, cultural entertainment and performances will take place . The street will be closed in front of Otomisan restaurant and a stage will be setup (that's where entertainment and performances will take place.).  Community personalities, clubs, groups and organizations will be in the parade.  


Festival Event Date
August 3, 2024, Saturday

Festival Time
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Festival Schedule
5:00 pm: Parade Starts at: Saratoga on East First St to Otomisan Restaurant 
After Parade: Entertainment & Performances

Public Ondo Dancing 

Where to Park? 
Street Parking only (no designated parking)

The street will be closed in front of the restaurant and a stage will be setup (that's where entertainment and performances will take place.).

Tips: Recommended to bring blankets to sit on the sidewalk or chairs for the parade.  Limited seating.  

Pets
We welcome everyone - please note that if you bring your pet they must be on a lease and please be prepared to clean up after them).

References

Otomisan Restaurant - Landmark

Event Title
Annual Nikkei Celebration Festival Event in Boyle Heights (Parade, Public Ondo, Entertainment & Performances..) Sunday

-

(PREVIOUS YEAR)

1st Annual Nikkei Celebration Festival Event in Boyle Heights. Boyle Heights Community Partners along with the Little Tokyo Historical Society will host this amazing culture and historical event in DTLA's storied Boyle Heights Neighborhood.

Parade Route
Starting at 3pm on Sunday August 7th at Saratoga on East First St with a parade that will end at Otomisan  Restaurant (Boyle Heights landmark restaurant) located at 2506 1/2 E. 1st St. LA 90033.

After The Parade, Entertainment & Performances
After the parade, cultural entertainment and performances will take place . The street will be closed in front of Otomisan restaurant and a stage will be setup (that's where entertainment and performances will take place.).  Community personalities, clubs, groups and organizations will be in the parade.  

Ondo Dancing
A PUBLIC ONDO starts at 6pm.  Another Chance to Dance" this summer dance season.... Our Skid Row-kyo Mission "Little Tokyo Dance Club" has been asked to lead the Ondo (Japanese Festival Dancing). Ryujin Taiko will be on the "yagura" and dancing will be a mix of traditional and Pop Ondo.

Mark your calendar Sunday August 7th 6pm for Another Chance to Dance...

Festival Event Date
August 7, 2022 - Sunday

Festival Event Time
3:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Festival Schedule
3:00 pm: Parade Starts at: Saratoga on East First St to Otomisan Restaurant
After Parade: Entertainment & Performances
6:00 pm: Public Ondo Dancing