Explore this Ancient Culture of Japan.
Explore Ancient Japan.
In Los Angeles, Little Tokyo Japantown is the cultural center for Japanese Americans in Southern California
and was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1995. Little Tokyo is magical, you will
experience the best of the Japanese Culture in one area.
If you have ever visited Los Angeles for business or fun, you may have noticed how the area has evolved. What
gets the attention of everyone that visits Los Angeles California, is the rich culture that Little Tokyo presents.
It is hard to miss this beautiful place in a sea of large skyscrapper buildings in Los Angeles.
Exploring Little Tokyo Los Angeles(or also called J Town, Mini Tokyo Los Angeles, West Little Tokyo) will not only reveal a modern town but also by the rich culture that lies underneath. You will
discover Japanese Cultural landmarks, charming shops, authentic Japanese restaurants, beautiful Japanese gardens,
and Japanese Museums you won't find anywhere else.
Where Are the Four Official Japantowns in the United States?
What is a Japantown? It is a community place for Japanese businesses, temples, and markets that
brings together a neighborhood of Japanese organizations, people, Japanese language, schools, events, and festivals.
There Are Four Official Japantowns in the United States.
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Little Tokyo Japantown, Los Angeles, California (Largest)
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San Francisco Japantown, California
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San Jose Japantown, California
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Sawtelle Japantown, West Los Angeles, California
More Japantowns (Japanese Areas) to Visit in the United States.
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Seattle, Washington
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Seattle Japantown (Not Designated)
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Bainbridge Island, Seattle
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New York's Best Japanese Restaurants, Attractions and Shopping
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Washington DC's Best Japanese Restaurants, Attractions and Shopping
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San Diego's Best Japanese Restaurants, Attractions and Shopping
Little Tokyo is Used to Reference Other Japanese Cities
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Little Tokyo in New York (United States)
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Little Tokyo in Hawaii (United States)
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What is the Address of Little Tokyo on a Map?
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How Far is Little Tokyo Japantown to Sawtelle Japantown?
These 2 Japantowns (Little Tokyo Japantown & Sawtelle Japantown) located in Los Angeles.
Sawtelle Japantown is only 15 miles from Little Tokyo.
1) 15 to 20 minutes if no traffic
2) 30 to 90+ minutes in traffic
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Where Do I Park in Little Tokyo?
Little Tokyo has a lot of parking garages and parking lots. The closer to Little Tokyo the more expensive the price is.
Parking Tip: It's better to pay a little more and park closer if safety is a concern.
Traffic Tip: If you are going to a Little Tokyo, go early to avoid traffic.
How to Find Parking Spots in Little Tokyo Using Google Maps?
1) Use First Street & San Pedro as a starting point to Little Tokyo
2) Every street in Little Tokyo has public parking
Two Websites That Can Help You Find Parking in Little Tokyo
Is It Safe to Walk in Little Tokyo?
Little Tokyo is safe to walk around during the daytime and night. A few blocks from Little Tokyo is Skid Row (homeless)
and it can be dangerous walking at day or night. Don't walk around by yourself in areas unknown to you especially outside of Little Tokyo.
Some Wallet/Purse Tips (If stolen or lost)
• Don't cary alot of cash
• Carry 2 credit cards (Write down Credit Card name/phone)
• Learn to add your credit cards to your phone
• Secure your phone with passcode
Some Car Tips
• Don't leave anything in front & back seats
• Don't leave any bags showing
How Do I Get to Little Tokyo Using Metrolink Train or Bus Instead of Driving?
Rather than drive downtown and park, take the MetroRail or MetroLink. The MetroRail Gold Line stops in Little Tokyo and connects with the
Metro Red Line and MetroLink trains at Union Station. A number of the MetroRail stations have free parking, and the day pass is only $5
per person (less for seniors).
How to Get to Little Tokyo Using Metro (MetrolRail & MetroLink)?
Are There Other Ethnic Cultures I Can Visit in Los Angeles (Next to Little Tokyo)?
Ethnic Cultures in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the most diverse city in the United States with many cultures.
1) Chinatown, Los Angeles
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, since 1938, area includes restaurants, shops, and art galleries.
2) Koreatown, Los Angeles (Close to Downtown Los Angeles)
Koreans began immigrating since 1960s and found housing in the Mid-Wilshire area, area includes some of the most exciting Korean food and shops, and home to historic preserved Art deco buildings.
3) Mexican Birthplace & Marketplace. Olvera Street, Los Angeles
Olvera Street is a Mexican Marketplace that showcases "historic old Los Angeles” with a block-long narrow, tree-shaded, brick-lined shops with old structures, painted stalls, street vendors, cafes, restaurants, shops
and historical museums to visit. Many of the merchants on Olvera Street are descended from the original 1930s vendors.
4) Filipinotown, Los Angeles
Located in the city of Los Angeles, area includes restaurants, shops, art galleries, churches.
How Many Days Do I Need in Little Tokyo?
You will need a few days in Little Tokyo, if you want to know the history of Little Tokyo and explore the shopping areas and experience the key Japanese food spots.
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What is the History of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?
Little Tokyo's development has been managed by the Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA). LTBA is a non-profit organization
that has been dedicated to the growth and development of Little Tokyo since 1959. The roots of this organization can be traced
back to 1890 - the time when the Japanese were beginning to establish their presence in the US. A few immigrants from Japan formed
a group they called "Japanese Association of Los Angeles." This group was responsible for the established of the over 40 businesses
that were lined up in a two block of East First Street.
In 1904, a law was passed that restricted immigrants from Asia to America. But this Exclusion Act did not prevent Little Tokyo from
thriving. The Town continued to witness more businesses coming up under the Japanese Association, which was the leading Japanese
Organization at that time. The organization served as the local arm of the Japanese Consulate that was based in San Francisco until
1915.
As it is with any culture, modernity is always a threat. That is the reason that compelled the second generation English-speaking
Japanese, Nisei, to come up with the idea of a festival that would focus on instilling and ensuring Japanese culture in the younger
generation. Nisei brought this idea to the Japanese Association in 1934. Today, you will hear of the Nisei week, a result of that
same initiative.
How Did the Japanese Entered the United States?
Little Tokyo has over 131 years of history in Los Angeles with over 400 successful businesses operating here. The Meiji Restoration or 1868 was
the beginning of the Japanese emigration into the US. In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed which triggered the replacement
of Chinese laborers with those of the Japanese origin. In 1907, there was the "Gentleman Agreement" between the United States and
Japan that close Japanese immigration, opening doors only for business persons. As is that was not enough, and another law-the
Immigration Act of 1924 was enacted, further restricting Japanese immigrants.
Many Japanese went back to Japan during World War II in which most were displaced. But that was not the end of the Japanese in
the US as there is Little Tokyo as one of the remaining Japanese towns in the country. The town holds all the information there
is to know about the Japanese in the US.
Little Tokyo Los Angeles was taken over by the African Americans immigrants who came to the US during the Second World War.
Since the Japanese abandoned the town, the empty homes provided convenient shelter. That is when the area became known as "Bronzeville."
The rebuilding of Little Tokyo begun in 1941. At this time, LTBA re-emerged alongside another organization, the Los Angeles
Japanese American Association (1947).
The Japanese started returning in Los Angeles after World War II and moved into the area around downtown. And during the
1950s, many Japanese came and took a position near Boyle Heights.
The development of Little Tokyo become more apparent in the 1970s through the 80s when oversees corporations, including many
Japanese banks, made their headquarters in America. This resulted in new restaurants, shopping centers and other businesses
that are still a significant contribution to what we can see today.
LTBA continues to play an essential part in ensuring Little Tokyo thrives. Only that now there is another player making the thing
move even faster-the Little Tokyo Business Improvement District (LTBID) established in 2003.
Little Tokyo and Japanese Immigrants
Little Tokyo Historic District is a historic Japanese commercial district in downtown Los Angeles, California.
Japanese immigrants settled the district in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before World War II, Little
Tokyo was the largest Japanese community in the United States. Today, the Little Tokyo Historic District represents
the original commercial heart of the community.
Until the 1880s, the majority of immigrants from Asia to the U.S. were Chinese. This changed with the passage of the
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. Because of this, Japanese
laborers became increasingly sought after by American businesses and the number of Japanese immigrating to the U.S,
particularly to the West Coast, increased rapidly.
The area in Los Angeles became known as Little Tokyo was first settled in 1885, when the first Japanese restaurant named "Kame"
opened on East First Street. By the late 1800s, large numbers of Japanese immigrants, nearly all male, were beginning
to concentrate in boarding houses in the areas around East First Street. Many had come for short-term stays to work
in the local agricultural industry, but as Los Angeles entered a period of growth in the early 1900s, they chose to
remain in the U.S. source: nps.gov
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What Are the Most Important Things To Bring to Little Tokyo?
If you are traveling to Little Tokyo or on vacation in Los Angeles, here are some tips:
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Bring your Metro FastTrak Transponder for Car: Access to Freeway Lanes to bypass major traffic (Los Angeles, San Francisco)
• Phone Holder for your car
• Phone Charger, extra phone cables
• Camera, batteries, video camera
• Clothing for Fall weather: Jacket & pants, walking shoes
• Clothing for Summer weather: Shorts, t-shirt, umbrella, sunscreen, hat, walking shoes
• Cash: some places only accept cash (In San Francisco, they have bridge tolls)
• Coins: street parking meters, credit card
When traveling anywhere:
• Clean out your wallet or purse of any unnecessary cards
• Avoid carrying too much cash-instead use your credit card/phone for transactions
• Avoid wearing expensive watches and jewelry while traveling
• Make sure to back up your phone to the cloud to prevent data loss
• Do not leave bags in your car, avoid leaving valuable items in car trunk
Where Are the 13 Oldest Buildings in Little Tokyo Standing Since 1890s?
Thirteen buildings on First Street were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as a national landmark,
this is significant in Japanese-American history.
Where is the Hidden Secret Japanese Garden in the Sky?
At the Doubletree Hotel, Corner of S Los Angeles Street and 2nd Street.
Kyoto Garden - a half acre nestled on the 3rd floor of the hotel, offers spectacular views of the Los Angeles skyline.
Little Tokyo Marketplace
Little Tokyo Marketplace is a market outside of the Little Tokyo area. It was bought by Koreans specializing in Asian foods.
There are 2 Markets Specializing in Japanese Food in the Little Tokyo Area
1) Japanese Nijiya Market is located in Japanese Village Plaza Mall.
2) Tokyo Central (Marukai) Market is located in Weller Court Shopping Center.
Little Tokyo Walking Tour in Los Angeles
Little Tokyo is one big area in downtown Los Angeles, California. To make it easier to understand, we create a personal walking tour for
you and divided it into five walking areas of Little Tokyo.
1) Historic First Street (and San Pedro Street), Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
You can start your personal Little Tokyo walking tour along 1st Street. This is where the first Japanese restaurant was established in the late 1800s.
It carries a great historic significance for Little Tokyo as it stands as the foundation stone of the city.
On 1st Street you can find the JANM Museum, Go For Broke Monument, Go For Boke Museum & MOCA (Art Museum).
Visit the JANM (Japanese American National Museum) to learn the history of the Japanese people in America.
All things Japanese Americans are found in this museum. Every Thursday is a free day.
Check out their Litle Tokyo walking tour.
Visit the "Go for Broke" Museum and monument. It commemorates the heroism of the Japanese American Soldiers in World War II.
MOCA Geffen: The place is exclusively dedicated to contemporary art with three MOCA museums to enjoy.
There have been challenging works of art created since 1940, some of the most intriguing pieces.
Make a stop at family owned Fugetsu-Do Manju for the finest manju since 1903.
If you are hungry visit Daikokuya ramen noodles for one of the best bowls of ramen in Los Angeles.
First Street, Los Angeles
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1st Street - 13 of the Oldest Buildings since 1890's (Authentic)
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Fugetsu-do - Over 100 Years Old, Since 1903 (Authentic)
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Japanese American National Museum - Museum (Authentic)
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Chado Tea Room at JANM Museum
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Go For Broke Monument (Authentic) - Hard to see this, left of Moca Building next to the parking lot.
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Go For Broke National Education Center (Authentic)
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Daikokuya - Ramen (Authentic)
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Hachioji Craft Ramen (Authentic)
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Koyasan Buddhist Temple (Authentic)
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MOCA - Geffen Contemporary Art Museum
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Miyako Hotel Los Angeles (Authentic)
2) Weller Court, Little Tokyo - Shopping, Restaurants, Market
Weller Court Plaza: You will find restaurants, shopping, and the Japanese market. Nothing carries more weight
than what you find in this place regarding culture and heritage.
Next to Weller Court Plaza, DoubleTree Hotel on Los Angeles Street: It is called the Japanese Garden in the sky. Every meal that
has a Japanese origin can be found in the Hotel. It is a fantastic place that represents both ancient
and modern Japanese culture in the US.
Weller Court Highlights - Market, Shopping, Restaurants
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Tokyo Central (Marukai) - Japanese Market, snacks.. (Authentic)
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Kinokuniya Bookstore - Japanese books, supplies..
Note: Doubletree Hilton Hotel is walking distance from Weller Court and worth seeing the Japanese Garden.
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DoubleTree Hilton Hotel - Rooftop Kyoto Japanese Gardens Overlooking City (Amazing)
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Little Tokyo Branch Library, Los Angeles
3) Japanese Village Plaza, Little Tokyo - Shopping, Restaurants, Market
You will find shopping, bakery, coffee, restaurants, and a Japanese market.
Japanese Village Plaza Highlights
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Yamazaki Bakery - Drinks, coffee, breads.. (Authentic)
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Mikawaya - Mochi ice cream (Authentic)
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Mitsuru Cafe - Japanese Restaurant is known for Bean Cakes (Authentic)
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Little Tokyo Watchtower (Authentic)
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Little Tokyo Mural, S Central Ave
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Nijiya Market - Japanese Market (Authentic)
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Shabu Shabu House (Authentic)
Little Tokyo Mall, Little Tokyo - Anime
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Anime Jungle - Everything Anime
Note: Little Tokyo Mall is right next to Japanese Village Plaza and has Anime Shops hidden inside,
you may miss this little mall.
4) Honda Plaza Area, Little Tokyo - Sushi Bar, Restaurants
There is a small strip mall on 2nd Street and South Central Ave.
Have you ever thought of trying authentic sushi? Go to Sushi Gen but expect a line.
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Sushi Gen - Sushi (Authentic)
Karayama is next to Starbucks in Office Depot lot across from Honda Plaza.
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Karayama - Fried Chicken (Authentic)
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Shin Sen Gumi Hakata Ramen (Authentic)
5) JACCC Building (Japanese American Cultural & Community Center)
The JACCC building is a hub for Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture and a community gathering place which
includes the Aratani Theatre, James Irvine Japanese Garden, and Noguchi Plaza.
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JACCC Building (Authentic)
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JACCC Japanese Garden (Authentic)
6) Buddhist Temples in Little Tokyo
Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Church founded in 1905, the current location since 1969, walk down 1st Street and N Vignes Street.
Higashi Honganji Buddhist temple presents the beautiful architecture of the Japanese people.
The temple is located on East 3rd street in the town. Learn about the teaching of Jodo Shinshu.
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Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple - LA Betsuin (Authentic)
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Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple (Authentic)
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Koyasan Buddhist Temple (Authentic)
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Zenshuji Soto Mission (Authentic)
Christian Church in Little Tokyo
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Centenary United Methodist Church Founded in June 1896 (Authentic)
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Where Can You Find the Best Japanese Food, Snacks, Candy & Chips in Little Tokyo?
There are two Japanese Markets that have every Japanese chips and candy you would want to try. You will be obsessed once you try them.
Look for Tokyo Central (Marukai) Market or Nijiya Market.
Where Are the Japanese Anime Shops in Little Tokyo?
Look for Little Tokyo Mall for the ultimate stores in Anime.
Where Are the Japanese Manga Books in Little Tokyo?
Look for Kinokuniya Book Store in Weller Court or Anime Jungle in Little Tokyo Mall.
Where is the Largest Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo?
JANM or Japanese American National Museum located on First Street, Los Angeles.
Where Can I Find the Oldest Buildings in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?
13 of the Oldest Buildings Still Standing Since the 1890s on First Street, Los Angeles.
Where to Find Authentic Japanese Restaurants in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?
There are many authentic Japanese restaurants that we list. See the lists below.
What Are the Hours of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?
Little Tokyo is open every day including holidays, also it is more crowded on the weekends.
When is Nisei Week in Little Tokyo?
Nisei Week showcases the Japanese Cultural for two weeks in August.
Click Nisei Week Link: 1) Latest tips to save time 2) Find All Nisei Week Events
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Top 20 Things To Do & See Around Downtown Los Angeles
Things that are not Japanese Related
- Visit the Hollywood Sign
- See a show at the Hollywood Bowl
- Visit Griffith Observatory
- See Hollywood Walk of Fame - Public Sidewalk
- Visit the TCL Chinese Theatre and see movie star handprints (Grauman's Chinese Theatre)
- Drive down Famous Sunset Blvd.
- Visit Universal City Walk & Universal Studios
- Have a picnic in Barnsdall Art Park
- Hike Runyon Canyon
- Visit the Grammy Museum
- Tour Warner Bros. Studios
- Walk along El Pueblo at Olvera Street, Los Angeles
- Visit Chinatown
- Explore the Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Eat at Grand Central Market
- Explore Fashion District in Los Angeles
- Vist Los Angeles Arts District in Downtown
- Take a train ride out of Union Station, Los Angeles
- Catch the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Dodgers, LA Clippers, LA Kings
- Visit California Science/iMax Center/Space Shuttle
- Eat at the Orginal Pantry Cafe (1924)
- Visit Griffith Park: Los Angeles Zoo, Horse Rides, Merry Go Round, Train Park, Hiking..
Top Attractions Outside of Downtown Los Angeles
- Disneyland and California Adventure
- Visit Santa Monica Pier and ride the Ferris wheel
- Visit Santa Monica Place & 3rd Street
- Visit The Getty Center
- Go for a walk or bike ride along the Venice Beach Boardwalk
- Ride a bike along Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach to Venice Beach
- Take a boat ride to Catalina Island
- Explore Venice Canals
- Visit The Queen Mary
- Ride Horses at Sunset Ranch
- Catch the Los Angeles Rams
- See a Comedy Show at a club
- Shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
- Visit the Grove in Los Angeles
- Eat at Lawry’s The Prime Rib on La Cienega Blvd.
- Eat at Pinks Hot Dogs (1939)
- Walk on Melrose Blvd (Shops and Dining)
- Visit a Theme Park: Knotts Berry Farm, Ragin Waters, Six Flags
- Eat at the Redondo Pier, Santa Monica Pier, Manhattan Pier, Hermosa Pier
- Catch the Los Angeles Angeles, Ducks
- Visit La Brea Tar Pits
- Visit Petersen Automotive Museum
1) Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish popular throughout the world.
2) Udon (うどん or 饂飩) is a thick noodle made from wheat flour.
3) Shabu-shabu is a Japanese hotpot dish of thinly sliced meat, vegetables boiled in water.
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