Explore this Ancient Culture of Japan.
Explore Ancient Japan.
The Japanese history can be seen through the four Japantowns found in California. The history of the Japanese in San
Francisco begins in 1869 when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in San Francisco Bay. By the late 1890s, first
generation Japanese settle in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles and West Los Angeles, near Sawtelle. Even though San Francisco
is the largest of these towns, Sawtelle Japantown is considered the smallest with a mix of Japanese business and new
modern businesses populating the area.
Sawtelle Japantown is a small Japanese-American community along a one mile stretch on Sawtelle Blvd in West Los Angeles.
Sawtelle Boulevard is a north/south street in the Westside region of the city of Los Angeles. The street has important
Japanese American cultural and historical significance as the Japanese migrated to this area in the 1890s.
Hashimoto Nursery is the oldest and largest retail plant nursery in the historic Sawtelle neighborhood.
Where Are the Four Official Japantowns in the United States?
There are four official Japantowns in the United Sates.
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Little Tokyo Japantown, Los Angeles, California
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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)
Back to Table of Contents
Where is Sawtelle Japantown, West Los Angeles Located on a Map?
How Far is Sawtelle Japantown to Little Tokyo Japantown?
These 2 Japantowns (Sawtelle Japantown & Little Tokyo 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
Transportation Tips for Sawtelle Blvd Japantown
Sawtelle Japantown is a small town. However, you may want to find the best transport in and out of the town. Taking personal car can
be great but quite costly. Hotels charge a lot for parking. Use public transport or get a cab. And if you must drive, hire
a vehicle for a day or two.
Where Can You Park in Sawtelle Japantown?
You can park on the street, there is metered parking. Also you can park in residential parking which is still a close walk (Watch street parking signs).
There are parking structures you can park at but it will be more costly.
Before You Visit Japantown - Don't Forget To Bring the Following
- Metro FastTrak Transponder for Car - Access to Freeway Lanes (Los Angeles, San Francisco)
- Phone Holder for your rental car for Google Maps
- Phone Charger, bring extra phone cables
- Camera, batteries, video camera
- Clothing: Jacket & pants (Fall Weather), walking shoes
- Cash: some places only accept cash
- Coins: street parking meters
What is the Official Name of Sawtelle Japantown? Little Osaka Japantown? West LA Japantown? West Los Angeles Japantown?
The community has been officially named as Sawtelle Japantown. It is simply referred to as Sawtelle or Little Osaka.
Sometimes this place (Sawtelle or Little Osaka) is confused with Little Tokyo, which is another historic Japanese community located in downtown Los Angeles in California.
It is also different from the largest Japantown in San Francisco.
What Areas Makes Up Sawtelle Japantown?
The northern end of the Sawtelle Boulevard Street hosts the Dowden Drive in the Veterans administration complex. And
on the south, lies the Overland Avenue, a few blocks to the east of Sepulveda Boulevard. The Sawtelle community views
this street as a major thoroughfare.
Sawtelle is nearer to UCLA, Santa Monica, and Culver City. There are so many businesses found in this place that include
major Japanese supermarket, Japanese fast food (curry and ramen) and upscale Sushi Bars. You will not fail
to also notice holistic and medical office, hair salons, and neighborhoods with Japanese grocery stores.
The south portion of the Sawtelle Boulevard is solely occupied by the Japanese American population.
There exhibits great home gardens and landscapes representing the true Japanese tradition.
When you leave the Olympic Boulevard, the Sawtelle Boulevard spits into four a four-lane boulevard. Here are parallel to the
San Diego freeway and the Sepulveda Boulevard.
The Boulevard runs all the way to the Culver city but not before crossing the Sepulveda Boulevard. The origin of the Sawtelle
Boulevard all the way to where it ends is very important to the Japanese American community. It is not only a landmark to the
Japantown but also a historical street.
History of Japantown Sawtelle
The first Japanese to start occupying West Los Angeles came as a result of discrimination covenants against people of the
Japanese Origin during the late 1890s. Like the left, they were forced to settle near Sawtelle, and area that then allowed
them to buy real estate and other investments. Other areas in California were discriminative of the people of Japanese descent.
As time went by, many Japanese Americans started owning businesses in this area. They formed cultural and religious organizations
same as those in Little Tokyo and San Francisco, enabling them to thrive fast.
Informally, the area is known as Little Osaka for many years. Later, the Japanese Americans lobbied to name this section of
West LA, as Sawtelle Japantown. This is the name it has been known forever since as it is meant to reflect the culture of the
Japanese immigrant community.
Since 2012, Sawtelle has been thriving as a Japantown with more and more businesses coming up. It happened so until February
25th, 2015 when the Los Angeles City council unanimously approved the boundary. This boundary consists of Santa Monica
Boulevard to the north and Pico Boulevard to the south. And to the west is the Cantilena Avenue while the 405 freeway borders
the east. The whole local leader and community wholeheartedly supported the creation of the Sawtelle Japantown. Otherwise,
they feared the area would lose its Japanese-identity.
When Did the Japanese Start Coming to Sawtelle Japantown?
The Meiji Restoration of 1868 saw the first wave of Japanese into America. It came with agricultural decline and different
reforms in the society. This attracted many Japanese to leave their home, coming to fill the shortage of the laborers. The
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 put a moratorium on the labor that was initially offered by the Chinese, giving enough room
for the Japanese.
As the immigrated into the country, many who relocated to California found themselves in the areas surrounding Sawtelle.
It was impossible for them to buy land properties in other areas new UCLA, Bel Air, Brentwood, and other neighboring areas
because of ethnic prejudice.
Ethnic enclaves were formed near industrial areas. These helped the new Japanese immigrants to become farmers, working in
celery and bean fields.
In 1913, the Californian Alien Land Law was formed, which prohibited immigrants from getting citizenship. The Japanese Americans
were unable to buy land. But they started buying land under their American-born children.
In 1941, during the period of World War II, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. This made President Franklin Roosevelt to pass
the Executive Order 9066, forcing all Japanese into internment camps. However, more than 110,000 people were incarcerated of
the crime because there was no evidence. These were mostly second-generation Japanese.
Many other Japanese immigrants then moved into other areas of the US after the war. In Sawtelle, a small community came to
establish their homes, since the Japanese were allowed to buy land here. Many returned to live in their homes even after
the war was over.
Future Changes for Sawtelle Japantown?
The same story as it happened with San Diego and Sacramento is repeated here. There are now big developments coming up in
Japantown Sawtelle. In the past, you could not have failed to witness long-standing Japanese American businesses like the
Yamaguchi Store and Safe Save market. But they are all gone and other developments have taken over.
There are many other businesses coming up that have no ties to the Japanese American heritage. They have nothing to do with
the Japanese culture, yet they are moving into the area.
There is no doubt that the preservation of the Japanese culture in the US depend on Japantowns like Sawtelle. This is because
many of the new generation Japanese are moving into the mainstream America. They are born into the country, and they assimilate
to become Americans.
So, what will become of Sawtelle? Will it become just like any other American town? That would really be a sad moment for the
Japanese Americans. They would hate to see their culture and heritage thrown away and forgotten. It is not good for the
community to become homogenous and lose its identity. This is why the 2015 boundary amendment that was approved by the
city council marked a very important period for the town. Chances of losing the identity of the town have been greatly reduced.
Sawtelle Japantown - Where Did All the Japanese Go?
As a new generation of Japanese is born, they seem to want to assimilate themselves to become Americans. Business opportunities
are opening in and out of the town for different people. Therefore as other communities move in, the Japanese born here move out
in search of greener pastures.
What is Sawtelle Travel Tips?
When coming to Sawtelle, consider the following tips. These will help you find your way better around the time and enjoy
your vacation.
• Check the Weather - The weather here is warm during summer, and can get cold during winter.
on.
• Identify the right accommodation - There are so many hotels in Los Angeles, but you don't need one visiting Sawtelle Japantown.
Make a list of the main areas of your stay and take an Uber to Sawtelle Blvd.
• Don't forget to eat great food - on Sawtelle Blvd, you can enjoy so many great Japanese foods: Tempura, Ramen, Udon, Sushi..
Browse the Japanese food lists below.
Where Are the Best Places to Shop and Eat on Sawtelle Japantown, West Los Angeles?
Are you planning on visiting Sawtelle Japantown in West Los Angeles? We have the ultimate tips and secrets to save you
time in what to eat and where to go. We have selected the top Sawtelle Japantown tips to help you enjoy your time
to the fullest.
Sawtelle Japantown isn't as large as Little Tokyo's Japantown. There is one main street called Sawtelle Blvd.,
from Santa Monica Blvd To Olympic Blvd which has all the Japanese businesses and long history.
Sawtelle Japantown Tips with History
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple - Formed almost 90 years ago (Authentic)
Sawtelle Blvd. - Things to Eat and See
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Giant Robot - Japanese anime and pop culture shop (Authentic)
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Giant Robot 2 Gallery - Art Gallery Museum (Authentic)
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Sushi Tsujita - Japanese Sushi (Authentic)
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Tsujita Annex - Ramen (Authentic)
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Tatsu Ramen - Ramen (Authentic)
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Furaibo - Japanese Izakaya (Authentic)
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Kiriko Sushi - Japanese (Authentic)
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Hide Sushi - Japanese Food & Sushi (Authentic)
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Daikokuya - Japanese Ramen (Authentic)
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Kimukatsu - Japanese Tonkatsu (Authentic)
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Sushi Stop - Japanese Sushi (Authentic)
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Black Market - Store
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ROC Kitchen - Taiwanese Cuisine
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Menya Tigre - Japanese Curry
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Hashimoto Nursery (Since 1928) - Japanese Nursery (Authentic)
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Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery (Since 1929) - Japanese Nursery (Authentic)
Sawtelle Place
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Curry House - Japanese Curry (Authentic)
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Max Karaoke Studio - Rent private room for yourself or friends.
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Nijiya Market, West LA - Japanese Market (Authentic)
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Beard Papa - Japanese Pastry (Add) (Authentic)
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Daiso Japan - Japanese Dollar Store (Add) (Authentic)
Not Japanese But Worth Checking Out
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Brian's Shave Ice
Top Places to Visit in Sawtelle Japantown
The following are places you should not miss on your list-Coffee Tomo. This is the perfect place to start your morning
with house-roasted coffee and great snacks. The fresh an ambiance in this place is a real invite for all.
• Alias books. Looking for a place to learn the history of Japantown Sawtelle? This is the best area in town.
• BlackMarketLA. If you need the best gift for your friend, come to this place, and you will get it all. It
is located across the street from Sushi Tsujita. Get your Sushi and get there.
• Max Karaoke Studio. Love to sing? Get to Max Karaoke Studio, to the south of Sawtelle Japan town and sing
to and extensive selection. You will get all the best songs from here.
Top Things To Do in Sawtelle Japantown?
The first thing you want to do in Sawtelle enjoys the traditional Japanese cuisine. There are several restaurants serving
the best foods in the town. Start at the Sushi Tsujita who are famous for their latest Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle. It offers
the perfect environment for enjoying Sushi as you sit at the table or a bar.
In the evening, get to Blockheads Shavery Co for a Taiwanese snow cream commonly known as shaved cream. You get to pick your
own flavors and make sweet ice cream from there.
What is the Most Popular Japanese Event in Sawtelle, West LA?
July
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Obon & Bon Odori Dance Festival / WEST LA OBON - Obon or 'Festival of the Dead' is celebrated
in Japanese-American communities all over the country in the middle of July or August. In America, obon has become a key event
for both the Buddhist temples and the local community, as well as a celebration of the rich Japanese-American cultural heritage.
Obon features bon odori folk dancing, live music and taiko, games, and lots of food. Location West Los Angeles.
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West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Annual Summer Obon Festival - WLA (2 Days) Live Taiko, Japanese Food, Children Games..
Back to Table of Contents
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, Clippers, Dodgers, 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 Parkm Hiking..
- Ride Horses at Sunset Ranch
- Visit Petersen Automotive Museum
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
- 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
What Other Japantowns Can You Visit and Learn About Japanese Culture
Sawtelle Japantown is the smallest and newest Japanese American community in California. There are three other offical Japantowns, San Francisco, Little Tokyo and San Jose.
Go visit these Japantowns and learn about the Japanese Immgrants and their struggles and success in America.
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.
