Touring Little Tokyo

Nearby Guides

Viewed 3425 times

(3 votes, 1 review)

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
Duration: Half day

Family Friendly

Download to Phone

View Large Map

View Photos

Overview: The next time you've got a craving for tasty sushi, tempura, sake or some other Japanese dish, head over to Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. Here's where you'll find authentic and reasonably priced Japanese cuisine.

The lively and well-maintained Japanese-American community is among L.A.'s most delightful ethnic neighborhoods. It's where locals and tourists alike go for authentic Japanese meals, and imported clothing and fun trinkets.

Consisting of about five large city blocks, Little Tokyo is among a small handful of Japanese-American neighborhoods in California. The heart of Little Tokyo is bordered on the west by Los Angeles Street, on the east by Alameda Street, on the south by Third Street, and on the north by First Street. Its location makes it an easy jaunt to a number of L.A. attractions, including the Music Center, Disney Concert Hall and the Central Library.

Also known as Little Tokyo Historic District or J-Town, this ethnic Japanese-American neighborhood was founded in the beginning of the 20th century. In 1995, it was declared a National Historic Landmark District. The area is populated by longtime residents and business owners who are proud and protective of this historic district. Los Angeles Police Department volunteers operate the information center to provide neighborhood security.

Plan to spend at least three hours so you have time to enjoy lunch, browse through village shops, mingle with locals and visit the Japanese American Museum on your leisurely walking tour.

Tips: It makes no sense to drive around this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, so park your car at one of the public lots. If you park in the lot at First and Central streets, you can get your ticket validated in the Japanese Village Plaza (you do plan to eat and shop anyway, right?).

After parking your car, stop by the Little Tokyo Koban, a traditional Japanese-style information center staffed by LAPD volunteers. So you don't miss any highlights or events happening in the area, pick up free brochures, maps, bus routes and event-filled local publications, such as Sushi & Sake. The friendly staff can give you some good dining and shopping tips.

The Koban does double duty as a police substation, housing the Public Safety Association established in 1996.
---
307 E. First St.
Los Angeles
213-613-1911
---
Hours
Monday-Saturday 10am–6pm

Points of Interest

map

Fugetsu-Do

Start your walking tour here, where you can purchase cheap sweets for the road and meet the members of the longest-running family business in town.

Established in 1903, Fugetsu-Do is the place to go for traditional Japanese mochi (rice cakes) and manju, (a chewy, pounded rice mound filled with various flavored paste), shaved ice and sembei (Japanese rice crackers). For very little money ($1.10 as of this writing), you can get one good-sized mochi that's big enough for two to share. The newest treat is called Korey's chocolate mochi, named after shop owner Brian Kito's son.

Kito's grandfather, Sheiichi Kito, moved from Central Japan to Los Angeles and opened the shop, which has stayed in the family ever since. Brian Kito, who began working in the shop as a child, also serves as an LAPD volunteer at the Koban a few doors away.
---
315 E. First St.
Los Angeles
213-625-8595
---
Hours
Sunday-Thursday 8am-6pm
Friday-Saturda 8am-7pm

map

Japanese American National Museum

It's a short walk down First Street to this museum that depicts the story of American-Japanese ancestry in the United States through exhibits studded with artifacts, art and computer-enhanced home movies.

During World War II, many Japanese living in California were forced to move to relocation camps while others fled to nearby states.

Before leaving the museum, relax with a cup of tea at the downstairs Chado tea room, which features 260 varieties of tea as well as sandwiches, cakes and scones. An outdoor Japanese water garden provides an ideal setting for an afternoon tea.
---
69 E. First St.
Los Angeles
213-625-0414
---
Admission
Adults $9
Kids 6-17 $5
Free admission every Thursday 5-8pm and every third Thursday of the month
---
Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11am-5pm
Thursday, Noon-8pm

map

Mikawaya

Mikawaya has been serving wagashi (Japanese desserts and pastries) since 1910. Yum!

In 1994, the pastry shop introduced mochi ice cream, a traditional Japanese chilled dessert. The strawberry mochi is a great starter if you're not sure what flavor to sample. For kids, try a serving of the rainbow twist ice cream. You'll also find a good variety of cookies and cakes.
---
118 Japanese Village Plaza
Los Angeles
213-624-1681
---
Hours
Tuesday-Sunday 10am-10pm
Monday 10am-7pm

map

Frying Fish

Step inside Frying Fish for the sushi. The rotating sushi bar is the attraction here.

Take a seat at the counter and make your selections from a conveyor belt laden with California rolls, yellowtail hand roll, salmon, spider roll and other sushi items. You can also order from a menu.
---
120 Japanese Village Plaza
Los Angeles
213-680-0567
---
Hours
Daily 11am-10pm

map

Oiwake Restaurant

There's a good reason this restaurant is popular with both locals and tourists. A Japanese Village Plaza staple, the restaurant serves a traditional (and very tasty) all-you-can-eat Japanese lunch buffet (25 items). Try to snag a window table on the second floor for nice views of the plaza shops.

Nightly karaoke from 5 to closing.
---
122 Japanese Village Plaza
Los Angeles
213-628-2678
---
Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 11am-3pm and 5pmmidnight
Friday and Saturday: 11am-2am
Sunday 11am-midnight
Closed Mondays

map

Shinyodo Fine Jewelry & Gift

Cross First Street and turn slightly right to reach the Japanese Village Plaza, a lively outdoor mall with colorful boutiques and authentic Japanese eateries. Shinyodo Fine Jewelry & Gift is easy to find with its colorful kimonos fluttering in the breeze by an open door. Inside, tables and shelves are laden with imported items such as Japanese dolls, delicate tea sets, shoes, paper lanterns, handbags and clothing.
---
Address:
129 Japanese Village Plaza
Los Angeles
213-687-7080
---
Hours
Daily 10am-8pm

map

Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens

There are a few ways to reach this hotel, which has a lovely Japanese garden on the third floor. The half-acre zen-inspired Garden in the Sky is a great place to zone out. The tranquil garden is a mini replica of a 400-year-old, 10-acre garden in Tokyo.

From the plaza, exit from the entrance on First Street, turn left and walk to Los Angeles Street. Or (to extend your walk and see more of Little Tokyo) exit the plaza on Second Street and turn right to Los Angeles Street. From Second Street, you can also veer right on San Pedro Street, then make a left on First Street to reach the hotel on Los Angeles Street.
---
120 S. Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles
213-629-1200

map

Little Tokyo

If this is your first visit to Little Tokyo, consider a slightly longer walking tour beyond bustling First Street.

After exploring the Japanese American National Museum, and shops on First Street, walk along Central Street to Third Street to see the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple at 505 E. Third St. Turn right and see the Jodo Shu Buddhist Temple at 442 E. Third St. From there, if you'd like to relax in a Japanese garden, walk a couple of blocks to Los Angeles Street and turn right to reach the Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens at Los Angeles and Second Streets.

It's a short walk back to the parking lots on First Street.

Pictures in this guide taken by: writemimi, Mimi Slawoff

How does this work?

My young daughter and I had a craving for Japanese food, so we went to Little Tokyo. We had a great time sampling sweets, eating lunch and shopping for trinkets. What a great way spend an afternoon!
Visited on Mar 20, 2009

by writemimi on Jul 04, 2011