visit little tokyo los angeles

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Located on 1st Street a half-block from JANM, Far Bar features a lively main bar with numerous flatscreens, dozens of craft beers on tap, and Asian-influenced cocktails and pub fare. A second bar is discreetly located next to the bar’s patio off 1st Street, featuring a massive list of hundreds of bourbons, single malts and Japanese whiskies.

Far Bar hosts a popular Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3-7pm that includes a Toki Highball for $10; Sapporo and sake shot ($9), Wagyu Hot Dog ($5), Wasabi Fries ($6), Ming's Wings ($8) and the Far Bar Burger Special ($13) with fries and Sapporo or soda.

Wolf & Crane

Another happy hour option is Wolf & Crane , which describes itself as “Little Tokyo’s Neighborhood Bar” and boasts the largest collection of Japanese whisky in the U.S.

Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 5-7pm, featuring select cocktails for $9-10; the $9 Wolf & Crane Special (Asahi can + Japanese whisky shot), $7 draft beers and wines, and bar bites like edamame ($6) and pork gyoza for $10.

Weekly events include Neighbor Nite every Tuesday with cocktail specials, rotating DJs and eats like Atlaco Taco; and Whisky with Wolves flights on Wednesdays.

For even more pre-dinner drink options, head to Peking Tavern , which "The Andrews" (Chiu and Wong) relocated from its original underground location below Spring Street to the former Yapa space at the AVA apartment complex.

Sip on signature cocktails like the Peking Manhattan (Templeton Rye, Miracle Mile Peking Bitters, port wine) and the Liquid Jade , made with baijiu, fresh lemon juice and celery juice, and simple syrup.

Weekday Happy Hour bites include the veg-friendly Spring Rolls, Scallion Pancake and Peking Pop Chicken - bite-sized boneless chicken coated in a mildly spicy "dragon" seasoning. There's also Peking Tavern favorites like Sichuan Fish Dumplings, Kobe Beef Potstickers and the "new and improved" Beef Roll - braised beef wrapped in a Scallion Pancake with scallions, cilantro and hoisin sauce.

Housed in the former Vibiana cathedral on 2nd Street at the edge of Little Tokyo, Redbird is a stunning restaurant from acclaimed chef Neal Fraser. The main dining room is a beautiful courtyard with a retractable ceiling. The indoor/outdoor space includes a lounge and a wraparound bar with award-winning cocktails from Bar Director Tobin Shea.

The Modern American dinner menu starts with Spicy Shishito Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Roasted Figs and Chawanmushi. Entrees include Red Wattle Pork Chop, Liberty Farms Duck, and Day Boat Scallops with Thumbelina carrots, carrot top gremolata, gooseberry and tangerine. "For Two" selections include Whole Grilled Basque Turbot, 24 oz Bone-In Ribeye and 32 oz Creekstone Farms Porterhouse.

The Mermaid

Celebrating its 5th anniversary in 2023, The Mermaid is tucked inside Honda Plaza a couple of doors down from Sushi Gen. Industry vets Katie Kildow and Arelene Roldan set out to make the former hostess bar a safe space for people of all genders to relax and enjoy tropical cocktails while immersed in kitschy nautical-themed decor.

The generous Happy Hour draws a loyal crowd of locals and Little Tokyo visitors alike: Monday-Thursday 5-8pm, Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 3-6pm and all day on Sunday.

Like any great neighborhood joint, The Mermaid hosts theme nights like Tiki Goth Mondays, Dolce Vita (Italo Disco) on Tuesdays; Game Night with rotating DJs on Wednesdays; and Karaoke Thursdays. Guest bartender nights highlight women bartenders and raise money for numerous causes - sponsors are often women-owned or -helmed spirits brands like Future Gin and Yola Mezcal.

Located on the third floor of the Little Tokyo Galleria on Alameda, the 50,000 square-foot XLanes has something for everyone: 30 state-of-the-art LED bowling lanes (including three VIP rooms), 4 competition-quality pool tables, karaoke room, and 80 vintage and modern arcade games.

NOTE: XLanes is 21 and over after 7pm Thursday-Sunday, and there's a dress code Friday-Saturday from 6pm to close.

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Little Tokyo

Top ways to experience Little Tokyo and nearby attractions

• Little Tokyo/Arts District • 2 min walk
• Union Station • 8 min walk

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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10 Things to Do in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo Neighborhood

Los Angeles's Little Tokyo is a vibrant neighborhood full of restaurants, markets, and shops all dedicated to selling goods from Japan. Whether you're looking to stock up on anime, try unique Japanese dishes (okonomiyaki, anyone?), or experience an authentic tea ceremony, you'll find it in Little Tokyo. While the neighborhood can seem overwhelming at first glance, come with a plan, and you'll quickly uncover one of the most diverse areas L.A. has to offer.

Try Some Unique Japanese Dishes

You know about sushi, ramen, and noodles, but have you ever eaten squid butter udon or tried savory okonomiyaki? You can find sushi restaurants in Little Tokyo, but this list focuses instead on specialty versions of the standards or lesser-known dishes.

For thick, freshly made udon noodles, go to Marugame Monzo. Their specialties include udon paired with sea urchin (uni) cream, squid butter, or clams. Try to get a seat at the Udon counter, where you can watch the chefs cut and roll the noodles by hand. 

There's more to ramen than those cheap-but-bad-for-you packets from the grocery store, and the place to try authentic ramen is Daikokuya . Try their specialty Daikokuya Ramen in a rich, creamy tonkotsu broth. Be prepared to wait in a long line, and hit the ATM on the way there—it's cash only. 

At first glance, Jist Cafe looks like just another breakfast joint. That is, until you zero in one individual menu item, the Chashu Hash Skillet, made with pork belly marinated in the Ishi family's secret sauce, served with two sous vide eggs and breakfast potatoes.

At Chinchkurin  (Japanese Village), they make nine kinds of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. That's a layered dish built on a thin pancake that can combine up to 11 ingredients, including cabbage and grilled noodles. Go hungry and be prepared to share. Waitlist through Yelp to get in sooner.

Sample Street Snacks

You could go to Little Tokyo and spend all your time waiting in line for just one of the most popular restaurants or try grazing instead, so you can try multiple dishes during your visit. Try these spots in Japanese Village Plaza and finish at one of the places to satisfy your sweet tooth listed below.

At Mitsuru Cafe , order your snacks at the counter near the front door. They make takoyaki (bite-sized balls of grilled batter filled with octopus, dorayaki (small pancakes stuffed with red bean curd), and imagawayaki (Japanese red bean cake) that are prepared fresh.

Look for the takeout window near the door at Chinchikurin , where you can buy takoyaki, a ball-shaped snack made from wheat flour. Choose the traditional filling of diced octopus, pickled ginger, onions, and tempura crunchies. Or opt for one of their other combinations.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop has been making sticky, dense mounds of mochi in L.A. for more than 100 years. You can't get it any fresher: The factory is right behind the shop. Look for Kuzumochi   with traditional red bean filling (available only in July), traditional mochi filled with bean paste, or try a modern version filled with fruit, chocolate, or peanut butter.

Fugetsu-Do also makes manju, a confection made from flour, rice powder, and buckwheat and filled with a paste of adzuki beans and sugar.

You can also get your sugar rush at  Mikawaya , where they wrap a piece of mochi around ice creams with flavors that include plum wine, black sesame, green tea, strawberry, and chocolate.

Buy Japanese Munchies to Take Home

Nijiya Market is in the middle of the village. Some of the items on the shelves may be unfamiliar, but the snack foods are easy and fun.

You'll find some familiar brands, but with a Japanese twist. Look for butter soy sauce Pringles, soy sauce Cheetos, green tea latte crispy Oreos, and Kitkats in so many flavors it might make your head spin.

Also, look for Kasugai Gummies, made with real juice in flavors that may include lychee, melon, or kiwi. 

Beyond the recognizable name brands, pictures go a long way to help you figure out what's inside the package. And prices are low enough that you can afford to take a chance on anything that looks tasty.

You may have heard about matcha, made by stone-grinding dried tea leaves. But what about Hojicha? That's dried tea leaves, stems, stalks, and twigs roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal. You can sample them both in Little Tokyo, get a tea-flavored dessert, or go for a more traditional afternoon tea.

Midori Matcha specializes in ceremonial grade matcha and hojicha. They excel at traditional presentation, mixing the green matcha tea powder into water with a bamboo brush. They also serve hojicha- and matcha-flavored soft serve ice cream. 

Tea Master  has a similar menu to Midori that includes cold-brewed matcha and traditional green tea, while Chado Tea Room , next to the Japanese American Museum, serves more than just green tea, with a menu that spans the globe. If you're feeling tired of Japanese flavors or prefer black tea over green, they serve a traditional, British-style afternoon tea.

Go Shopping

On the 2nd Street side of the Village, you'll find Pop Little Tokyo . The small shop specializes in items designed by Los Angeles and Japanese independent artists, along with funny Japanese-themed graphic t-shirts packaged like vinyl records. Its nearby sister store Popkiller Second specializes in clothing, jewelry, accessories, toys, and novelty items like “bacon strip” band-aids.

At Japangeles , designers merge Japanese culture with the Los Angeles lifestyle in their graphic tees, hoodies, and logo hats. Nearby Anime Jungle  is the largest anime retailer in Little Tokyo. Go there for graphic novels, souvenirs, t-shirts, wall art and more.

If you're looking for a Godzilla tote bag, a fish windsock, or a Daruma doll,  Bunkado  probably has it—and a dozen more things you didn't know you wanted until you saw them. Maneki Neko  sells Japanese cosmetics, along with so many adorable things that you could get worn out just from saying the word "cute." For Japanese books, go to  Kinokuniya .

Get Into Japanese Culture

The  Japanese American National Museum covers more than 130 years of Japanese-American history, starting with the first generation of immigrants. Their ongoing exhibition titled Common Ground: The Heart of Community includes hundreds of objects, documents, and photographs. Check their other current exhibits on their website .

At the James Irvine Japanese American Cultural Center , you can see works of art and watch performances by Japanese artists. Take a little more time to enjoy their garden designed in the Zen tradition of Kyoto, or learn more about Japanese cuisine in their culinary cultural center . 

Visit a Temple

You won't spot the Koyasan Buddhist Temple unless you're looking for it. And while it may not be the most ornate temple in Little Tokyo, it is the friendliest place for respectful visitors. If you ring the bell, a blue-robed priest will greet you. He will take you inside and lead an incense and prayer offering to the golden Buddha on the altar. Admission is free, but leave a donation in the offering box.

Take a Tour

Betsy Malloy Photography

You can wander around Little Tokyo on your own, but you'll get a lot more out of it on a guided tour. These tour companies can take you behind the scenes and into the culture.

To learn more bout the Japanese experience in America, take the  Japanese American National Museum walking tour , which happens once a month.

For a more food-oriented tour, you can't beat Six Taste Food Tours . Their four-hour tour includes six to seven eateries, the local culinary scene, Little Tokyo history, and Japanese culture.

Go to a Festival

In July,  Delicious Little Tokyo  is a two-day event that gives you a chance to taste sake and Japanese foods. You can also enjoy cooking demos, tea ceremonies, and performances.

Anime Expo  isn't in Little Tokyo but at convention center downtown. Held in July, it draws up to 100,000 anime enthusiasts. They offer convention-goers a shuttle to Little Tokyo.

During Nisei Week in August, you can enjoy a parade, watch the World Gyoza Eating Championship, or check out "Dekocars” sporting custom graphics based on anime, manga, or Japanese video game characters. 

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An Insider’s Guide to Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

Where to play, eat, shop, and stay in one of l.a.’s most bustling cultural hubs..

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Time your Little Tokyo visit to coincide with Nisei Week in August, an annual celebration of Japanese culture.

Photo by Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Little Bangladesh, Thai Town, Little Armenia, Koreatown , Little Ethiopia, Tehrangeles, Historic Filipinotown—if there’s a culture you want to explore, chances are Los Angeles has a neighborhood for that. One of the city’s most popular ethnic enclaves is Little Tokyo , a district on the northern outskirts of downtown L.A. that dates to the turn of the 20th century. In 1885, Charles Hama, a former seaman from Japan , opened the now-closed Kame Restaurant on East First Street (the first known Japanese-owned business in L.A.). By the early 1900s, the issei (Japanese immigrant) population boomed from 3,000 residents to 10,000 people, leading to an explosion of Japanese-owned shops and restaurants; several remain open today. And so Little Tokyo was born. One of only three official Japantowns in the United States (the other two are also in California , in San Francisco and San Jose), the area’s five-ish blocks are crammed with a sizeable Japanese American population who operate and frequent the district’s old-school sushi joints, streetwear vendors, Instagrammable soft-serve spots, manga hot spots, and more. Consider this to be your indispensable guide to one of L.A.’s most bustling, delicious, and explorable nabes.

Installation view of The Foundation of the Museum: MOCA’s Collection exhibit from 2019 at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Photo by Zak Kelley, courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art

What to do in Little Tokyo

The japanese american cultural & community center.

Location : 244 San Pedro St. | Find on Google Maps The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is the largest Asian American cultural center in the United States and the heart of the Japanese American community in Los Angeles. Additionally, JACCC offers visitors a peaceful respite from the hubbub of the city with its James Irvine Japanese Garden, also known as Garden of the Clear Stream (apropos, considering a stream cuts through the green space). Cedar bridges serve as a dreamy stopping point to admire the flowers and foliage. Once you’ve soaked up some nature, catch a performance from Asian American musicians or maybe Kabuki performers at JACCC’s Aratani Theatre , or improve your culinary skills with a Japanese cooking class or seminar through JACCC’s Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center .

Japanese American National Museum

Location : 100 N. Central Ave. | Find on Google Maps Brush up on your Asian American history at the Japanese American National Museum , the largest museum in the United States dedicated to the Japanese American experience. There’s a permanent collection of over 60,000 artifacts and the exhibitions are impressively disparate: Shows examine everything from the cultural legacy of Hello Kitty to WWII-era Japanese internment camps.

Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

Location : 152 N. Central Ave. | Find on Google Maps Nearby, you’ll find the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA , an outpost of downtown L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art—it holds more than 7,000 pieces of artwork. The building that the Geffen Contemporary currently resides in was once a police car warehouse and is dedicated to showcasing the most cutting-edge fads in modern art. The Geffen is currently closed due to construction until September 10, 2023.

Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

Location : 505 E. Third St. | Find on Google Maps The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple is a part of the Shinshu Otani-ha sect of Buddhism, one of the oldest and most popular denominations in Japan. Established in 1904 and moved two times before being settled in its present day location in 1976, Higashi Honganji was L.A.'s very first Japanese Buddhist temple. Constructed in a traditional Japanese design, the temple features 30,000 imported roof tiles, a breathtaking statue of Buddha and matching altar display, as well as a gorgeous garden that’s maintained by temple members.

Max Karaoke Studio

Location : 333 S. Alameda St., #216 | Find on Google Maps After an afternoon of museums and temples, you may be in the mood for something a little less serious. Consider renting a room with a couple of friends at Max Karaoke Studio , and belt out the classics till you’re hoarse. Max Karaoke is not exactly a high-end karaoke spot, but it is indisputably a Little Tokyo mainstay. Formerly BYOB, the studio now offers a $6 per person happy hour and thoroughly cleans the rooms in between parties.

Nisei Week happens annually in Little Tokyo and celebrates Japanese American heritage in the city.

You might want to book a trip to Little Tokyo around one of the many festivals held there each year. Nisei Week takes place every August and celebrates Japanese culture with a DekoCar show (a parade featuring cars covered in custom anime, manga, or video game graphics), public street dancing, and the World Gyoza Eating Championship (where competitive eaters consume as many gyoza, or Japanese pot stickers, as they can in 10 minutes). Other festivals that also take place in Little Tokyo throughout the year include the Los Angeles International Tea Festival , which usually takes place in August, and the L.A. Art Book Fair (one-stop shop for artbook–centric reads from artists, antiquarian booksellers, small presses, and institutions), which is held in April.

Explore Little Tokyo Mall

Location : 319 E. Second St. | Find on Google Maps

Built in 1985, the Little Tokyo Mall is one of the most fun not-so-secret secrets about this L.A. enclave. Beneath Little Tokyo, past the Little Tokyo village above ground, visitors can find an underground mall lined with stores selling anime figurines, plushies, and other collectibles. With its neon Japanese signage, the area feels a bit like Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood, known for its busy storefronts selling electronics, anime merch, and video games.

Be sure to come on an empty stomach when visiting Little Tokyo.

Photograph by Kay Ecker/Shutterstock

Where to eat and drink in Little Tokyo

Location : 226 First St. | Find on Google Maps

Located on the southwestern edge of Little Tokyo, Azay opened in 2020 and is a family-owned and operated restaurant with a half-French, half-Japanese menu. Here, diners will find dishes like hayashi bourguignon (served with beef short ribs, mushrooms, rice, and tsukemono ) and Japanese-style breakfast (featuring a healthy portion of saba mackerel, as well as duck confit and housemade rillette and pâté). Be sure to make advance reservations: There are only a few tables available at Azay. The Judge John Aiso parking lot is located across the street, for easy eat-and-go access.

Location : 327 First St. | Find on Google Maps Some may consider this restaurant to be a tourist trap, but this famous ramen shop is busy for a reason. Though there are now four Daikokuya locations across Los Angeles, the one in Little Tokyo is the original restaurant and visiting it is considered a necessary pilgrimage by fanatic noodle heads. Its ramen features a milky tonkotsu broth seasoned with its secret blend of soy sauce, which is accompanied by firm egg noodles, tender kurobuta pork, ajitama (a marinated, soft-boiled egg), bamboo shoots, sesame seeds, and green onions. Waits at Daikokuya can sometimes top an hour (especially on the weekends), so consider checking out Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen , which also serves up toothsome tonkotsu broth.

Marugame Monzo

Location : 329 First St. | Find on Google Maps If you’re in the mood for noodles but ramen seems too heavy, consider checking out Marugame Monzo . This restaurant offers sanuki-style udon, which is characterized by its square-shaped noodle and irresistible chew—in fact, sanuki-style noodles are some of the most popular in Japan. Whereas ramen features thin noodles served in a hearty bone broth, udon offers chunky wheat noodles served in a clear, dashi-based broth. Some spots around Little Tokyo can feel a bit old school, but Marugame Monzo’s atmosphere is decidedly contemporary; the restaurant even offers tempting fusion dishes like Miso Carbonara Udon and Seafood Tomato Cream Udon.

Location : 347 E. Second St. | Find on Google Maps This no-frills restaurant takes its sushi very seriously. A sign next to the door reads “Only sushi and sashimi. No tempura. No teriyaki. No noodles. No rice alone.”—and they mean it. With just 19 tables and a no-reservation policy, visitors should plan on having to wait awhile to eat here. However, Hama Sushi has a reputation for being one of the best sushi restaurants in the area. Because there is such a small seating area, waitstaff are very attentive and dishes are often ready to eat minutes after ordering. Expect thick cuts of very fresh fish and warm, fragrant rice.

Location : 315 First St. | Find on Google Maps Fugetsu-Do is a true Little Tokyo O.G. Founded in 1903, this cute shop serves up gorgeous, hand-crafted mochi confections. The business is family owned and is currently operated by the clan’s third generation of mochi artisans. Fugetsu-Do offers a wide range of mochi varying from gem-like, modern creations featuring strawberry and peach flavorings to more traditional selections that are filled with red and white sweet beans.

Suehiro Cafe

Location : 337 First St. | Find on Google Maps When it comes to Japanese comfort food, it’s hard to beat Suehiro Cafe . Started by two sisters more than 49 years ago, Suehiro Cafe offers a large menu that features plenty of Japanese favorites, including things like agedashi tofu, tender tonkatsu, and chazuke . Suehiro Cafe is not the place to go to experience glitzy, upscale Japanese dining, but a place to enjoy authentic Japanese food in a relaxed and homey atmosphere.

In 1941, Little Tokyo residents were forced to abandon their homes and the neighborhood virtually shut down.

Photo by Unsplash/Ken Hilton

Where to shop in Little Tokyo

Location : 123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St. #205 | Find on Google Maps “ Kinokuniya ” means “bookstore of Kii Province” in Japanese and is the largest bookstore chain in Japan. However, the company is not satisfied with just being the top dog in its home country—it’s intent on establishing a global presence in the retail book world. Because of that lofty goal, Kinokuniya offers books and magazines in both Japanese and English in U.S. stores. Kinokuniya is a bookworm’s dream with art tomes, manga, niche magazines, and all sorts of other genres, not to mention an extremely satisfying array of pens, journals, and art supplies for sale.

Entertainment Hobby Shop Jungle

Location : 319 E. Second St., Unit 103| Find on Google Maps Have an arguably unhealthy obsession with an anime character or collect Funko Pops? Definitely check out this J-town staple. Located in the Little Tokyo Mall beneath a parking garage, Entertainment Hobby Shop Jungle (also known as Anime Jungle) was originally founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1995 and specializes in selling anime figurines, mangas, and collectibles, as well as independent films made by Japanese directors.

Location : 141 Japanese Village Plaza Mall | Find on Google Maps L.A.-born designer Roy Kuroyanagi’s Japangeles is a beacon of minimalist streetwear and an homage to his roots (his grandparents were residents of Little Tokyo). Swing by to stock up on T-shirts, sweatshirts, and snapback hats that put a Southland twist on Japanese iconography. (One tee features a lucky maneki-neko , one of those waving cats, with shades on.)

Location : 130 Japanese Village Plaza Mall | Find on Google Maps If you’re looking to buy some things to pamper yourself with, mosey on over to Make Asobi and upgrade your beauty routine with myriad Japanese sheet masks, makeup, and hair products. In addition to tried-and-true drugstore brands like Hada Lobo and Shiseido, Make Asobi also keeps high-end products in stock like Shu Umera.

Little Tokyo is well-known for the tempting Japanese food available within the neighborhood.

Where to stay in Little Tokyo

Miyako hotel.

Location : 328 First St. | Find on Google Maps

Situated a few blocks from Union Station in the heart of Little Tokyo near all of the neighborhood’s best places to eat and drink, this hotel’s location is hard to beat. The Miyako Hotel is actually part of the Miyako Hotels and Resorts chain, headquartered in Osaka. Its Little Tokyo outlet primarily caters to Japanese tourists on vacation in Los Angeles and offers amenities that might appeal to such a clientele: high-tech bidets, ultra-clean rooms, a Japanese-style spa, and an in-house sushi restaurant. As an added bonus, if you’d like to venture beyond the streets of Little Tokyo, the hotel is only one mile from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and two miles from the Staples Center.

Location : 120 S. Los Angeles St. | Find on Google Maps This DoubleTree is conveniently located in between Little Tokyo and L.A.’s Art District. With 434 rooms, it’s a reliable place to find a place to sleep in a pinch. The highlight of the hotel is its unique rooftop garden, a recreation of an ancient Tokyo garden built for 16th-century samurai lord Katō Kiyomasa and features a waterfall, a wooden bridge, and a pond. The garden is a popular outdoor event space that can hold up to 300 people, but it’s also just a nice place to stroll through in the mornings after breakfast.

Getting to Little Tokyo

If you’ve spent even a femtosecond in L.A., you know that driving and parking in the city can be soul crushing. But abandoning your ride is easy in Little Tokyo. The best place to park in the neighborhood is arguably the Judge John Aiso parking lot which offers a $3 flat rate parking fee after 5:00 p.m. You could also roll up to Weller Court and use the plaza’s underground garage, where parking all day will only set you back $10. (Head’s up: It’s cash only.) If you’re going car-less, you can catch the Metro Gold Line to the Little Tokyo/Arts District station—yes, there’s a train in L.A. —or hitch a ride via Uber or Lyft.

This article originally appeared online in 2019; it was most recently updated on August 18, 2023 by Mae Hamilton to include current information.

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Spend a Full Day in Little Tokyo: Here are 18 Things To Do

Tucked away in DTLA lies one of Los Angeles’ most historical and cultural towns: Little Toyko. A visit to this hidden gem of a town will transport you to Japan (minus the airfare of course). Little Tokyo offers a variety of things to do for visitors, from shopping for Japanese beauty products, picking up trinkets or fashionable and nostalgic clothing, to feasting on some delicious authentic cuisine. You could get lost here the entire day and we’d recommend it too. So get ready to discover one of LA’s best city within a city, here’s our ultimate guide to spending the entire day in Little Tokyo.

Morning: Japanese Garden Stroll & Tea Time

Mornings are all about relaxation, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for that in Little Tokyo. Start your day off with a stroll through the James Irvine Japanese Garden located in the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. The garden is a spot for peace in the bustling city. Take in the greenery surrounding you, and enjoy the sounds of nature and a small waterfall. The garden is FREE to visit but is sometimes closed to the public for special events, so be sure to check in at the front desk for more information when visiting.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) (@jaccc_la)

Afterward, grab a cup of tea at one of Little Tokyo’s delicious tea houses . Spots like Tea Master and Midori Cafe offer tastes of authentic Japanese Matcha drinks and delicious treats. 

Afternoon: Shop Japanese Village Plaza & Get Crafty

You’ll forget you’re in Los Angeles while browsing the shops at Japanese Village Plaza . Pro-Tip: Many of their shops offer validation for their parking garage! We love the traditional Japanese architecture and decor(makes us feel as if we’re vacationing in Tokyo). On the list of things to do in the afternoon, shop the plaza for Japanese toys, accessories, and beauty products at shops like Maneki Neko , and Make Asobi . Grab all the Hello Kitty merch you can dream of at the Sanrio Store too. Score some sweet clothing finds at Kools , Hob Nob , and Japangeles . Then, hit up Nijya Market for some Japanese groceries to bring home! Japanese Village Plaza is also home to various events and festivals throughout the year. Stay connected to @golittletokyo on Instagram for more info.

Next, head over to PINKU to craft adorable cake-themed accessories! This ultimate thing to do is trending big everywhere on IG ad TikTok. Decorate and take home a frosted jewelry box, hair clip, photo frame, or cell phone case. PINKU is appointment only, and they book fast – so be sure to visit their website to schedule your visit.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by ✨Pinku DIY Studio✨ (@pinkulittletokyo)

Evening: Best Japanese Dinner

Make sure you come to Little Tokyo hungry, because you’ll want to try all of its mouthwatering restaurants! Enjoy some authentic sushi and ramen at Ramen Maruya . Try a Bento Box or Katsu Set at T.O.T. Or, you can dig into Hiroshima Okonamiyaki (a layered dish of carbs, veggies, and other delights) at Chinchikurin .

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Late night: Drinks & Conversation

End the night with some drinks and conversation at one of Little Tokyo’s best bars and lounges. we found many “bar” things to do here. Have a unique experience at SIP Boba Lounge where you can dance the night away with an alcoholic boba tea in your hands.

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Then have a late night bite, like wasabi fries, teriyaki mango sliders, and cocktails at Far Bar . In the mood for a beer? They’ve got an extensive list of brews on tap!

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And, if you’re a whisky aficionado, Wolf & Crane is a total vibe. Their site boasts the largest Japanese whisky collection in the United States. You’ll be surprised on what you discover.

Once you’re done exploring Little Tokyo, check out our guide to spending a day in the rest of DTLA .

Diana Gebbia

Diana Gebbia is a seasoned host, journalist, and content creator, who is obsessed with TV and movies. She’s living out her lifelong dream of calling LA her home, and can’t wait to share her favorite parts of the city with you!

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I am a full-time traveling registered nurse, fitness enthusiast, and nutrition expert. Every morning I wake up intending to bring awareness of the importance of health and spiritual wellness, especially to the traveling community. At Messy Bun Traveler, we promote travel that allows the traveler to either kick-start, maintain, or enhance a healthy lifestyle. So whether you're someone who travels for business, travels for pleasure, or new to travel and looking for health advice while on the road, this blog is for you!

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Ultimate Guide to Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

May 12, 2022

Looking to take a trip to Japan but not wanting to take a long-haul flight across the Pacific? You can instead head to Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles!

Little Tokyo, also called Little Tokyo Historic District, is sandwiched between the Arts District and Chinatown in Downtown LA.

This five-block radius was founded in 1884 and is the heart of the largest Japanese American population in North America. It was even declared a National Historic Landmark in 1995.

You can easily spend an afternoon exploring Little Tokyo! I’ve lived in Downtown Los Angeles for almost a year, and I’m still finding hidden gems in this nifty little neighborhood!

There are currently hundreds of businesses operating in Little Tokyo, so you’ll never get bored! Take an afternoon to explore one of only three Japantowns in the United States!

Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Little Tokyo in Los Angeles!

Where is little tokyo.

Little Tokyo is located in Downtown Los Angeles, just north of the Toy District and Arts District and south of Chinatown.

It is bordered on the west by Los Angeles Street, east by Alameda Street, south by 3rd Street, and north by 1st Street, including the block north of 1st and west of Alameda.

Is Little Tokyo Safe?

Dustin and I frequently walk around Little Tokyo and feel completely safe during the day. We are more cognizant of our surroundings at night but still feel very safe in this area.

Despite Little Tokyo only being a few blocks away from Skid Row, you won’t see as many homeless people in this area comparably. It is always wise to be mindful of your belongings and aware of your surroundings.

Parking & How to Get There

There are a few parking garages around the district, including the Little Tokyo Mall, Park Little Tokyo on South Hewitt Street, and near the Japanese American National Museum on 2nd Street.

The prices for parking range anywhere from $12-35 per day, comparable to many other parking locations in Los Angeles.

The best way to get around Los Angeles is to drive yourself, but the Metro is also an option.

Union Station- with connections to Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro J Line, and Foothill Transit’s Silver Streak, is located on the northeastern border of Little Tokyo. You can map out your trip here .

Where to Stay

If you’re looking to stay in Little Tokyo, I recommend   DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown or Miyako Hotel Los Angeles .

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. This hotel is right in the heart of Little Tokyo! The hotel features a Japanese-inspired interior design and a beautiful terrace garden. The Kyoto Gardens has gorgeous trees, flowers, and greenery with cascading waterfalls and tranquility ponds, all with a bird’s eye view of Downtown Los Angeles. Book your hotel stay here . Miyako Hotel . Miyako is a minimalist, Japanese-style hotel with an on-site sushi bar, a cocktail lounge, a karaoke bar, and a serene wellness spa. Book your hotel stay here .

Things to do in Little Tokyo

Visit a buddhist temple.

Feeling Zen? There are several Buddhist Temples in Little Tokyo, including the very first Soto Zen temple in North America, Zenshuji Soto Mission . Take in the beautiful Japanese architecture and tranquil landscaping of these religious monuments.

Walk Around the James Irvine Japanese Garden

Check out this year-round Japanese garden located in the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Here you will see a beautiful, tranquil garden with a peaceful waterfall and colorfully blooming trees, flowers, bridges, and stone lanterns.

Visiting hours are on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm. Please note that if you want to step into the garden and walk the paths, you have to go into the Community Center to receive your pass.

Check Out the Cool Street Art

Little Tokyo has strong connections to the Los Angeles arts community, so you’ll see many remarkable street art paintings and murals throughout this 5-block radius.

Head to the Shops

There are hundreds of unique shops in Little Tokyo! Head to the Japanese Village Plaza, Little Tokyo Mall, Weller Court, or the Little Tokyo Galleria Shopping Center.

Travel Tip: Even though the mask mandate is lifted for Los Angeles, many of the shops in Little Tokyo still require mask wearing for entry.

Relax in the kyoto garden at the hilton garden terrace.

The Kyoto Garden is a Japanese-inspired garden located on the above-ground terrace of the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. There is also a rooftop bar located here.

The grounds feature calming, soothing water fountains and lush greenery – a hidden gem within the concrete jungle of downtown.

Travel Tip: the Kyoto Garden is reserved for hotel guests only, but non-guests have access to the cocktail bar. So, the garden can easily be accessed from there.

Play some games in an authentic japanese arcade.

Come explore the unique gaming world of Tokyo! Hit up EightyTwo for some old-school arcade games, or head to VR Station for state-of-the-art virtual reality games!

Japanese American National Museum

If you like history, check out the Japanese American National Museum on the northeast side of Little Tokyo. The museum is dedicated to sharing the experiences of the Japanese Americans and the part they played throughout U.S. history. You can purchase tickets here . Make sure to walk across the Street and visit the “Go for Broke” Monument too! This monument is dedicated to the Japanese American soldiers during WWII.

Grab a Drink at Far Bar

Located on 1st Street,  Far Bar  features a lively main bar with dozens of craft beers on tap and Asian-influenced cocktails and pub fare. It hosts a daily happy hour on Tuesday-Friday from 3-7 pm, offering discounts on beer, wine, sake, cocktails, and bar food.  

• The Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles’ Nightlife

Sing in a Karaoke Bar

Head to Max Karaoke Studio in the Galleria for some classic karaoke fun! Max Karaoke Studio is a trendy karaoke spot in Little Tokyo with an eclectic song selection, including Kpop and Jpop collections. So, grab the mic and sing!

Try Some Alcoholic Boba at the SIP Boba Lounge

Located on the 3rd floor of the Weller Court, SIP is a new nightclub, bar, and lounge with exclusive boozy boba drinks! Sip your way through some of their unique boba flavors like “ tropic like its hot ” and “ peach diddy .”

• The World’s Best Party Cities for an Unforgettable Time

Dine in One of the Many Restaurants

• Sushi: our personal favorite is Tenno Sushi! You must try the Benji roll!
• Hawaiian Fare: If you’re feeling Hawaiian, check out Aloha Café on 2nd Street. We love the French toast for brunch!
• Boba Tea: If you like boba, try MILK + T or Boba Time for some of the most delicious refreshing beverages and LOTS of gooey boba!
• Ramen: For Ramen, I recommend Ramen Yamadaya in the Village. They also have a delicious lychee mimosa paired nicely with a spicy ramen bowl!
• Matcha: If you’re a matcha connoisseur, head to Midori Matcha Café for some of the best green tea beverages and decadent matcha desserts.
• Mochi Ice Cream: Speaking of Japanese dessert, head to the Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop for authentic Japanese mochi and other tasty treats!

And Lastly, Take a Guided Tour!

Join a walking tour of Downtown Los Angeles with GetYourGuide ! Visit Little Tokyo and Arts District’s shops, markets, and food stands. Book your guided walking tour here . 

Reina Conboy

I am a full-time traveling registered nurse, fitness enthusiast, and plant-based nutrition expert. Every morning I wake up intending to bring awareness of the importance of health and spiritual wellness, especially to the traveling community. This blog is designed to bring you travel and health advice while sprinkling in some fun life stories.

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Visiting Little Tokyo in LA: Come for the Ramen, Stay for the Culture

Written by Joni Sweet Sep 29, 2023

Author Joni Sweet travels to Los Angeles several times a year. She explored Little Tokyo for PlanetWare in the summer of 2023.

My visit to Little Tokyo started with a mission: to slurp the best vegetarian ramen in Los Angeles. The neighborhood definitely delivered on its promise of savory noodles every bit as delectable as those I had on a trip to Japan several years ago—but that was just the beginning of what made my visit worthwhile.

This iconic locale treated me to secret gardens, vibrant storefronts, profound museum exhibitions, and surprises around every corner. Here's what I discovered on a visit to LA's authentic Japanese enclave, Little Tokyo.

Exploring Japanese Village Plaza

Understanding a complicated history, hidden treasures behind the museum, oodles of noodles and other traditional foods, shopping for souvenirs (and memories), secret japanese gardens.

My day in Little Tokyo started at the Japanese Village Plaza , the neighborhood's central gathering place. It feels unlike anywhere else I've visited in Los Angeles.

Garlands of red and white paper lanterns dangle over the pedestrian-only brick-paved pathways and emit a gentle radiance after dark. The buildings feature Japanese-inspired architectural elements, like decorative wood screens and ornamental ridges on the roofs.

You also can't miss the Yagura Tower , a replica of the traditional fire towers found in rural Japan, that stands at the First Street entrance to the plaza. Built in 1978 as part of an effort to revitalize the neighborhood, the bright red wooden structure is considered a symbol of Little Tokyo.

This plaza sets a vibe that you'll want to soak up for an hour or more. Grab a seat on one of the benches shaded by manicured ficus trees and watch as a mix of tourists, anime fans, and teens decked out in trendy Japanese clothes swirl about in the area.

But more than just a spot for people-watching, the Japanese Village Plaza offers an opportunity to feel a sense of closeness at the wishing tree outside of the Shabu-Shabu House.

Inspired by Japan's Tanabata festival, the tree is covered with paper strips that contain handwritten wishes from people who've come through the plaza. Reading the earnestly scribbled prayers for career advancements, the health of loved ones, long-lasting romances, and brighter futures brought tears to my eyes. You can buy paper strips from the nearby Blooming Art Gallery to draft your own wish and hang it from the tree, if you're longing for something in your life.

Eager to get a better understanding of the history and experience of Japanese-American communities like Little Tokyo, I made a beeline for the Japanese American National Museum . It was founded in 1992 by a group of Little Tokyo business owners and a band of Japanese Americans who fought in World War II.

There's a lot to see at this attraction, but the most moving part for me was learning more about the impact of anti-Japanese hysteria on these communities in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

It's one thing to learn about the discrimination and forced resettlement of Japanese Americans to remote internment camps in a history class. But hearing the stories of those affected by these policies and seeing historic artifacts, like vintage photos of interred families and Buddhist altars built out of discarded tin cans at the camps, humanized this history for me in a profound way. You can even walk inside a preserved structure used to house Japanese Americans in a concentration camp, relocated to the museum from Wyoming.

What will stick with me the longest are the artifacts in a temporary exhibit on the youth who came of age while interned. Displays of things created and used by kids in the concentration camps, like signed yearbooks, Boy Scout badges, hand-drawn comics, and dolls, showed how they maintained some semblance of a childhood amid heartbreaking circumstances.

If you have some extra time to spare, take a walk behind the Japanese American National Museum to see a few other noteworthy attractions, including the MOCA Geffen , one of the top attractions in Los Angeles .

You'll immediately come across the impressive Aoyama Tree, a century-old Moreton Bay Fig tree that stretches 60 feet wide and 70 feet tall. The historic cultural monument marks the previous site of one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Los Angeles, the Koyasan Daishi Mission. You can also see the "Moon Beholders" mural by fourth-generation Japanese American artist Katie Yamasaki just next to the tree. The work depicts a smiling young girl wearing traditional clothing in symbolic patterns that represent key moments in Japanese American history.

Keep heading north for a look at a giant sculpture Los Angeles-based artist created from used airplane parts, followed by the Go For Broke Monument , which is engraved with the names of 16,000 Japanese American soldiers who served in World War II.

After working up an appetite from a morning of sightseeing, it was time to get back to my original quest for veggie ramen noodles. Admittedly, I've sampled oodles of noodles around Los Angeles, but I'm convinced the best vegetarian version can be found at Hachioji .

With its wood-slatted walls, vintage Japanese advertisements and signs, and strings of caged lightbulbs giving the space a warm glow, the craft ramen joint in Little Tokyo feels like an Osaka street scene. On the menu, you'll find eight distinctive types of ramen. I took advantage of the lunch special and ordered the vegan red ramen with a spicy miso bomb, along with veggie gyoza and a side salad. For under $20, the meal was a steal.

The server brought me a big bowl of curly noodles swimming alongside shredded carrots, bean sprouts, and bok choy in an umami-packed broth. It made me feel like I was back in Japan, sipping ramen from a vegan spot I frequented at Tokyo Station several days in a row.

The variety of Japanese foods in Little Tokyo extends far beyond ramen, so it's worth coming hungry. Peek inside the window of Mitsuru Cafe to watch the cooks prepare red bean cakes right in front of you, then sample one yourself. Reserve a table at Chinchikurin to try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, an 11-layer dish of veggies, noodles, and proteins made on a teppan grill.

Pick up mochi and other Japanese treats at Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop , which dates back to 1903. And be sure to leave room for ah-boong, a fish-shaped pastry lined with your choice of filling (like red bean paste or Nutella) and filled with soft-serve ice cream, at Somi Somi . The Korean treat, which draws inspiration from Japanese taiyaki, is as cute as it is satisfying on a hot day.

Perhaps the most charming thing to do in Little Tokyo is pop around the quirky, colorful stores that turn shopping into an adventure.

Pop Little Tokyo and its sister store, Popkiller Second, immediately caught my eye when I came across them on East 2nd Street. Don't be fooled into thinking the flagship shop sells records. What looks like vinyl covers are actually a clever display of funky t-shirts designed by local and international artists . And, at Popkiller Second, you'll find a curated assortment of vintage apparel, novelties, and funky accessories straight from Japan.

For more accessories, make your way to Mokuyabi . The stars here are the shop's made-in-America backpacks , fanny packs, and tote bags in out-of-this-world color-blocked designs and whimsical shapes. You'll want to take home one of everything.

It's also fun to check out a couple of the more legendary shops at the Japanese Village Plaza. Fans of the Japanese character Hello Kitty line up outside the Sanrio store to score collectable items (like oversized plush toys and figurines).

You can also experience what an authentic Japanese grocery store is like at Nijiya market. I was delighted to spot cans of Suntory BOSS cold brew coffee—a ubiquitous drink on my last trip to Japan—in the refrigerator at the back of the store.

Round out your retail experience at Bun-Ka Do, a two-floor gift shop loaded with fun Japanese souvenirs. This is the go-to spot for lucky cat figurines , special stationery, paper lanterns, origami paper, and ceramic cups decorated with Japanese motifs.

Little Tokyo is home to a couple of peaceful Japanese gardens that will leave you restored. But to find these secret spots, you'll need to know where to look.

The easiest one to reach is the James Irvine Japanese Garden . It's typically used for private events, so you probably won't be able to get up close to the award-winning garden, but you can get a fantastic view from a platform tucked behind the Japanese American Cultural Community Center. Let the 170-foot stream guide your eyes around the garden's lush bamboo, palms, and pruned bushes.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel offers a more immersive garden experience. It's crowned by a half-acre Japanese garden that's so pretty, it's often used for weddings. The flowing waterfalls, carefully placed stones, verdant greenery, and winding stream offers space for serenity after an invigorating day in Little Tokyo.

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14 Essential Food Destinations in LA’s Little Tokyo

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With nearly 140 years of history, it’s no surprise that Little Tokyo is a must-visit on any Los Angeles bucket list, drawing both native Angelenos and tourists to its streets. The neighborhood is one of three historic Japantowns left in the nation, surviving its time as a ghost town during the Japanese American incarceration in World War II, as well as attempts at redevelopment and gentrification in the decades that followed.

Today, Little Tokyo doubles as both a commercial and cultural center for the vibrant Japanese American community. Here now are 15 culinary gems, both well-established community favorites and new arrivals to the area, to experience in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Downtown LA.

Chef Akira Hirose brings a mix of French training and Japanese roots to the menu at Azay, with items like a traditional Japanese breakfast and boeuf bourguignon sharing space on the daily menu. Follow the restaurant on Instagram for the most up-to-date hours and dinner menu, as the selection rotates weekly.

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Look no further than Jist Cafe for a brunch spot in Little Tokyo. Open Thursday to Sunday, Jist serves up comfort foods like porky omurice and chashu hash. The real star is the cafe’s pancake, a thick and fluffy piece of heaven on a plate. Get one on the side with creme fraiche and syrup, or the more decadent tres leches version.

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Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop

No guide to Little Tokyo would be complete without Fugetsu-Do, the beloved Japanese manju and mochi confectionery shop. Fugetsu-Do has been family-owned and operated since 1903, serving up sweet morsels made fresh every day. If you’re new to traditional Japanese sweets, opt for a pre-packed 6-piece tray; the rainbow dango and chocolate mochi are good entry points. Visit early in the day to avoid the line that snakes out the door and bring cash if you don’t plan on reaching the $15 minimum for credit cards.

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Marukai Market

When you’re short on time, pick up a pre-made bento at Marukai Market. The variety is wide and portions are generous, with most bentos priced under $10. The market has a microwave near the registers for easy reheating, too. Don’t overlook the small fridge between the bentos and the drinks. The purin, or Japanese custard pudding, lives there, and you can get the sweet, silky, and creamy dessert for a steal at just $1.

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Head to Torigoya to unwind and drink with friends after work. Specializing in charbroiled chicken skewers grilled over imported charcoal, Torigoya serves each skewer as it comes off the grill. Get the 10-skewer course and don’t forget to order the yuzu special sauce on the side to enhance your experience. Call ahead to make a reservation as walk-ins are very limited.

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Marugame Monzo

Stop by Marugame Monzo to sample handmade udon noodles — rolled out and cut to bouncy perfection in plain view of the dining area. For first-timers, the kake or beef udon is a good place to start, but for those well into their udon explorations, the signature miso carbonara or sea urchin cream udon are must-try bowls.

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Rakkan Ramen

The first Rakkan Ramen opened in 2011 as a four-seat ramen bar in Tokyo and expanded to the U.S. in 2017 with a branch in Little Tokyo. The broth is packed with umami and is completely plant-based. With vegan and gluten-free options, the menu easily meets any dietary restrictions while still serving up a delicious bowl of ramen. The Garnet, the shop’s miso-based ramen, is rich and satisfying; for a nice kick, get it spicy.

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Mitsuru Cafe

Mitsuru is another shop with a decades-long presence in the community. This no-frills cafe offers Japanese comfort dishes like oyakodon, and teriyaki and tempura sets at affordable prices. What it’s best known for, however, is the window where you can get freshly made imagawayaki, a red bean cake straight from the pan. It’s pleasantly warm to hold in your hands as you roam the plaza. Bring cash if you’re just stopping by the window, as the credit card minimum is $10. 

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Yamazaki Bakery

Find a loaf to match any of your bread needs or grab a quick breakfast at this Japanese-style western bakery. You can’t go wrong with the melon pan (a fluffy sweet bun with a crunchy cookie crust scored to resemble a melon) or the steamed cheese cake (a Japanese-style cheesecake that is lighter than its New York-style counterpart but just as rich). For one-handed, on-the-go snacking purposes, pick-up a steamed bun; the nikuman is a classic choice, but there’s also a vegetarian option with mushrooms.

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The menu at Hama Sushi is straightforward — “no tempura, no teriyaki, no noodles, no rice alone” — just sushi and sashimi. Combination C, which includes a mix of popular sashimi and rolls, is a great and inexpensive option to try. Sit at the counter for a firsthand look at the care put into each piece of sushi. The wait can be long during weekends, especially for dinner service, so try to stop by during the week or for lunch instead. 

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Champion’s Curry

This latest overseas transplant started off as a pop-up in Long Beach and opened its first location in Little Tokyo in 2020, filling the curry void left behind after the much-loved Curry House in Weller Court closed permanently. The katsu here is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and most importantly, the Kanazawa-style curry is thick, rich, and flavorful. For heat seekers, order the curry spicy for a burn that builds with every spoonful.

Tea Master Matcha Cafe and Green Tea Shop

Tea Master has been selling high-quality green teas and ceremonial-grade matcha in Honda Plaza for over a decade, and opened its cafe in 2014. For a cold treat that’s not too sweet, get a cup of the best-selling matcha soft serve. For something slightly left of the usual matcha latte, ask for the hakko-cha oat latte; the green tea is aged and develops a nutty flavor profile, falling somewhere between a black tea and an oolong in taste.

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Aloha Cafe is a mom-and-pop style diner serving up Hawaiian classics like loco moco and Spam musubi, as well as other specialities like gabli beef and chicken. Portions are big, so come hungry.

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Pasta e Pasta by Allegro

Pasta e Pasta by Allegro is a Japanese take on Italian food. Regular customers here are divided into two camps: those who swear allegiance to the mentai Japanese cream pasta and those who preach uni pasta superiority. With the bold and creamy flavors in both dishes, however, neither side is mistaken and everyone wins.

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The Best Restaurants In Little Tokyo

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Brant Cox, Kat Hong & Nikko Duren

January 9, 2024

One of the last three remaining Japantowns in the country , Little Tokyo was first established in the early 1900s as a settling place for Japanese immigrants. Years later, the area became a refuge for families returning from World War II internment camps. Now, you'll see 100-year-old mom-and-pop joints next to robot gift shops, blending tradition with the 21st century. It's also one of LA's most restaurant-dense neighborhoods. Which means you can walk around to curry specialists, excellent sushi bars, and more noodle shops than anyone could ever visit in one day. The next time you're in the area, these are the 16 restaurants to prioritize.

photo credit: Holly Liss

Sushi Gen appears on almost every “Best Sushi” guide in the city (including ours , hello). But despite the fame, this Little Tokyo restaurant still feels like a place that's built for regulars. Don't expect to be seated quickly—doors open at 11:30am and lines form before that—but once you're inside, you’ll be in the thick of the fun. Nearly every table orders the sashimi special. For $23 ($32 at dinner), you’ll get generous cuts of tuna, yellowtail, toro, squid, three kinds of chopped fish, broiled fish, miso soup, cucumber salad, and tofu. It’s an incredible deal. One that is so popular, you can’t even order it at the sushi bar, only in a designated dining room.

photo credit: Sushi Takeda

Sushi Takeda

Little Tokyo

If you're looking for a fancy dinner that won't completely blow out your bank account, try this very good sushi spot located on Weller Court’s third floor. The omakase costs $280 per person, but they also offer a $140 sushi-only option and a lunch omakase for $110. Expect the sushi chef to shape and plop pieces of seabream, saba, and otoro onto the stone in front of you with the rhythm of a metronome. You’ll eat pristine cuts of fish, as well as signature dishes like the iwashi maki, or soy paper-wrapped sardines rolls, and bowls topped with ikura and uni.

photo credit: Andrea D'Agosto

Chinchikurin Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Focusing on one thing and mastering it—that’s what Chinchikurin does best. This small Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo serves one dish: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Their base of thick and chewy yakisoba noodles get covered in a wonderful sweet-salty sauce with veggies, crispy pork, and a giant egg blanketing the entire thing. It’s a perfect dish we’d happily eat on any day that ends with "Y." Don't miss the creamy strawberry shaved ice for dessert.

photo credit: Mastro's

Kaminari Gyoza

Kaminari specializes in Utsunomiya-style gyoza, a pan-fried dumpling that uses a paper-thin wrapper. In Japan, Utsunomiya is a town known for gyoza paired with experimental and non-traditional ingredients, so don’t be surprised to see bentos made with spaghetti, breakfast potatoes, and cilantro dipping sauces at this Little Tokyo shop. Choose between chicken, pork, shrimp, or vegetable gyoza, prepared either pan-fried, deep-fried, or boiled (we like the pan-fried best). Order as a six-piece set or add them to that chaotically good bento combo above, either for a quick lunch or a secret snack away from the office.

photo credit: Nikko Duren

You can't talk about the best izakaya in LA without mentioning Kinjiro, a quiet spot in Honda Plaza that feels like a private supper club. They offer two seatings nightly, which can only be booked by emailing the restaurant directly . The high-quality sushi, noodle dishes, and grilled meats are designed to pair with their extensive drinks list. So order some hot tea or sake for the table and start with the best things here: miso black cod, red snapper sashimi, thick-cut beef tongue, and silky agedashi tofu in mushroom broth. Although drinking is part of the fun, eating at Kinjiro still feels laid-back enough for a nice date night or a calm meal with friends.

Azay is a half-French, half-Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo that's one of the few places to serve Japanese breakfast in the LA area. You'll get a tray of broiled fish, tamago, tofu, miso soup, and a side of rice, plus a few pickles, and think about why you'd ever eat anything else at 10am. Apart from the breakfast, don’t try their pork belly omurice or the Nagoya-style hitsumabushi, a grilled eel dish that’s eaten in three parts. At dinner, the menu leans more French with dishes like salmon tartare and rack of lamb with mustard sauce.

Marugame Monzo

Somewhere in America’s all-out ramen frenzy, udon was seemingly left for dead. But if you ever see the line wrapped outside Marugame on any given day, you’ll understand why these thick, bouncy noodles deserve equal billing. Yes, the wait can seem daunting, but it’s worth it. Come sit at the bar, order that outrageously delicious miso carbonara udon, and watch as they cut and roll every massive noodle by hand behind the glass.

Hama Sushi tells you everything with a sign out front: “No Tempura, No Teriyaki. No Noodle, No Rice Alone. Only Sushi, Sashimi.” It almost reads like a poem. Needless to say, raw fish is the specialty here, and you can eat like a baby prince for around $50 per person. You place your order via sheet, so try to grab a seat at the bar and get to X-ing. Get a $30 sushi set meal, which comes with a combination of various nigiri, plus a California roll that’s silky as a Bruno Mars/Anderson Paak collab. But don’t skip out on more creative options, like the gigantic soft-shell crab roll or albacore sashimi with ponzu.

photo credit: Edomae Sushi

Sawa is a slightly less formal omakase experience from the chefs of Sushi Kaneyoshi (located in the same building), but reservations are just as competitive. The hushed room feels like a ten-seat sushi vault, and the chefs make you feel like a pampered poodle eating an 18-piece omakase. While the mostly traditional Edomae-style nigiri is very good, the real highlights are the cocktails, or rather, the cocktail pairing option. For $45 you can pick any three from the menu and let the masters course out toki highballs and dashi martinis alongside the omakase. Just know that, with drinks, you’ll drop close to $500 on dinner for two.

Kouraku Japanese Restaurant

You go to Kouraku for Japanese-style comfort food, plain and simple. Come here when your favorite team loses a game, or when the only remedy to a bad week at work is a big ol’ bowl of fried rice. Get a curry dish, served with either stewed beef, deep-fried shrimp, or the classic chicken katsu. The bowls are filled to the brim with a deep brown gravy and a glistening bed of rice. You'll want to eat this with a spoon during lunchtime and reflect on everything going on in your life (work, family, the fact that you’ve still never had a TikTok go viral, etc.)

Sushi Kaneyoshi

Getting into Sushi Kaneyoshi, by far the most upscale sushi option in Little Tokyo, is a battle. Not only making the reservation, but physically entering the premises. You'll have to wander through a hotel lobby, buzz in, and descend a staircase to what looks like a dungeon lair that happens to serve a $300 omakase to 10 people per night. Each meal includes 20 courses of appetizers, sashimi, and nigiri, all prepared behind an elegant wood sushi counter. If eating some of the best sushi in LA is on your bucket list, consider Kaneyoshi a worthwhile investment.

photo credit: Katrina Frederick

Located inside the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, this nine-course tasting menu spot is one of the most unique dining experiences in LA. Each meal is a marathon (priced at $175 per person) that begins with a tour of the property’s gardens followed by drinks and “LA Nikkei” small bites, a nod to the chef’s LA upbringing as a fourth-generation Japanese American. Eventually you’ll move to an interior sushi bar for the main courses—like marbled wagyu steak in teriyaki and a play on the California roll made with crab, uni, and avocado. From there, it’s back to the garden for dessert. We suggest hanging around to watch the sunset while sipping green tea.

Our go-to yakitori spot in Little Tokyo. Located on Weller Court’s second floor, Torigoya is a laidback restaurant where you can order rounds of meatballs, charred gizzards, and shishito peppers until your heart says it's time to stop. There are fewer options here than what you'll find at other yakitori spots, but you can try everything the restaurant has available by ordering the 10-skewer set menu. It’s the perfect amount of food and will let you taste your way through the majority of the bird.

Downtown LA

If you were sentient during the early aughts, you’re likely aware of Daikokuya. This ramen legend remains one of the neighborhood’s most popular spots (expect a line) and a visit to the original Little Tokyo shop is a journey every ramen disciple should take. Daikokuya’s tonkotsu packs in a ton of flavor: tender pork belly chashu, a soft-boiled egg, and the requisite vegetable toppings: bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and green onions. You might fall asleep afterward, but it will have been worth it. 

photo credit: Benji Dell

JiST Cafe is one of those places you walk into and wonder why it took you so long to get here. It might be hard to tell from its current modern digs, but this bright little cafe has been around for over 70 years (albeit under a different name). Open for breakfast and lunch only, this spot serves a chashu hash skillet worth driving across the city for. But if you happen to be in the area, it’s also just a nice place to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the side patio in peace.

Rice & Nori

Need a quick snack? There’s not much better than Rice & Nori, a tiny onigiri shop on the ground floor of Weller Court. Perfect, triangular-shaped rice balls are coated in furikake and filled with shiitake kombu, Spam, or a spicy tuna mayo that’s creamy without overdoing it. There’s also a collection of housemade pickles, too: Napa cabbage with carrots, shiso-flavored daikon, and burnt-orange mountain burdock root. The hand rolls here aren’t bad but will get soggy if you're ordering for takeout. Eat ‘em fresh.

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Little Tokyo: Raggedy Threads, Pop Killer and Bunkado

Little Tokyo: Japanese Village Plaza

Little Tokyo: Kinokuniya Bookstore

Little Tokyo: Raggedy Threads

Little Tokyo: Rafu Bassun

Little Tokyo: Q Pop

Little Tokyo: Kimski Makes

Little Tokyo: Bunkado

Little Tokyo: Pop Killer

A guide to Little Tokyo's best shops and malls

Find eclectic and quirky wares from our favorite Little Tokyo shops for clothing, books, accessories and more

Plan your next retail therapy session in Little Tokyo for eclectic and authentic Japanese finds. From imported Japanese ceramics to handpicked vintage threads, the shops and malls of this quaint neighborhood offer an array of goods that will intrigue even the most reserved shopper. Buy a stack of manga for your comic-obsessed brother, a pretty paper parasol for Grandma, or a new rice cooker for your apartment—spend your day discovering Little Tokyo with this guide to the nabe's best shops and malls.

RECOMMENDED: Little Tokyo neighborhood guide

An email you’ll actually love

1.  Japanese Village Plaza

• Things to do
• Little Tokyo

Opened in 1978, Japanese Village Plaza was a community effort meant to assist in the revitalization of the neighborhood after a period of decay. Since its inception the mall has brimmed with shops and eateries—most of them small business owners—though a few local chains have joined the ranks. While shopping is a must at this outdoor mall, don’t leave the cherry blossom lined area, without sampling a few street snacks. Join the constant line at the  Mitsuru Café ’s sidewalk window for a taste of  imagawayki  (freshly griddled red bean cakes) or freshly made  mochi  across the way at  Mikawaya . After filling up on sweet treats, head out for a day of shopping alongside the iconic  yagura  (tower) and wood-accented buildings inspired by architecture common in rural villages in Japan.

2.  Kinokuniya Bookstore

• price 2 of 4

If you’re searching for the latest copy of Japanese Vogue or enough volumes of manga to last you a lifetime, head to the second floor of Weller Court (located just above the Japanese grocery store, Marukai Market) and find Kinokuniya Bookstore. Magazines and books in Japanese, Chinese and English abound, but the buck doesn’t stop there. Hours could be spent perusing shelves stacked with fine-tipped pens and pencils, stationary and notebooks, stickers and toys— it’s a treasure trove for lovers of office supplies. If you have little ones in tow, take a break at a tiny table in the shop’s children’s book section, located at the back of the store.

3.  Raggedy Threads

• Consignment store

One step inside Raggedy Threads and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Grandpa’s attic— assuming your Grandpa was a stylish old chap. The secondhand shop is teeming with fashions and memorabilia from decades past, and the vintage treasures are anything but raggedy. Distressed leather boots with brass clamps shine under the store lights, 1940s Beacon blankets are spotlessly clean, and men and women’s apparel from every 20th century decade are ironed and hung tidily, ready for you to flip through. Owner Jaime Wong mans the counter herself when she’s not traveling the country on buying trips, picking out items from dealers and conventions across the states. Her more prized finds? A collection of plaid and jean-clad Buddy Lee dolls that are on display only, as Wong can’t bare to part with them

4.  Rafu Bassun

• Arts, crafts & hobbies
• price 3 of 4

There’s enough dishware to stock all of the kitchens in LA in this gift shop, and it’s been serving shoppers in Little Tokyo since 1958. Walk the long first aisle for gorgeous sake sets, bowls, and teacups, then consider the selection of Zojirushi products toward the back— every household should have a rice cooker or hot pot, right? Don’t forget to sift through their collection of chopsticks, origami paper, imported teas and candies. There’s also an assortment of fancy vases in the front room.

5.  Q Pop

• Gifts and stationery

Weller Court patrons would be remiss to stride passed this kitchy boutique that doubles as an art gallery and performance space. Illustrator/designer Chris Mitchell, who’s worked on shows like Ren and Stimpy and Spongebob Squarepants , co-owns the shop with Miki Panteepo, and together the duo curates a serious selection of unique goods by local and international artists and designers. Peruse ceramics, prints, sculptures, textiles, comic books, plush toys, apparel and more. Clothes from quirky Japanese labels Sex Pot Revenge, Super Lover, and Algonguin are on hand. Pay special attention to the shop’s walls, where Mitchell and Panteepo display the art for each exhibition. Shows rotate regularly, some themed and others solo displays. A recent exhibition celebrated the 50th anniversary of James Bond, and when we visited the store recently it was chockablock with soft sculptures of felt and fabric for a show called Fuwa Fuwa . Check the website for information on past and upcoming exhibitions.

6.  Bunkado

• Design and interiors

You’d be hard pressed to find a friendlier group of sales people than those milling around Bukado, a gift shop that’s full of Japanese imports and has been in Little Tokyo since 1945. Showing the faintest interest in local Japanese history will likely result in a clerk bringing out a half-dozen papers on shopkeepers and community activists that have made the neighborhood what it is today. After brushing up on your history, peruse the aisles for ceramic dishware, koi sock kites, art books and cards and paper parasols.

7.  Pop Killer

Step through the blue panel curtains adorning Pop Killer’s doorway and behold a funky collection of vintage and house-designed goods: dangly air fresheners shaped like lucky cats or sashimi, backpack patches of equally odd subject matter, a slew of retro cut-off jean shorts and other throwback clothing items for men, women and kids. The T-shirt wall is another highlight, each shirt custom styled by a Pop Killer designer, including slogans such as “Jesus Shaves” or an image of a mullet-clad bald eagle.

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Booming in LA

Things to do in Los Angeles at any age.

Little Tokyo is the Japanese Historic District of Los Angeles

Los Angeles , Things to Do / February 6, 2022 by Rebecca O / Leave a Comment

Little Tokyo is nestled within 5 city blocks in Downtown Los Angeles. It was founded in 1884 and has endured a long and sometimes difficult legacy of Japanese American residency and culture in L.C.

Watch my quick walking tour of the Japanese Village

Its community experienced great hardship during WWII when many Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps. Today it is a thriving and fascinating area of Los Angeles to visit with exceptional cuisine, alluring art, and rich culture.

For more things to do and where to stay in Little Tokyo, here.

Take a stroll through The Japanese Village Plaza which is a central gathering place for tourists and has a wide variety of restaurants, Japanese-inspired clothing stores, anime shops, and Asian groceries.

Japanese American National Museum

Directly across the street from Japanese Village Plaza is the Japanese American National Museum . Learn more about the Japanese American experience in Los Angeles and the United States as you walk through its permanent and temporary collections.

I saw an exhibit there called Miné Okubo’s Masterpiece: The Art of Citizen 13660 . She was a Japanese American artist who was interned in 1942. Her family and others were forced to leave their homes and businesses and were housed in a dingy San Bruno horse stall. They were later transferred to the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah.

Many Japanese Americans were held in horse stalls and other unsuitable locations including actor George Takei who was held with his family at the Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia.

Okubo’s illustrations depict her experiences during the internment. Some of it is humorous but it brought me to tears.

I recommend that you make a visit to the Japanese American National Museum a priority when you are in Little Tokyo. It is enlightening.

Next door to the Japanese American National Museum is the Geffen C ontemporary Museum at MOCA. It was once a former police car warehouse but was renovated by architect Frank Gehry who designed the Disney Concert Hall. The building has 40,000 square feet of exhibit space and houses modern art and sculpture.

A fusion of flavors in Little Tokyo

Culinary options in Little Tokyo are diverse and will tickle your tastebuds. You will find ramen, sushi, teahouses, mochi, udon, gyozas, and even Hawaiian fare. A local favorite restaurant is Daikokuya for excellent ramen where there are often long lines. You can go to Sushi Gen for delectable sushi, Murugame Monzo for udon, and Kagaya for Shabu Shabu .   

If you have a sweet tooth, try Japanese pastries at Café Dulce for coffee and pastries, Yamazaki Bakery, or Tous Les Jours, which is Korean.

I love Far Bar , which is close to the museum. It is a gastropub located in a historic building that has an old Chop Suey sign above it. The menu is fusion-style and they also make creative cocktails. I ordered a Little Tokyo Old Fashioned with a plate of Rainbow Sushi Rolls .

It also has a very cool outdoor patio that you can get to through an alley at the side of the restaurant. I went again for a fabulous Happy Hour.

Things to do while when you visit Little Tokyo

Nisei Week Festival takes place in Little Tokyo in August. You will experience Japanese culture at its finest with parades, events, and exhibits.

Go for Broke is a monument that commemorates the Japanese Americans who served in WWII. It is located at the far end of the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Marukai Market is a shopping center with an assortment of shops and Japanese food items. It is located off Astronaut way and has a sculpture in the square dedicated to the Space Shuttle with an excellent view of Los Angeles City Hall.

Doubletree Kyoto Garden is located on the rooftop of the Hilton Doubletree Hotel . It has a half-acre of trees, flowers, and shrubs with a pond and waterfall, and is free to visit.

James Irvine Japanese Garden at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) is a serene zen garden with a waterfall, cedar bridges, and stone lanterns.  

The Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple was originally located across from where the Japanese American National Museum is now.  It was built in 1925 and is a historical landmark. The temple moved to a new location at 815 1 st Street in Little Tokyo.

The old building was also the Japanese American National Museum’s first work and exhibit space. During WWII, it housed the belongings of Japanese Americans who were ordered into internment camps.

If you are staying in the downtown area of LA you may want to book a room at either the Hilton Doubletree or the Miyako Hotel , as both have Asian-inspired décor and offer a serene Japanese cultural experience.

You may also enjoy visiting Japan House LA in Hollywood.

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There's No Community In Southern California More Enchanting And Historic Than Little Tokyo

Natasha Kayes

I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.

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Southern California has been called one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, leading to many unique ethnic communities that have long been a part of the state’s history. One such community is Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, a vibrant, historic little town in the middle of the city that is well worth exploring.

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Little Tokyo is one of Southern California’s largest and most captivating historic communities. Have you explored this little Japanese town in LA? We would love to hear what your favorite shops or attractions are. One of the best ways to experience the various cultures in SoCal is through food and Little Tokyo is one of the communities on this awesome LA Culinary Tour !

Love exploring small towns and communities in Southern California? Check out more ideas on our website !

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Shohei Ohtani Comes Out Swinging — Literally — in Giant Little Tokyo Mural

L ittle Toyko is a top destination for everything from shopping to sushi, but as of last week, there's a very big new reason to visit the area. Local artist Robert Vargas, whose mural portraits around the city have become known for their ability to capture the soulful essence of the people living here, has created a huge likeness of L.A.'s most famous new resident: Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani .

Just in time for the season opener last week, Vargas' majestic painting of Ohtani brought lots of excitement to the area as it was unveiled. He's been living on scaffolding, painting the 13-story, 150-foot-tall likeness of Ohtani for 7-10 hours everyday for the past few months on the side of the Miyako Hotel. And now that it's complete, it's spreading "Dodger Blue" pride beyond Echo Park and Elysian Park. But it's not just about our city's beloved baseball team for the artist.

"The inspiration for this mural really comes down to unity, bridging cultures, and representation," Vargas tells Los Angeles magazine. "The mural’s really been able to speak to the greater Los Angeles area where everyone feels like they’re a part of it."

Prior to the Ohtani mural, Vargas conjured nostalgic AAPI representation with another L.A. mural, his two-story dedication to Suehiro founders Junko and Yuriko Suzuki, painted just as it was forced out of its Little Tokyo location of 51 years. The mural, which was unveiled on March 19, graces the restaurant's new location at 4th and Main streets. 

Vargas, who grew up in Boyle Heights and says his mom used to work at the original Clifton's Cafeteria, has always sought to bring L.A. cultures together, both with his art and with unique events (his Red Zebra parties topped Los Angeles ' "Best of L.A. Nightlife" lists many times throughout the years).

And if you ever went to the Downtown Art Walk in its heyday, you might remember him and the large crowds who would surrounding him on the sidewalks as he painted subjects with black oil bars and large white paper placed on the ground. There is a certain level of performance to his art process and it's always fun to watch.  

View the original article to see embedded media.

Vargas once said that the street was "his studio” and now that he's moved on to bigger projects like this mural, that is more true than ever. He paints freehand style sans grids or projections, but does do a lot planning and design prep. His latest takes his interactive proclivities in a new direction. Co-created with The AR Firm, the mural has a corresponding QR code that allows viewers to see Ohtani swinging and pitching in animated movements towards Dodgers Stadium. 

Despite a recent scandal involving Ohtani's interpreter and illegal gambling, good will for the Japanese player remains high, and the mural is a testament to both his likability and stature. It's also another example of L.A.'s artistic community expressing its eternal love for the city that inspires us all. 

“I’m really looking forward to the people who are from all different parts of the city that will come here to look at this mural," Vargas says." I hope when they do, they feel a sense of city pride.”

Metro Transportation News & Reviews

#gometro: artist robert vargas makes ohtani swing in little tokyo.

Robert Vargas worked for two weeks from Monday to Sunday to finish Ohtani’s mural. / Photo: Aurelia Ventura.

Spanish version 

Artist Robert Vargas says that from the backyard of his house in Boyle Heights —East Los Angeles—he can see the Dodger Stadium. “I remember looking forward to Fridays when there were games and fireworks. “I’m a fan of the team.” So, out of his affection for the blue and white and in honor of his memories as a child, he decided to paint the image of the recently acquired Japanese player Shohei Ohtani in the heart of Little Tokyo.

“I don’t think there is a better place. The mural is in Little Tokyo, but it can be seen from Boyle Heights on the other side of the bridge, an area where a large Latino Dodger fan community lives,” says Vargas. “This mural, called LA Rising, talks precisely about that: uniting cultures…”. He adds that his piece is about more than just one player. “It identifies with a team and with the symbol of LA… It’s like saying we’re in this together no matter where you come from.”

The recently unveiled mural, measuring 150 x 60 feet, is located on the side wall of the Miyako Hotel on 1st St. and S. Central Ave — just steps away from our Little Tokyo Metro Station!

You can see the mural as soon as you step out from our Little Tokyo station. / Photo: Aurelia Ventura.

But wait, it gets even better! If you visit the lobby at the hotel, you can pick up a QR code that will bring the mural to life. What? Yes, you will be able to see Ohtani hitting a homerun! “It’s a way to raise the level of my art and turns this mural into a destination,” says the artist, who is looking forward to the Dodgers returning to the World Series… Go Dodgers!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by R O B E R T V A R G A S (@therobertvargas)

Vargas, whose first childhood memories involved holding colored markers, crayons, or pencils, has painted murals in New York, Denver, New Mexico and other places in the country. He has also left his mark in Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, France and other parts of the world. However, his heart is in Los Angeles, where there are approximately 25 of his murals around the city.

Here are three more that you can visit by taking Metro transit:

• I am enough : This mural tells the story of a young Latina who leaves her neighborhood in Boyle Heights to pursue her dreams of being a fashionista. You can find it at The Bloc on Hope St. between 7th and 8th Streets in DTLA. Take the B/D Line subway to 7th St/Metro Center and exit at Hope St.

‘I’m Enough’ mural. / Photo: Courtesy Robert Vargas IG.

• Mariachi Vargas : This mural depicts the face of a mariachi named Rafael. Vargas says he wanted to highlight someone we see every day and who sometimes goes unnoticed. “I wanted to turn the anonymous working class into a hero,” says Vargas. You can find it at 1835 1st St in Boyle Heights. Take the E Line train to Mariachi Plaza and walk across the street.

• Angelus : This mural, still in progress, portrays a mix of themes experienced here in Los Angeles: homelessness, the LGBTQ community, the strength of family, perseverance, and unity. The mural, which measures 60,000 square feet, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. When complete, it will be the largest mural in the world painted by a single artist! You find it between 5th St and Hill St in DTLA. Take the B/D Line subway to Pershing Square station and exit at 5th St.

‘Angelus’ mural. / Photo: Courtesy of Robert Vargas IG.

Vargas, who also has exhibitions in galleries and museums, puts a lot of time and heart into his public work as he says it is a way to “humanize the environment in which we live. I invite you to visit the murals.”

Vargas was honored by the Los Angeles City Council in 2022 when the intersection of 1st Street and State Street in Boyle Heights was named Robert Vargas Square and September 8 was officially proclaimed ‘Robert Vargas Day.’ “It was a great honor,” the muralist says, “but it’s also a message to local kids that someone from Boyle Heights who looks like you isare pursuing their dreams of creating art and you can do the same.” Vargas suggests that both he, and transportation agencies, share the same goals. “I try to unite cultures with my art, and transportation seeks that too, right? We both connect people.”

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Categories: Transportation News

Tagged as: Dodgers , Little Tokyo , mural , Ohtani , Shohei

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This is just plain marvelous stuff! Besides being LA and community oriented, it is just plain exquisite fine art!

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Watch Local: Little Tokyo - Farewell, My Lovely

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The first of two Raymond Chandler adaptations starring the mighty Robert Mitchum, FAREWELL, MY LOVELY put a capital M (for Marlowe, menace and murder) back in the Los Angeles neo-noir. It’s 1941 in the city of angels – the police are corrupt, the hotel rooms are cheap and criminality infuses every transaction. Private detective Philip Marlowe (Mitchum) has been hired by an ex-convict looking for his old girlfriend. He’s also investigating the murder of a jewellery-loving client. The two cases start to connect while Marlowe develops an attraction to the married but seductive Helen Grayle (Charlotte Rampling). The body count mounts and it looks like Marlowe is next. Dick Richards’ unflinching and deadly serious adaptation (the third) of Chandler’s novel glistens with a suitably pulpy sheen courtesy of CHINATOWN and SCARFACE cinematographer John A. Alonzo’s lens work and David Shire’s ice cool score, while Mitchum dominates as the rheumatic, world-weary Marlowe. FORMAT: DCP DISTRIBUTORY: Park Circus COUNTRY: USA Cost: $8.00 (member); $13.00 (general admission)

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