{"id":5421,"date":"2017-09-07T21:23:58","date_gmt":"2017-09-08T04:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/friendlylocalguides.com\/blog\/?p=5421"},"modified":"2019-11-21T17:48:35","modified_gmt":"2019-11-22T00:48:35","slug":"80-fun-facts-little-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/friendlylocalguides.com\/blog\/80-fun-facts-little-tokyo","title":{"rendered":"80 Fun Facts about Little Tokyo in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

To call Little Tokyo in Los Angeles very authentic doesn\u2019t begin to describe it. It might be not #1 of things to do in Los Angeles<\/em> but without it your LA experience wouldn’t be complete.\u00a0 Wander into the very heart of Little Tokyo on a Los Angeles Tour<\/a>. Or venture on your own with these fun facts about Little Tokyo.<\/p>\n

\"things

Kyoto Garden – DoubleTree by Hilton<\/p><\/div>\n

Perhaps, you\u2019ve heard a lot about vibrant and flamboyant Little Tokyo neighborhood<\/em> in the heart of LA, but we bet you didn\u2019t know that\u2026.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Little Tokyo traces its beginnings to the 1880s, the era of a surge of immigration in the US. Of all the places in LA it\u2019s one of the oldest and with a great ethnic vibe.<\/li>\n
  2. It is one of 3 official Japantowns in US<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  3. Angelenos also call it Lil’ Tokyo <\/em>or J-Town.<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Almost 120 000 Japanese immigrated in US until the Exclusion Act of 1924.<\/li>\n
  5. Japanese immigrants were mostly renowned farmers and vegetable traders.<\/li>\n
  6. Little Tokyo\u2019s population shrank due to the infamous WWII incarceration.<\/li>\n
  7. At some point of its history the area was known as Bronzeville, as African Americans started to populate the district.<\/li>\n
  8. At its peak, the district had roughly 30,000 Japanese American inhabitants.<\/li>\n
  9. It\u2019s still an ethnic core for LA’s Japanese descendants.<\/li>\n
  10. Little Tokyo is quite small, in fact. The neighborhood occupies approximately 5 extensive blocks. Easy to cover it all in just an hour or two and tick it off from your Los Angeles bucket list.<\/li>\n
  11. LT is famous for LA\u2019s best Japanese eateries<\/em> and authentic stores.<\/li>\n
  12. The prominent California roll<\/em> was created here.<\/li>\n
  13. Two oldest Japanese sweets businesses in LA are located in the area.<\/li>\n
  14. It is home to one of the best jazz clubs.<\/li>\n
  15. There are also a variety of temples: Jodo Shinshu, Jodo Shu, Shingon <\/em>and Soto Zen Buddhist temples<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  16. Little Tokyo neighborhood comprises East West Players, Aratani and other prominent Japanese theaters.<\/li>\n
  17. There are some public sculptures, artwork and a monument to Ellison S. Onizuka, the first Asian American and the first person of Japanese ancestry to reach space, is among them.<\/li>\n
  18. You can find unique Japanese video games and anime here.<\/li>\n
  19. Little Tokyo is an ideal place for people-watching, particularly when the teens are dressed for cosplay<\/em> (the practice of dressing up as a character from a book, movie, or video game, especially one from the Japanese genres of anime).<\/li>\n
  20. Little Tokyo\u2019s First Street<\/em> was recognized as a historic landmark in 1986. Generally, walking the streets is the best things to do in Los Angeles. Have you been at Olvera Street, the most historic street in LA<\/a>?<\/li>\n
  21. Don\u2019t miss Far East Cafe<\/em> which once was a cultural hub for locals.<\/li>\n
  22. Wondering what to do in Los Angeles after you\u2019ve seen it all? Little Tokyo is home to ultra-zen James Irvine Japanese garde<\/em>n.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-instagrammable-spots\"

    Skyscraper in Civic Center<\/p><\/div>\n

    Things to do in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo<\/h2>\n

    The James Irvine Japanese Garden<\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. The garden is literally a hidden gem, it isn\u2019t accessible from the street.<\/li>\n
    2. The space is also known as Seiryu-en or \u201cGarden of the Clear Stream\u201d.<\/li>\n
    3. Its creation was inspired by Zen traditions of the prominent gardens of Kyoto.<\/li>\n
    4. The garden features 170m cascading waterfall.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-best-places-in-downtown-LA\"

      James Irvine Japanese Garden<\/p><\/div>\n

      Fugetsu-Do Mochi<\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. The oldest family commerce in LA started in 1903.<\/li>\n
      2. Is famous for its mochi (rice cakes ) and manju (sweet bean-filled rice cake).<\/li>\n
      3. In old days mochi was originally made as offerings to kami (gods) at shrines.<\/li>\n
      4. Now mochi is an integral part of the New Year\u2019s celebrations for Japanese community in LA.<\/li>\n
      5. Fugetsu-Do Mochi<\/strong> has occupied the same building for oven 100 years. What a loyalty!<\/li>\n
      6. Except during 1956-57 when the business moved temporarily to another place.<\/li>\n
      7. By the way, the fortune cookie<\/em> was created by Seiichi Kito, the father of Fugetsu-Do Mochi.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u00abHome is Little Tokyo\u00bb Mural<\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. \u00abHome is Little Tokyo\u00bb Mural <\/strong>is a collection of images from J-Town\u2019s archive from early 1900s to the present.<\/li>\n
        2. It is a culmination of work by almost 500 local residents.<\/li>\n
        3. It took long 3 years to color the 20 panels of 16 x 40 foot mural.<\/li>\n
        4. The texts around the boarders of the mural capture Little Tokyo’s uniqueness.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-Home-i-sLittle-Tokyo-Mural\"

          Home is Little Tokyo Mural<\/p><\/div>\n

          Japanese American National Museum<\/h2>\n
            \n
          1. Japanese American National Museum <\/strong>covers over 130 years of Japanese-American history.<\/li>\n
          2. The museum is famous for its vast archive of home movies about the life of locals between 1920s and 1950s.<\/li>\n
          3. For 7 years the Japanese American National Museum was housed in the remarkable Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.<\/li>\n
          4. Museum’s board of trustees includes a famous actor George Takei.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-American-Japanese-Museum\"

            Japanese American National Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

            \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-what-to-see-in-LA\"

            Japanese American National Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

            Hilton Double Tree\u2019s Kyoto Gardens<\/h2>\n
              \n
            1. Urban oasis nestled on the Hilton Double Tree Hotel<\/em>\u2019s rooftop on the border of Little Tokyo and Civic Center.<\/li>\n
            2. No need to take an 11-hour flight to experience the ancient Tokyo\u2019s Japanese Garden.<\/li>\n
            3. The half-acre of carefully kept lawns, cascades and spectacular views of LA.<\/li>\n
            4. A unique venue for romantic weddings, afternoon meditation and evening strolls. Peaceful and quite. Just like Santa Barbara<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-best-in-LA\"

              Kyoto Garden – DoubleTree by Hilton<\/p><\/div>\n

              \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-Garden-in-Little-Tokyo\"

              Kyoto Garden – DoubleTree by Hilton<\/p><\/div>\n

              Japanese Village Plaza<\/h2>\n
                \n
              1. Little Tokyo\u2019s most kitschy outdoor mall and the most fun place to go in LA<\/em>\u2019s Little Tokyo.<\/li>\n
              2. Japanese Village Plaza <\/strong>houses prominent restaurants like Shabu Shabu, Mikawaya and Cafe Dulce.<\/li>\n
              3. The cultural spot hosts many different festivals throughout the year. Not Hollywood <\/a>style festivals but very unique in their own way.<\/li>\n
              4. Plaza has a tower in the form of a traditional fire-lookout yagura.<\/li>\n
              5. Is decorated in traditional Japanese rural style.<\/li>\n
              6. Is home to the historic “Wishing Tree”.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-Japanese-Village-Plaza\"

                Japanese VIllage Plaza<\/p><\/div>\n

                \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-things-to-do-los-angeles\"

                Japanese VIllage Plaza<\/p><\/div>\n

                Go For Broke Monument<\/h2>\n
                  \n
                1. Prominent tribute to the bravery of Nisei warriors in the World War II.<\/li>\n
                2. The project was chosen from over 138 other projects.<\/li>\n
                3. “Go For Broke!” was the unit motto of the legendary 100th Battalion.<\/li>\n
                4. 16,126 names are displayed on the monument.<\/li>\n
                5. The \u201cGo For Broke Monument<\/strong>\u201d contains words of gratitude belonging to the US Presidents H.S. Truman and R. Reagan.<\/li>\n
                6. Nowadays, it\u2019s a popular gathering spot for veterans of ex Japanese American units.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple<\/h2>\n
                    \n
                  1. Was the first Japanese Buddhist temple in LA<\/em>.<\/li>\n
                  2. It supports the Jodo Shinshu teachings.<\/li>\n
                  3. The present building was constructed in 1976, the same year Apple was founded.<\/li>\n
                  4. Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple<\/strong> is an impressive repository of Buddhist art.<\/li>\n
                  5. It contains astonishing statue of Amida Buddha on the altar.<\/li>\n
                  6. And the roof with over 30,000 tiles imported from Japan.<\/li>\n
                  7. Open yoga classes take place on Wednesday evenings.<\/li>\n
                  8. Once in two weeks you can also attend Bon Odori practices of traditional Japanese dances.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \"Alina

                    Civic Center<\/p><\/div>\n

                    Koyasan Buddhist Temple<\/h2>\n
                      \n
                    1. Officially known as “Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin<\/strong>” of Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/li>\n
                    2. Temple opened in 1912 is a branch of Koyasan Shingon Mission.<\/li>\n
                    3. ‘Shingon’, by the way, means “true words”.<\/li>\n
                    4. Shrine\u2019s first location was Elysian Park.<\/li>\n
                    5. Current edifice was constructed in 1940, the same year when President F.D. Roosevelt won the elections in US third (!) time.<\/li>\n
                    6. The temple was closed for some time during the WWII.<\/li>\n
                    7. The prominent Aoyama Tree symbolizes the cultural and historical development of Buddhism and local community.<\/li>\n
                    8. In 1987 esoteric Kechien Kanjo ritual<\/em> took place in Koyasan, ceremony rarely held outside of Japan. The Kechien Kanjo is the ritual for forming connection with Buddha. The origins of the ritual date back to 812.<\/li>\n
                    9. The Koyasan Buddhist Temple <\/strong>also hosted Boy Scout Troop 379, one of the oldest existing troops in the US.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Annual Festivals<\/h2>\n
                        \n
                      1. What to do in LA<\/em> if you can\u2019t stop keep coming here and have covered all of the main sights? LA Art Book Fair<\/strong> is an outstanding arts festival showcasing artists’ books, catalogues, monographs and magazines. This event annually attracts around 300 international publishers, booksellers and antiquarians.<\/li>\n
                      2. The Los Angeles International Tea Festiva<\/strong>l held in Little Tokyo is a forum for tea enthusiasts. The festival features numerous tea exhibitions and fairs.<\/li>\n
                      3. Oshogatsu<\/strong> is the annual New Year Celebration with Japanese traditions. The Event unites Japanese American communities from all over Southern California.<\/li>\n
                      4. Mochi-pounding ceremony<\/strong> and viewing the first sunrise of the New Year are among the most popular activities. The festival provides plenty of children\u2019s entertainment including zodiac face painting and taiko drum lessons.<\/li>\n
                      5. The Nisei Week<\/strong> is the largest event in Little Tokyo neighborhood, honoring 2nd generation of Japanese descendants. The Festival includes Grand Parade, Fashion show, Car show and expositions of Japanese art.<\/li>\n
                      6. Obon<\/strong> is a summertime celebration honoring ancestors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \"Alina-Los-Angeles-Photo-Walks-Instagrammable-LA\"

                        One most instagrammable spots in Little Tokyo Los Angeles<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        To call Little Tokyo in Los Angeles very authentic doesn\u2019t begin to describe it. It might be not #1 of things to do in Los Angeles but without it your \u2026<\/p>\n

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