If you love Japanese food, books or karaoke and can’t make it to actual Tokyo, LA’s Little Tokyo district is the place to be. Though once upon a time this place was home to 30,000 Japanese Americans, these days I wouldn’t call it a neighborhood – too visitor-oriented for that. I’ll agree with the Wikipedia description – it’s more of a cultural center, with temples, museums and a multitude of restaurants, aimed at LA residents and visitors from Japan. Though recent development and growing population of downtown have made for longer lines and a few strange additions to the area, between all the sushi, shabu-shabu and boba tea there’s little time to frown at the recently-erected Sanrio store and Starbuck’s. An abundance of shops, seasonal events, rock shows at The Cocaine and bars will keep entertainment-hungry visitors coming back for fun-filled adventures throughout the year.
Some of my favorite spots in Little T:
If you’re into Japanese books, comics and magazines, check out Kinokuniya – part of the Japanese popular chain of book stores. For the artists, Kinokuniya carries a variety of markers, pens and pencils – my graphic pens of choice, the coveted Copic Multiliners, are sold here.
Haru-Ulala is an izakaya-style restaurant – perfect for gathering friends over pitchers of beer and tons of small plates. Drinking and face-stuffing with your favorite people: what could possibly be better?
If you’re a patient human who can handle an unreasonably long line and loves real ramen, Daikokuya offers some of the best in town. If lines make you want to explode into a supernova of rage, walk a half a block to Mister Ramen – delicious, never a wait.
Oomasa restaurant has top-notch sushi [and sushi chefs]. Sit at the bar to avoid waiting for a booth and chat them up. Try the toro [fatty tuna] – it’s great here.
Pop Killer Second carries an absurd array of vintage sunglasses and clothing alongside modern Japanese fashions.
ProTip: for those seeking [cough] adult entertainment, Family Mart carries a cornucopia of Japanese snacks and has a curtained video section in the back. Tentacles, anyone?
Words and photos by Zoetica Ebb
4.00 (6 votes)
Related Posts
Los Angeles Little Tokyo
los-angeles-little-tokyo-07
Weller Court in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Shops in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Umbrella's
Little Tokyo has various display of traditional Japanese culture
Traditional Maneki Neko
Maneki Neko cats are known to bring good luck to their owner and can be found in many shops in Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA
Little Tokyo has various display of traditional Japanese culture
Marked with Tradition
Little Tokyo has various display of traditional Japanese culture
Protect your head
Besides the amazing finds, all of the store in Little Tokyo have a lot of character
Protect your skull!
Besides the amazing finds, all of the store in Little Tokyo have a lot of character
Card Holders
Even these card holders have some Japanese influence on them
Jewlry in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles
There is something for everyone in the numerous shops in Little Tokyo
Jewelry in Little Tokyo, CA
There is something for everyone in the numerous shops in Little Tokyo
...and more glasses
You can truly find your ideal pair of sunglasses in Little Tokyo, CA
and more glasses...
You can truly find your ideal pair of sunglasses in Little Tokyo, CA
Glasses Galore
You can truly find your ideal pair of sunglasses in Little Tokyo, CA
Inside of one shop
The inside of one of the many shops in Little Tokyo
Great Food
There ae so many great food options in Little Tokyo
Great Food
There ae so many great food options in Little Tokyo
Carts in Little Tokyo
One of many places to shop in Little Tokyo
Dining in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Dining in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Shopping in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Little Tokyo in California
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Little Tokyo Los Angeles
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars , to restaurants
Shopping in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Little Tokyo shopping in LA
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
More items in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Various items in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Lunch needs in Little Tokyo
Weller court shopping mall has everything from shops, to bars, to restaurants
Traditional Japanese Architecture
Traditional Japanese Architecture
Another angle of Traditional Japanese Architecture
Traditional Japanese Architecture
Japanese Garden's in Little Tokyo
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Japanese Garden's
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Statues in the garden
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Statues in the garden
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Traditional buildings in the Japanese garden's
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
A view from one of the Japanese garden's
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Japanese Garden's
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Japanese Garden's
There are two Japanese gardens in the area open to the public
Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Street with Weller Court
Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Street with Weller Court
Little Tokyo LA
Little Tokyo LA
Challenger Memorial
a monument to Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, a Japanese American from Hawaiʻi who was a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger
Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka memorial
a monument to Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, a Japanese American from Hawaiʻi who was a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger
Video Games in Little Tokyo
Video Games in Little Tokyo
Video Games in Little Tokyo
Video Games in Little Tokyo
Video Games in Little Tokyo
Video Games in Little Tokyo
Beautiful Flowers
Beautiful flowers hanging in one of the shopping centers in Little Tokyo
Shopping Center in Little Tokyo
Shopping Center in Little Tokyo
Shopping Center in Little Tokyo
Shopping Center in Little Tokyo
Body Figurines in Little Tokyo
Body Figurines, one of the many things you can find in Little Tokyo
