Little Tokyo Historic District, LA Day Trip

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Little Tokyo is located in downtown Los Angeles and is is the cultural center for Japanese Americans in Southern California. The heart of Little Tokyo and the center of activity is Japanese Village Plaza. The plaza is easy to find just look for the giant wooden fire tower that guards the entrance. Inside Japanese Village Plaza you will find stores selling everything from mochi ice cream to Japanese pastries and breads. Plaza restaurants offer a wide variety of Japanese food items including Sushi, Takoyaki, Mitarashi dango, Pork Shu Mai, and Shrimp Balls. For most of the year Little Tokyo is fairly quite especially during the week. During the month of August Little Tokyo celebrates Nisei Week Japanese Festival and Little Tokyo comes to life with parades and special events. Little Tokyo is a fascinating place for a day trip and will not disappoint. The area is clean and safe and almost in the shadow of the Los Angeles City Hall. Plan on spending at least a half a day here. Park the car and take a walking tour to really enjoy Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

Things to do Little Tokyo:

Little Tokyo Gastronomy Tour from Six Taste - Walking tour through Downtown Los Angeles' Little Tokyo district - One of the best ways to see the sights of Little Tokyo. Not only do you get to sample food from several different restaurants you will learn learn about Japanese-American culture and the history of Little Tokyo. Save $20.00 off tour price with free Goldstar membership. More information.

Japanese American National Museum - Must see attraction when visiting Little Tokyo. The museum is dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. 369 East First Street Los Angeles, California 90012
Japanese Village Plaza - The heart of Little Tokyo with shopping and restraints lo acted at 350 E 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Go For Broke Monument - Commemorates Japanese Americans who served in the United States Army during World War II. 160 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA - Museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art. 152 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA
Kyoto Grand Hotel Garden - Japanese gardens open to the public located next to Japanese Village Plaza.
Little Tokyo Historic District - This area covers about most of Little Tokyo but comes to life with some of the original buildings along long the north side of 1st Street. Little Tokyo was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1995. At its peak, Little Tokyo had approximately 30,000 Japanese Americans living in the area. May of the original buildings have been replaced with condominiums and shopping malls. What is left of the original Little Tokyo can be found in about four city blocks. The area is bounded on the west by Los Angeles Street, on the east by Alameda Street, on the south by 3rd Street, and on the north by First Street and the Los Angeles Civic Center. Little Tokyo is smaller than LA Chinatown which makes which means less walking and more time for shopping and dinning.

Directions: Little Tokyo is about a mile from Union Station and is located in the area between First and Third Streets and Main and Alameda Street. Accessible from the 101 freeway, exit Alameda. Some restaurants and shops close as early as 3;00 PM so its best to visit early in the day. Nearby attractions include Los Angeles Chinatown and Olvera Street, the birth place of Los Angeles.

You might also be interested in Los Angeles Chinatown or Little Saigon Westminster, California.

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