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. |
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Things
to do Little Tokyo:
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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. |
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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. |
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