Allow me to brag for a moment: the Little Tokyo community in Los Angeles has some of the best restaurants and Japanese scenes! From Buddhist temples and Japanese gardens to a cavernous arcade full of hard-to-find video games, there’s something here for everyone—and that’s just the kind of inclusivity Little Tokyo is proud of. You don’t have to bear the long distance flight or the annoying headache caused by jet lag. You don’t even need to spend a large sum of money. Here in the Little Tokyo, your desire to pretend you are in Japan can be easily satisfied! (>.=)

Japanese Village Plaza

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Well, the first thing you need to do is of course to capture as many pictures as possible!! But here is the trick: Don’t stand in front of the popular site ok?!! Just take photos of the little decorations, food, clothes, or any tiny items that shows Japanese style. After all, you don’t want your friends to tell your exact location right 🙂

While taking photographs is a must at this outdoor mall, you can also do shopping. 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 new rice cooker for your parents, or a pretty paper parasol for Grandma. You can also treat yourself a new suit of Japanese cosmetics. Spend some time exploring every corner, you will find lots of surprise.

Below are some of the best shops that you should never miss out!

Kinokuniya Bookstore

Raggedy Threads

Rafu Bassun

Q Pop

Pop Killer

…

Oh by the way, there is also a Japanese market where you can buy the authentic snacks, seasoning, and fresh food materials!

Lunch Time

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Option A: Sushi Gen

I don’t need to tell you the popularity of Sushi in Japan, do I?! Hmmm..don’t you think a picture of a Sushi Deluxe or Sashimi Deluxe can be a good way to grab your friends’ eyes, not to mention how it gluts your taste buds. Or if you are a low-key person, you can order a lunch special for around $17 for 8 different kinds of Sushi, all of them are very delicious! I am personally a big fan of Uni. The Uni Deluxe here comes with an entire box of it, which is also surrounded by seasoned cooked tuna, green onion, fresh tuna, crab, egg, and seaweed.

Option B: Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

Except for Sushi, Ramen is another good option. In the hierarchy of LA-centric dishes—tacos, hot dogs, avocado toast—ramen is right up there near the top. And when Angeleno go searching for Ramen, they often end up in Little Tokyo. Among all the stand out ramen shops there, Men Oh Tokushima distinguishes itself with the signature dish–pork flavored bowl. Its toppings include not only lovely slices of tender chashu but also strips of stir-fried butabara pork.

James Irvine Japanese Garden

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm

Do you know that garden plays an important role in Japanese culture? In Japan, caring for the grounds is a form of art. Japanese people believe spending some time with nature encourages harmony. This tranquil garden is an ideal setting to getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.  To reach this place, you should enter the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, check in at the information window on the left, take the elevator down to level B and zigzag to your right through an unembellished hallway.

Japanese American National Museum

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
This museum, one of the city’s best, tells the story of Japanese immigration to the US in lucid, engaging fashion. Even if you’ve no prior interest in the subject, you’ll be drawn in to it by the perfectly pitched displays. Aside from the permanent exhibition, the museum stages an engaging roster of documentary and art exhibitions, including a wrenching yet beautiful display of images and artifacts from the aforementioned internment camps. To cap it all off, there’s a lovely gift shop.

Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm

Walking a few blocks away, you will get to this Buddhist Temple, where you can take a stroll through the picturesque garden outside the temple, or join in a community event. We both know you are not actually in Japan, but it is good to experience a Japanese style of life. At the end of the day, I hope you would slow down your pace and enjoy the beauty of this lovely city. でわ、また！

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