Ultimate Guide to Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
Looking to take a trip to Japan but not wanting to take a long-haul flight across the Pacific? You can instead head to Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles!
Little Tokyo, also called Little Tokyo Historic District, is sandwiched between the Arts District and Chinatown in Downtown LA.
This five-block radius was founded in 1884 and is the heart of the largest Japanese American population in North America. It was even declared a National Historic Landmark in 1995.
You can easily spend an afternoon exploring Little Tokyo! I’ve lived in Downtown Los Angeles for almost a year, and I’m still finding hidden gems in this nifty little neighborhood!
There are currently hundreds of businesses operating in Little Tokyo, so you’ll never get bored! Take an afternoon to explore one of only three Japantowns in the United States!
Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Little Tokyo in Los Angeles!
Summary
Where is Little Tokyo?
Little Tokyo is located in Downtown Los Angeles, just north of the Toy District and Arts District and south of Chinatown.
It is bordered on the west by Los Angeles Street, east by Alameda Street, south by 3rd Street, and north by 1st Street, including the block north of 1st and west of Alameda.
Is Little Tokyo Safe?
Dustin and I frequently walk around Little Tokyo and feel completely safe during the day. We are more cognizant of our surroundings at night but still feel very safe in this area.
Despite Little Tokyo only being a few blocks away from Skid Row, you won’t see as many homeless people in this area comparably. It is always wise to be mindful of your belongings and aware of your surroundings.
Parking & How to Get There
There are a few parking garages around the district, including the Little Tokyo Mall, Park Little Tokyo on South Hewitt Street, and near the Japanese American National Museum on 2nd Street.
The prices for parking range anywhere from $12-35 per day, comparable to many other parking locations in Los Angeles.
The best way to get around Los Angeles is to drive yourself, but the Metro is also an option.
Union Station- with connections to Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro J Line, and Foothill Transit’s Silver Streak, is located on the northeastern border of Little Tokyo. You can map out your trip here.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking to stay in Little Tokyo, I recommend DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown or Miyako Hotel Los Angeles.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. This hotel is right in the heart of Little Tokyo! The hotel features a Japanese-inspired interior design and a beautiful terrace garden. The Kyoto Gardens has gorgeous trees, flowers, and greenery with cascading waterfalls and tranquility ponds, all with a bird’s eye view of Downtown Los Angeles. Book your hotel stay here.
Miyako Hotel. Miyako is a minimalist, Japanese-style hotel with an on-site sushi bar, a cocktail lounge, a karaoke bar, and a serene wellness spa. Book your hotel stay here.
Things to do in Little Tokyo
Visit a Buddhist Temple
Feeling Zen? There are several Buddhist Temples in Little Tokyo, including the very first Soto Zen temple in North America, Zenshuji Soto Mission. Take in the beautiful Japanese architecture and tranquil landscaping of these religious monuments.
Walk Around the James Irvine Japanese Garden
Check out this year-round Japanese garden located in the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Here you will see a beautiful, tranquil garden with a peaceful waterfall and colorfully blooming trees, flowers, bridges, and stone lanterns.
Visiting hours are on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm. Please note that if you want to step into the garden and walk the paths, you have to go into the Community Center to receive your pass.
Check Out the Cool Street Art
Little Tokyo has strong connections to the Los Angeles arts community, so you’ll see many remarkable street art paintings and murals throughout this 5-block radius.
Head to the Shops
There are hundreds of unique shops in Little Tokyo! Head to the Japanese Village Plaza, Little Tokyo Mall, Weller Court, or the Little Tokyo Galleria Shopping Center.
Travel Tip: Even though the mask mandate is lifted for Los Angeles, many of the shops in Little Tokyo still require mask wearing for entry.
Relax in the Kyoto Garden at the Hilton Garden Terrace
The Kyoto Garden is a Japanese-inspired garden located on the above-ground terrace of the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. There is also a rooftop bar located here.
The grounds feature calming, soothing water fountains and lush greenery – a hidden gem within the concrete jungle of downtown.
Travel Tip: the Kyoto Garden is reserved for hotel guests only, but non-guests have access to the cocktail bar. So, the garden can easily be accessed from there.
Play Some Games in an Authentic Japanese Arcade
Come explore the unique gaming world of Tokyo! Hit up EightyTwo for some old-school arcade games, or head to VR Station for state-of-the-art virtual reality games!
Japanese American National Museum
If you like history, check out the Japanese American National Museum on the northeast side of Little Tokyo. The museum is dedicated to sharing the experiences of the Japanese Americans and the part they played throughout U.S. history. You can purchase tickets here.
Make sure to walk across the Street and visit the “Go for Broke” Monument too! This monument is dedicated to the Japanese American soldiers during WWII.
Grab a Drink at Far Bar
Located on 1st Street, Far Bar features a lively main bar with dozens of craft beers on tap and Asian-influenced cocktails and pub fare. It hosts a daily happy hour on Tuesday-Friday from 3-7 pm, offering discounts on beer, wine, sake, cocktails, and bar food.
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Sing in a Karaoke Bar
Head to Max Karaoke Studio in the Galleria for some classic karaoke fun! Max Karaoke Studio is a trendy karaoke spot in Little Tokyo with an eclectic song selection, including Kpop and Jpop collections. So, grab the mic and sing!
Try Some Alcoholic Boba at the SIP Boba Lounge
Located on the 3rd floor of the Weller Court, SIP is a new nightclub, bar, and lounge with exclusive boozy boba drinks! Sip your way through some of their unique boba flavors like “tropic like its hot” and “peach diddy.”
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Dine in One of the Many Restaurants
- Sushi: our personal favorite is Tenno Sushi! You must try the Benji roll!
- Hawaiian Fare: If you’re feeling Hawaiian, check out Aloha Café on 2nd Street. We love the French toast for brunch!
- Boba Tea: If you like boba, try MILK + T or Boba Time for some of the most delicious refreshing beverages and LOTS of gooey boba!
- Ramen: For Ramen, I recommend Ramen Yamadaya in the Village. They also have a delicious lychee mimosa paired nicely with a spicy ramen bowl!
- Matcha: If you’re a matcha connoisseur, head to Midori Matcha Café for some of the best green tea beverages and decadent matcha desserts.
- Mochi Ice Cream: Speaking of Japanese dessert, head to the Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop for authentic Japanese mochi and other tasty treats!
And Lastly, Take a Guided Tour!
Join a walking tour of Downtown Los Angeles with GetYourGuide! Visit Little Tokyo and Arts District’s shops, markets, and food stands. Book your guided walking tour here.
Reina Conboy
I am a full-time traveling registered nurse, fitness enthusiast, and plant-based nutrition expert. Every morning I wake up intending to bring awareness of the importance of health and spiritual wellness, especially to the traveling community. This blog is designed to bring you travel and health advice while sprinkling in some fun life stories.
