Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo
4
About
Experience a slice of Japan at Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, a Japanese-American cultural district brimming with shops and restaurants. Established in 1855, Little Tokyo is one of only three Japantowns in the United States. Spread over five blocks, the district is crammed with food gems, streetwear vendors, and manga and anime shops. Don’t miss the Japanese American Cultural Community Center, which hosts regular cultural performances and cooking classes. Time your visit around festivals such as Nisei Week (every August), when street dancing and parades fill the area. You can explore Little Tokyo on a walking tour, along with Chinatown. – Tripadvisor
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The area
Neighborhood: Downtown
Downtown Los Angeles is a busy metropolis of towering buildings, bustling streets, and industrial warehouses. There is a distinct multiplicity of cultures here with a growing influx of business professionals and hipsters. Many call the evolution of Downtown over recent years gentrification. New lofts, bars, hotels and restaurants are popping up regularly. Downtown is home to some of the very best restaurants in the city leading the LA foodie scene, plus it is the location of cultural and sports venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, and the Coliseum at the University of Southern California.
How to get there
- Little Tokyo/Arts District • 2 min walk
- Union Station • 8 min walk
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Restaurants
2,011 within 3 miles
Attractions
577 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
866 reviews
Excellent
316
Very good
316
Average
185
Poor
33
Terrible
16
Jason K
Los Angeles, CA4 contributions
Oct 2020
Little Tokyo has grown in the last few years and has many great places to visit, shop, eat, etc. Can visit the Japanese American National Museum to learn about JA history, eat at modern Japanese cafes, shop at modern or traditional Japanese gift shops, and sightseeing. LA historic area.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madrewith3kids
Minneapolis, MN85 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Went there today, 6/10/22, around 2:00 pm. We had a great time. If you have teenagers who like anime, or if you like trinkets this is the place for you.
We also walked over one block to the Weller Court building area where the Marukai grocery store is and there are some shops there also. You can park in the Weller Court parking ramp.
Unless you are dining at a restaurant there are no public restrooms so keep that in mind.
We also walked over one block to the Weller Court building area where the Marukai grocery store is and there are some shops there also. You can park in the Weller Court parking ramp.
Unless you are dining at a restaurant there are no public restrooms so keep that in mind.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
star s
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
Let's start with I have crohns and this place has no public bathrooms. It's crazy to me to think this is a whole mall with tons of shops and restaurants but have no available bathrooms. I was told to sit down in a restaurant and order food to use an available restaurant.
Written April 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big D n
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
The little Tokyo is a nice place for tourists, but to go there you need to bring or take a diaper with you, they have NO PUBLiC RESTROOM any where in that plaza. Every business with a sign “restroom for customer only” so means you will have to pay for very high price to use restroom there. Never see any where in U. S excepted this location, little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. ( a tourist from Dallas).
Written January 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HETAL
52 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
If you can’t go to Japan then this is the best option to experience the food and the architecture and other handicrafts & souvenirs Japan has to offer. You’ll find Japanese grocery store Nijiya Market and Japanese cosmetics store and Shops with anime cosplay stuff. A good variety of diff food options there too. I went on the weekend Sunday when it got crowded.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KhimLee
Hillsborough, CA370 contributions
Jul 2021
Visited with family on Jul 4 long weekend and the place was packed. Came here as the kids wanted a taste of Japanese culture (anime and manga) and of course some Japanese food. Little Tokyo is larger than Japantown in SF, more diverse and has a wider selection of shops and restaurants. The outdoor mall would be nice to browse when it's not 90 degrees and less crowded. When looking for food be sure to check out the 4 square blocks that comprise the area as there are choices everywhere. The underground mall with anime shops is a little hard to find. Overall a great visit.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wdl
Sunnyvale, CA545 contributions
Dec 2019
It's a relatively small area in downtown LA, maybe a couple of blocks, with the Japanese Village Plaza being the focal point, with a lot of restaurants and shops. There is also the Japanese American National museum, which was closed, but I think may be of some interest.
Different than Koreatown, Little Tokyo does not look like the place where Japanese people actually live, so it is basically a big mall, but may be good enough to have a good meal, dessert, and stroll for a couple of hours. In fact, this is what our family did, at lunch time, on our last day in LA, before heading home. We had ramen at Daikokuya with a bubble tea at Boteaga, a soft serve ice cream at Honeymee (my son's all time favorite), and spending some time in the Japanese souvenir shops in the Village. Also, they have some stores specialized in mangas, animes, and Japanese action figures (used and new), with items I only find on the Internet.
It was worth the last couple of hours in LA.
Different than Koreatown, Little Tokyo does not look like the place where Japanese people actually live, so it is basically a big mall, but may be good enough to have a good meal, dessert, and stroll for a couple of hours. In fact, this is what our family did, at lunch time, on our last day in LA, before heading home. We had ramen at Daikokuya with a bubble tea at Boteaga, a soft serve ice cream at Honeymee (my son's all time favorite), and spending some time in the Japanese souvenir shops in the Village. Also, they have some stores specialized in mangas, animes, and Japanese action figures (used and new), with items I only find on the Internet.
It was worth the last couple of hours in LA.
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave H
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
I would say this is the worst travel place to visit. It is filthy, nasty. I met several "mean" local folks here, trash every where and homeless hanging round- felt very unsafe. We spent the money at a coffee shop there so we could use their restroom, but they told ua the rest room was out of service. We had to use the library rest room. There were two homeless sleeping inside the library restroom. DON'T GO HERE GUYS!
Written January 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica T
Hastings, UK14 contributions
Jun 2022
This was one of my favourite things I experiences in LA. Was very busy but you could understand why. So many incredible shops and restaurants. Really enjoyed the little underground bit with all the anime shops. Spent a lot of money there and it was absolutely worth it. Highly recommend people to go there.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dinfamily2009
smdds7983492 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
It’s a really cool place to sight see and hang out. Lots of neat shops, and the restaurants seem good. We stopped at a cafe and the pastries and treats were delightful. The kids had fun observing and exploring. We will come again for a lunch and afternoon out.
Written May 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VSPEARLAND
82 contributions
Are restaurants and shops open in little Tokyo on Christmas Day?
How many places are there to eat in LA's Little Tokyo?
wombatdavid
Hobart, Australia2,658 contributions
Plenty of choice. You will not starve.
What time do the stores and places to eat typically open most days?
Joe C
49 contributions
After 10, before 9pm
BBusiness hours during weekend
Sandra M
Palma de Mallorca, Spain168 contributions
Usually 10am
what time does Little Tokyo close?
Rose H
Downey, CA77 contributions
For example, my first choice for gifts is LITTLE TOKYO ARTS & GIFTS. The hours are a bit odd but on busy weekend nights, Elaine keeps her shop open until midnight. Most of the noodle restaurants stay open past 12a.m. The sushi shops tend to stay open somewhat later if a bar is part of the business. Outstanding outdoor Karaoke is in the main plaza area, directly in front of the Nijiya Market. For unique and rare items directly from Japan, visit the TREASURE. The Arts District is also location in Little Tokyo with many events held every month. The East/West Players have a theatre with a variety of plays or guest speakers. Parades and festival are almost always held in the daylight hours; nightlife is intense near the shopping areas, hotels or the more popular eateries. Love Anime? Follow the crowds to the toy exchange or directly across the way is where one can purchase costumes and comics. Sanrio is open until 11p.m. By far, it is the flagship location for lovers of Hello Kitty and her "friends". Pastries galore are available at a variety of bakeries--go early for the best selection.
ext4946
Los Angeles, CA
ダウンタウンのオフィスに勤めていますが、お弁当を配達してくれるレストランを探しています。
ネットで探しても情報がないので、もし何かご存知でしたら教えてください。
Are small dogs allowed?
845beatriz
Arcadia, CA104 contributions
Little Tokyo is an outdoor space filled with shops for several blocks in downtown Los Angeles. You may certainly bring your dog, but many of the shops may not permit them. There is plenty to see outdoors as you walk around and some of the Restaurants have patio dining.
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Claim your listingLittle Tokyo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Little Tokyo
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Little Tokyo:
- Los Angeles: City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour (From $49.00)
- LA Food Tour: Exploring America’s Culinary Frontier (From $175.00)
- The History and Architecture of Downtown Los Angeles (From $49.00)
- LA Little Tokyo to Olvera St Smartphone (App/GPS) Walking Tour (From $7.50)
- Los Angeles Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game (From $24.50)
- Hotels near Little Tokyo:
- (0.16 mi) Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
- (0.13 mi) New Daimaru Hotel
- (0.15 mi) Little Tokyo Hotel
- (0.27 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown
- (0.61 mi) citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
- Restaurants near Little Tokyo:
- (0.16 mi) Daikokuya
- (0.14 mi) Jist Cafe
- (0.15 mi) Daikokuya Ramen
- (0.13 mi) Far Bar
- (0.13 mi) Chado Downtown
- Attractions near Little Tokyo:
- (0.12 mi) Japanese American National Museum
- (0.12 mi) East West Players
- (0.14 mi) Fugetsu-Do
- (0.14 mi) Go For Broke NEC
- (0.14 mi) Molecule Man Sculpture