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Celebrating Connections

Hey, LA! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 9, and get ready to embark on a vibrant journey of community and culture! Come celebrate one of Metro’s newest rail stations, Little Tokyo/Arts District. The station is part of Metro’s Regional Connector, creating smoother, faster, transfer-free rides all through LA’s downtown core!

Hop off at the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station and enjoy live performances from Metro Art Presents, hands-on workshops, and tours of local eats and historic sites! All activities are FREE and open to all from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program is produced in collaboration with Little Tokyo Community Council and Tuesday Night Project.

Metro Art Presents

Left to right:
Top: MC Keiko Agena, MC DAN, DJ Tsugu Itagaki, DJ Lauren Moon, Sandino
Bottom: J-Town Taiko Club, Arthur Nakane, Super Group, Unkal Bean, Nancy Sekizawa AKA Atomic Nancy

The Metro Art Presents music festival features live performances by talent with roots in Little Tokyo and the Arts District: J-Town Taiko Club, Arthur Nakane, Sandino, Unkal Bean, Super Group (feat. Shinkawasaki, Paul Dateh, Priska, and Goh Nakamura), Atomic Cafe’s Nancy Sekizawa aka “Atomic Nancy” and Scott Nagatani, DJ Tsugu Itagaki, DJ Lauren Moon and hosted by Keiko Agena and DanAKADan.

The program is produced in collaboration with Tuesday Night Project.

Workshops & Tours

We’re inviting you to explore the heart of Little Tokyo and the Arts District neighborhoods, to discover its rich history, and to get up close with our cherished local businesses and community members.

Roll up your sleeves in our hands-on workshops or savor a journey through either the Little Tokyo History and Food Tour or the Destination Tour that showcase our culinary gems and historic corners. This isn’t just an event—it’s your personal invitation to a world of connection, where every moment beckons you to engage, learn, and embrace.

For more information about event details, check out the Little Tokyo Community Council website and learn about other events and promotions happening around Little Tokyo today!

Little Tokyo History & Food Tour

Take a stroll back in time to learn about Little Tokyo’s rich history! Join us for an educational walking and tasting tour led by the Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) highlighting the history of some of Little Tokyo’s longest standing small businesses and culinary favorites such as imagawayaki and manju. Below are just some of the locations that you may visit during your guided tour!

Details:

Check-in at: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station (402 East 1st Street) starting at 12:30PM to sign up for a tour spot
Tours will be offered at 1PM and 3PM
Meet at the designated location (details provided at sign-up) 15 minutes before tour start time
Spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis!

The Finale Club

Located: 230 ½ East 1st St.

The Finale Club was a jazz breakfast club during the Bronzeville era when Little Tokyo had transformed into an African American neighborhood during WWII. Over 100,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed during the war, emptying out Little Tokyo for years.

Fugetsu-Do

Located: 315 1st St

Fugetsu-Do is a family owned business operating in the same space since 1930. Fugetsudo not only sells traditional Japanese sweets but also Japanese and American hybrids using chocolate and strawberry flavors and even peanut butter!

Shabu Shabu House

Located: 127 Japanese Village Plaza Mall

Shabu Shabu House was established in 1991 as the first shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) restaurant in the US. Customers can cook their own sliced meat and vegetables in a fragrant broth.

The JACCC Noguchi Plaza

Located: 244 San Pedro Street

Renowned artist and Los Angeles-native Isamu Noguchi’s only publicly-accessible sculpture is located in the JACCC Noguchi Plaza. The volcanic basalt sculpture titled, “To the Issei,” refers to the Issei (first generation Japanese immigrants) who made great sacrifices to support their families and the Japanese American community.

Destination Tour

Venture through the heart of Little Tokyo and the Arts District with our free self-guided tour designed to immerse you in these unique neighborhoods! Whether you’re a seasoned local or just eager to learn, this tour provides the perfect opportunity to explore and experience these communities. Discover a curated lineup of restaurants and retail shops, each offering exclusive samples while supplies last. And the cherry on top? Visit 8 or more spots and claim a special gift at our information booth. Dive in, connect, and relish every bite and sight!

Here’s how it works:

Pick-up a map + stamp card at: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station (402 East 1st Street) starting at 12:30 PM
Visit various shops and restaurants throughout Little Tokyo + the Arts District and pick-up a special sample + sticker from each location
Return to the Information Booth before 4:30 PM to claim a special prize!
Disclaimer: Sample and final prize availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Blooming Art Gallery

129 Japanese Village Mall Los Angeles, CA 90012

Specialty gift shop in the Japanese Village Plaza.

Sample Item: Little Tokyo Magnet

Bunkado

340 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Bunkado is a gift shop, still at its original location in downtown Los Angeles since 1947, supplying the Little Tokyo community with items from Japan and beyond.

Sample Item: Daruma Figurine

Kouraku

314 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

The oldest ramen shop in the United States! Taste the ramen loved by locals and beyond since 1976.

Sample Item: Mini Pork Chahan (Fried Rice)

LOQUI

803 Traction Ave. #15 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Serving honest handmade Mexican food in a casual environment.

Sample Item: Chips & Guacamole

Midori Matcha Cafe

123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St. #101-C, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Midori Matcha Cafe specializes in serving Japanese Organic Matcha drinks, pastries and Kyoto style soft serve ice cream. Enjoy matcha as close to its original, traditional roots.

Sample Item: Matcha Soft Serve

MILK+T

310 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sleek, modern counter-serve featuring classic & signature bubble teas & self-serve toppings.

Sample Item: Little Tokyo Iced Tea

Mitsuru Sushi & Grill

316 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

In the heart of Little Tokyo, they have been serving the best Japanese comfort food in LA for the past 40 years.

Sample Item: Mini Sausage Gacha (Omelette)

Mr. Ramen

341 ½ 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Since 1993, this snug Japanese spot has offered a variety of ramen, including curry & vegetarian options for downtown goers.

Sample Item: Mini Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)

Rafu Bussan Inc

414 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Once a retail business serving many Japanese communities as far as Orange County and South Bay, Rafu Bussan continues to perpetuate Japanese housewares and gift items to our community today.

Sample Item: Ukiyoe Travel Tag

Salt & Straw

829 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Popular ice cream shop from Oregon known for inventive flavors & farm-sourced ingredients.

Sample Item: Split Scoops in Cups! Choice of any 2 flavors in w/ your choice of Sprinkles or Whipped Cream toppings!

Sushi & Teri

116 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Enjoy authentic Japanese dishes which use the finest quality ingredients.

Sample Item: Vegetarian Sushi Roll Set

Utsuwa-No-Yakata

333 Alameda St. #101, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Japanese tableware shop that features a wide variety of handmade creations from Japanese artisans.

Sample Item: Origami Crane Chopstick Holder

Workshops & Demonstration

Trading Card Game Workshop by Anime Jungle

Anime Jungle is an entertainment hobby shop providing products of Japanese anime, Tokusatsu, and Independent Films to fans in Los Angeles since 2001.

Workshop details: Step into the vibrant world of anime with Anime Jungle’s Weiss Schwarz Trading Card Game Workshop! Learn how to play a game that blends characters and scenes from 70+ video games, anime, and manga. This FREE workshop is open to all. Sign up on-site (spots are first come, first serve), grab a trial deck, and come have fun with fellow fans.

Workshop Times:

1:30 – 2:15 PM
2:15 – 3:00PM
3:00 – 3:45 PM
3:45 – 4:30 PM

Ikebana Floral Arrangement Workshop by Little Tokyo Florist

The Little Tokyo Florist is a small shop offering traditional Japanese and Urban styles of floral arrangements, exotic plants, and bonsai.

Workshop details: Join Little Tokyo Florist in a delightful journey into the art of Ikebana or Japanese flower arrangement! At this FREE workshop, you’ll grasp the basics of this time-honored technique. Craft your own floral masterpiece using traditional ikebana tools and take it home as a cherished keepsake. Fresh flowers, vases and materials will be provided. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

Workshop Times:

1:30 – 2:30 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

Emoji- Pan Workshop by Okayama Kobo

Okayama Kobo uses 100% Hokkaido flour with no additives/preservatives, and brings a variety of soft and fluffy bread to the Little Tokyo community.

Workshop details: Decorate your very own Emoji-Pan (sweet bun filled with homemade vanilla bean custard) at Okayama Kobo. Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe bakes fresh from scratch daily, using additive/preservative-free dough, and 100% Hokkaido flour. The end result is a delicious, pillowy soft, and an irresistible treat!

Workshop Times

1:30 – 2:30 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

Spam Musubi Workshop by Aloha Cafe

From Spam & eggs to slow-cooked BBQ pork, Aloha Cafe offers a range of Hawaiian specialties in the heart of Little Tokyo.

Workshop details: Join Aloha Cafe for a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a classic Spam musubi, a snack composed of a slice of grilled Spam on top of a block of rice, wrapped together with nori in the tradition of Japanese omusubi. Experience a taste of Hawaii right in our own backyard with one of the best Hawaiian restaurants in Los Angeles!

Workshop Time:

2:00 – 3:00 PM

Live Calligraphy Demonstration by Kuniharu Yoshida

Kuniharu Yoshida is a Japanese Calligrapher and Hip-hop dancer from Tokyo, who descends from a lineage of Master Calligraphers. Now based in Los Angeles, he began traditional calligraphy at six under Master Yoshiko Kawakita. Over two decades, he evolved, merging traditional with contemporary arts, emphasizing cross-cultural understanding. His significant works have been showcased at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum’s Uneo Art Exhibition, and he has performed for LACMA, Netflix, and Sony Electronics. Recently, he delved into film, with his documentary “First Street North” winning Best Documentary Short at the 2019 Asian Film Festival of Dallas.

Demonstration Time:

2:15 PM

List of Exhibiting Organizations

Engage with our featured exhibitors! These community organizations uplift and empower our community members. We invite you to interact, learn, and discover the remarkable differences these organizations make every day.

Art Share LA https://artsharela.org/
Audrey Chan https://www.audreychan.net/
Chinese Museum https://camla.org
East West Players https://eastwestplayers.org
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) https://jaccc.org
Japanese American National Museum (JANM) https://www.janm.org
Japanese Chamber of Commerce https://jccsc.wildapricot.org
Kizuna https://gokizuna.org
Little Tokyo Business Association http://www.visitlittletokyo.com
Little Tokyo Community Council/Go Little Tokyo https://littletokyola.org
Little Tokyo Historical Society https://www.littletokyohs.org
Little Tokyo Library https://www.lapl.org/branches/little-tokyo
Little Tokyo Service Center https://www.ltsc.org
Los Angeles River Artists & Business Association https://laraba.org
Metro Bike Share https://bikeshare.metro.net/
MOCA https://www.moca.org
Nikkei Progressives https://www.nikkeiprogressives.org
Sustainable Little Tokyo http://sustainablelittletokyo.org
Tanabata Festival https://www.tanabatalosangeles.org
Terasaki Budokan https://www.terasakibudokan.org
Visual Communications https://vcmedia.org

In Proud Partnership with the Little Tokyo Community Council and Go Little Tokyo

About the Little Tokyo Community Council

Established in 1999, the Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) is the nonprofit community coalition of residents, businesses, and religious, cultural, and community organizations as well as other vested stakeholders in the Little Tokyo community. LTCC advocates on behalf of the Little Tokyo community, and provides the opportunity for the community to speak effectively with one voice for the best interests and betterment of Little Tokyo.

About Go Little Tokyo

Go Little Tokyo is LTCC’s community-led marketing initiative aimed at highlighting the unique cultural programs, community events, and dining and shopping experiences found in Little Tokyo.

Learn how you can get involved at: https://littletokyola.org/

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