Little Tokyo is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. How old? It’s been around for 140 years. Established in 1884, it is a cornerstone of the Japanese American community and one of four remaining Japantowns. It is also the location of the first sushi restaurant in America, Kawafuku, in the 1960s and another restaurant, Fugetsu-do (founded in 1093) claims to have invented the fortune cookie.
Located in downtown Los Angeles, Little Tokyo is the heart of the largest Japanese-American population in North America. It also attracts more than one million visitors annually. It has two Japanese gardens, holds the Nisei Week festival every August, exhibits of Japanese art and culture, a taiko drum festival, the Japanese Festival Street Faire and more annual events.
“The commemoration of 140 years of Little Tokyo’s legacy and the 25th anniversary of the Little Tokyo Community Council honors the sacrifices and contributions enabling Little Tokyo to be the vibrant neighborhood and center for arts, culture, history, business, dining, and entertainment here in Los Angeles,” said Chris Komai, Board Member of the Little Tokyo Community Council. “These milestones not only pay homage to our storied past but also ignite a flame of inspiration, propelling us forward as champions of diversity, resilience and unity.”
The Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) is a nonprofit coalition representing residents, businesses, religious institutions, arts and cultural centers and community organizations. It is celebrating its 25th year of preserving and promoting the character and values of the Little Tokyo historic community.
Little Tokyo, one of the last four remaining Japantowns in the United States and second oldest enclave in Los Angeles, has shopping, dining and performing arts. Two places, the Japanese Village Plaza and Weller Court, each has several restaurants.