Best Things to Do in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles is seriously one of my favorite parts of the city — and a major part of that is because of Little Tokyo.

This neighborhood first began to take shape in the 1880s, and by the time World War II rolled around, it was home to the largest Japanese community in the U.S. Nowadays, it’s one of just three established Japan towns that still exist across the country — and it’s also one of my favorite areas to explore in Los Angeles.

It’s full of fun shops, a nearly overwhelming number of Japanese restaurants, and lots of interesting history and cultural significance. Plus, it’s walkable, and not that large, making it an easy — and really worthwhile — day trip while in Los Angeles.

I have to confess, it took me several visits to California and then several years of living here to finally make it here. So learn from my mistakes and definitely fit it into your LA itinerary! And when you go, start with these best things to do (and places to eat) in Little Tokyo.

Explore local history at the Japanese American National Museum

May 2026 update: The museum is currently closed for renovations, but it will reopen later in the year.

This is honestly one of the most underrated things to do in Little Tokyo.

Here, you can get some much-needed context about how Little Tokyo became, well, Little Tokyo.

The Japanese American National Museum details how Japanese immigration to the United States began, how Little Tokyo began to grow, and the Japanese internment camps during World War II, which greatly impacted California’s Japanese community, and in general, gets really overlooked in our history.

During this time, 120,000 people were detained — around 37,000 of whom came from Los Angeles County (and two thirds were born in the U.S.) As a result, the Little Tokyo neighborhood didn’t start to recover until the 1970s, and it became a designated historic district in the following decade.

All of this history is shared in much more detail at the museum — in fact, I think it’s one of the best in LA, and is more than worth your time.

Tickets are $16 or $9 with a student ID, and the museum is open every day except Monday.

Go shopping in Little Tokyo

One of the reasons that Little Tokyo is a must-visit in LA is its many unique shops that are fun to explore, ranging from vintage clothing to all sorts of Japanese goods.

You’ll find a lot of shops (and restaurants, but hold that thought) concentrated around the The Japanese Village Plaza, and in the surrounding streets.

Some places to check out:

• I really like Bunkado, which has been open since the 1940s, and sells all kinds of art, gift and household items, and is right around the corner from the plaza.

• Kinokuniya Los Angeles is a well-known Japanese book store (it has a wide range of books available in English, not to worry.) It also carries lots of Japanese stationery, art supplies, and other gift items.

• Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle was described as “a small trinket heaven” by one enthusiastic Yelper, and they’re not wrong. This is your spot if you’re looking for anything from anime figurines, stationery, kitchen items, and more.

• Space City is a vintage shop. They especially have lots of cool t-shirts, and rare records that are fun to look through.

• Hob Nob has really cute clothing. To be honest, it’s a little out of my price range (most of the dresses are in the $75+ category), but I still like popping in and taking a look.

• Kools in the Japanese Plaza is a tiny shop but is still interesting to check out for its retro, Japanese-style clothing and other items.

• You’ll also find a ton of anime-focused shops. To be honest, that’s not really my domain, but they are entertaining to look through. One fun one is Catch, where you’ll find tons of gachapon, a coin-operated vending machine for toys. Each machine has a different theme (some I noticed include SpongeBob, Winnie the Pooh, hair clips, and of course lots of anime-themed ones), and it’s a surprise which toy you’ll end up with.

Experience Little Tokyo’s food scene

Ok, this is seriously the main event in Little Tokyo. I’m still working my way through the massive food scene that’s packed into this tiny neighborhood, but here are a few places I’ve tried and loved:

Sushi Gen

If you’re torn on where to eat in Little Tokyo, Sushi Gen would be my No. 1 pick.

This is probably the best sushi I’ve ever had, which I know is a bold statement. But seriously, if you’re looking for high-quality sushi in an authentic Japanese atmosphere, give this one a try.

Just keep in mind that it’s definitely on the pricier side (for me at least), but very worth it for a splurge meal, and it was great value overall. You’ll also probably need to wait — when I last visited on a Saturday night, we were told it would be an hour wait, but it ended up being more like an hour and forty minutes. (But honestly, it is just that good, that I couldn’t even be mad).

Sushi Gen is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Sushi Enya

I was also super impressed by Sushi Enya. Its atmosphere is pretty no-frills, but all the rolls I tried was really fresh, high-quality, and overall delicious. Prices were also pretty reasonable, and service was quick.

Sushi Enya now has five locations, but its Little Tokyo location is the original. It’s only open for dinner service.

Daikokuya

For ramen and other Japanese classics, head to Daikokuya. This is a popular spot that can definitely get crowded, but the portions are generous and hearty. I tried the gyoza and salmon sashimi appetizers, and the spicy miso ramen.

Rakkan Ramen

This Japan-based Rakkan Ramen now has a few locations around LA as well as a couple of other states, but its first U.S. location is right in Little Tokyo. Apart from ramen, they have some sushi rolls, buns, and other appetizers. I love their spicy garnet ramen, with has a miso-based broth with sesame paste.

Pasta e Pasta

If you’re looking for something beyond traditional Japanese food, Pasta e Pasta first got its start in Japan, serves delicious pastas. They serve some classic pasta dishes with red and cream sauces, like bolognese and puttanesca, but I think they’re really worth visiting for their Japanese-Italian fusion dishes.

I tried their “Mentai Cream Japanese Style,” which came with a cream sauce, cod roe, and mushrooms, which had a really rich, unique flavor. One of their specialties is their uni (sea urchin) pasta

Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop

As far as local institutions go, you can’t beat Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop, which has been around since 1903. They’re especially known for their mochi, and I’d really recommend buying one of their boxes (you can get six pieces for $12 or eight for $16), so you can try a few options. Just keep in mind that it’s cash-only if you spend less than $15.

Honeymee

For dessert, I can never resist a matcha soft serve with honeycomb from Honeymee, located within the Japanese Village Plaza.

From left: Sushi Enya, Daikokuya, Honeymee

Here are a couple of other options that I have yet to try, but have been on my list for a while:

Hama Sushi

Hama Sushi is strictly sushi — as in, it says “Only Sushi/Sashimi. No Tempura No Teriyaki No Noodles No Rice Alone,” on its website. With that said, this place always seems to pop up on every Little Tokyo food Reddit thread (where I dig for all my best restaurant tips), so it’s got my attention. They also seem to be pretty affordable, with some rolls available for $7.

Marugame Monzo

For udon, Marugame Monzo is supposed to be amazing. Their noodles are handmade, and they serve both hot and cold dishes with interesting flavors like squid butter udon and sea urchin cream.

Check out art at the MOCA

If you’re looking for a contemporary art fix, then look no further than the MOCA. This museum has two locations, with the other one just a mile away in Downtown LA. General admission is free.

Visit the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) is recognized as one of the largest ethnic and cultural centers in the country, and it hosts a range of exhibitions and events dedicated to Japanese culture, including art, food, music, and more.

Planning your visit to Little Tokyo

Where to Stay in Little Tokyo

If you’re still deciding which neighborhood to base yourself in during your trip to LA, I think Little Tokyo would be such a fun option. Not only are you surrounded by so much shopping, and dining, but the neighborhood is walkable, and connected to public transportation. (Some less safe areas like Skid Row aren’t far away, but as long as you’re not walking around aimlessly, I think Little Tokyo is perfectly safe.)

You also have other fun areas to explore super close, like the Arts District, and Olvera Street, a historic area with a Mexican market that’s just half-a-mile away, making it a great base for your trip.

I break down more popular neighborhoods with affordable hotel recommendations across LA County in this guide.)

Miyako Hotel Los Angeles

If you want to stay right in Little Tokyo, the best option is Miyako Hotel Los Angeles. It’s perfectly located right in the action, so you can easily walk to all of Little Tokyo’s best restaurants and shops.

Reviews are really high, and past guests praise the spacious, comfortable, and clean rooms, kind and helpful staff, and unbeatable location.

🍜 Book an unforgettable stay in LA’s historic Little Tokyo now ✨

How to get to Little Tokyo

How to get there by public transportation

I know LA doesn’t have the best reputation for public transportation, but Little Tokyo is actually quite accessible, with its own metro station, Tokyo/Arts District Station, which can be reached by the A or E line, and takes you right to the Japanese American National Museum.

Parking in Little Tokyo

If you’re driving (and I do really recommend renting a car for your LA visit), Little Tokyo does have a number of garages and parking lots available.

Just keep in mind they’re not the cheapest — many of them range from $10 to $20 for the day, or the meters have two-hour limits which is annoying. (But find the list of available lots here.)

I usually try my luck finding free street parking around 10 minutes outside of Little Tokyo, in the Arts District area, and walking.

Head to one of these LA guides next:

• Best Things to Do in Los Angeles in a Budget (From a Local)
• 15 Best Hidden Gems in Los Angeles
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• The Ultimate Budget Itinerary for 1 Week in Los Angeles
• Where to Stay in Los Angeles on a Budget
• What to Do in Downtown LA
• What to Do in Beverly Hills For Free
• Los Angeles Ghost Tour: A Local’s Honest Review
• 10 Best Museums in Los Angeles
• Best Things to Do in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
• Best Things to Do In Pasadena (From an LA Local)