For over a century, Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo district has been a home and business district for a thriving community of first- and later-generation Japanese-Americans, including a section officially preserved as a historic landmark, plus numerous surrounding buildings including museums, restaurants, and shopping. Little Tokyo notably includes the Japanese Village Plaza, which includes everything from convenience, snack, and clothing stores to a “Little Akihabara” building with retro video games, model and toy shops, and a pop-up zone that has hosted everything from Sega to Square Enix shops to a maid cafe. Stores include Fugetsu-Do and a Kinokuniya bookstore, while restaurants include the famous Sushi Gen, less famous Oomasa, katsu shop Kagura, and noodle soup space Tsukemen Aizen. The district is also home to the Japanese American National Museum.
Little Tokyo is next to The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, with the Arts District and Grand Central Market within extended walking distance. Paid parking is available throughout the area, though typically expensive; expect to pay $15 to $20 for a spot you can use all day if you plan to spend two or more hours in the area.
