A Walking Tour of Little Tokyo

Kyoto Gardens at DoubleTree by Hilton
in Little Tokyo | Photo: Yuri Hasegawa

With roots dating to the 1880s, Little Tokyo is a major cultural and civic center for Japanese Americans living in Southern California. Little Tokyo is a Downtown LA area of about five city blocks, bounded on the west by Los Angeles Street, on the east by Alameda Street, on the south by 3rd Street, and on the north by 1st Street, including the block north of 1st and west of Alameda.

One of only three official Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo is the home of the annual Nisei Week festival, and was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1995.

From cultural attractions to restaurants and bars, read on for a walking tour of Little Tokyo, one of LA’s most historic and popular neighborhoods.

1) DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN

120 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles 90012
213-629-1200
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The home base for your Little Tokyo excursion is the elegant DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown. Nestled in the heart of Little Tokyo, the hotel features a unique Japanese-influenced interior design, and the serene rooftop Kyoto Gardens. The garden and several suites feature breathtaking city views. All rooms feature 42-inch LCD flat screen HDTVs with HBO, and Sweet Dreams by DoubleTree plush top beds with jumbo hypo-allergenic down pillows. The hotel's on-site Justice Urban Tavern serves craft beers and pub fare made with local ingredients. Located in the atrium, the Rendezvous Lounge offers a full-service bar, bar bites, and big-screen HDTVs for watching sports. The Weller Court Shopping Center, with restaurants, shops, a Japanese bookstore and an Asian supermarket, is conveniently adjacent to the hotel.
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2) CAFE DULCE

134 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles 90012
213-346-9910
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Kickstart the morning at Cafe Dulce, located in the Japanese Village Plaza. Caffeinated options include LAMILL Coffee & Tea and specialty drinks like Vietnamese style iced coffee, Hong Kong style milk tea, and organic masala chai latte. To complement the coffee, many guests order the ever-popular Matcha Roti, which are best enjoyed in the morning, freshly made and piping hot. There’s also a variety of freshly made pastries, cakes, and tarts, as well as a selection of sandwiches and salads if you stop by a little later in the day.
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3) OKAYAMA KOBO BAKERY & CAFÉ

328 E. First St., Los Angeles 90012
213-617-2000
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Another morning option is Okayama Kobo Bakery & Café, located in the Miyako Hotel off 1st Street. Featuring LA-based Groundwork Coffee, Okayama Kobo offers freshly baked bread and pastries handmade with 100% Hokkaido flour, with no additives or preservatives.

The Kobo Kuma (bear-shaped bread filled with vanilla bean custard cream) and Chocolate Emoji (soft sweet bun filled with dark chocolate and vanilla bean custard cream) are almost too cute to eat. For a little more umami, there's the Mentai Salt & Butter Roll topped with spicy cod roe and seaweed; Curry Pan (baked, panko-crusted bread filled with original Japanese-style vegetable curry) and Hot Dog Panini with Japanese pork sausage, ketchup, mustard, Japanese mayo and cheddar cheese.

While you're there, be sure to snap a pic of the Shohei Ohtani mural on the side of the hotel!
DODGERS MURALS

4) JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

100 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles 90012
213-625-0414
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Now that you're properly fueled up, cross 1st Street to the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). The museum is internationally recognized for its commitment to exploring America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by presenting and sharing the experience of Japanese Americans with exhibitions, public programs, an award-winning museum store and resource center.

Common Ground: The Heart of Community is an ongoing exhibit that features hundreds of objects, documents and photographs that chronicle Japanese American history, beginning with the early days of the Issei (first generation) pioneers in the 1800s, through the World War II incarceration and post-war resettlement.

NOTE: JANM is currently closed for renovations and will reopen in late 2026.
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5) SUSHI GEN RESTAURANT

422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles 90012
213-617-0552
View WebsiteFor one of the best sushi deals in LA, head to Sushi Gen, located in the Honda Plaza strip mall off 2nd Street. Just before 11am, eager diners queue up for the famed Sashimi Lunch Special.

Priced at $26, the special comes with miso soup, warm tofu dish, pickles, bowl of rice, and a large sashimi plate. Selection varies, but usually includes tuna, yellowtail, spicy tuna or toro, octopus and cooked fish. Note that the lunch special is only available at a table, not at the sushi bar. Lunch is served Tuesday-Friday from 11am to 2pm.
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Tokushima Ramen | Photo: Men Oh Ramen

6) MEN OH TOKUSHIMA RAMEN

456 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles 90012
213-687-8485
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If you’re in the mood for something heartier than sushi, stop by Men Oh Tokushima Ramen, also located in Honda Plaza. Their signature Tokushima Ramen features a savory and umami-rich broth made from Kurobuta pork bones and soy sauce. The hefty ramen bowl includes stir-fried pork belly, seared pork, bamboo shoots, seasoned soft-boiled egg and scallions. Turn up the heat with the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen - curly noodles in the signature broth with spicy miso ball, char siu, shredded nori, chile threads, cabbage, seasoned soft-boiled egg and bean sprouts.   

For those seeking udon, check out Marugame Monzo on 1st Street, where the thick noodles are made right in front of diners who score a coveted “window” seat.
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