Travel Guide

LAX Parking and Little Tokyo

The Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles is one of Southern California's largest centers of Japanese and Eastern culture. Founded around the beginning of the 20th century, Little Tokyo now supports a thriving commercial and entertainment environment complete with some of Los Angeles' finest museums. Although a large chunk of the original Japanese population has moved into nearby neighborhoods like Torrance and Gardena, Little Tokyo still houses a number of first generation Japanese immigrants. At its peak, Little Tokyo housed more than 30,000 Japanese Americans, as well as Italian and Mexican immigrants. Today, LAX parking customers are encouraged to explore this cultural hotspot, complete with stops at the Japanese American Cultural & community Center and the Japanese American National Museum. Little Tokyo also sports a unique shopping district, as well as the best sushi in town. An international splash of culture and class awaits you in Little Tokyo, so what's holding you back? Plan an exotic Eastern road trip during your upcoming Los Angeles vacation.

A Cultural Collection: The Attractions of Little Tokyo

If you love exploring the forgotten treasures of yesteryear, the community of Little Tokyo is the perfect place to begin your LAX parking adventure. Museums and cultural centers are the main attraction in Little Tokyo, providing visitors with a background on local and international Japanese issues. Before you begin your adventure in Little Tokyo, Johnny Parks LAX Parking highly recommends stopping in at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Here you'll find a variety of cultural programs as well as the award-winning Irvine Japanese Garden. A number of exciting artworks are also housed on the grounds, along with the 880-seat Japan America Theater. From there, LAX parking customers are encouraged to stop in at the Japanese American National Museum, the Yagura Tower and the David Henry Hwang Theater. Little Tokyo also features a number of public artworks including a monument to astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, a Japanese American from Hawaii who was aboard the fated Space Shuttle Challenger that exploded on takeoff in 1986. The Go For Broke Monument is also worth visiting as it commemorates those Japanese Americans who served in the United States Military during World War II.

Food and Festivals: How to Have Fun in Little Tokyo

If you're tired of eating fast food during your LAX parking vacation, Johnny Parks recommends visiting one of the dozens of outstanding Japanese American restaurants in Little Tokyo. A number of restaurants in the area cater to both Japanese and non-Japanese clientele, so don't be afraid to eat outside the box during your trip. Types of Japanese cuisine found in Little Tokyo include Donburi, shabu-shabu, and Japanese curry. A number of Korean barbeques also operate in the area, providing LAX parking customers with a spicy kick of flavor. The best place to begin your culinary quest through Little Tokyo is at the Japanese Village Plaza in the center of the district. Several restaurants can be found here as well as a number of shops geared specifically to tourists. If you're looking to enjoy a true cultural experience during your trip to Los Angeles, Johnny Parks LAX Parking highly recommends scheduling your vacation during one of the community's numerous festivals. The Nisei Week Festival is held every August and includes a number of athletic events, a beauty pageant, and a taiko drum performance. The LA Tofu Festival is also held during August with the help of Little Tokyo.

Are you interested in learning more about the Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, please contact the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center today. Potential visitors can call 1-213-628-2725 between the hours of 8am and 10pm on weekdays. The JACC is located at 244 San Pedro Street near the center of Little Tokyo.