Shop local, order holiday meals and treats for takeout, and support Little Tokyo’s neighborhood businesses in the heart of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – This season, Go Little Tokyo for the Holidays to shop safely and support Little Tokyo’s local and historic businesses. Whether ordering delivery and takeout from one of the neighborhood’s delicious restaurants, checking off one-of-a-kind gift items for your list, snapping a selfie during a contactless visit with a cardboard cutout of Shogun Santa, or donating directly to relief efforts, there are a number of ways to show love to Little Tokyo this season.
The holidays will be in full swing during the month of December when Shogun Santa comes to town as a cardboard cutout to bring safe and contactless holiday cheer and festive photo moments to Little Tokyo. Snap the perfect holiday card photo with Shogun Santa next to the Japanese Village Plaza Christmas tree during his visits on December 12, 13, 19 and 20 from 11 am – 3 pm. The Little Tokyo Business Association in partnership with Skid Row-Kyo will also be collecting new and gently used blankets to be donated to the local unhoused community during these times.
Go Little Tokyo has created curated neighborhood gift guides to make holiday shopping and supporting local businesses easier and more convenient than ever. While the holidays may look a little different this year, you can still send family members and loved ones special sentiments from Little Tokyo and wrap up some of the best gifts and stocking stuffers with proceeds and purchases benefitting the small businesses.
Visit golittletokyo.com/holidays to browse gift guides and order personalized and thoughtful gifts online shipped straight to loved ones doorsteps across the country to let them know you are thinking about them.
The streets of Little Tokyo will be decked out in festive lighting and decor and are full of everything from neighborhood markets to boutique specialty shops, some of LA’s best ramen and sushi restaurants, traditional mochi desserts and matcha drinks, and more. Stroll through the historic First Street North and Japanese Village Plaza glowing under overhead lighting while checking off everything on your holiday to-do list using Go Little Tokyo’s online directory of businesses including restaurants, grocery stores, and help keep the magic of the historical neighborhood alive for many years to come.
At over 135-years-old Little Tokyo in Los Angeles is the second oldest and historic neighborhood in Los Angeles and the largest of only three remaining Japantowns in the United States. The neighborhood is home to an estimated 400 businesses, with nearly all facing severe impacts due to the pandemic. For those looking to send love and holiday cheer to the small businesses in Little Tokyo, the Little Tokyo Community Council needs help in raising donations for the Little Tokyo Small Business Relief Fund, a relief fund aimed at raising and distributing $500,000 in grants to provide financial support for hard-hit, at-risk small businesses in Little Tokyo. To make a donation to the Little Tokyo Small Business Relief Fund, visit littletokyola.org/gofundme.
Restaurants and businesses in Little Tokyo offer a number of convenient amenities including curbside, in-store pickup and takeaway dining options to make holiday meals and shopping easier than ever. Businesses in Little Tokyo remain committed to the health and wellness of the community and are open and implementing additional safety protocols. Face coverings are required when visiting Little Tokyo and all guests are encouraged to practice physical distancing. For more information and to view the Little Tokyo gift guides for ideas, visit golittletokyo.com/holidays.
ABOUT GO LITTLE TOKYO
Go Little Tokyo is a community-led effort aimed at highlighting the unique cultural programs, community events, and dining and shopping experiences found in Little Tokyo. As one of Los Angeles’ most vibrant cultural hubs, there is an abundance of destinations and landmarks in and around this historic walkable neighborhood, and Go Little Tokyo will help you uncover them. Go Little Tokyo is a Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) project developed and produced by Community Arts Resources (CARS) and made possible with support from LA Metro. For more information, visit: golittletokyo.com