Little Tokyo Celebrates 140 Years!
We celebrate the legacies, businesses, institutions, and people who have helped Little Tokyo Los Angeles reach this incredible milestone. We honor the community perseverance that continues to help Little Tokyo thrive today and for another 140 years and more!
140 Years of Little Tokyo Los Angeles
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![Fugetsu-do]()
Fugetsu-do Archive
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![Koyasan Los Angeles Mission 100th Anniversary Pictorial]()
Koyasan Los Angeles Mission 100th Anniversary Pictorial
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![Zenshuji Soto Zen Temple 100th Anniversary Film]()
Zenshuji Soto Zen Temple 100th Anniversary Film
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![Nisei Week Archive]()
Nisei Week Archive
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![East West Players Archive]()
East West Players Archive
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![Visual Communications Archive]()
Visual Communications Archive
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![Little Tokyo Historical Society Digital Archive]()
Little Tokyo Historical Society Digital Archive
Celebrating Little Tokyo’s Legacies
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Centenary United Methodist Church
Since 1896
Celebrating 125+ Years -
![Fugetsu-Do Confectionery]()
Fugetsu-Do
Since 1903
Celebrating 120+ Years -
![Rafu Shimpo Newspaper]()
Rafu Shimpo
Since 1903
Celebrating 120+ Years -
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Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple
Since 1904
Celebrating 120 Years -
![Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple]()
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Since 1905
Celebrating 115+ Years -
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Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin
Since 1912
Celebrating 110+ Years -
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St. Francis Xavier Chapel "Maryknoll" Japanese Catholic Center
Since 1912
Celebrating 110+ Years -
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Union Church of Los Angeles
Since 1918
Celebrating 105+ Years -
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LA EyeCare Optometry
Since 1921
Celebrating 100+ Years -
![zenshuji]()
Zenshuji Soto Mission
Since 1922
Celebrating 100+ Years -
![Queen Em Kato enjoying the Nisei Week Parade in 1952, as she passes by Toyo Miyatake Studio.]()
Nisei Week
Since 1934
Celebrating 90 Years -
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Far Bar/Far East Café
Since 1935
Celebrating 85+ Years -
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Anzen Hardware
Since 1946
Celebrating 75+ Years -
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Bunkado
Since 1947
Celebrating 75+ Years -
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Japanese Chamber of Commerce Southern California
Since 1949
Celebrating 75 Years -
![Rafu Bussan]()
Rafu Bussan
Since 1958
Celebrating 65+ Years -
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Little Tokyo Business Association
Since 1959
Celebrating 65 Years -
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Keiro
Since 1961
Celebrating 60+ Years -
![East West Players]()
East West Players
Since 1965
Celebrating 55+ Years -
![Mitsuru Cafe]()
Mitsuru Cafe
Since 1968
Celebrating 55+ Years -
![Japanese Community Pioneer Center]()
Japanese Community Pioneer Center
Since 1969
Celebrating 55 Years -
![Visual Communications]()
Visual Communications Media
Since 1970
Celebrating 50+ Years -
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Oomasa
Since 1972
Celebrating 50+ Years -
![Little Tokyo Towers]()
Little Tokyo Towers
Since 1975
Celebrating 45+ Years -
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Kouraku
Since 1976
Celebrating 45+ Years -
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Mitsuru Sushi and Grill
Since 1976
Celebrating 45+ Years -
![Koreisha]()
Koreisha Senior Care and Advocacy
Since 1976
Celebrating 45+ Years -
![Little Tokyo Public Library]()
Little Tokyo Public Library
Since 1977
Celebrating 45+ Years -
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Kinokuniya
Since 1977
Celebrating 45+ Years -
![Little Tokyo Service Center]()
Little Tokyo Service Center
Since 1979
Celebrating 45 Years -
![LA ArtCore]()
LA ArtCore
Since 1979
Celebrating 45 Years -
![MOCA]()
MOCA
Since 1979
Celebrating 45 Years -
![Japanese American Cultural & Community Center]()
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Since 1980
Celebrating 50+ Years -
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Hair Craft
Since 1980
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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Sushi Gen
Since 1980
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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J. Morey Insurance
Since 1980
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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Utsuwa-no-Yakata
Since 1981
Celebrating 40+ Years -
![Leadership Education For Asian Pacifics]()
Leadership Education For Asian Pacifics
Since 1982
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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Little Tokyo Florist
Since 1983
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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NT Auto
Since 1983
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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Sushi & Teri
Since 1983
Celebrating 40+ Years -
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Du Japon Hair Club
Since 1984
Celebrating 40 Years -
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Uyehara Travel
Since 1985
Celebrating 35+ Years -
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Kurata Eye Care
Since 1986
Celebrating 35+ Years -
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Hanaichimonme
Since 1986
Celebrating 35+ Years -
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Vantage Sports
Since 1987
Celebrating 35+ Years -
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Sushi Gala/Las Galas
Since 1988
Celebrating 35+ Years -
![Go For Broke - National Education Center]()
Go For Broke - National Education Center
Since 1989
Celebrating 35 Years -
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BEST Chiropractic Clinic
Since 1991
Celebrating 30+ Years -
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Watanabe Jewelry
Since 1991
Celebrating 30+ Years -
![Japanese American National Museum]()
Japanese American National Museum
Since 1992
Celebrating 30+ Years -
![Mr. Ramen]()
Mr. Ramen
Since 1993
Celebrating 30+ Years -
![CAUSE]()
CAUSE
Since 1993
Celebrating 30+ Years -
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California Floral Company
Since 1995
Celebrating 25+ Years -
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U & U Graphics
Since 1995
Celebrating 25+ Years -
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Blooming Art Gallery
Since 1995
Celebrating 25+ Years -
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Korea BBQ House
Since 1997
Celebrating 25+ Years -
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T.O.T.
Since 1997
Celebrating 25+ Years -
![Tuesday Night Project]()
Tuesday Night Project
Since 1998
Celebrating 25+ Years -
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Korean Kitchen Hibachi
Since 1999
Celebrating 25 Years -
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Ginza
Since 2001
Celebrating 20+ Years -
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Anime Jungle
Since 2002
Celebrating 20+ Years -
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Daikokuya
Since 2002
Celebrating 20+ Years -
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Orochon Ramen
Since 2002
Celebrating 20+ Years -
![Little Tokyo Historical Society]()
Little Tokyo Historical Society
Since 2006
Celebrating 15+ Years -
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Little Tokyo Pharmacy
Since 2006
Celebrating 15+ Years -
![Los Angeles Tanabata Festival]()
Los Angeles Tanabata Festival
Since 2009
Celebrating 15 Years -
![Kizuna]()
Kizuna
Since 2011
Celebrating 10+ Years -
![Sustainable Little Tokyo]()
Sustainable Little Tokyo
Since 2013
Celebrating 10+ Years -
![API Rise]()
API Rise
Since 2013
Celebrating 10+ Years -
![Nikkei Progressives]()
Nikkei Progressives
Since 2016
Celebrating 5+ Years
Little Tokyo’s 140th in the Community
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![FSN Groundbreaking]()
Go For Broke Plaza and First Street North Residences break ground at 232 Judge John Aiso St.
On February 13, Little Tokyo Service Center broke ground on the Go for Broke Plaza and First Street North Residences, a mixed-use project which will replace a city-owned parking lot next to the Japanese American National Museum, at 232 Judge John Aiso Street.
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Japanese Women’s Society Welcomes New Year
Organization to celebrate its centennial in 2024.
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L.A. Honors Former Restaurant as First Japanese-Owned Business in Little Tokyo
The Los Angeles City Council voted to recognize Kame Restaurant, which opened in 1884, as the first Japanese-owned business in Little Tokyo.
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Honoring contributions from visionary Japanese Americans throughout Little Tokyo
Naming Projects are plaques, monuments, and other signifying indicators that the Little Tokyo Historical Society has worked to place throughout the city. They are reminders of moments and people in our history who have had the greatest impact.
Visit these plaques and monuments to learn more about Little Tokyo.
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Rafu Shimpo 100th Anniversary Book
The oldest and largest Japanese community daily newspaper outside of Japan commemorated its 100th anniversary in 2003. Follow the Nikkei community through changes and development from the perspective of The Rafu Shimpo. This soft-cover book is from the original print run.
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Little Tokyo's Revival
Looking back at Little Tokyo’s 130th Anniversary in 2014.
Written by Chris Komai
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![Photographer Chikahisa Tanaka]()
Historic Celebration at Old Japanese Union Church
101st Anniversary and Historical Signs Event in Little Tokyo
Source: Rafu Shimpo
