7th Annual Historic Grapefruit Cocktail Night

Delicious Little Tokyo 2024 & 140th Anniversary Celebration
presented by Wolf & Crane and Sustainable Little Tokyo

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Wolf & Crane
366 E 2nd Street

We’re excited to kick off the first day of APAHM and continue our celebrations of both 140 years of Little Tokyo and 25 years of Little Tokyo Community Council!

Sip the 1884 Cocktail and taste 140 years of Little Tokyo history. Celebrate our two historic grapefruit trees, remnants of the Wolfskill grapefruit orchard, and our historic Japantown.

$5–10 suggested donation
Benefitting Little Tokyo Community Council’s 25th Anniversary. Must be at least 21 years of age. Government-issued photo ID required at check-in.

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1884 map

There are two remaining Little Tokyo grapefruit trees from the Wolfskill Orchard, which stretched into downtown from the late 1800s to early 1900s and popularized citrus in California. JW Wolfskill property appears northern boundary is just south of 3rd (below Wine Growers Association) and stretching south to almost 7th St. and eastern boundary is Alameda St.

Source: Little Tokyo Historical Society

1884 map

There are two remaining Little Tokyo grapefruit trees from the Wolfskill Orchard, which stretched into downtown from the late 1800s to early 1900s and popularized citrus in California. Another JW Wolfskill property in Boyle Heights. A couple of decades later, A. Labory name will appear as a property owner in Little Tokyo just north of Jackson St.

Source: Little Tokyo Historical Society

1985 - Old grapefruit tree on Azusa Street in Little Tokyo

There are two remaining Little Tokyo grapefruit trees from the Wolfskill Orchard, which stretched into downtown from the late 1800s to early 1900s and popularized citrus in California. Faced with redevelopment in 1980, JACCC and the SoCal Gardeners Federation saved and relocate our 150-year old tree from its original location behind the Amerasia bookstore (near what is now Somi Somi) to the JACCC Plaza. These trees have witnessed the citrus groves; the growth of the city of LA; the founding of Little Tokyo; the WWII Japanese American incarceration camps; and our perseverance through many waves of displacement and redevelopment. These trees are a symbol of our resilient, thriving community, and they continue to bear fruit for future generations!

Source: CSUDH Archives

1985: Old grapefruit tree on Azusa Street in Little Tokyo

A photograph of an old grapefruit tree on Azusa Street in Little Tokyo. A Japanese gardener is carefully digging around the roots to relocate it. The tree has been left alone over 100 years in Little Tokyo. SCGF coordinated the removal and transfer with constructors for the Sho Tokyo Community Parking structure.
The Southern California Gardeners' Federation Records includes “Gadena no tomo = The gardener's monthly; Turf and garden,” fliers and pamphlets circulated among the members, photographs, scrapbooks compiled by the SCGF member chapters, and other collected materials, such as, membership cards and business licenses. Photographs include prewar Japanese gardeners, SCGF headquarter building groundbreaking ceremony, gardeners associations’ conventions, anniversary events, annual installation programs, commercial booth exhibits, Co-op sale, Japanese-style gardens which received prizes numerous times, social clubs and activities, and volunteer activities. Scrapbooks were complied by SCGF member chapters, such as the Los Angeles Southwest Gardeners Association, Inc. and Women's Auxiliary of Los Angeles Southwest Gardeners Association, Inc., including photographs, newsletters, and clippings.

Source: CSUDH Archinves

1985: Old grapefruit tree on Azusa Street in Little Tokyo

A photograph of an old grapefruit tree on Azusa Street in Little Tokyo. A Japanese gardener is carefully digging around the roots to relocate it. The tree has been left alone over 100 years in Little Tokyo. SCGF coordinated the removal and transfer with constructors for the Sho Tokyo Community Parking structure.
The Southern California Gardeners' Federation Records includes “Gadena no tomo = The gardener's monthly; Turf and garden,” fliers and pamphlets circulated among the members, photographs, scrapbooks compiled by the SCGF member chapters, and other collected materials, such as, membership cards and business licenses. Photographs include prewar Japanese gardeners, SCGF headquarter building groundbreaking ceremony, gardeners associations’ conventions, anniversary events, annual installation programs, commercial booth exhibits, Co-op sale, Japanese-style gardens which received prizes numerous times, social clubs and activities, and volunteer activities. Scrapbooks were complied by SCGF member chapters, such as the Los Angeles Southwest Gardeners Association, Inc. and Women's Auxiliary of Los Angeles Southwest Gardeners Association, Inc., including photographs, newsletters, and clippings.

Source: CSUDH Archives

1985 - 100 year old grapefruit tree after major surgery still has the stamina to bear fruit!!!

A clipping from their newsletter, "Gardena no tomo = Turf and gardens." It features the grapefruit tree which was transferred to another location from Azusa Street in Little Tokyo.
The Southern California Gardeners' Federation Records includes “Gadena no tomo = The gardener's monthly; Turf and garden,” fliers and pamphlets circulated among the members, photographs, scrapbooks compiled by the SCGF member chapters, and other collected materials, such as, membership cards and business licenses. Photographs include prewar Japanese gardeners, SCGF headquarter building groundbreaking ceremony, gardeners associations’ conventions, anniversary events, annual installation programs, commercial booth exhibits, Co-op sale, Japanese-style gardens which received prizes numerous times, social clubs and activities, and volunteer activities. Scrapbooks were complied by SCGF member chapters, such as the Los Angeles Southwest Gardeners Association, Inc. and Women's Auxiliary of Los Angeles Southwest Gardeners Association, Inc., including photographs, newsletters, and clippings.

Source: CSUDH Archives

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Continue the celebration this week after our Historic Grapefruit Cocktail Night at the following community events!

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!

Learn more about Little Tokyo’s history and ways to celebrate throughout the year.

VC FILM FEST (Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival)

May 1–10
Toast 140 years of Little Tokyo with drinks at Historic Grapefruit Night and celebrate 40 years of the Visual Communications Film Fest through the iconic film CRUSIN’ J-TOWN on Wednesday, May 1.

Delicious Little Tokyo

May 4
Our annual culinary celebration of Little Tokyo is almost here! Join us for walking and tasting tours, hands-on workshops, and free neighborhood exploration activities for all ages!

Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) Celebration

May 4
May 5th marks a special occasion in Japan known as Kodomo no Hi (子供の日), or Children’s Day, which is celebrated throughout the country. JACCC embraces this holiday by presenting an exciting celebration that weaves together Japanese and Japanese American traditions into a fun-filled day for children of all ages.

Immerse yourself in Japanese flavors, games, performances, and traditions, and make this an unforgettable experience for you and your family.

Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival

May 4
Join us for the third annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival as we proudly celebrate the Japanese holiday Kodomo No Hi in Little Tokyo. "Kodomo No Hi" means "Children's Day" in Japan and is a day to celebrate and wish for health and good fortune for all children. In partnership with Faith-Ann Kiwa Young, co-mrkt, and Terasaki Budokan, it will be a fun-filled day with activities for the whole family!

BudoComedy Show 5

May 4
Celebrate AAPI Month by joining Terasaki Budokan for a night of comedy at their bi-annual event in support of Little Tokyo Service Center on Saturday, May 4, 2024!

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Return to Delicious Little Tokyo event schedule