Japanese culture has experienced a renaissance post-pandemic, as anime and other Japanese exports have exploded in popularity. While there are many new and exciting shops and restaurants in Little Tokyo, many of the long-standing businesses in DTLA remain hidden gems.
1. Rafu Shimpo, 1903
Employees of The Rafu Shimpo pose for a company photo at their Los Angeles Street location on July 22, 1934. This year, Little Tokyo’s two oldest businesses, The Rafu and Fugetsu-Do Confectionery, are celebrating 120 years of serving the community.
Rafu Shimpo has long advocated for the rights of Japanese Americans and is the oldest business in Little Tokyo and the country’s bilingual newspaper. Although it is a newspaper, Rafu Shimpo offers unique merchandise and historical exhibits. Stay up to date with what’s new in Little Tokyo by picking up a newspaper at the Rafu office or find one at most local stores!
https://rafu.com/contactus/
(213) 629-2231
701 E 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
2. Fugetsu-do, 1903
Fugetsu-Do showcase
Although it’s not exactly a secret, Fugetsu-do is a family-run business best known for its daily handmade daifuku mochi. This traditional company is a great community partner that speaks for itself.
https://www.fugetsu-do.com/index.html
(213) 625-8595
315 1st Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
3. California Flower Company, 1916
Shop window of the California Flower Company.
Secure 24-hour ordering of bouquets, floral arrangements, fruit baskets, silk flowers and balloons for a variety of events. Support a local business by sending an old-fashioned get well or well-wishes letter! Located directly across from the Civic Center in Little Tokyo, behind Weller Court.
https://www.cafloral.com/
(213) 613-0020
220 1st Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
4. Far Bar, 1935
Window display of Far East Café, Far Bar during the day.
Far Bar, also known as Far East Cafe, offers one of the largest selections of craft beers imported from Japan in California. In addition to the 34 beers on tap, there is a wide selection of sake, tequila, whiskey, bourbon and rum, opening up the possibility for some very exciting seasonal cocktails. But that’s not all: there’s also sushi, burgers and wasabi fries to accompany your drink.
https://www.farbarla.com/
(121) 361-7999
347 1st Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
5. Bunka-do, 1946
Irene Tsukada Simonian is the third generation owner of Bunkado Gift Shop on First Street.
Have you ever been to the second floor of this traditional Japanese goods store? This gift shop is not only a one-stop shop, but also has an antique and ceramics shop on the second floor. Check out the beautiful Japanese ceramics by Shoshi Watanabe, Japanese Shodo calligraphy by Kuni Yoshida, vintage kimonos, Japanese records and CDs.
https://www.instagram.com/bunkado_ltla/?hl=en
(213) 625-1122
340 1st Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
6. Rafu Bussan Inc, 1958
The interior of Rafu Bussan with a large Daruma.
Another much lesser known gift shop is Rafu Bussan, a popular Japanese homewares and gift shop that is a well-kept secret among locals. It became a staple in the community after the Japanese were internment in WWII, so you don’t have to drive all the way to Japan to find Japanese-made gifts. You can find them in Honda Plaza, where you’ll find many other local shops hidden from the public eye. Be sure to let Rafu Bussan know in advance before you stop by to ensure you get a spot!
https://rafubussaninc.com/
(213) 614-1181
414 East Second Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
7. Mitsuru Cafe, 1968
Window display of Mitsuru Café.
This small shop in the Japanese Village Plaza is always bustling with visitors. They are best known for their Subscribe And Mitarashi Dangobut have you tried their specialties or – my favorite – their inexpensive but delicious takoyaki?
(213) 613-1028
17 Japanese Village Plaza Mall,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
8. Suehiro Mini, 1972
Kenji Suzuki, owner of Café Suehiro, at its former location in Little Tokyo.
Although we sadly lost this long-time Little Tokyo business, the owner still operates the cafe in Chinatown. This shop has always been known for its friendly staff and long hours, often closing at 1am, making it great for a late night snack. They always have seasonal specials, so be sure to stop by at different times of the year to try all of their exciting new specials.
https://www.suehirocafe.com/
(213) 947-3106
642 N Broadway #5,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
9. Oomasa, 1972
Oomasa showcase
Oomasa is a local favorite and one of the first restaurants to introduce sushi to Los Angeles! So you can be sure their sushi is killer. Discover fun combinations like their Spider Roll, Dragon, and Red Dragon Rolls. Fun fact: Oomasa was featured in an episode of Remington Steele!
https://www.oomasarestaurant.com/menu-oomasa-little-tokyo-restaurant
(213) 628-9048
100 Japanese Village Plaza Shopping Center,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
10. Kourakus, 1976
Kouraku sign
With happy hour from 2pm to 6pm and opening hours until 2am on weekends, Kouraku is the perfect place to enjoy a heartwarming meal. We recommend the Subscribe or any of the endless ramen choices from their extensive menu. Now with an adorable robot cat waiter: Luna-chan will deliver your food!
https://kouraku.square.site/?location=11eae3eee6529f3195c3ac1f6bbba82c#3
213-687-4972
314 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
11. Mitsuru Sushi and Grill, 1976
Mitsuru Sushi and Grill store front.
Not to be confused with Mitsuru Cafe, Mitsuru Sushi and Grill serves a wide variety of Japanese comfort food from their extensive menu. Mitsuru Sushi and Grill is another great place to get sushi at a good price while supporting a local business. Not to mention, the owners are usually nearby and very friendly to anyone who visits.
https://www.instagram.com/mitsuru_sushi_littletokyo/
(213) 626-4046
316 1st Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
12. Kinokuniya, 1977
The Kinokuniya bookstore logo is attached to the awning outside the store and is surrounded by flowers.
Don’t let books die! Although Kinokuniya (bookstore in Japanese) is part of a large bookstore chain, it is a very popular place to visit. As a bonus, Weller Court is less crowded than the Japanese Village Plaza and has plenty of hidden gems of its own.
https://usa.kinokuniya.com/stores-kinokuniya-los-angeles
(213) 687-4480
123 Astronaut ES Onizuka St, #205
Los Angeles, CA 90012
13. Hama Sushi, 1980
The quiet shop front of Hama Sushi.
Specializing in sushi and sashimi, Hama Sushi is an upscale, authentic Japanese restaurant perfect for a date or special occasion. It’s certainly very exclusive and the lines out the door are always long, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Visit on your next trip to Little Tokyo and let the top-notch sashimi speak for itself.
https://hamasushirestaurant.com/
(213) 680-3454
347 E 2nd Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
14. Utsuwa no Yakata, 1981
Many bowls for sale in front of Utsuwa no Yakata.
Located on the first floor of the Little Tokyo Galleria or Sakura Shopping Mall, this ceramics shop is a hidden gem. Many of their ceramics are handmade and come directly from Japan, including tons of home accessories, cutlery, vases, plates and mugs. But they always have cheap specials, making it the perfect place to get a beautiful but affordable gift or to outfit your new home with fine tableware. Like Weller Court, the Little Tokyo Galleria is a great place to find some unique shops away from the hustle and bustle of the Little Tokyo Village Plaza.
https://utsuwa.us/
333 S Alameda St Ste 101
Los Angeles, CA 90013
15. Sushi Gene, 1981
Sushi Gen is teeming with customers.
Although their sashimi and sushi are prepared with impeccable artistry, they also offer bento combos and rice bowls. Sushi Gen is another great place for special occasions with its stylish atmosphere. Be sure to book in advance and avoid going on a Sunday or Monday.
https://www.sushigen-dtla.com/
(213) 617-0552
422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles,
CA90012
16. Small flower shop in Tokyo, 1983
Owner Yuka Mizusawa in front of her thriving business: Little Tokyo Florist.
Ikebana, bonsai, bouquets and workshops – Little Tokyo Florist is a business born out of the Japanese-American tradition. Not only do they care about the locals, but they also love to pass on their knowledge through occasional workshops if you check out their Instagram regularly.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C9s_wkGpuk6/
(213) 617-0005
333 S Alameda St #110,
Los Angeles, CA 90013
17. Hana Ichimonme, 1986
Hana Ichimonme exhibition in front of the store.
Hana Ichimonme is also located in the Sakura shopping center and is known for its Kyoto style Ramen. They have a wide variety of dishes including kakigori(shaved ice), Hiyashi Ramenand large portions of curry. Interesting fact: Hana Ichimonme is actually the name of a Japanese children’s game.
https://www.hanaichimonmeusa.com/#menu
(213) 626-3514
333 S Alameda St 3rd Floor,
Los Angeles, CA 90013
18. VANTAGE Sports, 1987
Vantage store logo banner on the outside of the store.
Are you a fan of Shohei Ohtani? Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Hideki Matsuyama? VANTAGE Sports has everything from sports equipment to trading cards. VANTAGE Sports proudly states that they “only offer genuine and high-quality products from top brand manufacturers.”
https://www.vantagesportshop.com/
(213) 617-0875
123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St Suite 207,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
19. DEAD, 1997
Window display of Teishokuya of Tokyo AKA TOT restaurant.
T.OT. is short for Teishokuya of Tokyo and a local favorite. It was part of a former long-standing business that is now closed: Kagura Downtown. They have some affordable bento and a wide selection of Japanese-flavored food. Plus, they have over 20 kinds of sake, soju, and Japanese beer. And if you can’t make it to Little Tokyo this time, you can always get it delivered with TOT’s DoorDash service.
https://kagurausa.com/?loc=dead
(213) 680-0344
345 E 2nd Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
20. Korean Cuisine Hibachi, 1999
Window display of Hibachi BBQ Korean Kitchen.
A Korean BBQ restaurant is the last place you’d expect to find on this list, but this place definitely deserves an honorable mention. In Little Tokyo, it doesn’t matter if you’re Japanese or not, as long as you come to support local businesses!
https://places.singleplatform.com/korean-kitchen-hibachi-barbeque/menu?ref=google
(213) 680-1039
135 Japanese Village Plaza Mall,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
