Little Tokyo is a historic neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles, known for its Japanese American heritage and cultural institutions. Metro A and E lines serve the neighborhood, making it straightforward to combine a visit with other downtown stops.
- Location: Downtown Los Angeles; the neighborhood address given by the Little Tokyo Community Council is 402 E 1st Street.
- Rail: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station is served by Metro A and E lines.
- Nearby landmark: The Japanese American National Museum is across the street from that station.
Getting oriented in Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo is a historic downtown Los Angeles neighborhood and one of three historic Japantowns remaining in the United States, according to the Little Tokyo Community Council. The council describes it as 140 years old and identifies it as one of California’s 14 designated Cultural Districts.
Use 1st Street as a starting point for getting your bearings. The neighborhood address is 402 E 1st Street, while Japanese Village Plaza, at 335 E 2nd St, describes itself as a gateway to the Little Tokyo Historic District. These addresses help place the district’s central streets and landmarks without requiring a long route plan.
If you’re mapping out a wider downtown day, Little Tokyo can fit alongside other central-city stops. The downtown Los Angeles day route gives a broader framework for combining neighborhood visits.
Museums and cultural places
The Japanese American National Museum is a central cultural stop in Little Tokyo, at 100 North Central Avenue on 1st Street between Alameda Street and Central Avenue. Admission covers its galleries and special exhibitions; some public programs and events may have an additional fee.
The museum’s regular schedule is Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Friday hours extending to 8 p.m.; it is closed Mondays. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and older, $12 for college students with ID, and $12 for youth ages 6–18.
Children age 5 and under and members enter free. Free admission is offered on Fridays after 5 p.m. and on the first Friday of the month. Check the museum’s official site before you go for current hours, prices, and closures.
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is at 244 S. San Pedro St. Its office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on weekends.
The Aratani Theatre box office is open Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MISE at the Toshizo Watanabe Exhibition Center is closed Mondays and Sundays, open Tuesday through Friday by appointment, and open Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Food, shops and neighborhood streets
Japanese Village Plaza is a useful address to orient around while walking the neighborhood: it sits at 335 E 2nd St and marks the gateway to the Little Tokyo Historic District. From there, use the surrounding streets to connect the plaza with the museum and other cultural locations.
How do you get to Little Tokyo from South Central?
Metro A and E lines stop at Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, which serves the neighborhood. The Japanese American National Museum is directly across the street from the station, and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is a 7-minute walk from it.
Union Station is a useful connection point if you arrive by rail or bus. The museum describes its location as a 17-minute walk from Union Station, which is served by Amtrak, Metrolink, LAX FlyAway, Greyhound, and Metro A, B, and D lines.
DASH Route A serves the neighborhood, with stops on 1st Street. DASH Route D stops at 2nd/Main and Temple/Aiso, within walking distance, and Metro bus lines 30/330, 40, 106, and 854 serve Little Tokyo. For a wider look at nearby stations and routes, use this guide to Los Angeles Metro from South Central.
Street parking in Little Tokyo is limited. The Japanese American National Museum identifies nearby paid parking options and does not validate parking. Little Tokyo also has more than 15 parking lots and bike-share stations.
Sand Piper Motel South Central Los Angeles is a 2.5-star motel in Los Angeles. You can review the motel’s room options while planning a downtown visit.
Hours and visitor details to check
Schedules differ across Little Tokyo’s cultural venues, so confirm details with each organization before setting out. The Japanese American National Museum has a regular weekly schedule and admission prices, while the Cultural & Community Center’s office, theater box office, and exhibition center each have separate hours.
For museum access, the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station is directly across the street from the Japanese American National Museum. If you’re going to the Cultural & Community Center, allow a 7-minute walk from the station. Parking is limited in the neighborhood, and the museum cannot validate parking.
FAQs
Where is Little Tokyo in Los Angeles?
Little Tokyo is a historic neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles. Its address is 402 E 1st Street.
Which Metro lines serve Little Tokyo?
The Little Tokyo/Arts District Station is served by Metro A and E lines. DASH and several Metro bus lines also serve the neighborhood.
Is the Japanese American National Museum near a Metro station?
Yes. The museum is directly across the street from Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, served by Metro A and E lines.