30 years ago I remember seeing ornate beautiful dishes and lots of cds! now it seems they have a fun, eclectic mix of stuff. there were practical things (like a veggie shredder & lots of tabi), cool postcards, clothing items & also displays by local artisans... which sort of gave it a gallery-like feel. we ended up purchasing an artisanal hoji-cha & an ear picker. LOL, had to get one. read more

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We had some time to kill and so decided to peruse around Little Tokyo and stumbled upon this shop. They had a TON of fun Japanese gift items and decor like stationary, postcards, kitchenware, maneki nekos, origami paper, and so much more. They also had a lot of traditional items/supplies for tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and kimonos. I had fun looking through all the items as it brought me back to our summer in Japan. Apparently they have a long standing history in LA, having opened in 1946 after World War II. The shop occupies the site of the first Japanese-owned business in Los Angeles, circa 1890's. Pretty cool! I have a soft spot for everything animal shaped and soo.... I picked up a fun/odd felt tiger Christmas ornament, a cat pen, and a super cute bronze cat shaped spoon that hangs on the side of your cup. Did I need it? No.... but it's fun and makes me happy. Haha! Overall, great shop to browse around and find some unique gift items. They even wrap up your purchases in paper bags like they do in Japan. I LOVE IT! read more

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Found this place by walking by and wandered in. They have so many cute and pretty stuff! Bought a gift for my friend here. It's definitely a fun store to browse too! They have cute ceiling decorations too. I would definitely come back here. read more

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Great service and products! Very nice and helpful on the phone, and the shop is a very pleasant experience. They even have a great website with much of their inventory Easy location, lots of parking nearby read more

Bunkado has very good selection for Japanese Bunka which means culture in Japanese. Located middle of Little Tokyo. Dont forget to check up stirs. read more

Whenever I go to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, I always visit this shop because of the unique and amazing treasures. I bought myself a beautiful family crest. I subsequently wanted to purchase more for several other family members and I was happy to be able to order them online because I'm from San Diego. They shipped my purchases quickly. read more

Bunkado - Japanese Family Crest - Home Decor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Whether you're just a tourist in Little Tokyo trying to catch some "visually Japan" images, or you're looking for some unique gifts, or, you just want to have an unexpected and out of the ordinary experience, Bunkado will likely delivers that, if you just look closely, with a little patience. The store is full of things beautiful in Japanese ways: porcelain with shadows of clouds, bronze wind chimes with paper tassels, figurines, calligraphy, and even their own postcards (only $1 each!). And of course toys and products derived from the great Japanese pop culture of manga- - what's a Japanese store without them?! There have to be thousands of items here! Something for everyone - bargain hunters can quickly find the value items, while exploratory shoppers can spend an hour perusing everything from home decors to cassettes and vinyls from yesteryears. It's an experience you won't regret. read more

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Wonderful shop in Little Tokyo. It is two stories and packed with all sorts traditional of items from Japan. In the second floor, you can find artisan green tea, kimono, prints, candles, etc. I highly recommend you stop by to pick up some souvenirs. The staff is very friendly and helpful. read more

Bunkado - Teapot, greeting card, stickers - Home Decor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Received a set of bowls as a wedding gift. I was not the purchaser and did not have a receipt. When I sent a picture of one of them that had been slightly chipped in transit, the person I contacted immediately shipped a replacement. Very easy, highly commend their customer service. Bowls are beautiful as well. read more

Thank you for staying in Little Tokyo! My mother was able to find a traditional wood jubako and now we can pass it down from generation to generation. read more

I love popping inside Bunkado almost each time I'm in Little Tokyo. Bunkado is a souvenir store, but not the cheesy type. It's old, here since the 40's, has wooden panel decor, nice style and merchandise, fun things, your usual trinkets, but also unique cards, clothes, Japanese imports, pretty dishes you can get for the house, lots of exotic home decor, books, media, a bit of everything. Till my recent visit, I didn't know they have an upstairs area full of bargains, once again nice Japanese pottery and various items, fun to check out. Great place to shop for cooler items for your house or more interesting gifts, prices are reasonable. Service can be better, last time I was in here, they were very eager to close 15 minutes before 7 pm. So, I kinda had to go. Otherwise, it's fun to shop here and I love to have some stability in LA, shops that are always there for you in a certain part of town! read more

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Love this store. I always stop here when I visit Little Tokyo. The founder, Tokio Ueyama, was a fine artist. https://www.bunkadoonline.com/pages/tokio-ueyama. The store is still a family business. Their passion and taste shows through. It is truly curated, but quite affordable, and full of delightful surprises. I really enjoy shopping here. read more

I love this jewel in Little Tokyo. They have great Japanese books, dishes, & the coolest souvenirs around!

I always always visit this store! The upstairs is consistently stocked with quality kitchenware. It's well organized and well lit. In general I love this place so so much, nowhere else am I able to find cast iron teapots and mizuhiki cords under the same roof. there's also tea caddies and bamboo picks, and whole tea sets. also there are family stamps (for signatures?) and really small good luck trinkets :) There's a selection of design books that's nestled in one corner... I don't think I've seen these ones carried at Kinokuniya either, which is very interesting. The people who run it are so sweet, always offering to gift wrap whatever I (impulsively) buy haha. i'll always come back! such a lovely place to browse through read more

I'm not quite sure how long this place has been around but this was my first time seeing it. It was too interesting not to go in so I had to check it out! I really loved the collection of Japanese culture. Whether it's a bento box, tea pot, matcha ceremonial set, chopsticks, ceramics, etc. We spent a good 20 minutes in the store because it was very cool and we wanted to buy everything. If you're stopping in little Tokyo, I highly recommend you to check out this place. Especially if you're looking for a gift for a friend or family. We'll be back soon! read more

Bunkado is a Japanese gift shop that has been around since the late '40s. There are kitchenware items, home decor, lanterns & lamps, dolls & figurines, origami and paper for crafts, calligraphy sets, stationery, candles, and Buddhist supplies. The hubs and I stopped by to check out the store, and I liked the ceramic chopstick holders and the cute dashboard bobble heads. Everything is moderately-priced, especially considering that they're located in downtown Little Tokyo! I'm a little disappointed that I didn't check out the upstairs, as it seems that is where all the bargains (aka 'Bunka-Bargains') are! T___T I'd like to make a return visit, especially for those bargain deals! Extremely limited, metered street parking. +shop of Japanese gifts +bargain items upstairs +limited metered street parking read more

Even before Little Tokyo had so many shops to explore, Bunkado was a must-see destination for me during any visit to this area over the last 35 years. The shop has so many wonderful things available and it would be the first place I would recommend for anyone looking for any authentic Japanese tableware, books on Japan, note cards with Japanese artwork/photos, and high-quality Japanese items like incense, windchimes, paper mache Daruma, beautiful furoshiki printed fabric (for wrapping), toys, and lacquerware. The staff employed at Bunkado are always helpful, courteous, and welcoming. They make my long trek to get to Little Tokyo by train worth the journey, and I look forward to each time I have a chance to shop there. read more

Needed glass and or plastic doll cases and was able to get them. Great service and great selection.

If you're looking for Japanese kettles, ceramics, incense, things like that, Bunkado is fantastic. It reminds me of the mom and pop shops of my childhood and prices aren't too bad. It's probably one of the few shops in Little Tokyo that feels really Japanese. Will be back to replenish my incense supply! read more

Bunkado is a very cute japanese gift shop store. It opens at a good time in the morning on the weekends so if you are a bit early to lunch or shopping in the area, it is a great place to stop by and peruse. For me, I was looking for a sturdier matcha whisk than you can get in regular grocery stores. And what you pay for is what you get. I think in the regular grocery stores you can get them sub $10 price range, but they don't really work that well. The one I got at bunkado whisks up an excellent froth - the 100 prong type. I am very happy with my purchase. I also splurged on a matcha bowl and it is excellent quality - made in Japan. I think the woman in the store said the store has been around since the '40s or '50s and its pretty amazing that its withstood the test of time. the quality of the items is much better here than at the tokyo outlet around the way but you should check it out for yourself! The ceramic selection is way larger. read more

My favourite Japanese gift shop. Got some gorgeous clay cooking pots here made in Japan. Very lovely selection of items, I could easily spend an hour here looking. A must visit if you're in Little Tokyo. read more

Bunkado is a great store in Little Tokyo. If you are looking for a gift, you have a variety of items to choose from at Bunkado. They have decor, stationary, books, kitchen ware (bowls, plates, sauces dishes) and more. This is a legacy business so they are very rooted in the community. The owner and the employees are all community members as well. So even if you are just popping in to ask a question or get a recommendation about where to eat they can help you. They can also help you if you any questions regarding purchases or if you are not sure what to buy for gifts. read more

Great gift shop in Little Tokyo. Beautiful souvenirs that are not kitschy and might even be keepers. They also have a great selection of books about Japanese myths and legends for kids. Great primer on Japanese culture/history. read more

This shop is one of the very last of the Little Tokyo family businesses that have been there for over 75 years. They have traditional Japanese wares & gifts but also contemporary items that appeal to young and old alike. read more

Cute little gift shop in Little Tokyo- cleaner than a few other options in the area, and somehow more welcoming too despite the fact that I didn't actually interact with staff other than my transaction. Books, decor, and toys in the front area with decor, homegoods, and tea sets toward the back. There are plenty of kitschy items mixed in with the more traditional styles. One of the better shops to pop into and look around! read more

Bunkado - Signage - Home Decor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I recently ordered an item from the online store. The package arrived fast enough but had no shipping invoice or the item I requested. There was something in the package, just not what I asked for. It wasn't even a reasonable substitution. Edit: I got an e-mail right away and they are going to make it right. read more

Nice little store in Los Angeles Little Toyko district. Owner and staff are very friendly. This is one of the few places in the LA area that has a good selection of 17" high japanese dolls with kimonos. read more

One of few gift shops in Little Tokyo that have reasonable prices. Across street from Daikokuya & Suehiro cafe on 1st street. Always find something good and they sometimes vintage items on there 2nd floor. read more

This was a nice gift shop that's Japanese themed-- some of my favorite type of novelty items. The pricing wasn't too bad either. I didn't feel like it was overpriced or a rip off. Everything was neatly in place and there were other items I would definitely splurge on if it wasn't my first day in Cali and I wasn't being financially cautious xD I bought a really cute mug here for $12. Checked the brand website and my specific version wasn't available on there, so I'm really glad I bought it. Great shop to pick up some souvenirs, albeit they won't be California themed so if you're searching for that, find a more basic, American gift store haha. The cashier was lovely and you can pay with a debit card as well. I'd totally go back for some oriental tea cups and cute little cards. Very collectable. The aisles are a little cramped if you're trying to get past someone browsing, but the shop doesn't get crowded, so it's not too bad. I would stop by again next time I'm back in California for sure and probably look around a little longer. read more

Japan gifts reasonably priced. Staff very friendly and helpful. Even wraps gifts for free!

This is a nice little gift shop. There is nothing you really need in this store, but lots of stuff that just makes you smile. A similar store, Ginza Gifts, is a few doors down. I do prefer shopping there for Japanese Novelty Items. I would definitely make this a stop on a trip to J-Town. read more

Bunka Do Japanese Imports. I clap my hands for you. You must have passion and belief in your business, to own and operate something like this. Maybe, the owner is just filthy rich and does this just for fun. Either way, this is the only store I know that carries authentic Japanese artwork, wind chimes, trinkets, books, origami paper, and novelties. Some very traditional, others unusual, and a few items that are just plain quirky. Stuff you just don't find lying around these days. For instance, this little Japanese notepad that has a picture of Sadaharu Oh, commemorating his 756 Homerun, along with his profile. Sadaharu Oh is a famous Japanese baseball player and manager, known for his 868 career homeruns and for holding Japan's single season homerun record with 55, until Wladimir Balentien broke the record in 2013 with 57 homeruns. Where do you find something like this outside of Japan, let alone the world? You feel me? They have some really cool ceramics and greeting cards. One of them says GRATEFULNESS - a word often forgotten in the minds of many people today. An expensive looking Geisha Doll was encased in this glass box, in which I dare not touch. There's a second floor to this place, that I didn't browse thru, but the nice Japanese lady told me that they had Japanese records, cassettes, and CD's. I think they're for the older generation and not anything for you young hipsters. Bottom line, there's stuff in English, so don't be shy, but be careful of the small amount of space and narrow aisles, cause I'm sure they'll make you pay for it, if you break it. Hence, I didn't touch anything that looked pricy. Maybe, that's why no one ever took a picture of this place on YELP till now. I wasn't scared to look, just hesitant to move around the store. AS YOU EXIT, TO THE LEFT I saw a postcard of a favorite childhood cartoon character, ASTRO BOY! "Thanks For The Memories" - Bob Hope. read more

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Great little shop! The prices are not bad either. Picked up some more tea tins that were either the same price of a bit cheaper than Tokyo Central! While here I also picked up a small little boar/pig for 2019. read more

I think I've been coming in this store my entire life. As an adult I've been coming in here for over the last 20 years. I've gotten so many things. It's rare I leave the store without something, and if I do it's only because I've come in recently and bought something on another day. I'd call it a knickknack store, but it's more than that. There are useful things and also many baubles. Most of the things if not everything is imported. I've collected mini tanookis, small glazed shrine figurines, postcards, chopsticks and holders, artwork, cassette tapes and many other things. I always say I want one of those $500 gigantic tanookis, I might do that someday, and this is where I'll buy it. If you're in the area this is a must to check out. Classic store. Friendly staff. Let it live forever!!! read more

There's a lot of things on the first floor - from stickers to postcards, & books, but my favorite place to browse is the second floor. There's a gold mine of music in this store! I frequent Little Tokyo often, but never went in this store until last year. My boyfriend came to visit LA for the first time so we wandered around random stores, with our friends, to see what we could find. They walked into Bunkado, so I followed. When we walked in, we noticed some old J-pop and enka tapes by the register, and we got really excited because we all are into the silver age of J-pop. A few months passed since first finding this store, & we went back to see if there were any more tapes. To our surprise, there was a new selection of them by the register! The friendly man who works here noticed us looking at the tapes. He tapped me on the shoulder telling me to follow him. I was a little confused, looked at my friends, but eventually followed. He lead us upstairs to a whole floor filled with tapes, CDs, & more! We probably spent a few hours looking through everything trying to find artists we liked & walked out with boxes full of tapes. At 50 cents a tape, we went a bit crazy! We went back a few months later, and this was probably my fondest memory there so far. We asked to go upstairs, and one of the cute ladies was watching over us as we browsed. My friend asked her a question and she was very helpful. She saw how invested we were in this that she pointed out to us that they had more tapes in the back, which she let us freely browse. My friends went to browse those tapes, but I stayed up front browsing the shelves still & she came over to talk to me! She told me she was surprised that 20-somethings like us were really into Silver-age music because even her own children didn't know any of these groups or singers. She even asked me who some of my favorites were! We had a long & nice conversation, and she told me about her memories of some of them, like Hikaru Genji. She even gave me recommendations based on our conversation. My friends & I have gone to Bunkado a few times since discovering it. The staff is just really nice, helpful, & very adorable. I've never had a bad experience with them! It's now a tradition my friends & I have to go here whenever all of us are in town! read more

Bunkado - Tapes! - Home Decor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Small, narrow Japanese gift store with really tight aisle space so if you're the proverbial "Bull in the china shop", don't enter since they have a "You break it, you pay for it." policy. The shop is crammed with all sorts of Japanese objets d'art as well as tons of tschochkes. There is a good selection of ceramics and figurines. I like their big selections of wind chimes especially the ones made with Nambu iron which produces a clear yet scintillating melody. They sound so cool & refreshing on a sultry, soft summer night with the sound of crickets in the background. The upstairs caters to more Japanese tastes since there is a large collection of Japanese music CD's, records, cassettes. A lot of the music caters to Japanese listeners over 40 years old, and so old school music artists from the 1950's through the 80's are emphasized. However, you can ask to see if they stock more recent J-POP offerings if you're interested in the more contemporary music scene. If you're looking for higher end, generally more refined Japanese gifts, the other good alternative in Little To-kyo- is Rafu Bussan on Second Street. These two gift stores give a good representative view of Japanese gift style goods from down home to tres haute. read more

I have been stopping in this little shop for a couple of years, and I always like going in even if just to look. I used to think of the little old Japanese ladies who work their as my grandmothers. As I've aged, they haven't and now they're more like older sisters. I stopped in yesterday to replace a gift I bought my wife several years ago. My evil side knocked this good luck cat off the shelf where it had rested for years and it broke in many, many pieces. My older sisters came to my rescue. While not the same as the one I broke, they had a similar one and now I'll be out of the dog house! Yay, Bunkado! read more

I've been shopping here for years. I usually buy mugs, sake cups, bowls and plates here. Also they have nice cards, origami paper and wrapping papers. I think the prices are great. I've noticed the same items in other shops and Bun Ka Do always has lower prices. The staff is excellent. Very friendly and relaxed. I hardly ever go upstairs (sometimes I even forget it's there) but I believe they have dvd's and cd's up there. read more

This was my favorite shop in Little Tokyo. I especially loved the selection of vintage style postcards. Everything I bought was useful and well designed and the prices are very reasonable. The shop keepers are very friendly and helped me with directions, where to park, where to find a restroom etc. read more

Bunkado - Charming items for small purchases. I especially loved the postcard selection. - Home Decor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have been visiting this store ever since I was a little girl. It's very close to the Buddhist temple that my family goes to. This store has wonderful gift items from ceramic kitchen ware and hashi to ornate dolls and paper goods. I come here for origami paper and books, chopstick holders and little nick-nacks. The items here range from inexpensive to expensive items. They have novelty items to quality gift items. It's always been fun to browse around the store. There are a few stores like this remaining in J-Town where you can purchase quality authentic Japanese items from Japanese people. This would definitely be a good place to visit if you are in the area. read more