1. Nisei Week Parade

    1. Nisei Week Parade

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    Los Angeles, CA

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    Nisei Week Parade

    4.5 (17 reviews)
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    Pageant float.
    Lily A.

    What a fun time I had at Nisei Week! I went on Sunday, took the metro from home (green line to the blue line to the red line to the gold line) but finally I made it to little Tokyo and met my Sasquatch along the way at Union Station. We had a great time at this festival throughout the day there was a lot of food tastings, beer drinking and activities to enjoy. The foods we tried: Takoyaki: these were doughy balls of flour with octopus on the inside. It was completely different from anything I've tasted before, The texture was very gooey and mushy, the flavor was pretty good. I enjoyed my squishy balls...ate about 5 of them. They were 8 balls for $5, come on now those are some cheap balls! Oh and just a warning, these balls come HOT! They should have a "caution" sign! HOT BALLS!!!! Far Bar: had the chicken yakitori and beef tacos for $5, I liked the chicken yakitori, but was not a big fan of the soggy beef taco. Kogi is way better. Dango: One of the booths were selling dango which are fried doughy balls with powdered sugar. Sort of like a donut. This booth was right next to dogzilla and while waiting in the dogzilla line, I saw balls and couldn't resist. These were 4 balls for $3 and they were pretty decent size fried balls. Very tastey. http://media1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/O4d_TmeqLy5SkVIhou7Xtg/l Dogzilla: the line was long, but it was worth it. $6 for the dogzilla! Beef hot dog with avocado, japanese mayo, bacon bits, and bits of nori. It was delicious. http://media1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/pUF1OfA_6pDDjKfWk4V9TQ/l We enjoyed some $4 Kirins at the beer garden and had great conversations with a 90 something year old Japanese man who was telling us stories of when he was a chairman for Nisei week. It was cool to listen to all his stories, this old man kicked ass. http://media1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/xAgjn5_rSav3TToIvTtrOg/l Then we found a little beverage stand that was having happy hour and had kirins for $1! So we loaded up on those as well. http://media1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/4APh1lvUW-AUc_u6--DtBg/l We went through all the booths, and stayed till the parade!! I was happy to see Kip Fulbeck, He's the author of 100% Hapa and a professor at UCSB. He has an exhibition going on at the Japanese American National Museum right now, which reminds me that I need to check it out. I enjoyed his book very much, which were portraits of mixed asians and answers of "who are you". Overall, I enjoyed the food, the martial arts exhibit, the booths, the beer, the culture, the kimonos, the people dressed in anime characters and all the different types of balls I tasted!! Until next year Nisei week!

    Lit up parade floats
    Nancy Y.

    Parade in Little Toyko with pageant queens and her court, Masa on his firetruck, Huell Howser hopping out of his convertible car to greet people, and colorful, gorgeous, lit up parade float. See pics. This is from the official website: "TORO" floating is still one of the most impressive and beautiful sights during the summer nights of the Japanese festivals. On the final night, "toro" floating in accompanied by a large display of colorful fireworks. This is said to be the origin of the Nebuta Festival. Gradually these floats grew in size, as did the festivities, until they are the large size they are now. Today the Nebuta floats are made of a wood base, carefully covered with this same Japanese paper, beautifully colored, and lighted from the inner part with hundreds of light bulbs. In early August the colorful floats are pulled through the streets accompanied by people dancing in native Nebuta costumes, playing tunes on flutes and drums." They could have more lit up floats, but overall it was a really fun time. Lots of pople milling about before and after in the Little Toyko plaza where there are a lot of cute shops and restaurants. Traffic was a little heavy on certain streets cause cars were rerouted. Parking wasn't too bad, we found a free parking lot after a few minutes off of 1st Street, near Vignes.

    Jay Y.

    Had the opportunity to head down to Nisei Week's Grand Parade this year, and I had a blast.. The parade was a lot longer than I remember -- it lasted about 2hrs or so? Regardless, it was still a fun experience. I've been to a few parades and countless Nisei Week events, and I'm still surprised by the number of people this event draws out. Being Japanese it makes me proud to see my culture represented to this magnitude in Los Angeles and for that many people to take interest in the Japanese culture. If you've never been to Nisei Week or its Grand Parade, it's quite an experience and I recommend anyone to attend at least once, especially if they take an interest in the Japanese culture. I took a few pictures this year (just a few) and posted them up on this Yelp page... just to give people an idea of what the parade is all about. Nisei Week in itself is SOOO much more since there is SOOO much more to see in the surrounding venues/neighborhoods where the festival also takes place.

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    Review Highlights - Nisei Week Parade

    The aomori nebutas rarely leave Japan and this one was made especially for the Nisei Week Parade and Los Angeles.

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    Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room - May 2016 - my obligatory, albeit blurry, pic :)

    Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room

    4.2(85 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown

    Visited Infinity Mirror Room and let me just say... yes, it's stunning. The lights, reflections,…read morethe whole illusion makes you feel like you stepped into another dimension. No complaints about the actual experience itself, it's beautiful and definitely Instagram-worthy. BUT. That wait vs. payoff ratio? Wild. You're standing there forever, building up the moment, just to get ushered in and out in what feels like 60 seconds flat. By the time you're adjusting your camera and telling your family where to stand, it's already "okay time's up." Like... we just got here?? Honestly, I'd rather they charge more and give people a few extra minutes. Let us actually take it in, enjoy it, and get decent photos without feeling rushed like we're on some kind of aesthetic speed run. That said, it is a must-see at least once. Just go in knowing it's more of a quick visual experience than something you can really sit with.

    On Friday afternoon, my family and I reserved tickets for the Infinity Room next to The Broad…read moremuseum in Downtown LA. Just a heads up, you'll need to book in advance if you want to secure a time slot to see the infinity room. We picked the 3:45 PM slot and waited about 5-10 minutes before entering. There's no food, drinks, or flash photography allowed (which makes sense). To be honest, I was a little surprised by how small the Infinity Room actually is. It's just a tiny platform you stand on surrounded by mirrors so be careful not to get too close to the edges. I think the photos online made it seem much bigger and more "galaxy-like," so I had different expectations going in You're only inside for about five minutes before it's time to exit for the next group. Still, it was a cool experience to check off the list and afterward we walked around The Broad, which made it a fun afternoon overall. I'm very grateful for the memories my family and I got to make together! Quick Note: If you get hungry, Grand Central Market is close by and has a great variety of food spots to choose from! Your welcome!!

    Photos
    Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room - Illusion room

    Illusion room

    Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room - Not being shady... just respecting my bf's privacy :)

    Not being shady... just respecting my bf's privacy :)

    Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room - Infinity room

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    Infinity room

    Olvera Street - Fabulous Margaritas!

    Olvera Street

    4.2(635 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown

    I have wanted to visit Olvera St and learn more about historic LA for years and finally made it…read moredown. What a fun afternoon! If you've ever wanted the experience of walking the streets of Mexico and visiting an authentic Mexican market without ever leaving the U.S., this is for you. Many Olvera St shops and vendors sell traditional handmade Mexican items, sweets and decor. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a tasty meal or beverage. It's also a gorgeous spot to take photos!

    A Fantastic Afternoon on Olvera Street!…read more My wife and I decided to spend the afternoon on historic Olvera Street in Los Angeles, and we're so glad we did! We originally thought about making a YouTube video for The Michael Show, but we were having way too much fun to stop and film! The restaurant, the sights, the atmosphere, and the history were absolutely fantastic. We especially loved being able to support this wonderful community and experience a place with so much character and tradition. From special events like the Blessing of the Animals to the historic surroundings, there's always something interesting happening. Parking can be a little challenging, and yes, it can be a bit pricey--but honestly, once we got there, we forgot all about it! It was a beautiful, fun-filled afternoon, and we just wanted to give a big SHOUT-OUT to Alvarado Street. If you're looking for history, atmosphere, good food, and a first-class afternoon, put this place on your list. We had a fantastic time and can't wait to come back!

    Photos
    Olvera Street - History of Olvera Street.

    History of Olvera Street.

    Olvera Street - Hello Kitty Dodgers

    Hello Kitty Dodgers

    Olvera Street - Shops

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    Shops

    Carroll Ave - Carroll Ave has the Most Victorian Homes on 1 Street in LA. The Picturesque Street includes The Thriller & Charmed TV Show Houses Oct. 2023

    Carroll Ave

    4.8(70 reviews)
    0.7 miEcho Park

    Iconic along the Avenue in every way…read more Carroll Ave is a place filled with lots of scenic as well as historic history. This dazzling slice of Victorian homes in Echo Park, Los Angeles' Angelino Heights area encompasses the 1300s block and tip of the 1400s. Cinema, Music Entertainment & Television and various digital mediums have been capture on this landmark Avenue from Teen Witch and Grandma's Boy to the original Charmed television series and Michael Jackson's Thriller music video film. You can park on this street, stroll and even photo op (just be mindful of properties as they belong to actual home owners who help preserve their homes that are apart of the National Register of Historic Places with several official Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments listed among these homes. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk from Echo Park Lake if close by. Definitely a great place to be a local tourist, show your tourists and enjoy as an LA native/native Angelino.

    Beautiful Victorian homes. I enjoyed strolling down the street. Definitely worth visiting and…read moretaking in the beautiful architecture.

    Photos
    Carroll Ave - Carroll Ave has the Most Victorian Homes on 1 Street in LA. The Picturesque Street includes The Thriller & Charmed TV Show Houses Oct. 2023

    Carroll Ave has the Most Victorian Homes on 1 Street in LA. The Picturesque Street includes The Thriller & Charmed TV Show Houses Oct. 2023

    Carroll Ave - Carroll Avenue is a Historic Section of LA with Beautiful Victorian Houses. Several have been in the Movies & on TV.

    Carroll Avenue is a Historic Section of LA with Beautiful Victorian Houses. Several have been in the Movies & on TV.

    Carroll Ave - Carroll Ave has the Most Victorian Homes on 1 Street in LA. The Picturesque Street includes The Thriller & Charmed TV Show Houses Oct. 2023

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    Carroll Ave has the Most Victorian Homes on 1 Street in LA. The Picturesque Street includes The Thriller & Charmed TV Show Houses Oct. 2023

    Los Angeles Chinatown - Guan Di Temple

    Los Angeles Chinatown

    3.7(214 reviews)
    0.8 miChinatown

    Los Angeles Chinatown is a hybrid of classic Cantonese Chinatown, commercialized China Town, new…read moreimmigrant South East Asian, Vietnamese Asian Town and the new rejuvenation of "Hipster" elements, a modernization and removal of antiquated tradition. Chinatowns were originally Chinese Ghettos, the designated regions where White America would allow Chinese laborers (and subsequently their families) to live. Typically undesirable lower socioeconomic regions. It became commercialized in the late 1960's through the 1970's as a tourist attraction, a cultural curiosity of sort. New York and San Francisco had, has and have a more "authentic" if there is such a description "Chinatown" with East/West coast snobbery towards those Cities over Los Angeles' C-Town. Chinatown is still kind of dirty 'tho, much as New York's and San Francisco's that on a hot humid day you can smell the overrun of sewage stench along the curbs of the streets. It's not quite as filthy as Seattle and Honolulu Hawaii's Chinatown 'tho. Parking can be difficult, but they have ample paid parking lots, and is also off of a public metro transit system. It's nearby Little Tokyo (aka Japantown) as well as kind of close to Dodger's Stadium, Downtown LA, Crypto (aka Staples) Centger, LA Live, the Financial District, the Garment District, etc. So, as a tourist or local running errands, there's many stops along the way and perripherally adjacent. If you crave Chinese Food however, I'd recommend the SGV San Gabriel Valley or The OC, Orange County area of Irvine as great alternatives or greater destinations for dining. If it's visiting something historic, this Chinatown is gritty and a nice experience during the day. The nightlife is mediocre, 'tho if you're driving and want food past 11pm, Chinatown has some really good eats! There is a "Bruce Lee" statue for a photo op for visitors as well as a sitting statue of Sun Yat Sen in the townsquare area. Golden Dragon Restaurant is a good place for authentic Dim Sum. There's an annual Chinese New Year Parade (Lunar New Year, typically sometime in Jan-Feb annually) held here too.

    THIS IS CHINATOWN?! (3 stars)…read more Not going to lie, I'm use to San Francisco's Chinatown so coming here it was like "this is Chinatown?" It's really rundown and I feel could have potential is the right businesses and attractions were put in place. 1) if was so easy to find parking - yes, in LA, and in a Chinatown. 2) the streets were empty with a few local elderly walking around but packed in areas where there were groceries being sold 3) not many attractions to look at. I kind of felt sad for this part of down. It has a great view of downtown LA and prime for development but it feels like a washed up and forgotten area.

    Photos
    Los Angeles Chinatown - Longan Plant

    Longan Plant

    Los Angeles Chinatown - Photography by Kyle 2026

    Photography by Kyle 2026

    Los Angeles Chinatown - Photography by Kyle 2026   Bruce Lee Statue

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    Photography by Kyle 2026 Bruce Lee Statue

    Little Tokyo - Flower crochet

    Little Tokyo

    4.3(306 reviews)
    0.9 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown

    Such a cute little hidden village in the heart of downtown LA. You could drive by and notice signs…read moreof the area but not till you walk through. It's a small stretch but once inside it'll amaze you. Just follow along the pathways and you'll enter an area where it's shops and restaurants. It does get busy so be prepare for that. There's two main parking structure next to it but street parking and public lots are available. Inside you have a small grocery store. Limited in things but they do carry a good selection of produce and Asian items. Then there's all the fun and amazing desserts shops. Anything Asian pastries they should have. The smell of fresh baked items as you're walking by. There's a good amount of ramen and sushi spot with the revolving sushi maybe the most popular at the beginning of the strip. Theres always a line so get there early to put your name down. You have all the fun Asian stores with anime, fun apparel and trinkets. Asian anime lover heaven. The day we stopped by for lunch it was packed. The village was crowded as well as all the parking structure was full. We were walking along the outside of the village as it was too crowded looking for someplace to eat. There was a crowd following each other which I asked someone what was going on and it happened to be a Pokémon battle. Let me say, the place was packed that we thought there was some kind of convention or a tour has happening. It literally brought out so many people. Also I love the fashion there. Kids and adults showing their amazing fashion skills with anime related clothing. The fashion show happening as you're just sitting there on the stoop. The amazing fashion scene where it's all individuality insisted of judgment. Little Tokyo is a hidden spot in downtown that you should check out. It's not big so you could get through it pretty quickly. The restaurant, shops, boutiques, stores are all cute and worth a wander through. LA does have its nice area. Heads up, if it's your first time here. A couple blocks from here is the sketchy area of skid row. Tents and homelessness so just heads up so you're not shocked and freaking out.

    JAPANESE CULTURE & CUISINE UNLEASHED! I love Little Tokyo, I feel safe every time I'm around the…read morearea and the businesses are fairly friendly. I haven't had a bad experience with anyone here. Most of the Japanese restaurants are tourist traps although they tout they're "authentic", I'd skip most of them. Overall, more anime events and cultural festivities are blossoming in Little Tokyo, so there's always something to do! I recently visited Kodansha House and one of the night markets near SomiSomi on a Sunday night. Personally, I recommend the discount shops. Theres a lot of bootleg items in some of them, however, I find neat backpacks and anime-inspired gear once in a while! I've gotten decent deals. If you're a visitor there's several hotels and places to stay nearby. Things close up early, but you'll find a few late night bites here and there. Note: The metro is accessible from Little Tokyo.

    Photos
    Little Tokyo - Honkai Star Rail collab

    Honkai Star Rail collab

    Little Tokyo
    Little Tokyo

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    Nisei Week Parade - localflavor - Updated September 2026

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