Stopped by Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo a couple of weeks ago while I was in town on a…read morebusiness trip. What a fun afternoon. The plaza is packed with shops. I wandered through a few of them, including the ones with the gashapon and claw machines, which was a blast. There happened to be a small anime expo going on, so there were cosplayers everywhere and the energy was great. Lots of Japanese food options around. I grabbed ramen at one of the shops, and there is plenty of variety if you want to eat your way through the plaza. It is a great spot to kill an afternoon, whether you are into anime, Japanese groceries, or just good food. Definitely worth a stop if you are in Little Tokyo.

This plaza is the most stunning part of Little Tokyo. The whole space has been setup to mimic a…read moresmall village of like space of Japan. The open space has beautiful lanterns hanging from the top. There are spots to sit and rest. Both street parking and parking garages are available for visitors. In this plaza there's a lot to do. There are several restaurants first of all. Then there's bakery store, gift shop, Japanese grocery store, ice cream parlor and it's adjacent to another mall building. The plaza is mostly clean and safe to walk around. We spent about an hour here. We bough some stuff from Nijiya market, got kimono from Shinyodo gift shop and got ice cream from Little Tokyo Ice cream and yogurt. All staff members in each store were nice. Prices varied from average to high based on products.

My family and I made a short stop at the Little Tokyo Mall in Los Angeles early one Saturday…read moremorning, just prior to leaving for Las Vegas. We were interested in stopping because it was our first time there and wanted to see it, however, we only had approximately one hour to explore. The shopping center wasn't too busy yet since it was so early, but also most all of the stores were closed as well. We did not get the complete experience of everything that this mall offers. A couple of bakeries were open when we visited and I am glad that we stopped! They allowed us to get some sweet treats and pastries, and they actually became one of the highlights of our trip to Little Tokyo! Although some of the stores weren't opened yet, it was great just to explore the area! All of the storefronts at the mall and surrounding Plaza were decorated for the holiday season. This brought an extra layer of charm to the shopping trip and helped create a cozy, festive ambiance! The quietness of the early morning hours created a amazing environment for us to walk through and enjoy our short little excursion to this beautiful shopping center! Although my visit was brief, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would love to go back again, but next time during afternoon or evening hours when all the shops are open so I can finally see everything the Little Tokyo Mall has to offer!

Parking in the parking desk is easy access into the mall area. Many stores to visit and delicious…read morefoods to choose from. Friendly and clean. Cute photo opt areas. The little mom and pop stores with great prices for collectibles.

30 years ago I remember seeing ornate beautiful dishes and lots of cds! now it seems they have a…read morefun, 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.

We had some time to kill and so decided to peruse around Little Tokyo and stumbled upon this shop…read more 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!

Welcoming service as you walk in the door. Lots to see and such creative art tees! Reasonable…read moreprices for their value. I got a random pair of fly earrings, the cutest selection of accessories. Two locations a couple stores down from each other.

I stumbled upon this cute vintage shop while exploring Little Tokyo. Not only they sell authentic…read moreY2K clothing brands like Abercrombie and Fitch sweaters from the early 2000s for over $40, but also have blind boxes, anime, Japanese goods, fun accessories, and a sale trunk on the back. I went home with a few Korean version of Chiikawa blind boxes and a nigiri bag keychain to gift my friend as souvenirs. The cashier was friendly and welcoming. They even have a vinyl album section next door. Definitely worth checking out when you're in Japantown.

If you want a walk, get in steps, stop by the fashion district in L.A. this place you will probably…read morefind just about anything you want! Clothes, toys, food, sports, antiques and etc. I am pretty sure anything wanted here. You just have to walk the full setup to find it! A lot of decent price and value. But keep an eye on a few items (cloths, shoes and etc) make sure what you grab is legit. Everyone wants your attention to come into most of the shops. Be prepared! Service was good and friendly. Some folks didn't speak full English, but wheel and deal with you!

If anyone has called you for an interview over here, dont go. Meaning after they do an initial…read moreinterview via phone, then want in person, thats when its a huge red flag, just hang up the shit. Thats what I did. Also: when they say: "managers see how you engage, react, with others" its red flag micromanage material right then and there my guy. It was some place in the this pathetic ass district. How sorry!

The atmosphere is really what sets this place apart. Not only are you provided with endless…read moredelicious options, the market is a sort of melting pot of different cultures. The blend of tourists and locals provides a real sense of a welcoming community, which is perfectly balanced with the vintage bright neon signage and industrial feel the space gives. I always gravitate towards the neapolitan personal pizzas, and finish off with mango sticky rice for dessert. However I have tried almost all of the vendors and none of them disappoint. Grab a runny egg and bacon sandwich from eggslut in the morning, grab some street tacos or pupusas for lunch, and finish off with a big warm bowl of ramen for dinner.

When it first opened, in 1917, it was dubbed the "Wonder Market" and considered the largest and…read morefinest public market on the Pacific Coast. At the time, LA was the country's 10th most-populous city and, the market, housed in an iconic Beaux-Arts structure, was LA's epicenter. Times have changed and that epicenter looks different now than it once did. Grittier, for certain, but inside, this booming food hall is vibrant and compelling. I walked over from my place of lodging twice during a 4-night stay and had I stayed longer I'd no doubt have returned a third time. Grand Central market is a great and historic food hall. At least two separate locals expressed their opinion that there's much better food to be found. Of course; LA is huge. But that doesn't discount the fact that pretty much everything one could desire is under this roof. "Wonder Market" indeed. As difficult as it is to resist temptation, should you find yourself here with no appetite for food or drink, know that the people-watching is equally a draw. Park yourself at a table and watch the goings-on. Grand Central Market is a real draw. If you're anywhere near downtown LA, I'd consider it a must-do and frankly, I can't wait to return.

I'm kind of a regular at ROW DTLA so about time I write a review. You can find me often at…read moreSmorgasburg on Sundays! The big food festival that happens every week is what initially brought me to the Row and there is so much to discover there. I also often come here to charge my Tesla ~ charging on Level 5. The Row opened almost 10 years ago on the edge of Arts District and is spread across 30 acres. As mentioned with the charging, they do have a parking garage which is really nice when coming here. And it's a nice garage, well kept and clean, free for 2 hours with validation. You never need to worry about parking when you come here! Like much of Arts District, it's kind of industrial chic vibes. It's an open-air spot with just lovely landscaping and seating all around. There are some excellent food options like Pikunico and Hayato, as well as Go Get Em Tiger for coffee needs. Very cool stores including concept spots and trendy clothing shops. And i'm def getting my next tattoo at Nonfromseoul. Aside from the brick & mortar shops and restaurants and weekly Sunday Smorgasburg, I've been to some other smaller cultural fests & pop ups here. It's always trendy and cute at ROW DTLA!

I really want to give this place 5 stars but I think with its current iteration it isn't quite…read morethere yet only because there's so much space that needs businesses to come in. That being said, ROW DTLA is a dreamscape when it comes to filming content and just catching city vibes in a safe space. Located near the Arts District this space of buildings used to be utilized for the textile industry. With multi floored buildings creating rows of foot traffic on the ground this space is perfect for events, pop ups, and get togethers. It's one of the reasons why Smorgasburg is held here on Sundays. It's why on any given weekend there may be an event being held, whether it be to celebrate AAPI month or the different creatives in the area. This space is filled with homegrown businesses and unique shops to visit. One of my favorite places is Hightide which is a Japanese stationary and supplies shop. The vibes are immaculate and walking in really feels like being in a store in Japan. Another popular space is Scent Bar for those who love perfume and are aromaphiles. With plenty of small curated artists being featured in this apothecary of aromas, Scent Bar is a nice stop whilst visiting the Row. If you're looking for interesting and discussion worthy furniture A+R is a must, located at one of the ends of the Row. For good coffee with artistic vibes you got to check out GGET (Go Get Em Tiger). Next to that if you're looking for stronger waters is Flask & Field with smaller batch and independent distilleries and crafters. All of this and the parking is free for the first 2 hours. In LA, that's unheard of! And it's a large parking structure with modern infrastructure. Blessed. With all this, hopefully ROW DTLA will continue to grow with more businesses and still retain its charm as time marches forward. Good for a short stay or half a day, if you're looking for things to do in LA proper, ROW DTLA is worth your drive.

While exploring LA's Arts District someone suggested that I check out The Last Bookstore then…read morehesitated when I asked if I could walk there. I could, she said, but with temperatures approaching 100 degrees and the possibility of walking through some seriously uncharming blocks, she suggested that I might not wish to. I walked there anyhow and all was fine. The Last Bookstore is quite a treat, especially if you take the time to head to the second floor. It's on this floor where you'll find a plethora of intriguing artwork as well as a mind-boggling array of used books. What else might you find? A porthole constructed of books, a tunnel constructed of books, and a sitting room where you'll be surrounded by books about infamous murderers. (I might be wrong on that last one, but while I sat in that room, those were the books I saw). There's so many used books up there that I found myself having to move a stack of books just to get to the stack behind it that I wanted to root through. Thousands upon thousands of used books and yes, I did make a purchase. Coming back down to the main floor it was impossible not to notice the concert happening on a big platform in the center of the place. Couches surround the area and for a short while I sat and enjoyed the show. Soon I was asked to move as they were reconfiguring things for a sound bath experience being offered shortly (unlike the concert, the sound bath was not free). So there's a ton of stuff going on here and the place is something to see and experience. I'd not make a special trip here were I not somewhat nearby but if you're in the Arts District, Little Tokyo, or heading to Grand Central Market, you're rather nearby and The Last Bookstore is a great place to explore.

Super cool book store that feels endless. Full of unique art and character…read more A must stop while visiting LA to take in the vibes, history and snag an affordable book! My friend and I had so much fun just walking around and discovering all of the cool visual art at every turn!

I'm used to seeing Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle inside malls, so it's neat to have one that's in an…read moreopen shopping plaza. It's definitely one of the bigger ones and it's an interesting mix of items here since the back and side areas also have miscellaneous home goods and kitchen goods too. I think, unfortunately, this shop is horribly targeted by gargantuan amount of theft so they got staff posted everywhere and warning signs as well, so it is what it is. There's a lot of plushies here including those soft mochi mochi sitting animal plushies and anime goods too, including some $5 affordable unique, official Poke'mon magnets. I think, if anything, Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle has the higher ratio of legit items than bootlegs than any of the other similar competitors out there aside from maybe like Neko Stop. I do recall wanting a lizard plush keychain here and asking staff if they had a bearded dragon one. Staff had no idea what I was talking about but they were nice enough to take out the entire shipment from storage, let me point out the one I wanted and I was able to get one. I have been searching for that size bearded dragon plushie keychain for awhile. It's from the Tsuburana Hitomi (round eyed) animals zoo collection, reptiles line! So that's a W in my book at least.

they have an excellent selection of gadgets, trinket and all things cute HOWEVER, as i was perusing…read morethru the aisles on a rainy day mind you, the worker kept asking me to move so he could mop the floor just trying to clean while im clearing occupying the space and looking around, in the end i couldn't get a good look because he kept getting in my way. seriously such an annoying thing to experience

What an awesome little shop in the heart of Little Tokyo Los Angeles. I visited this store after it…read morepopped up on my Insta page. I do not regret it at all. I was greeted immediately after walking in and browsed around the shop. It has a good selection of branded shirts, hoodies, tanks, and caps at a fair price. I chose their natto shirt and a cap. I look forward to shopping here the next time I'm in LA.

I actually like Japangeles (even though it is overpriced "hype" clothes) but the customer service…read moreis awful. We unfortunately shopped there on 9/12/26 in the afternoon and the two male employees couldn't have cared less about helping customers. They stood there talking to each other, avoiding eye contact, and acting annoyed when asked basic questions. I'm not even expecting amazing service, but maybe acknowledge the people walking into your tiny overpriced store? I mean, you have two workers for a clothing store the size of a small LA studio. Is that necessary? Both also contributed to absolutely nothing. If you're going to charge "hype" prices, the least you can do is provide basic customer service. In the end, you're not selling the clothes, you're selling the brand and reputation it holds. Maybe that basic concept is too complicated for those two to grasp.