Little Tokyo lights up for Nisei Week August 9–17, 2025 (Little Tokyo District DTLA)
- Food Journal Magazine
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
Nine days of Japanese and Japanese American culture taking over downtown Los Angeles with music, dance, parades, food stalls, exhibits, and all-around festival magic. It’s a free, come-one-come-all celebration.
The grand finale weekend brings families front and center. Saturday features the JANM Natsumatsuri Family Festival (noon–5 p.m.), followed by Sunday’s pulse-raising Taiko Drumming at the JACCC Plaza, and the ever-iconic Ondo Public Street Dancing & Closing Ceremony. Yes, you can dance in the streets.
So, what is the Nisei Week Japanese Festival? It’s one of the longest-running ethnic festivals in the United States—nine days in the historic Little Tokyo District, powered by the Nisei Week Foundation and an incredible network of local, national, and international supporters. Since 1999, the Nisei Week Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) has produced the festival and raised funds to keep the tradition thriving and growing.
Check out their website for more information
Want to dive deeper? Grab the official festival booklet, browse the full calendar, and plan your route:
Festival booklet: https://niseiweek.org/festival-booklets/
Calendar of events: https://niseiweek.org/#calendar
Festival map: https://niseiweek.org/festival/#map
Where it all happens:
JACCC
Japanese Village Plaza
Japanese American National Museum
Centenary United Methodist Church
Nishi Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin
Terasaki Budokan Community Gymnasium
Where to park:
Japanese Village Plaza Parking Lot
Aiso Parking Garage
Sho Tokyo Parking Garage
City of Los Angeles Parking Lot 2
City of Los Angeles Parking Lot 7
Mangrove Parking Lot
Staying nearby:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Miyako Hotel
Want to support the festival you love? The Nisei Week Foundation is fueled by volunteers and donors who keep the legacy alive. To get involved or donate, call 213.687.7193.
Summary of changes:
Shifted to an upbeat, third-person editorial tone
Clarified schedule highlights and added enticing descriptors
Streamlined background info on the festival and foundation
Organized links, locations, parking, and hotels into clean bullet lists
Removed repetition and tightened language for readability
Check out their website for more information
Map to Event:
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