Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo, roughly bounded by First, Alameda, 3rd and Los Angeles sts., is the social, cultural and economic center of Southern California's Japanese American community. Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, an ornate 1925 structure that was the first Buddhist temple in Los Angeles, served as the initial headquarters of the Japanese American National Museum. It now houses The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, which is open to school groups only.

The 21-story DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and the Japanese American National Museum attest to the area's vitality. Three shopping centers—Japanese Village Plaza, Little Tokyo Galleria and Weller Court—contain restaurants and shops.