About Us

Volunteer Led Effort in Partnership with Organizations and Businesses of Little Tokyo

Japanese American National Museum · Mikawaya · Oiwake Restaurant · Zenshuji Soto Mission · Japanese American Culture and Community Center · Mitsuru Cafe

Children are our future! It is important for our children to experience different cultures in order for them to have a broad perspective of the world they live in. However, there are many children who lack the opportunity to travel and see the world, let alone outside of their neighborhood.

We are fortunate to live in Los Angeles, a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures from around the world. Konnichiwa Little Tokyo invites youth from around the county to submerge themselves in Japanese culture by inviting them to Little Tokyo in downtown LA, where they can experience the food, art and history of a culture different than their own.

Konnichiwa Little Tokyo primarily relies on in-kind donations and contributions from the local community to continue providing these services free to the underprivileged youth populations. If you would like to make a contribution, please go to the "How to Help" tab.

Summary

Konnichiwa Little Tokyo Tour Description

Tour Leaders: Tours are provided by volunteers and interns of the Konnichiwa Little Tokyo program. The 2011 program interns are Brent Mori, Program Coordinator, and Hiromi Aoyama, Program Leader.

Tour Particpants:We provide tours to organizations who serve underprivileged youth populations, ages 8 to 20. Group size is preferably between 10 and 20 youth, with a child to staff ratio of at least 10:1.

Schedule: A four hour program from about 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout July and August. The day consists of a tour of the Japanese American National Museum, origami (paper folding) and taiko drumming workshops, Mikawaya mochi ice-cream and Mitsuru Cafe imagawayaki tasting, a tour of the JACCC Irvine Garden and Japan America Theater, and an all-you-can-eat buffet at Oiwake Restaurant.

Omiyage Gift Bag:A traditional "omiyage" souvenir gift bag is also provided to all the participating youth at the end of the tour. The gift items are generously donated by local businesses of the community

Contact Us

If you would like more information on participating, volunteering or donating, please contact us at:

Konnichiwa Little Tokyo
C/o Little Tokyo Service Center
231 E. Third St., Suite G-106
Los Angeles, CA 90013
info@konnichiwa-lt.org
(310) 346-5567