The annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival returns to an in-person celebration in 2022 and will highlight 80 years of Japanese culture in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
The free event will include cultural displays, activities and exhibits, live music and other entertainment, food, a car show, grand parade and more Aug. 13-21.
“It’s a chance for Japanese and Japanese Americans to come back to Little Tokyo to celebrate our community and culture and for us to share this with the rest of Los Angeles,” said Cory Hayashi, co-president of Nisei Week.
Nisei Week was started in Little Tokyo in 1934 by a small group of second-generation Japanese Americans in hopes of bringing people to the historic neighborhood. A scaled-back version of the event was presented virtually in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The past two years marks only the second time the festival has been paused. The first was from 1941-1948, during World War II, when many Japanese Americans were forced into incarceration camps.
“It’s a really big moment for us having this back,” Hayashi said.
In the past, he said, there were more events scheduled throughout the entire week, but with current pandemic concerns, a bulk of the activities have been pushed to and scattered throughout the weekends.
Here are a few of the highlights of Nisei Week. For the full schedule, go to niseiweek.org.
Cultural Exhibits
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 13-14 and Aug. 20-21
Details: Several Japanese cultural objects will be on display at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. The free exhibition will include immaculately maintained bonsai trees, Japanese dolls and ceramics, examples of Japanese calligraphy and ikebana flower arrangement displays.
Where: JACCC, 244 San Pedro Street, Los Angeles.
Car show and anime
When: 12-7 p.m. Aug. 13
Details: Anime and cars come together in this event that will include anime art displays, vendors and anime-themed import cars. Cosplay is encouraged.
Where: Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon, 815 E. First Street, Los Angeles.
Grand Parade
When: 4-6 p.m. Aug. 14
Details: The biggest event of the week which typically draws thousands of people, who will line up along Second Avenue to see floats, traditional dancers, live bands and this year’s parade marshals, Alex and Maia Shibutani, sibling Olympic ice dancers who won a bronze medal in 2018.
Where: Along Second Street between Central Avenue and San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo.
Plaza Festival
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 20
Details: This is the place to come to meet locals and grub as several food vendors will set up at the JACCC plaza to serve Japanese street food. There will also be a Gyoza eating contest, cooking demonstrations, live music, game booths and a beer and sake garden.
Where: JACCC Plaza, 244 San Pedro Street, Los Angeles.
Taiko Gathering
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 21
Details: Feel the beat with traditional Japanese drumming called Taiko. The day will consist of performances by several groups ranging from youth to collegiate drummers. “It’s very loud, it’s very energetic,” Hayashi said. “This is something that’s really fun and really visual.” There will also be a beer and sake garden, food and game booths.
Where: JACCC Plaza, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles.
Closing Ceremony
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 21
Details: Nisei Week concludes with a public Ondo music dance party. First Street will be closed from San Pedro to Central and guests are invited to dance along to the Japanese-style folk music. “Even if you don’t know how to do it, there will be plenty of people to show you,” Hayashi said of the dance instruction. “We’re going to close everything down by dancing in the streets.”
Where: First Street between San Pedro Street and Central Avenue, Los Angeles.
