If you’re in Los Angeles for Anime Expo and looking for some fun places to visit beside the convention center, you’ve come to the right place! This list isn’t going to focus on major tourist attractions in LA because you can find those recommendations everywhere. Instead, this list is curated with the Japanese pop culture and anime fan in mind. This list isn’t exhaustive, so if you have a suggestion, drop it in the comments.
Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo now has a Metro Station, making it extremely easy to get from the Los Angeles Convention Center to Little Tokyo via public transit! Fares are only $1.75 each way and trips are capped at $5 per day, making it extremely affordable. You can get on the train at the Pico station, a short walk from the convention center and take the A or E lines to the Little Tokyo/Arts District station, 4 stops away.
One Piece Cafe
The One Piece Cafe has been open for some time now and offers themed food and decor in addition to merch. The cafe is first come first serve and will likely be extremely popular during Anime Expo weekend, so plan ahead!
Square Enix Cafe
This themed cafe had its soft opening on June 13, so it is still very new and there aren’t many reviews yet. Anecdotally, I have heard that the merch selection is cool and the food is good, but the decor is still evolving. This cafe requires reserverations and will likely be very popular the weekend of Anime Expo. You can visit their gift shop without a reservation, so be sure to stop by to see what they have!
Book Off
This secondhand shop has figurines, manga, DVDs, and so much more. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for affordable additions to your anime or manga collection. Because this location is in Little Tokyo, it is also pretty popular and picked over. If you have a little more time in your trip, I recommended checking out the Book Off in Gardena, about 15 miles south of Los Angeles for a wider selection.
Pop Killer
This store stocks t-shirts, posters, hoodies, and more with designs from artists from around the world, all with a Little Tokyo twist. In addition to fun Japanese pop culture references, the art include LA specific designs, including Dodgers merch and other California landmark.
Happibara Station
Located in the Little Tokyo Galleria, this store is like an artists alley that operates all year round. You can find stickers, keychains, appearal and more featuring fan art and original designs. Be sure to visit the other artist alley store, Paper Pup Station, just downstairs.
Paper Pup Station
Located in the Little Tokyo Galleria, this store is like an artists alley that operates all year round. You can find stickers, keychains, appearal and more featuring fan art and original designs. Be sure to visit the other artist alley store, Happibara Station, just upstairs.
Catch Little Tokyo
Featuring a massive selection of blindboxes and gacha games, this store is located on the second story of a building in the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo and can be a little hard to find. Look for their sandwich board signs on the ground floor. Gacha machines range from $6-10, so its a cheap way to bring home a souvenir or item from your favorite fandom. Plus, its air-conditioned!
Kinokuniya
The new location (101 San Pedro Street,Los Angeles, CA 90012) for this Japanese bookstore chain just opened on June 27 and according to their Instagram is the second largest store in the US. They carry manga, magazines, and more in both Japanese and English.
Daiso
This Daiso is located inside the Little Tokyo Galleria and is packed full of cute home goods, cosmetics, stationary, craft goods, and more.
Little Tokyo Farmer’s Market
The Little Tokyo Farmer’s Market happens every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm at the JACCC plaza. Stop by to browse produce and other good from local vendors.
Los Angeles
Japanhouse LA
While I don’t recommending visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame or anything else on Hollywood Boulevard, if you happen to find yourself here be sure to check out Japanhouse LA. This free cultural center has exhibits dedicated to Japan, especially Japanese crafts. Admission is free and they valid parking to the Ovation parking structure. Check the museum website for information about admission and hours.
Sawtelle/”Little Osaka”
While Little Tokyo gets a lot of buzz in Los Angeles, there is a smaller, quieter Japanese hub on Sawtelle that is sometimes called “Little Osaka.” There are tons of great restaurants and boutiques and is well worth a visit, especially if you don’t want to fight the crowds in Little Tokyo for the weekend of Anime Expo.
Giant Robot
If you visit Sawtelle, definitely check out Giant Robot, a pop culture art gallery with a constantly changing array of artist, usually with a focus on Japanese art and culture. The weekend of Anime Expo will be there “Neko Show”, “a group exhibition celebrating cats through illustration, ceramics, painting, and contemporary art.” Check the gallery website for information about admission and hours.
Academy Museum
Los Angeles is full of great museums, but none is more Hollywood than the Academy Museum on Wilshire. Their collection is amazing for any film fan, but they have a temporary exhibit dedicated to Hayao Miyazaki’s 2008 film Ponyo. According to their website, “the exhibition includes more than 100 rare materials hand-picked by Studio Ghibli, including art boards, posters, a Studio Ghibli animation desk, and original hand drawings by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.” Check the museum website for information about admission and hours.
The Broad
A massive modern art museum in the middle of downtown Los Angeles, the Broad has free entry and an impressive collection. Japanese pop culture fans will particularly enjoy 4 massive art pieces by Takashi Murakami. Check the museum website for information about admission and hours.
Japan LA
If you’re looking for Japanese pop culture accessories and clothing, especially officially licensed items from brands like Sanrio, check out Japan LA.
My Violet
This kawaii appearal brand has a store front on Melrose Boulevard that is a must stop shop for any j-fashion fan who loves pastels. Their size inclusive designs include clothes and accessories.
Beyond Los Angeles
Gallery Nucleus
This pop culture gallery is constantly changing but always worth a visit. In addition to showcasing stunning original art, they also offer prints, artbooks and more from a variety of artists and fandoms. Check the gallery website for information about admission and hours.
Domo Cafe
While this cafe isn’t located in Los Angeles, the Domo Cafe just opened in the spot where the Gutdatama Cafe used to be, right down the street from Knotts Berry Farm and close to Disneyland. This cafe does not accept reservations, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Which of these spots is on your itinerary?
It seems to be a little outside of LA, but is Deco Deco any good? I’ve seen clips of people having fun doing decoden there, which seems like the right sort of thing to decompress (deco-decompress?) after a con.