Little Tokyo is a vibrant cultural and business district located in downtown Los Angeles. Due to current events, many local establishments have temporarily paused their operations. It’s important to stay informed through reliable sources to know when businesses will reopen and what’s happening in the neighborhood.
Go Little Tokyo‘s Instagram page is a great resource!
Supported by the local community council, Go Little Tokyo’s Instagram page is updating followers about Little Tokyo business openings, closings, and hours on their Instagram story.
As of the publication date of this article (Wednesday, June 11), some of the locations listed as temporarily closed are:
- Japanese American National Museum
- JANM Store
- Wolf & Crane Bar
- Little Tokyo Table Tennis
- Beard Papa’s Little Tokyo
- Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin Los Angeles
- Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe
- The Mermaid (limited hours, 12pm – 7pm)
Why are businesses closing temporarily in Downtown Los Angeles?
The recent closures come after several days of largely peaceful demonstrations in response to immigration enforcement across Los Angeles. On Monday night, a protest in DTLA escalated, leading to confrontations between some demonstrators and law enforcement. Authorities reported more than 100 arrests and damage to 23 businesses.
On Tuesday, June 10, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a curfew for the Downtown Los Angeles area “from 8 pm tonight until 6 am tomorrow.” Little Tokyo sits within the one-square-mile area where the curfew was initiated.
As of Wednesday, June 11, the curfew from the previous night has ended, but LAPD has announced it will go back into effect again tonight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, and businesses continue to take precautions.
These businesses are expected to reopen to full or partial hours in the coming days.
We will continue updating this article as new information becomes available, so be sure to check back for the latest updates on Little Tokyo and its businesses.
Edited by Taylor Henderson & Sofia Delpueche.