Tune In Little Tokyo: Downtown L.A.'s Japanese Gem

120 Japanese Village Plz Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Counter active: This affordable, revolving sushi bar is where chefs whip up a little culinary magic in the middle of a conveyor belt while diners scan and scoop up rolls, nigiri and other Japanese favorites. Prices are determined by plate color, so choose accordingly. (But don't worry--no plate will cost more than $4.)

368 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Unpretentious but charming, this family-owned eatery dishes inventive and inexpensive izakaya (translation: Japanese pub fare) along with icy Kirin and hot sake. The 14-seat robata bar is prime real estate for after-work socializing and late-night binges on deep fried oysters and conch sashimi.

127 Japanese Village Plz Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Get your beef on: Whether it's lunchtime or dinnertime, this meaty Little Tokyo joint lines up a seriously large crowd. Foodies, tourists and hungover 80s pop stars (yes, that means you Jane Wiedlin) put their name on a list and willingly wait an hour just to grab a seat at the crowded horseshoe counter. After all, if you're gonna cook up your own hot pot of meat thins, you may as well do it at California's o.g. spot.

333 S Alameda St Ste 317, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (map)

Why go to Japan for fresh fish when you can get the fresh fish to come to you? Known for its flown-in-daily catches and Japanese fare prepared by old-school chefs, this sushi bar located on the third floor of the Little Tokyo Shopping Center is a foodie favorite.

422 E Second St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

If you're looking for a scene, go to Katsuya in Hollywood. Or Brentwood. Or Glendale, for that matter. This down-to-business sushi house knows that it's the fresh fish--not cool decor--that reels in the crowds. (Especially during the weekday lunch rush.)

333 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

What's black, white and red all over? This corner J-Town eatery that mixes urban-modern decor with inventive Japanese dishes. Think of it as the perfect place for a date, business lunch or after work get-together when a little sake, teriyaki and tuna are in order.

349 E Second St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Badass to the bone: In addition to its eponymous collection, this J-Town epicenter of fashion focuses on of-the-moment jeans (stovepipe, acid-washed and highwaisted, oh my!), hoodies, bedazzled dreamcatchers, baubles on consignment and artwork from local artists.

340 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Much more than just a rekka sto', this shop located across from the Japanese-American Museum carries anything and everything from the Samurai days. Traditional songs strummed on the Biwa play as paper fans, imported toys, knife collections and other trinkets beckon from the shelves.

110 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

If the big car bumper outside this jam-packed nook doesn't stop you in your tracks, then the vintage goods inside probably will. Along with thrift store-mandated Pac Man trucker hats and goggles, this retro-ish spot offers sweet (read: affordable) finds like 80s-flaired jackets in pale gold and Kanye-style vented shades. Cool, indeed.

107 Japanese Village Plz Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Whether you're a skateboarder or a fashion-minded kool kid, you'll dig the sneaker styles at this no-frills shop offering brands like Vans, Adidas and Converse. It's also one of the only stores in L.A. that gets Nike samples imported from Japan, so they've got kicks that nobody else does. There's also weekly deals including primo pairs ranging from $39-$59.

329 East 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Those who aren't afraid of overdosing on anime will pore over this store's rows and rows of bookcases bursting with anime DVDs and piles of Manga in all its original cartoon glory. The shop also has a small section of traditional Japanese uniforms perfect for diehards who really get into character. (And for all you pervs, the adult anime videos and Manga magazines are hidden in the back.)

124 Japanese Village Plz Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Ever wonder what it would be like to go grocery shopping in the middle of Tokyo? Well, stop into this Japanocentric supermarket and you'll have a pretty good idea. Here, you'll find everything from 15-pound bags of organic brown rice to carbonated lychee drinks and irresistibly colorful, artifically colored treats. There's also tons of fresh produce and seafood as well as scores of imported magazines that'll have you lost in translation in no time.

343 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Never mind the Mountain Dew can that doubles as a bong, there is some serious fashion to be found at Second Street's buzzing mainstay. In addition to the line of namesake Popkiller T-shirts, vintage flannel, Mexican wrestling masks, Asian-inspired Rolling Stones concert tees and esoteric shirts referencing Philip Glass, there are gag gifts galore. Because hipsters have a sense of humor, too. (Don't they?)

334-A E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Downtown L.A.'s ultimate consignment sneaker pimp, this shoebox-sized shop (how apropos) caters to hardcore footwear freaks who extol the virtues of pre-production Dunks and limited-edition Air Force Ones. The store stocks more than 1,000 styles (no two pairs are alike) with many in the $200 to $500 range. Cheapskates need not apply.

333 S Alameda, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (map)

Although it's a few blocks away from Little Tokyo proper, this laidback mall caters to Japanese tourists who find comfort in familiarity, while others will appreciate the practical nature of the shops. (Or at the very least, feeling like a tourist in their own city.)

333 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

This laidback bar never gets too crowded, so if karaoke's your game, you won't have to wait hours and hours for a shot at the mic. And you can sing your heart out for free, as long as you purchase at least two drinks.

333 S Alameda Ave Ste 216, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Just because you're in AA doesn't mean you can't have a good time. This alcohol-free karaoke club offers private studios that fit up to 15 people and a large library of tunes (as in more than 40,000 songs) in English, Japanese and Korean. (Lindsay, are you listening?)

122 Japanese Village Plz Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

All-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant and late-night karaoke. What more could you ask for?

120 N Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Go ahead, get cultured: The country's first Asian-American theater company still walks the line with a host of classics and new plays that are at the heart of Little Tokyo's renaissance.

369 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

This museum preserves the heritage of the Issei (first generation Japanese Americans) with everything from WWII-era artifacts to photographs, archival documents and fine art by Japanese artists. There's also film screenings, readings and crafts classes as well as a fabulous gift shop.

327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Did someone say daikoku? Little Tokyo's perpetually crowded soup shop is where to get the popular noodle bowl made with marinated meat, seasoned bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, green onions and a special sauce-soaked hard-boiled egg. Just keep in mind--empty chairs and countertops are hard to come by 'round here, so be patient or arrive early.

341 1/2 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Walk down East 2nd in the heart of Little Tokyo and it's sort of impossible not to catch a whiff of the curry emanating from this unsuspecting hole-in-the-wall. Ramen heads can't get enough of the noodles, which come in options ranging from traditional cashew pork ramen to the more unusual fried chicken version.

134 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

It might be part of a chain, but this lively fro-yo shop is still the best spot in Little Tokyo for a frozen treat--it's ideally situated across from the Shabu Shabu House, which makes it the perfect finish to some seriously hot feasting.

118 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

With a tagline that boasts the "finest name in Japanese pastries since 1910," this J-Town sweet shop is where neighborhood regulars and tourists go for fresh batches of the famed mochi dessert. Who needs Trader Joe's when you've got the real deal?

123 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Since 1938, this family-owned bakery has been a cozy quick-stop for piping hot coffee and warm savory mans (soft white buns with sweet or salty fillings). Don't leave without a loaf of the $3 Sunroyal and British bread. They sell out almost instantly, so arrive before noon to guarantee you get one.