(213) 625-0414
369 E 1st St
Los Angeles,
CA
90012
34.0496
-118.2395
Neighborhoods: Central LA, Downtown, Civic Center / Little Tokyo
What People Are Saying About Japanese American National Museum
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene – Two striking buildings comprise the museum: One is a beautifully restored former Buddhist temple, the other a contemporary glass structure designed by architect Gyo Obata. Both buildings have a sense of reverence, one for the past and the other for the present. – – The Goods – The museum preserves the heritage of the Issei (first generation Japanese Americans). Belongings of Japanese Americans who were interned in California during WWII are displayed in the main pavilion, recalling the hardships of those trying years. The pavilion's tranquil rock and water…
03/24/08
Great museum worth a visit
by marpop
Went here recently during a visit to Little Tokyo and I am so glad I stopped by. The museum had a particular exhibit going on with mostly young artists and it was surprisingly modern and edgy. It's a very quiet museum (at least it was on a rainy Friday afternoon), but well worth a trip. It's pretty immaculate and the art speaks to any culture (I'm Mexican American) and the gift shop is great. Between this and the MOCA Geffen, which is literally a hundred feet away, there's lots of great art to appreciate in Little Tokyo!
06/15/02
Great Cultural Insight
by netter1
This museum can be an educational experience for almost anyone...even someone immersed in the 20th century history of Japanese Americans. Their changing exhibits always seem enlightening and there's always something interesting and fun for the children to do. Their small bookstore near the front of the museum always has an interesting selection of reading materials for the history or art buff. If you're so inclined to be a member or just get on their mailing list, you can expect to be invited to new exhibits, theatre performances and incredible concerts. Spend a Saturday in quiet downtown Los Angeles and hit all the museums...this one should be a requirement.
- Pros: great exhibits
- Cons: parking
The Details on Japanese American National Museum
When to Go:
Admission is free every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm and all day every third Thursday of the month.
Parking:
The lot at the northwest corner of 1st and Central, across from the main museum entrance, is $3.25 for the whole day.
The Extras:
The museum's gift shop, with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, is a bright space of books, artist-made jewelry, ceramic ware, silk scarves, post cards and other Japanese- and museum-related finds.
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