Kimono show at “Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo” event. (Cultural News Photo)
2018 New Year Celebration in Little Tokyo event Schedule
Experience the Japanese way of celebrating the New Year of 2017 in the heart of Southern California on Jan. 1. From entertainment, food, and children’s cultural activities, it is one of the most exciting events to take place in the Japanese community.
Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo will take place in Little Tokyo’s Weller Court, Japanese Village Plaza and the Francis Hashimoto Plaza from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event will feature traditional Japanese food, entertainment and cultural activities such as mochi making demonstration, a kimono fashion show, sumo wrestling and the list goes on.
The New Year Celebration in Little Tokyo is organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
With the support from the Consul General of Japan, the Nisei Week court and various community members, the organizers want to introduce the Japanese New Year and its traditions to the people of Southern California.
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The Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California present
2017 Little Tokyo Japanese New Year Celebration
Weller Court
Second Street & San Pedro Street
10:50 a.m. Kick-off Taiko Drums by Los Angeles Taiko Center
11:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony with Greetings and Sake Barrel Breaking, and LAPD Helicopter Flyover
11:15 a.m. Taiko Drum Performance by Los Angeles Taiko Center
11:25 a.m. Lion Dance “Shishimai” by Los Angeles Taiko Center
11:35 a.m. Mochi-maki #1 by Nisei Week Queen & Court
11:40 p.m. Calligraphy Demonstration by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu-kai
11:55 p.m. Aikido by Sanbukan
12:25 p.m. Minyo & Odori by Matsutoyo-kai
1:10 p.m. Kendama by EJ Williams from RWB Kendama Pro and Selina
1:30 p.m. Shorinji Kempo by Shorinji Kempo
1:50 p.m. Kendo Dojo by LA Kendo Dojo
2:15 p.m. Kimono Fashion Show by LA Kimono Club
2:30 p.m. Mochi-maki #2
Japanese Village Plaza
Between First & Second Streets near Central Avenue
12:01 p.m. Kendama by EJ Williams from RWB Kendama Pro and Selina
12:30 p.m. Kick-off Taiko Drums by Los Angeles Taiko Center
12:40 p.m. Opening Ceremony with Greetings by JCCSC President & Consul General of Japan
12:55 p.m. Mochi-maki #1 by Nisei Week Queen & Court
1:30 p.m. Taiko Drum & Lion Dance “Shishimai” by Los Angeles Taiko Center
1:45 p.m. Minyo & Odori by Matsutoyo-kai
2:30 p.m. Aikido by Sanbukan
3:00 p.m. Awaodori by Awa Tokushima Ren
3:25 p.m. Closing
Frances Hashimoto Plaza Kids’ Corner
Frances Hashimoto Plaza – across the street from Japanese Village Plaza’s south entrance on Second Street
11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Experience the Japanese Oshogatsu (New Year) culture with children through interactive and hands-on demonstrations of traditional Japanese activities such as:
– Japanese children’s books and toys
– Ton Ton paper sumo wrestling (Origami Sumo Tournament)
– Kids Ikebana hands-on demo
– Water paint
– Japanese calligraphy hand on demo
– Fukuwarai
– Anime booth
– Mini 4WD Race
– Kendama Performance
– Japanese games: Rings Toss, Tic Tac Toe, Kendama, Otedama
All programs are subjects to change without notice.
Shuttle services provided by Metro / Shuttle Station A: Mangrove Parking / B: Little Tokyo-Arts District Goldline Station / C: Weller Court / D: Frances Hashimoto Plaza / E: Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple ///// TEMPLE 1: Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple / 2: Jodoshu North America Buddhist Missions / 3: Koyasan Buddhist Temple / 4: Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple / 5: Nichiren Buddhist Temple / 6: Zenshuji Soto Mission