LOS ANGELES – On March 15, 2025, Terasaki Budokan, a project of Little Tokyo Service Center, continued its annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, San Tai San. Over 69 teams, 414 players, 1,250 attendees, and 70 volunteers from across LA County gathered at Budokan for the free, co-ed, all ages event, generously sponsored by LA84, City National Bank, and Andrew & Chantel Uchida and Family. Thanks to the support of many sponsors, donors, and volunteers, the tournament raised over $5,000 for Budokan’s mission-driven programs that connect community members to Japanese culture and the Little Tokyo neighborhood.
The humble origins of San Tai San date back to the early 2000s when players took to the streets of Little Tokyo to raise funds to build a community recreation center, now Budokan. 2023 was the first year Budokan hosted the tournament in the newly constructed gym– a significant full-circle moment for everyone who contributed to making the dream a reality.
Something unique about this event is that it’s intergenerational, so both parents and their children are able to play and cheer for each other in the same tournament. Kim Kawasaki, Budokan’s Programs Manager, is the perfect example of this special experience.
She said, “I had such a great time— in the morning, my daughter, who’s in 1st grade, and my son, who’s in 3rd grade, were able to play. And at night, me and my husband and my twin sister came out of retirement to play in the Masters Division!” Their team, the OG Ois, ended up winning every single game.
During their children’s divisions, Kim, her husband, and her sister eagerly watched their kids play and fulfilled their coaching duties. At night, their kids got to cheer them on.
Geoff Tsudama, Little Tokyo Service Center’s Controller, has been a long-time supporter of Budokan and San Tai San. This year, he and his daughter, Meisa, were able to play in the tournament together.
Geoff was on the OG Ois alongside Kim and her family, and Meisa was in the Girls 3rd/4th Grade Division earlier in the day. Geoff, his wife, and his youngest daughter showed their support for Meisa, and they stayed until the end of the tournament to do the same for Geoff. He said, “It’s such an important time to bring people from all over LA to this one place where we can all play basketball together. I’m really proud that now my daughter gets to play in this tournament, too.”
For the Japanese American (JA) community, basketball is more than just a sport. As a natural result of exclusionary policies (like the incarceration of people of Japanese descent during World War II), JA basketball leagues and other JA community groups became a haven for community-building, cultural practice and joy during racially charged times. JA basketball leagues became an important gathering space and anchor for the community–a custom passed down through generations that connect youth to their cultural heritage. San Tai San in the 2000s fundraised to build a home court in Little Tokyo (Budokan), and San Tai San today honors the legacy of the JA community while strengthening its future.
Off the court, players, guests, and volunteers were able to enjoy food and activities in Budokan’s plaza. Thanks to community partners and local businesses, the day was filled with excitement in between games: Japanese food from Kouraku and Obanyummy, drinks from Tilt Coffee, fun activities and goods for youth from City National Bank, The Nihon Collection, Little Tokyo Service Center and their Mi CASA program, Kizuna, National Marrow Donor Program, and Little Tokyo Neighbors. The facility was filled all day, from the youth bracket in the morning, to the teen bracket in the afternoon, to the adult bracket at night. Old friends got to reconnect, first-time participants left with new friends, and intergenerational families cheered for each other during different division games.
“Today was really fun, because we all know each other even though we’re on different teams. Even though we’re still competing, it’s not like it’s ‘high school competing,’ where it’s intense— it’s fun. Basketball is important, because it brings us all together and we get to have fun with our friends.” -Kayla Tanijiri, Claw Arcade Captain (High School Division)