NW26 Honoree | Renowned Photo Studio’s Alan Miyatake to be Honored with Nisei Week President’s Award | Little Tokyo | August 15, 16
LITTLE TOKYO, Los Angeles– The Nisei Week Foundation proudly hosts its 84th summer event featuring free cultural activities for all ages. As part of its first weekend of events, the historic Nisei Week Japanese Festival Grand Parade will make its way through the streets of Little Tokyo on Sunday, August 16, starting at 4 p.m.
The parade will be led by the 2026 Grand Marshal, U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, and 2026 Parade Marshal acclaimed mural artist Robert Vargas. The parade procession will start at Central Avenue and head west on 2nd Street, turning north on San Pedro Street, turning east on 1st Street, then turning south and ending on Central Avenue.
Rep. Takano and Vargas will be honored on Saturday, August 15, 6:30 p.m., during the Coronation and Awards Celebration. Additionally, Alan Miyatake will be honored with the Nisei Week President’s Award. The celebration takes place at the Los Angeles Theatre Center’s Tom Bradley Theatre, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles. Tickets are $105 (orchestra) or $75 (balcony) per person. For ticket information visit the NiseiWeek.org website.
President’s Award Honoree Alan Miyatake
The Nisei Week President’s Award serves as the Nisei Week Foundation’s lifetime achievement award. Identified and selected by the President, the award recognizes an individual or organization who truly upholds the Foundation’s mission and has made significant contributions to the Japanese & Japanese American communities. In 2026, the Nisei Week President’s Award goes to photographer Alan Miyatake.
Alan Miyatake was born in Los Angeles in 1953. He attended elementary and high school in Montebello after growing up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. He is the son of Archie and Takeko Miyatake and grandson of Toyo Miyatake, a Japanese American photographer best known for his images documenting Manzanar, and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.
Being a part of a family business, Toyo Miyatake Studio, Alan was around Little Tokyo his entire life. Every activity revolved around Little Tokyo and the Japanese American community, and he has been involved with the Nisei Week Japanese Festival since he was born. Alan participated in the Baby Show, marched in the Nisei Week Grand Parade as a scout, and photographed Nisei Week events for more than 50 years.
Alan never missed the Nisei Week carnival when it was around. He always brags about being “picked up by Nisei Week Queen Akemi Tani” in 1960 when he got lost as a Cub Scout trying to get back to the studio after the parade.
Alan’s three-generation family business, Toyo Miyatake Studio, has proudly photographed every Nisei Week Japanese Festival since 1934. He has been the owner and photographer since 1992. He and his wife, April, have two daughters, Sydney and Lindsey.