LITTLE TOKYO 2026 | Kouraku Matsuri | America’s Oldest Ramen Shop “KOURAKU” Celebrates 50 Years with Little Tokyo Street Carnival on Sunday, November 8, 11AM-4PM
Kouraku’s 50th anniversary celebration will feature food, games, contests, original merchandise, and a community collection of memories from the past five decades.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Kouraku, recognized as America’s oldest operating ramen shop, is celebrating 50 years in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo with a free community street carnival on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at 314 E. 2nd Street.
The event will feature performances from
Koshin Taiko Koshin Taiko 光心太鼓
Shishigumi LA Lion Dance SHISHIGUMI LA ~Guardians of the Culture~
Marii & Almand @themariionette Almand Martin Jr.
Lisa Suzuki 𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑨 ֍ 𝑱𝑨𝑷𝑨𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑬 𝑪𝑨𝑳𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑹 / 𝑴𝑶𝑫𝑬𝑳
Stephanie Yanez Stephanie Yanez | Jpop Artist • Anime & Kawaii Creator
Burai Productions Samurai Performer – Burai Productions
Street programming and activities are subject to final permitting and event arrangements.
Established in 1976, Kouraku has served generations of Angelenos with its Chinese-influenced Japanese comfort food, including ramen, fried rice, curry, and handmade gyoza. The neighborhood diner has remained a popular destination for longtime regulars, Downtown LA workers, families, tourists, and late-night diners.
The November 8 celebration, called Kouraku Matsuri – 50th Anniversary Fest, will bring the festivities outside the restaurant and onto a portion of 2nd Street between San Pedro Street and Japanese Village Plaza.
The free community celebration will feature carnival games, original Kouraku merchandise, food samples, and activities for all ages. Guests can participate in a timed gyoza-folding challenge, enter the playful “It’s Not A…” drawing contest, and explore a special 21+ beverage experience inside the restaurant.
The street carnival is part of a larger anniversary campaign running from October 6 through December 8, featuring commemorative menus, drawing contest, and digital storytelling about Kouraku’s history.
A LEGACY OF FOOD, FAMILY, AND LITTLE TOKYO
Kouraku first opened at 240 E. 2nd Street in 1976 before moving to its current location in 1986. Under the longtime ownership of the Yamauchi family, the restaurant became known for its extensive menu of Japanese comfort food, late-night hours, and familiar staff.
In 2023, Mamoru Tokuda took ownership of Kouraku after being a support system and restaurant consultant to the previous owners and their family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, he has worked to maintain the restaurant’s longtime menu and traditions while introducing Kouraku to new generations of customers.
In January 2025, Kouraku received a City of Los Angeles monumental marker recognizing its distinction as the oldest ramen shop in America still in operation. The recognition followed a community-led research and storytelling campaign documenting the restaurant’s history and longtime employees.
“We are very happy to celebrate 50 years of Kouraku with everyone. Many of our customers and employees have been part of Kouraku for a long time, and we want to thank everyone who has supported us. We hope people will come to enjoy the celebration with their families and friends.” — Mamoru Tokuda, Current owner of Kouraku
COLLECTING 50 YEARS OF KOURAKU MEMORIES
As part of the anniversary, Kouraku is inviting former and current customers, employees, and community members to contribute photographs and memories from any era of the restaurant’s history.
Submissions can include family dinners, favorite dishes, staff photographs, celebrations, late-night visits, or everyday moments at Kouraku.
Selected photographs and memories will be printed and displayed as part of the November 8 celebration.
Community members are encouraged to email submissions to kouraku8@gmail.com by November 5, 2026. Written memories are welcome but optional.
EVENT INFORMATION
Event: Kouraku Matsuri – 50th Anniversary Fest
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Kouraku, 314 E. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Admission: Open to the public
Activities: Street carnival, food samples, games, gyoza-folding challenge, drawing contest, merchandise, and special beverage experiences
Instagram: @kouraku_littletokyo
Street programming and activities are subject to final permitting and event arrangements.
ABOUT KOURAKU
Established in 1976, Kouraku is a Japanese diner located in the historic Little Tokyo neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. Recognized as America’s oldest operating ramen shop, Kouraku serves Chinese-influenced Japanese comfort food, including ramen, fried rice, curry, gyoza, and its signature Tenshin Chahan Ankake. The independently owned restaurant has served generations of Los Angeles residents and visitors for 50 years.