The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Nisei Week-style
The annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival returns as an in-person celebration this year and will highlight 80 years of Japanese culture in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
The free event will include cultural displays, activities and exhibits, live music and other entertainment, food, a car show, a parade and more from Saturday through Aug. 21.
“It’s a chance for Japanese and Japanese Americans to come back to Little Tokyo to celebrate our community and culture and for us to share this with the rest of Los Angeles,” said Cory Hayashi, co-president of Nisei Week.
Nisei Week was started in Little Tokyo in 1934 by a small group of second-generation Japanese Americans in hopes of bringing people to the historic neighborhood. The 2020 and 2021 editions of the event were scaled back and presented virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The past two years mark only the second time the festival has been paused as an in-person event. It was canceled from 1941-1948 because of World War II, when many Japanese Americans were forced into incarceration camps.
“It’s a really big moment for us having this back,” Hayashi said.
In the past, he said, there were more events scheduled throughout the entire week, but with pandemic concerns, most activities have been pushed to the weekends.
Here are a few highlights. For the full schedule, go to niseiweek.org.
Cultural exhibition
WHEN » 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-sunday and Aug. 20-21
DETAILS » The free exhibition at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center will include immaculately maintained bonsai trees, Japanese dolls and ceramics, and examples of calligraphy and ikebana flower arrangements.
WHERE » 244 San Pedro St., Los Angeles
Car show and anime
WHEN » Noon-7 p.m. Saturday
DETAILS » Anime and cars come together in this event that will include art displays, vendors and anime-themed import cars. Cosplay is encouraged.
WHERE » Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 815 E. First St., Los Angeles
Grand Parade
WHEN » 4-6 p.m. Sunday
DETAILS » The biggest event of the week typically draws thousands of people, who will line up along Second Avenue to see floats, traditional dancers, bands and this year’s parade marshals, Alex and Maia Shibutani, sibling Olympic ice dancers who won a bronze medal in 2018. WHERE » Along Second Street between
Central Avenue and San Pedro Street
Plaza festival
WHEN » 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 20
DETAILS » This is the place to come to meet locals and eat as several food vendors will set up at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center plaza to serve street food. There will also be a gyoza eating contest, cooking demonstrations, live music, game booths and a beer and sake garden.
WHERE » 244 San Pedro St., Los Angeles
Taiko gathering
WHEN » 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 21
DETAILS » Feel the beat with taiko, traditional Japanese drumming. The event will consist of performances ranging from youth groups to college ensembles. “It’s very loud; it’s very energetic,” Hayashi said. “This is something that’s really fun and really visual.” There will also be a beer and sake garden, food and game booths.
WHERE » Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles
Closing ceremony
WHEN » 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 21
DETAILS » Nisei Week concludes with a public ondo party at which guests are invited to dance to the Japanese-style folk music. “Even if you don’t know how to do it, there will be plenty of people to show you,” Hayashi said of the dance instruction. “We’re going to close everything down by dancing in the streets.” WHERE » First Street between San Pedro Street and Central Avenue, Los Angeles