Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC)

You didn't think we'd forget about Chibi-K, did you? 😉 Sunday, May 3rd marked the return of the beloved Chibi-K: Kids Fun Run. Children (12 & under) and their families took over the closed streets of Little Tokyo, laughing, running, and making memories that will last a lifetime. From first-timers to former Chibi-K runners now cheering on the next generation, this tradition continues to bring our community together ✨ A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this long-awaited return possible: Honda and the County of Los Angeles CEO Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative’s Equity and Diversity Fund, and @keiroconnect as a Supporter; Partner @gokizuna ; In-kind supporters: @jungle_sp_collectors_la , @cafedulcela , Glico, @lumbini_preschool , Marukai Market, and Nijiya Market. And of course, thank you to Marisa Kawakami and the entire Chibi-K team, along with our staff and volunteers, for making this year’s run a success! 🤩 But above all, a heartfelt thank you to all our runners and their families for joining us in this historic return 💙 We hope to see you again next year! 👀✨ 🎥: @chuchofotos

Every single minute, so much is going on! In celebration of the opening of the new 🟣D Line extension this weekend, Metro rides are FREE (Friday May 8th - Monday May 11th). Here’s how to get to FLOWER DRUM SONG via Metro 🟣D Line! START: Take any 🟣 D Line train to Union Station to begin making your way towards downtown Los Angeles: • 🟣 Wilshire/La Cienega (NEW) • 🟣 Wilshire//Fairfax (NEW) • 🟣 Wilshire/La Brea (NEW) • 🟣 Wilshire/Western • 🟣 Wilshire/Normandie • 🟣🔴 Wilshire/Vermont • 🟣🔴 Westlake/McArthur Park • 🟣🔴 + 🟡🔵 7th St./Metro Center (GET OFF HERE) TRANSFER: Take any 🟡 E Line train to East LA, or any 🔵 A Line train to Pamona North to begin your transfer into Little Tokyo: • 🟡🔵 Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill • 🟡🔵 Civic Center/Grand Park • 🟡🔵 Historic Broadway • 🟡🔵 Little Tokyo/Arts District (GET OFF HERE) ARRIVED: The Aratani Theatre is a 5 minute walk away from the Little Tokyo/Arts District station. Be sure to take some photos/videos of our FLOWER DRUM SONG Metro wrap as well and tag us! We can’t wait to see you all this weekend!!!

Kibō Nobori (hope flags) @kibonobori by @faithannyoung on view at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo through May 12. Inspired by koinobori, traditional carp streamers flown in celebration of Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day), the installation unfolds across the JACCC campus through a series of translucent textile flags and a participatory Tea Room, where visitors are invited to contribute their own messages of hope. Grateful to share this work in its fifth year in Little Tokyo, and for the first time at @jaccc_la . Join us Sunday May 10th in the Tea Room at 12 PM as we serve tea and activate the space, as part of @asianmentalhealthproject ’s Honor Your Feelings Fest. @faithannyoung will also be speaking on the Honor Your Motherhood panel at 12:50 PM at the festival as well. More info: kibonobori.com (Photos : @moe.wakai & @faithannyoung )

It’s officially Kodomo no Hi (子供の日)! 🎏 On May 5th, families across Japan celebrate Children’s Day, a day to honor kids' strength, courage, and happiness. Once known as Tango no Sekku, a festival for boys, the day now recognizes and celebrates all children with hopes for their bright and resilient futures. This past Sunday, we brought Kodomo no Hi to life! From cultural activities to joyful performances, the day was filled with fun, learning, and community spirit. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible: Honda and the County of Los Angeles CEO Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative’s Equity and Diversity Fund, and @keiroconnect as a Supporter; Partners @faithannyoung @kibonobori and @gokizuna ; In-kind supporters: @jungle_sp_collectors_la , Clover Law Group, Glico, @lumbini_preschool , Marukai Market, and Nijiya Market. And of course, thank you to all our booth participants, performers, staff, and volunteers who made this year’s celebration truly magical! 💕 But above all, a heartfelt thank you to all the kids, whose energy and joy make Kodomo no Hi possible! Stay tuned for our Chibi-K re-cap! 😉 🎥: @chuchofotos

🗣️ “It’s an honor just to be Asian.” — #SandraOh @iamsandraohinsta Happy #AANHPIHeritageMonth !!! Here’s a quick history lesson on Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, one of DTLA’s most vibrant cultural hubs. For over 60 years, East West Players has contributed to the city’s ever growing cultural landscape by providing a space that champions Asian/AsianAm stories. Flash forward to today, we are continuing to do exactly that! Not only is it an honor to be Asian, but it is an honor to share community & culture with all of our neighbors. To all our EWP & Little Tokyo fam, we hope to provide even more cultural enrichment for and by our community for years to come… and we hope to catch all of you at the Aratani Theatre for our latest show! 🌸🥁🎶 (Details below) 🎶🥁🌸 RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S FLOWER DRUM SONG Presented at The Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center @jaccc_la in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles | 244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 SHOW RUN: April 18th - May 31st, 2026 GET TICKETS NOW 🎟️ : /flower 🎤: @hebontheweb

Kibō Nobori (hope flags) by @faithannyoung is now on view at @jaccc_la in Little Tokyo through May 12th. These three site specific installations are inspired by koinobori, carp streamers flown in Japan during Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day). 🎏 Join us this Sunday, May 3 for Kodomo no Hi celebrations (11-3)! 🌸

This year, kids (ages 1-18) and parents can join in on a FREE interactive activity during Kodomo no Hi 🎏 Stop by the JACCC Info Booth to pick up a passport book. Get stamps at selected stops, then return it to the Info Booth to receive a goodie bag filled with fun items (while supplies last) 😍😍 We’re spicing things up a bit this year! The back of the passport includes a quick survey; parents or guardians who complete it will be entered for a chance to win a $150 gift card. The winner will be announced on stage at 1:00 pm and must be present to receive the prize. 📍 @jaccc_la 📅 Sunday, May 3, 2026 ⌛ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to explore the full lineup and plan your day! TY to Kali (@gokizuna ) for the cute passport design! 🥰 --- Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration is sponsored by Honda and the County of Los Angeles CEO Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative’s Equity and Diversity Fund, and @keiroconnect as a Supporter. Partners include @faithannyoung @kibonobori , and Kizuna Little Tokyo, with in-kind support from Anime Jungle, Clover Law Group, Glico, @lumbini_preschool , Marukai Market and Nijiya Market.

Step into 550+ years of living floral tradition 🌿✨ The Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Los Angeles returns to JACCC with a stunning exhibition featuring 20 ikebana arrangements across three signature styles: Rikka, with its grand structure and presence; Shoka, highlighting simplicity and natural elegance; and Freestyle, a modern, expressive approach to form and space. Rooted in Buddhist floral offerings and refined over centuries in Kyoto, Ikenobo continues to evolve through the hands of instructors and students who honor nature through every composition. 📍 George J. Doizaki Gallery 📅 May 2-3, 2026 ⌛ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Free admission. No RSVP required. Experience the timeless beauty of Japanese floral art. See you there! 🌸

𝘛𝘙𝘐𝘗-𝘏𝘖𝘗: Following up our Susumu Yokota session, we stay in the ‘90s and ‘00s with a deep dive into our favorite Japanese trip-hop and downtempo! May 15th: Join us in the @jaccc_la garden to explore a world of downtempo grooves infused with hip-hop, dub, dream pop, sampling, and electronics from artists like POiSON GiRL FRiEND, DJ Krush, Yoshinori Sunahara, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Towa Tei, Water Melon Group, Major Force Records, and more! Listening sessions and DJ sets hosted by the team behind In Sheep’s Clothing + select Japanese whiskey, beer, and wine by JACCC.

LA theater goers are buzzing about @thedavidhenryhwang 2026 revisal of @rodgersandhammerstein FLOWER DRUM SONG, directed by our Artistic Director @lilytungcrystal ✨🪭 Have you seen the show yet? There’s still plenty of time to see what everyone’s talking about… grab those tickets while you can! RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S FLOWER DRUM SONG Presented at The Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center @jaccc_la in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles | 244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 SHOW RUN: APRIL 18th-MAY 31st, 2026 GET TICKETS NOW 🎟️: /flower

🚧 Heads up, #LittleTokyo 🚧 Street closures are coming your way this Sunday, May 3 for Chibi-K: Kids Fun Run! 🏃‍♀️ 🛑 Closed Streets (6:00 am – 12:00 pm) 🛑 📍 San Pedro St. (between 1st & 3rd St.) 📍 2nd St. (between Central Ave. & Los Angeles St.) Please plan your route ahead and allow a little extra time getting around the neighborhood. And don’t forget — come out, line the course, and bring your loudest cheers as the kids run through Little Tokyo! Learn more via link in bio 💫 --- Chibi-K: Kids Fun Run is sponsored by Honda and the County of Los Angeles CEO Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative’s Equity and Diversity Fund, and @keiroconnect as a Supporter, with additional support from @gokizuna and in-kind support from @jungle_sp_collectors_la , @cafedulcela , Glico, @lumbini_preschool , Marukai Market, and Nijiya Market.

The Little Tokyo Breakfast Club continues with its next guest speaker: Ryan Lee 🍳 Join us on the third Thursday of every month for casual conversation, shared stories, and a home-cooked Japanese breakfast, all set against the seasonal beauty of the James Irvine Japanese Garden. 📍 TWCCC/Japanese Garden 📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026 ⌛ 8:30 am - 10:00 am In continuation of the series, hosts Steve Nagano and Jane Matsumoto welcome Ryan Lee, Director of @terasaki.budokan as the twelfth guest speaker. Ryan joined Little Tokyo Service Center in 2019 to help prepare for Terasaki Budokan’s long-awaited opening, and now leads its programs, partnerships, and day-to-day operations. With a background in youth development, from working with at-risk students to co-founding a nonprofit for special-needs athletes, he brings a strong commitment to serving marginalized communities. Come be part of the conversation and buy tickets via the link in our bio. Your seat at the table is waiting ✨