About
On May 3, 2025, the little ones will take over Little Tokyo! JACCC’s Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration invites children to take the lead in exploring Japanese and Japanese American traditions. They will craft, play, and discover through hands-on activities, traditional games, and interactive storytelling. Families and the community will join the fun, enjoying delicious Japanese treats, lively performances, and multi-generational experiences. This unforgettable celebration brings Little Tokyo to life through the eyes of its youngest adventurers—creating new traditions, lasting memories, and a day filled with joy and discovery.
Activities
Select a tab below for more details.
| Vendor | Tagline |
|---|---|
| Curry House CoCo Ichibanya | Hot Japanese curry with customizable toppings. |
| Honda Ya Incorporated | Izakaya serving sushi, tempura, ramen, and famous yakitori. |
| JACCC (Charlie's Dawgs) | Japanese-style beef and vegetarian hot-dogs. |
| Kuramoto Shavery | Japanese-style shaved ice made from clear ice blocks. |
| Shake Ramen INC | Delicious ramen served from a food truck. |
| Hosted By | Tagline |
|---|---|
| Anime Jungle | Popular anime figures, plushies, and a shooting gallery. |
| City Bible Church | Fun family activities with "Save Little Tokyo" game. |
| Cold Tofu Improv & Sketch | Kids' coloring station and story reading time. |
| East West Players | Dress up and snap photos at the imagination station. |
| Go For Broke National Education Center | Honoring Nisei soldiers' legacy through education. |
| Intercollegiate Nikkei Council | Play "Ramune Pong" at this fun game booth. |
| JACCC | Children's collaborative art installation. |
| Japan Airlines | Paper airplane crafts. |
| JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles | Experience NEO-JAPONISM exhibition at JAPAN HOUSE LA. |
| Japanese American National Museum | Make origami and explore JANM on the Go. |
| Jenny Yokobori | Custom autographs on character prints for sale. |
| Jidai Arts | Engage in samurai-themed activities for kids. |
| kaDON | Taiko workshops for kids with free Uchiwa fan gifts. |
| Keiro | Polaroid photo booth with custom frame decorations. |
| Kizuna Little Tokyo | Design custom Children’s Day buttons at our station. |
| Koyasan Buddhist Temple | Play Corn Ball Throw for a chance to win. |
| Kuniharu Yoshida | Custom Japanese calligraphy items available for purchase. |
| LA Artcore | Creative activities hosted by community artists. |
| Little Tokyo Branch Library | Free kids craft for Kodomo no Hi celebration. |
| Little Tokyo Community Council | Go Little Tokyo merchandise and family activities. |
| Little Tokyo Table Tennis | Custom ping pong paddle arts and crafts. |
| Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple | Free Plinko game with stickers for prizes. |
| Nellita's Craft | Fun children's craft activities. |
| Nikkei Progressives | Collaborative art project about caring for our community. |
| Nisei Week Foundation | Fold cranes and participate in mini-undokai game. |
| Nishi Scouting | Promoting Nishi Hongwanji Scouting Program outreach. |
| Orange County Buddhist Church Youth Department | Launch frogs onto rotating lily pads. |
| Parents Committee of Amestoy Elementary School LAUSD | Learn about LAUSD's Japanese Dual Language program. |
| SELANOCO-OC JACL | Create origami and learn its cultural significance. |
| Sugar Shan | Amezaiku, the Japanese candy artistry. |
| Suzuki Origami Art | Display and hands-on origami-making activities. |
| TABLE FOR TWO USA | Challenge your chopstick skills and make Inari sushi. |
| Taste of Japan | Caligraphy activity promoting Taste of Japan Anaheim 2025. |
| Union Church of Los Angeles | Play Go Fish and make origami. |
| Time | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| 11:00 am - 11:30 am | kaDON Team & Friends |
| 11:30 am - 12:00 pm | Ukuleles for Little Tokyo |
| 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm | Michael Murata & Friends |
| 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm | Island Inspirations Polynesian Entertainment |
| 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Bob Baker Marionette Theater |
| 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Kuniharu Yoshida (KUNI) |
| 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm | Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) |
| 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm | Kyle Katano & the Children of City Bible Church |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Hiphop Island |
| 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm | AI Vibration |
Takaaki Hirakawa
Takaaki’s recent successes are, playing Lord Mizoguchi in “SHOGUN” (Disney+/FX), voicing Tengu Crest in “Blue Eye Samurai” (Netflix), and joining multiple shows and movies in Japan, waiting to be released in 2025. Growing up in both Japan and the U.S., he is native to both Japanese and English which brings him the ability to play characters from feudal Japan to modern day America. Takaaki is a graduate and a former house team member of The Second City Hollywood, where he wrote and performed regularly. He was also a performer of a premium show “Super Sexy Sexy Superhero”.He started acting under Golden Globe nominated director Robet Allan Ackerman. He was the founding member of “The Garage”, a theater group led by Mr. Ackerman. Their original theater production “BLOOD” ran twice in 2016 by popular demand, and was nominated in 5 categories with Stage Raw Theater Awards. The show was visited by celebrities such as Al Pacino, Hiroyuki Sanada, Judy Davis and many more.
Alan Miyatake from Toyo Miyatake Studio will be offering Children’s Day Garden Portraits in our James Irvine Japanese Garden. Portrait sessions will be available by reservation only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to view available package offerings.
The available time slots are:
- 11:00 am - 11:30 pm
- 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm12:30 pm - 1:00 pm1:00 pm - 1:30 pm1:30 pm - 2:00 pm- 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
- 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
To make your reservation, please email toyomiyatake@sbcglobal.net with the subject line: JACCC Kodomo no Hi Portraits. Be sure to include the package you're interested in, your preferred time slot and a backup option. You will receive an email confirmation the week of April 14th.
We recommend arriving at the Garden 5 minutes before your scheduled time. The entrance will be through the elevators in the Lobby of our 5-story Office Tower.
Also on May 3, 2025
Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Terasaki Budokan
Things to Know
Accessibility
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact info@jaccc.org.
Plan Your Visit
JACCC is a 7-minute walk from the L.A. Metro Rail's Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, which connects to both the A and E lines via the Regional Connector.
For additional transportation options and parking details, check out Go Little Tokyo's Guide to the area here.
Sponsors & Supporters
Kodomo no Hi is supported by Honda, the County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office (CEO) Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative’s Equity and Diversity Fund and made possible through the generous support of our Silver Sponsor, Glenn & Michiko Inanaga & Family; Bronze Sponsor, the Ito/Ando Family; supporters, Dolly & Rick Oishi; and our partners, Kizuna and the Little Tokyo Service Center's Terasaki Budokan. In-kind support is provided by Anime Jungle, Glico, and Mutual Trading Co., Inc.
