Little Tokyo Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour, Downtown Los Angeles, California - LA Shops, restaurants, museums and memorials
Places: 10 POIs
Distance: 0.93 mi
Duration: 38m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Tour #1626
About this English self-guided 38m walking tour in Los Angeles
Explore Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles with Historic America and UCPlaces. Designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1995, the shops, restaurants, museums and memorials of Little Tokyo are a popular attraction for travelers and locals alike. One of just three Japantowns in the United States, this neighborhood is a must see! Our tour begins at Spring and First Streets, near Los Angeles City Hall. See you there!
Before You Start!- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.35mi
, Attraction : City Hall
201 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Los Angeles City Hall
Welcome to Historic America and UCPlaces’ audio walking tour of Little Tokyo. We’re glad you could join us! I’m Rachel, professional History Nerd, and your guide for today.
Before you is City Hall, the center of local government. Inside you'll find the mayor’s office as well as the meeting chambers and offices for the city council. Completed in 1928, it was designed by a team of architects - John Parkinson, Albert C. Martin and John C. Austin. The columns and grand steps invoke classic design, while the iconic tower crowned with the stepped pyramid is very art-deco. The towering three- tiered structure embodies the energy, ambition and innovation of the roaring 20’s. The historic arch has since been seismically stabilized to ensure its preservation for future generations. And despite the wear and tear of a century, City Hall stands strong in all her original splendor.
Just across the street is the headquarters for the Los Angeles police department and the department of transportation.
But, we will quickly be transported from the humdrum of American bureaucracy to the rich history and culture of Little Tokyo.
Today’s walking tour takes us to one of LA’s most historic and multicultural neighborhoods. The technical boundaries of Little Tokyo are currently about five city blocks, defined on the west by Los Angeles Street, the east by Alameda Street, the south by 3rd Street, and on the north by 1st Street It also includes the block north of 1st and west of Alameda. With roots reaching back to the 1880s, Little Tokyo remains a cultural and civic center for Japanese Americans living in Southern California. Designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1995, the shops, restaurants, museums and memorials of Little Tokyo are just a short walk away, so let’s get going. Use the built-in navigation to make your way to our next stop!
Before you is City Hall, the center of local government. Inside you'll find the mayor’s office as well as the meeting chambers and offices for the city council. Completed in 1928, it was designed by a team of architects - John Parkinson, Albert C. Martin and John C. Austin. The columns and grand steps invoke classic design, while the iconic tower crowned with the stepped pyramid is very art-deco. The towering three- tiered structure embodies the energy, ambition and innovation of the roaring 20’s. The historic arch has since been seismically stabilized to ensure its preservation for future generations. And despite the wear and tear of a century, City Hall stands strong in all her original splendor.
Just across the street is the headquarters for the Los Angeles police department and the department of transportation.
But, we will quickly be transported from the humdrum of American bureaucracy to the rich history and culture of Little Tokyo.
Today’s walking tour takes us to one of LA’s most historic and multicultural neighborhoods. The technical boundaries of Little Tokyo are currently about five city blocks, defined on the west by Los Angeles Street, the east by Alameda Street, the south by 3rd Street, and on the north by 1st Street It also includes the block north of 1st and west of Alameda. With roots reaching back to the 1880s, Little Tokyo remains a cultural and civic center for Japanese Americans living in Southern California. Designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1995, the shops, restaurants, museums and memorials of Little Tokyo are just a short walk away, so let’s get going. Use the built-in navigation to make your way to our next stop!
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Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.14mi
, Attraction : Directions
Los Angeles St & 1st St (Southbound), Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Heading to Little Tokyo
Awesome! You’re headed the right way! Once you cross Los Angeles Street, we’re officially in Little Tokyo! See you there!
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Los Angeles City Hall
Place 2
Heading to Little Tokyo
Place 3
A History Lesson
Place 4
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center & the Aratani Theatre
Place 5
Directions
Place 6
Japanese Village Plaza
Place 7
Koyasan Buddhist Temple
Place 8
San Pedro Firm Building
Place 9
Go For Broke Memorial
Place 10
Japanese American National Museum
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 0.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 10 stops, covering top attractions such as Los Angeles City Hall, Heading to Little Tokyo, A History Lesson, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center & the Aratani Theatre, Directions.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Los Angeles City Hall (Address: 201 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!