Nisei Week Festival 2014 Starts Aug 9th

Nisei Week envelops Little Tokyo in festiveness starting this weekend followed by events up until the 17th.

Nisei Week
Aug 9-17
Little Tokyo

This nine day tradition celebrates Little Tokyo with festive activities and special events. Booths, games and specialty food will be all around Little Tokyo and at the JACCC Plaza Festival. The Grand Parade, sharing the different groups and organizations that make up Little Tokyo, will stroll around Little Tokyo Aug 10 to much love and fan-fair. The festival and the groups grow bigger every year.

For cosplayers, you're more than welcome to come out. You can even join in the Grand Parade, there's a cosplayers section. Just join them in Little Tokyo, you'll easily spot them. Can you win the Cosplay Contest?

FREE PMX/Infotakus Tanabata Fest Cosplay Contest

Saturday, August 9

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Tanabata Festival stage

Anime Jungle is putting together a special event happening Aug 10, the full notice isn't up yet. Looks to be a panel talk show based on Sentai Super Heroes at 8:30pm. Check their site, or call them for details.

The Natsumatsuri Family Festival will be taking place Aug 9 at JANM, with its new Rubik's Cube like monument out front. Free entry and family activities for the museum all day.

The  Tanabata (Star) Festival will show off more than 240 Tanabatas (paper ornament streamers) made by the community. Some are more creative than others and some capture  video game and anime characters. Together in the wind, with all the colors; it's a beautiful sight to behold. Check near Japanese American National Museum, it's a little hidden to find it.

The event ends with a big ramen festival between Aug 16-17, the Raman Yokocho Fest.



Here's a breakdown of the festival:

August 9 (Sat)     

Nisei Week Rubik’s Cube Open, JACCC Plaza, 9 am – 1 pm

Nisei Week Japanese Festival/JACCC Plaza Festival, 10am – 6 pm

Taiko Gathering, Martial Arts, etc. – JACCC Plaza, 1 – 6 pm

Golden Circle Dinner, Double Tree by Hilton, 5 pm (Dinner)*

Coronation Ball, JACCC/Aratani Japan America Theater, 7 pm*

August 10 (Sun)     

Nisei Week Japanese Festival/JACCC Plaza Festival, 10 am- 4 pm
Geta Tap Dance, Taiko Gathering, Martial Arts, Anime/Cosplay, Beer Garden, etc.

Grand Parade – Little Tokyo, 4 pm

August 11 (Mon)     

Awards Dinner – Double Tree by Hilton, , 6 pm*

August 13 (Wed)     

Pioneer Luncheon, Double Tree by Hilton, 11:30 am*

August 16 (Sat)     

Nisei Week Japanese Festival/JACCC Plaza Festival, 10 am- 6 pm

Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship, JACCC Plaza, 3 pm

Nisei Week Car Show – 100 N. Alameda Street, 11 am – 7 pm, www.showoffcafe.com

Ramen Matsuri – LA City Lots 7/2 behind MOCA/JANM, 11 am – 11 pm, www.ramenyokochous.com*

August 17 (Sun)     

Ondo and Closing Ceremony, 1st Street, 4 pm

Ramen Matsuri – LA City Lots 7/2 behind MOCA/JANM, 11 am – 11 pm, www.ramenyokochous.com