Should we start with the Otaku tattoo store or rush ahead to the Japanese super market with special treats you can't get anywhere else? Japanese supermarket it is.
And it's all in LA's lovely Little Tokyo, a haven for those fans of anime and of course, wanting to visit Japan. Little Tokyo isn't all that big, just a few blocks, but you can definitely spend a whole day there. With so many stores and places to grab a bite it's just a wonderful spot to visit downtown.. Please, please get some Japanese food and not Subway.
If you want a snack, treat, meal or just something to show off to friends head to the Marukai Market
123 S Onizuka St. #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This is the largest Japanese supermarket in Little Tokyo. There's two more and they just can't compare to the selection. They import candy, drinks and all kinds of snacks from Japan. So, you'll be getting stuff your friends aren't. Try a strange flavor of potato chip or get a special flavor of soda that you can't find anywhere else.
*Though, it's called Marukai Market it's clearly part of the Don Quijote discount store brand of Japan with all the signage of the mascot Donpen, a blue penguin, you can see up in the store.
If you want something a little bit different, we're saying try this place on the name alone. Pho Ever 319 E 2nd St Ste 205 Los Angeles, CA 90012 is a Vietnamese restaurant with a good looking menu of eats.
Now, if you want to grab something there's plenty of stores. The multiple store of Anime Jungle 319 E 2nd St UNIT 103, Los Angeles, CA 90012 means you can pretty much get or order and Japanese figure or toy you want, but there's more than that.
You also have the video game store of World 8-2, 319 East 2nd Street Suite #120
Los Angeles CA 90012. A sister store of World 8, they carry a bunch of video games and the older stuff, so you can look for classic games for older systems. Could use a bit more decorations, but it's the only game store in Little Tokyo.
For what looks like a sketchy online anime store became real you have Style Outlet LA 340E 2nd street, Suite 334-A Los Angeles, CA 90012 . A hilarious name, when inside it's really got the most random of anime stuff. And, it's filled to brim with it.
Now about that tattoo parlor, Otaku Vision Studios 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 can put Naruto or whatever ninja on your skin, but they also have a little retail and it's 18+ inside.
You can get this lovely tote bag from Visions that'll turn heads.
Then from dirty and naughty let's go to bright colors and cute!
My eyes! My eyes! The colors they burn! Like looking into a utopian future LA, we have the brightest of outfits displayed in Mokuyobi 101 Japanese Village Plz Los Angeles, CA 90012. This retail store makes you think you've found the nemesis to Hot Topic as it's so dang positive in here. A rainbow collection to light up your sense of style.
And those are just some of the stores and restaurants in Little Tokyo. There's many other places to peek into or get lost in, but it's a wonderful place to spend a day wandering through. So, head down to downtown, just pay for parking at one of the pay lots and look around for some Japanese themed fun.
And if you see that Arthur, playing music on his keyboard just tip him some money.