Sawtelle Japantown was a small agricultural city before it was annexed as a Los Angeles neighborhood in the 1920s. At that time, it was already home to Japanese immigrants, known as the Issei, who worked on farms and orchards, and later, in the gardens of Wilshire Boulevard estates.
The Issei and their descendants (the Nisei) were uprooted in the wake of Pearl Harbor. After World War II, many of them came back to Sawtelle and revitalized the area. With the construction of the 405, the neighborhood soon became a bedroom community for nearby Westwood and Century City, which have emerged as major employment centers.
Today, Sawtelle Japantown is considered one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and is home not only to descendants of Japanese American settlers but people of other ethnicities and backgrounds as well.
Previously known only as Sawtelle, it was officially recognized as Sawtelle Japantown in 2015. The neighborhood’s strong Japanese cultural influences are its most defining attractions, but diversity has given it added character and made it one of Los Angeles’ hippest communities.
Here are some of the sights and experiences you can find in Sawtelle Japantown:
Best Japanese cuisine in Los Angeles
Sawtelle Boulevard is home to a number of restaurants serving some of the best Japanese food in the city. In addition to that, you can also find Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, Chinese, and traditional American restaurants in the area. Must-try places include:
- Tsujita LA – Guests flock in droves to this highly popular restaurant primarily to sample the tsukamen – a unique ramen dish served only at lunchtime.
- Kimukatsu – A famous restaurant chain in Japan, its Sawtelle location is the only one found in the continental United States.
- Kikiro Sushi – This is considered one of the best sushi restaurants in L.A.
- Seoul Sausage Company – Serving Korean street food, this restaurant gained fame when it won the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.
- Coffee Tomo – This Korean-Japanese inspired café is known for its great coffee and pretzels.
Tranquil Japanese landscaping at the Japanese Garden in Stoner Park
Occupying a small segment of Stoner Park’s southeastern edge, the Japanese garden was created in 1931 and redesigned in 1989 by noted Japanese garden architect, Dr. Koichi Kawana. The garden’s main features include cherry blossom trees, a 4 feet tall Japanese lantern, and three monument stones. Adjacent to the Stoner Recreation Center, the Japanese Garden is a favorite destination of locals and guests alike.
One-of-a-kind shopping at Giant Robot and BlackMarket LA
Giant Robot started in 1994 as a pop culture magazine, from which an online store was developed. The brick-and-mortar version found at Sawtelle Boulevard followed in 2001. Featuring cutting edge Asian art and designs, the merchandise at Giant Robot include clothing, stationery, houseware, toys and so much more.
BlackMarket LA is a lifestyle boutique that started out as vintage clothing store. Today it offers stylish clothing, accessories, and gifts from some of the trendiest and hippest brands in the world.
Singing the night away at Max Karaoke Studio
Max Karaoke Studio features private karaoke rooms and an extensive collection of songs that range from all-time karaoke classics to the latest Top 40 hits to pop favorites from various countries. Their BYOB policy makes the experience even more enjoyable.
