SHAKE SHACK INTRODUCES NEW LIMITED EDITION SHAKE
CHERRY BLOSSOM!!!
SHAKE SHACK introduces NEW CHERRY BLOSSOM SHAKE! LIMITED TIME ONLY! https://shakeshack.com/?msclkid=5e9ddf642af91f6de6a8b8a688d212b0#/
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our SJC 2025 Community Friends
Special Recognition for 2025 Special Community Friends
* SJC IS INDEBTED TO IMRAN & DARRIN AT SUPERFAST COPYING & BINDING (formerly Copy Depot) FOR SUPERFAST'S DEDICATION & PROFESSIONALISM IN GETTING THE PRINT JOBS DONE 'SUPERFAST'!
Superfast Copying & Binding NEW LOCATION (formerly Copy Depot on Sawtelle)
* Thank You, Imran & Darrin!
11964 Wilshire BL WEST LA
Japanese-City.com
https://www.japanese-city.com/
Marukai West Los Angeles
12121 Pico BL SAWTELLE
https://marukai.com/pages/west-los-angeles
Mitsuwa Marketplace-Santa Monica
376- So Centinela BL MAR VISTA
Nijiya Market
2130 Sawtelle BL SAWTELLE
Nora Sterry Elementary School
1730 Corinth AV SAWTELLE
https://norasterryes.lausd.org/?cfredir=
Acology
1414 Wilshire BL SANTA MONICA
Bunkado
340 E 1st ST LITTLE TOKYO
https://www.bunkadoonline.com/
CoCo ICHIBANYA
1947 Sawtelle BL SAWTELLE
https://ichibanyausa.com/sawtelle/
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
11913 Olympic Blvd @ Bundy SAWTELLE
(310) 914-9564
https://www.coffeebean.com/stores/ca/los-angeles/11913-w-olympic-blvd
Copenhagen Pastry
11113 Washington BL CULVER CITY
https://www.copenhagenpastry.com/
Cravings Mediterranean & Persian Cafe
10850 Wilshire BL WESTWOOD
Fugetsu-Do
315 E 1st ST LITTLE TOKYO
Gashapon Bandai Official
2130 Sawtelle BL SAWTELLE
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gashapon-los-angeles
Girl Scout Troop 235 Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 2915 of Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 5325 of Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 5405 of Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 8145 of Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 12135 of Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 17135 of Greater LA
Girl Scout Troop 70653 of Greater LA
https://www.girlscoutstoday.org/en/get-involved/join/find-a-troop.html
Go For Broke-National Education Center
355 E 1st ST LITTLE TOKYO
GOLFTEC West LA
3130 So. Sepulveda BL PALMS
https://www.golftec.com/golf-lessons/los-angeles/west-la
H & Y PLANNING, INC
Hongwanji Place
311 W 37th St EXPOSITION PARK
IHOP
12115 Ohio AVE SAWTELLE
JFC International, Inc.
Juroku Cha- Asahi Beverages America, Inc.
https://asahibev.com/products/jurokucha/
Little Tokyo Community Council
Loops Hair Studio
2130 Sawtelle BL 2nd FL SAWTELLE
https://www.loopshairstudio.com/
Lucky Strike/Bowlero Mar Vista
13125 Venice BL MAR VISTA
https://www.luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-mar-vista
Marugame Udon Sawtelle
2029 Sawtelle BL SAWTELLE
https://www.marugameudon.com/locations/sawtelle/
Odd One Out
11301 W Olympic BL SAWTELLE
Office Depot OfficeMax
6540 Jefferson BL CULVER CITY
https://www.officedepot.com/storelocator/ca/culver-city/office-depot-951
Olympic Shop
246 E 1st ST LITTLE TOKYO
https://www.yelp.com/biz/olympic-shop-los-angeles-2
Randy's Donuts
829 Wilshire Blvd SANTA MONICA
(424) 231-7231
https://randysdonuts.com/locations/#santamonica
Sakae Sushi
1601 Redondo Beach BL GARDENA
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sakae-sushi-gardena
San Gabriel Nursery & Florist
632 So. San Gabriel BL SAN GABRIEL
Shake Shack
501 Wilshire BL SANTA MONICA
https://shakeshack.com/location/santa-monica-ca#/
Skid Row-kyo Mission (Little Tokyo Dance Club)
STAPLES
11341 National BL MAR VISTA
https://stores.staples.com/ca/los-angeles/11341-national-blvd
Sunflower Farms
17609 So. Western AV GARDENA
https://sunflowerfarmsnursery.com/
2 Peaks Bikes
1852 Westwood BL WESTWOOD
Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.
Yama Sushi Marketplace-WLA
11709 National BL MAR VISTA
https://www.yamasushimarketplace.com/
ZojirushI America Corporation
Sawtelle Japantown Celebration ENDS SUNDAY, march 2, 2025
Sawtelle Japantown Celebration 2025, February 21-March 2
* A SUPER ‘SPECIAL’ THANK YOU TO DARRIN AT SUPERFAST COPYING & BINDING FOR HIS SUPERFAST PROFESSIONAL PRINT JOBS!
SCAN THAT CODE and CELEBRATE!
STARTS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025!
Sawtelle Japantown Celebration 2025
February 21 to March 2
February 25, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Los Angeles City’s official recognition of Sawtelle Japantown. In 2015, the West Los Angeles community petitioned to rename the area Sawtelle Japantown—to join Little Tokyo, San Francisco and San Jose as one of four remaining Japantowns in the United States. Sawtelle Japantown Celebration (SJC) was established in 2018 to remember and appreciate the history and legacy of a longstanding ethnic minority community.
The annual not-for-profit grassroots Sawtelle Japantown Celebration (SJC) continues to grow and celebrate communities—from Sawtelle, Little Tokyo, Santa Monica, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Mar Vista, Culver City, Del Rey, Downtown LA, East Los Angeles, San Gabriel, Crenshaw Square, Torrance, Gardena and now Baldwin Hills and Larchmont!
The SJC 2025 banner is on display at Hashimoto Nursery on Sawtelle Blvd. and includes the legacy flower ‘quilt’ contributed in 2023 by students of Nora Sterry Elementary School and LAUSD’s first Japanese Dual Immersion Program in Region West.
This year’s 10-day Celebration begins Friday, February 21 and concludes Sunday, March 2. SJC includes three SPIN Giveaways--the first at Nijiya Market Sawtelle on Saturday, February 22 and the last at Marukai Market WLA on Saturday, March 1. Tuesday, February 25 sees a ‘Special’ 10th Anniversary SPIN Giveaway at Sawtelle’s Only the Lonely and the introduction of the Mini Mochi Churro Giveaway .
February 21 – March 2, 2025
SJC 2025 Merchant Promotions
Multiple locations
Merchant promotions require a paper or digital version of SJC 2025’s THE LIST that can be accessed via the QR code or at https://SawtelleJTown.org. Special Front-Liner promotions for police, firefighters and medical workers also require ID and THE LIST.
Saturday, February 22, 2025 – 12 Noon
SJC 2025 SPIN Giveaway
Nijiya Market Sawtelle (storefront) – Only while giveaways last.
2130 Sawtelle Blvd.
Present a SJC 2025 Merchant/Community Friend receipt for a minimum $15 purchase dated February 21-22, 2025 for a giveaway prize. *Security present and no cash prizes.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – 3:00 pm
SJC 2025 ‘Special’ 10th Anniversary SPIN Giveaway
Only the Lonely (storefront) - Only while giveaways last.
2025 Sawtelle Blvd.
Present a SJC 2025 Merchant/Community Friend receipt for a minimum $15 purchase dated February 21-25, 2025 for a giveaway prize. *Security present and no cash prizes.
NOTE: In case of rain, the SPIN will move indoors to Matcha Village, 2202 Sawtelle Blvd.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ONLY
SJC 2025 Mini Mochi Churro Giveaway
Matcha Village, 2202 Sawtelle Blvd.
FREE Mini Mochi Churro with a SJC 2025 flyer. Limit 1 per person per flyer.
Saturday, March 1, 2025 – 12 Noon
SJC 2025 SPIN Giveaway
Marukai West Los Angeles (storefront) - Only while giveaways last.
12121 Pico Blvd.
Present a SJC 2025 Merchant/Community Friend receipt dated February 21-March 1, 2025 for a giveaway prize. No minimum required. *Security present and no cash prizes.
* Please be sure to thank the SJC 2025 merchants you visit for their support of Sawtelle Japantown Celebration.
2025's COMMUNITY FRIENDS (CF) & MERCHANTS--WITH SOME NEW FACES!
(PROMOTIONS WILL FOLLOW SOON!)
Acology NEW! (CF) Get Fit-Get Well Products
Allan’s Pet Center (Dont' forget your FREE goldfish!)
Amandine Patisserie & Cafe
Anzu (CF) *'Special' family karaage recipe for fried chicken!
Armstrong Garden Centers (CF)
Ban Ban Burger NEW!
Bangkok BBQ Bowl NEW!
Bay Street Boards (CF) Surf & Skate Shop
BIG TOMY’S
Big-O Tires (CF)
Black Sheep Burgers (CF) *NEW brunch menu!
Blackbeard’s Crafts (CF) *2025 will be their last Celebration at this location.
BlackMarketLA (CF)
Bon Bon Berry Acai Bowl & Frozen Yogurt (CF)
Bueller’s Bagels/Saint Urbain Street Bagels (CF)
Bunkado (CF) *Family-owned & operated legacy gift shop in Little Tokyo!
Chinchikurin *'Off-menu' Tompei-Yaki only offered during SJC!
Churros Calientes *'Fresh & Organic' European cafe serves BEST 'Churros con Chocolate'!
Cinefile Video (CF)
CoCo ICHIBANYA (CF)
Coffee, Bean & Tea Leaf (CF)
Copenhagen Pastry NEW! (CF)
Cravings Mediterranean Café *Delicious & healthy food freshly made to order!
Dim Sum House (CF) *'GoTo' place for Dim Sum!
El Super Taco
Feast From the East (CF)
Fugetsu-Do (CF) *Family-owned & operated legacy sweet shop in Little Tokyo since 1903!
Gashapon Bandai Official (CF)
Go For Broke National Educational Center (CF)
GOLFTEC West LA (CF)
Greenview Thai (CF)
GS Troop 235 of Greater Los Angeles NEW! (CF)
GS Troop 2915 of Greater Los Angeles NEW! (CF)
GS Troop 5325 of Greater Los Angeles NEW! (CF)
GS Troop 5405 of Greater Los Angeles NEW! (CF)
GS Troop 8145 of Greater Los Angeles (CF)
GS Troop 12135 of Greater Los Angeles NEW! (CF)
GS Troop 17135 of Greater Los Angeles (CF)
GS Troop 70653 of Greater Los Angeles (CF)
H & Y Planning, Inc. (CF)
Hashimoto Nursery (CF) *Oldest family-run nursery in Sawtelle since 1928.
Hinodeya Ramen Bar Palms (CF) *NEW to Sawtelle--but family-owned & operated in Japan since 1885!
Holey Grail Donuts – Santa Monica/Mar Vista Farmers Market/Larchmont NEW! (CF)
Hongwanji Place NEW! (CF) *Buddhist bookstore online & in Exposition Park.
Hop Li
IHOP (CF) *FREE short stack of pancakes!
Izakaya Sasaya
Jackie’s Bakery NEW! *Carries on tradition of former DC-3 Executive Pastry Chef Jackie Revel Knezevich.
Jenette Bras (CF) "Stand up straight & rock that hourglass, Honey." - Jenette Goldstein
JFC International (CF)
Juquila Restaurant
Jurokucha – Asahi Beverages America (CF)
Just Ride LA *Brompton dealer. Pro repairs & fittings, competitive pricing, & staff av. 21.6 yrs of riding.
Kagura (CF) *'Exceptional' Tonkatsu dining experience.
Karteꓘ
Kim’s Restaurant *Old school Cantonese in Crenshaw celebrating 65 years & serving Almond Duck!
KLT Floral (CF)
Krav Maga Worldwide - Sawtelle/Sherman Oaks (CF)
LA Prime Caffe
Lady M (CF)
Landmark’s Nuart Theatre (CF) *Now playing Oscar Shorts and a Salute to David Lynch.
Lenzini’s Pizza (CF)
Little Tokyo Community Council (CF)
Loops Hair Studio (CF)
Lucky Strike/Bowlero Mar Vista (CF) *NEW top-of-the-line venue in Beverly Hills!
Lune Noir
Mario’s Pizza
Marugame Udon
Marukai Market Little Tokyo (CF)
Marukai Market WLA (CF)
Mashti Malone's Exotic Ice Cream (CF) *A "happiness business" family-owned & run.
Matcha Village (CF) *NEW Mochi Churros! FREE 10th Anniversary Giveaway Feb 25!
Menya Tigre (CF)
Midoh (CF)
Mike’s Deli – DTLA
Mr. Ramen NEW! (CF) *Legacy ramen shop family-owned & run for 32 years in Little Tokyo!
Mitsuwa Marketplace – Santa Monica (CF)
Mogu Mogu
MT Auto *Toyota & Lexus specialist - former head mechanic at corporate Toyota.
Neveria El Oasis (CF) *From Oaxca to LA. Family-owned & run. Fresh, natural ingredients.
Nickel Mine, The
Nijiya Market – Sawtelle/Little Tokyo (CF)
Nora Sterry Elementary School (CF)
Odd One Out Tea (CF) *Award-winning Craft Milk Tea with pure honest flavor! LA Fav Yuzu Osmanthus.
Office Depot (CF)
Olympic Shop NEW! (CF) *All things L.A. Dodgers in Little Tokyo!
Only the Lonely (CF) * OTL produced the 10th anniversary T-shirts.
Plank 47 (CF) *Be sure to try Maria's homemade Choco Flan!
Popkiller – Second (CF)
Pop Little Tokyo – Popkiller Flagship (CF)
Rafu Bussan (CF) *Legacy gift shop in Little Tokyo for 67 years.
Ramenya
Randy’s Donuts (CF)
Record Surplus (CF)
Rita’s Ice Custard Happiness (CF) *It started in the summer of 1984...serving up Ice Custard & Happiness!
Rutt’s Hawaiian Café & Catering (CF)
Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream (CF) *Unique Persian ice cream founded in 1974. Family-owned & run.
Sakae Sushi (CF) NEW! Legacy sushi shop family-owned & operated since 1962!
Sakura Restaurant (CF) *Family-owned & run by a Sawtelle local.
San Gabriel Nursery & Florist (CF) *Legacy nursery family-owned & operated for 101 years!
7 Miles Tea Lab (CF)
Shake Shack NEW! Cherry Blossom Shakes just in time for the Celebration! (CF)
Shoe Comfort – Featuring SAS Shoes NEW! (CF) *Shoe specialist from Sawtelle finally has his own shop!
Skid Row-kyo Mission (CF)
Sonoritas Prime Tacos
Spoon & Pork (CF) *2025 is their last Celebration at this Sawtelle location. Last day to dine-in--Sun, Mar 2.
Staples (CF)
Subway – Sawtelle (CF)
Subway – Barrington (CF)
Sunflower Farms NEW! (CF) * Legacy nursery family-owned & operations since 1975--in its 3rd generation!
Superfast Copying & Binding NEW! (formerly Copy Depot on Sawtelle) (CF)
Sutadonya – Mitsuwa Marketplace Santa Monica (CF) *Tokyo Stamina Station. #1 rice bowl! Est. 1971.
Tacomiendo (CF) *Oaxacan success story. Est. 2000. Family-owned & run by the Diegos.
Tak’s Coffee Shop (CF) *Continuing the tradition of Crenshaw's Holiday Bowl serving Japanese & Soul food.
Tasty Noodle
Tea Mug Boba (CF)
Teddy’s Café (CF) *Family-owned & run 37 years. Friday Fav for 29 years - Beer-battered Fish & Chips.
10 Speed Coffee (CF)
Tenkatori
310 Coffee Company NEW!
Top Tier Treats
Tuk Tuk Thai
2 Peaks Bikes NEW! (CF) *20+ years in the cycling industry. International distributor of Factor Bikes.
Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake (CF)
Unetto Tokyo Pasta Factory NEW!
Volcano Tea House *Sawtelle's oldest tea house!
Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. (CF)
Yama Sushi Marketplace-WLA (CF)
Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery (CF) *Family-run nursery est. 1949. Speciailty Bonsai.
Zojirushi America Corporation (CF)
Zooies Cookies (CF) *Cookies and Gasoline DO MIX! It all began at a gas station in San Diego...
* EXTENDED PROMOTIONS ARE BACK THIS YEAR TO KEEP THE CELEBRATION GOING!
STARTS FRIDAY, FEB 21, 2025!
(Watch for updates!)
Our Logo
JANE SHIBATA - Local Girl Makes Good
Sawtelle Japantown born and raised local--Jane Shibata--worked with SJC to create the logo. Jane Shibata is a part-time faculty member in the art department at Santa Monica College and runs a design business specializing in the lettering arts. She is also accomplished in Sumi-e, watercolor and colored pencil art. Jane is a fine artist and dabbles in the book arts.
THIS SECTION WILL BE UPDATED SOON!
Juroku Cha - Asahi Beverages America, Inc.
Lucky Strike/Bowlero Mar Vista
12125 Venice Blvd MAR VISTA
(310) 391-5288
Sunday 11 am - 2 pm
Monday & Tuesday 4 pm - 12 am
GOLFTEC West L.A.
3130 South Sepulveda Blvd PALMS
(310) 736-4201
Monday 9 am to 6 pm
Tuesday - Friday 9 am to 7 pm
Saturday & Sunday 8 am to 5 pm
Loops Hair Salon
2130 Sawtelle Blvd, 2nd FL SAWTELLE
(310) 231-8999
Daily 9 am to 7 pm
https://www.loopshairstudio.com/en-loops/en-about.html
Rita's Ice Custard Happiness
NEW LOCATION
11134 Palms Blvd @ Sepulveda Blvd PALMS
(310) 445-3939
Daily 12 pm to 10 pm
*Certified Kosher
It started in the summer of 1984...
San Gabriel Nursery & Florist
632 South San Gabriel Blvd (north of Mission Road) SAN GABRIEL
(626) 286-3783 or 286-0787
Daily 9 am to 5 pm
(Call ahead on rainy days.)
San Gabriel Nursery & Florist is one of Southern California's largest and most complete garden centers. We have been family-owned and operated since the nursery was founded in 1923. Our many years of experience include extensive knowledge about the plants, climate and growing conditions conducive to Southern California...
Tak's Coffee Shop
3870 #101 South Crenshaw Blvd (between Coliseum & W. 39th Street)
CRENSHAW SQUARE
(323) 295-0195
Tuesday - Sunday 6:30 am to 2 pm (last order 1:15 pm)
Of Carhops & Cafeterias 'To Live and Dine in L.A.' Paul Mejia (NEWSWEEK July 20, 2015) ...one can see a curious smattering of breakfast selections at Tak's Coffee Shop; alongside the all-American patty melt, the café serves up the likes of Tommy's moco loco, oyako donburi and steak ranchero. It's entirely representative of its surrounding Inglewood, which was at first a hub for Japanese-Americans after World War II and evolved into a predominantly Latino and African-American neighborhood. Tak's chef Chino Bravo started as a dishwasher at another former beloved restaurant in the area, the Holiday Bowl, and learned to cook Japanese and Chinese fare from its chef while learning English. When the Bowl shuttered in 2000, Bravo scooped up those traditional recipes and took them to Tak's, splicing the menu with breakfast staples from his native Mexico to create a fusion as richly mixed-up as L.A.'s populace.
"Breakfast at Tak's" by Tadashi Nakamura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVIjRjwmXh0
https://www.laweekly.com/loco-moco-at-taks-coffee-shop/
https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/where-to-find-remnants-of-crenshaws-japanese-american-history
https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/from-little-tokyo-to-crenshaw
Kim's Restaurant
3860 #105 S. Crenshaw Blvd (between Coliseum & W. 39th Street) CRENSHAW SQUARE
(323) 294-6677
Tuesday - Saturday 11 am to 9 pm
Sunday 11 am to 8 pm
Closed Sunday & Holidays
* NEARLY 60 YEARS IN CRENSHAW SQUARE *
