Showcase of Japanese cultural events, activities and exhibits, including music, entertainment, food, and fun
August 10 – 18, 2024
Nisei Week Sponsors
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival would not be possible without the generous support and donations of our corporate & community sponsors, whose partnerships allow us to continue and invest in the Nisei Week festival tradition.
Nikkei Women Legacy Association
A nonprofit organization founded by former Nisei Week Queens focused on giving back to the Little Tokyo and Nikkei community. The heart of NWLA’s mission is to preserve and promote Nikkei history and culture with a primary focus on women.
Nisei Week Honorees
The Nisei Week Grand Marshal is awarded to those in the community who have made a profound impact on the broad Japanese & Japanese American Communities.
Bill Watanabe
Bill Watanabe was born at Manzanar in January 1944 and grew up in the San Fernando Valley, helping his family grow flowers for the downtown flower market.
In 1967, Bill did a one-year stint at the prestigious Waseda University in Tokyo to broaden his knowledge of the language and culture of Japan. In 1972, he received his Masters degree in Social Welfare from UCLA focusing on the field of community organizing.
Bill became, in 1980, the founding Executive Director of the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) in downtown Los Angeles. For 32 years, he guided its growth, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, from a one-person staff to a multi-faceted social services and community development program with over 100 paid staff, many of whom are bilingual in any of eight Asian Pacific languages and Spanish. LTSC has become a major player in the preservation of Little Tokyo through its development of affordable housing at Casa Heiwa, the San Pedro Firm Building, the Far East building, and the Daimaru Hotel. LTSC is also the major developer of the Union Center for Arts which brought the cultural arts of the East West Players theater, Visual Communications, and LA Artcore to Little Tokyo. Bill retired from LTSC in June 2012 but has remained active as a volunteer. He can be seen giving historical tours of Little Tokyo, sharing with visitors the rich history and heritage of the neighborhood, including the food and major milestones of the past.
While at LTSC, Bill used his community organizing skills to found or co-found many key community organizations such as the Asian Pacific Community Fund, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, the Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Center, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking, and the Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Historic Preservation. In addition to establishing LTSC, Bill has left an indelible mark in Little Tokyo by initiating the Terasaki Budokan project, starting up the Little Tokyo Historical Society, and co-founding the Little Tokyo Community Council, and the Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund.
Bill is married and lives in Silver Lake near downtown Los Angeles and spends precious time with his two young grandchildren. Bill is currently the President of a new project called the Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund, a community-based real estate investment fund aimed to help heritage small businesses in Little Tokyo and the Nikkei community.
The Nisei Week Parade Marshal is awarded to those in the community who have made a profound impact on the local Japanese & Japanese American communities.
Jamie Hagiya
Jamie Hagiya is a former Point Guard on the Women’s Basketball team for the University of Southern California. She was a 2x team captain and helped lead her team to 2 NCAA Tournament appearances. She graduated with a degree in Communication and played professionally overseas in Greece and Spain. After retiring from Basketball she found success in CrossFit, where she is a 6x Regional and 2x CrossFit Games Athlete. Currently she owns a CrossFit gym, Torrance Training Lab with her sister, Lexie Hagiya. This year, they are proudly celebrating their 10-year anniversary of helping their community improve their overall health and fitness. Besides coaching and managing her business, she is also running basketball camps and clinics for the youth and working in broadcast with CrossFit, Inc. as a desk host, analyst and sideline reporter.
Jamie grew up in the South Bay participating in a variety of sports in the Japanese American community. She credits much of her success to the amazing organizations, leagues, and coaches who have helped her on her journey. She continues to give back by running basketball camps and clinics each year in an effort to help inspire the youth to dream big, work hard, and believe that anything is possible.
Jamie was a member of the 2010 Nisei Week Court representing the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute. She was named Miss Tomodachi and is grateful for the incredible experience she had with her Queen and Court who she’s still friends with til this day. Her Aunty June Aochi Berk was a former Nisei Week Queen in 1954.
She is the daughter of Bishop Grant Hagiya, former Senior Pastor at Faith United Methodist and Centenary United Methodist Church and most recently, Resident Bishop of the California- Pacific and Desert Southwest Annual Conferences of the UMC, and currently serves as President of the Claremont School of Theology, and Jan Hagiya. She has an older sister Lexie and younger brother Trent. Jamie credits her work ethic and resiliency to her grandparents who endured the hardships of internment camps. The perseverance they’ve shown throughout their lives continues to be an inspiration.
Nisei Week Choreographer
Bandō Hirohichirō
Bandō Hirohichirō (AKA Nakamura Gankyō) was born and raised in Southern California. He started his Nihon Buyō (Japanese Classical dance) training at the age of three from the Bandō School of Japanese Classical dance. As a young performer, Hirohichirō traveled throughout the United States, introducing Nihon buyō at various matsuri, or Japanese festivals, and other multicultural events. At the age of seventeen, Hirohichirō attained his natori (Master’s degree) from the ninth headmaster and Kabuki actor, Bandō Mitsugorō. He was awarded the name of Bandō Hiroshichirō. At the age of twenty-six, Hirohichirō was awarded his shihan (professor’s degree) from Bandō Mitsugorō X.
Hirohichirō was accepted to one of the 2 Kabuki schools in Japan – Shochiku Kamigata Kabuki Jyūku in Osaka. The school was a two-year training program for future Kansai Kabuki actors. Hirohichirō was trained in sado (tea ceremony), ikebana (flower arrangement), koto, shamisen, narimono (percussion), wasai (sewing), Japanese history, rakugo (Japanese traditional comedy telling), Tokiwazu taught by the late National Living Treasure Tokiwazu Ichihadaiyu, Gidayū, Nagauta, shodo, Nihon buyō, etc. After the two years, Hirohichirō graduated first in his class, being the first non-Japanese citizen to be accepted into the school.
Upon graduation, Hirohichirō was accepted to be the youngest member of the Chikamatsu-za Troop, and was apprenticed to the late National Living Treasure Sakata Tōjūrō IV. He became the first non-Japanese citizen to be accepted into the professional ranks of Kabuki in the theater’s history. Tōjūrō award him with the name of Nakamura Gankyō (the “gan” from Ganjiro, and “kyō” from Kyoto). As a professional Kabuki actor, Gankyō has performed in all of the major Kabuki theaters throughout Japan. He has traveled internationally to England, China, Korea, India and the United States. He has held work shops, demonstrations, and lectures, and also accompanied his master Tōjūrō on various performances in those countries.
While working in both the television and film industry, his recent film credit includes the Netflix film Kate, he was awarded his Ph.D. in Japanese literature from UCLA in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures and was chosen as a Fulbright Scholar for 2013-2015 as a Researching scholar at Waseda University and Tokyo University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Asian Studies at California State University San Bernardino. Hirohichirō has lectured at events sponsored by the Embassy of Japan Washington D.C., as well as consulting on theater productions, most recently Signature Theatre’s Pacific Overtures, while also conducting university theater workshops promoting non-Western techniques and body movements. In addition to his academic endeavors, under his group Bandō Ryū: Kyō no Kai, he teaches Japanese Classical dance throughout California and the East Coast.
The Nisei Week President’s Award serves as the Nisei Week Foundation’s lifetime achievement award. Identified and selected by the President, the award recognizes an individual or organization who truly upholds the Foundation’s mission and has made significant contributions to the Japanese & Japanese American communities.
Cathy Tanaka
Cathy Naomi Tanaka was born in Tokyo, Japan on July 30, 1949, during the US occupation of Japan to Ruth and Soichi Fukui. As an infant, the family moved back to the United States and settled in Los Angeles. In July 1951, her sister Chris was born and two years later, her brother, Jerry.
Around the age of 10, the family moved to Windsor Hills, where they spent the remainder of their childhood. Cathy graduated from Dorsey High School in 1968 and then began her studies at UCLA, majoring in French. After graduating from UCLA, Cathy moved to Japan for one year to study Japanese language and culture.
In 1979, Cathy continued her father’s legacy by joining her father and brother at Fukui Mortuary, as the Secretary and Treasurer. As she established herself at Fukui Mortuary, Cathy became a licensed Funeral Director and Preneed Counselor. She remained at Fukui Mortuary, until her death in March 2023.
In 1978, Cathy married the love of her life, Masaru Tanaka. They bonded over and eventually moved to Hacienda Heights. Their family grew by two when they welcomed their sons, Eric (b. 1980) and Ryan (b. 1986). Cathy loved supporting her kids in their hobbies and activities, particularly basketball. Cathy’s family continued to expand when her first “daughter” Tracy married Eric and when her first grandchild, Shay, was born in 2015. In 2018, she was blessed with two more grandchildren (twins!), Connor and Mason. Cathy absolutely adored her grandchildren and loved spending time playing, reading books, and being silly with them. One of her most cherished achievements, was being a grandmother.
Cathy was dedicated to the community and was involved with several organizations, including the Military Intelligence Service Association of Southern California, the National Japanese American Veterans Council; the Go For Broke National Education Center; the Nisei Veterans Coordinating Council; the Grateful Crane Ensemble.
Cathy was passionate about art and loved playing the piano/organ, paint and wine nights, floral design, drawing, jewelry making, musicals, and dancing. She loved animals and over the years, she’s had a myriad of pets, including her beloved golden retrievers, a parrot, and fish. When she wasn’t with family or participating in one of her many hobbies, Cathy was catching up and spending time with her many friends.
Pioneer Spirit Award recipients are dedicated, long-standing community volunteers and leaders of the Japanese & Japanese American communities.
Dr. Akiko Agishi
Dr. Agishi was born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan and worked as a Public High School English teacher after graduating with a degree in English Language from the University of Education. She came to California in 1967 as a Fulbright Scholar and graduated from UCLA in 1975 with an EdD in Higher Education.
Receiving the Fulbright Scholarship was life changing and put Dr. Agisihi on a path for a new life in the United States. This opportunity helped her to start her career and become involved in organizations that are dedicated to serving the Japanese and Japanese-American communities. This passion can be seen in her work as the Founder and President of the Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation in 1998.
Additionally, Dr. Agishi founded the Creative Enterprise International, which operates in the United States and Japan. As the acting president, Dr. Agishi was awarded the Los Angeles Community Organization Recognition Award in 2014 and the 2013 Women of the Year Award by the Japanese American Citizens League. She also worked with Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron to co-found the World Children’s Baseball Fair and was recognized at the 20th anniversary with an International Recognition Award from USA Baseball and the MLB.
Dr. Agishi mountain climbing, skiing, ballroom dancing, attending the theater, traveling, and appreciating and collecting fine art and duck decoys, which she enjoyed doing with her late husband, Mitsuho Agishi, a talented aerial photographer. Together, they have two sons Raymond and Jun, and an adopted Shiba-inu named Aurora. She is grateful for the opportunities she has been given and hopes to continue to create a “circle of happiness and peace” for everyone.
Pioneer Spirit Award recipients are dedicated, long-standing community volunteers and leaders of the Japanese / Japanese American Community.
Ron Dyo
Ron Dyo was born at the Japanese Hospital of Los Angeles and raised in Pasadena, California. His landscaping career began when he did gardening work at Shin Honda, Inc. in his early twenties. Ron then went to work with his father, Sei, who was a landscaper and managed a mobile home park. Working with his father, Ron honed his business skills and decided to pursue a career in the landscape industry. He returned to Shin Honda, Inc. where he designed landscapes for major shopping centers, businesses and residential homes, eventually becoming the Vice President. In time, Ron partnered with a colleague and went on to start his own company, Landscape, Inc. Currently, Ron works as a Landscape Planner and Inspecter with Koba Associates. Client’s of Ron have gone on to win city awards for outstanding landscape work.
Despite his busy schedule, Ron followed in his father’s footsteps and always made time for community service. Ron has served as a board member for the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute (PJCI), he co-founded the Mishima/Pasadena Student Exchange Program, initiated and chaired the PJCI Nisei Week Queen Program, and more. Ron has also helped to guide and mentor the youth of Little Tokyo by co-founding the Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program, where high school students develop leadership skills and gain knowledge about the Japanese American heritage and culture. In 2016, Ron received the PJCI Outstanding Service Award and the JACCC Spirit Award.
Ron has been able to combine his two passions of cooking and fishing, by coordinating large scale trips to Apple Valley and Manzanar as the President of the Pasadena Nikkei Seniors. Ron also loves cooking and serving lunches with his wife Cindy. Together, they cooked and organized 16 luncheons during the pandemic, feeding over 2,000 seniors and volunteers. He also shares his passion for fishing with his youth event, Kids Gone Fishing, a program to help kids learn how to fish.
In his spare time, Ron enjoys cooking, fishing, and cheering on his UCLA Bruins and Dodgers alongside his wife of 44 years, Cindy, and their two sons Shaun and Nolan. Being a grandfather of 2 has been one of Ron’s greatest joys and achievements.
Pioneer Spirit Award recipients are dedicated, long-standing community volunteers and leaders of the Japanese / Japanese American communities.
Akira Fujimoto
Akira Fujimoto was born in Japan and immigrated to the United States in 1972, at the age of 22. Akira found himself in Los Angeles with a life goal of helping Japan and the United States. Currently, Akira is the Vice President of the Southern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Southern California Kenjinkai Council, and President of the Okayama Kenjinkai, all while volunteering for various organizations.
Akira also enjoys supporting the arts and working to popularize Japanese music in the United States. He is the chairman of the Japanese Singers Association USA Tomonokai, an organization that supports signing concerts throughout the United States. Akira’s work with the arts does not stop there — he is also a writer and lyricist, whose book “Another Dream Across the Pacific Ocean” was published in Japan and the United States, winning the monthly bestseller award at the Los Angeles Kinokuniya. One song in particular, “Umi wo Watatta Jinsei” has become a cheering song for Japanese people who have gone abroad.
In his later life, Akira has also helped to fund several projects in the Los Angeles area and back home in Japan. Of note, Akira has supported the Budokan, victims of the disaster in Okayama Prefecture, AI Research Institute in Mitoyo City, Hiramatsu Masai Municipal Stadium in Takahashi City, Keiro, and more.
Pioneer Spirit Award recipients are dedicated, long-standing community volunteers and leaders of the Japanese / Japanese American Community.
Joan Kuniko Ota Kawase
Joan Kuniko Ota Kawase was born in 1940. After being incarcerated in Poston, Arizona, the family relocated and began farming in Huntington Beach. Through her work on the farm, Joan discovered her passion of taking advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves. Throughout her youth, Joan was the class Treasurer, softball team Captain, Girls Athletic Association President, member of the OC Jays, and a member of the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL) youth group.
Joan continued her community work as a Bruin Belle while at UCLA for a degree in Education. She worked to welcome minority athletes, who were not welcomed alongside the white student athletes. Additionally, Joan was involved with the Wings, a women’s auxiliary to the Airforce ROTC, and was a founding charter member of the Theta Kappa Phi sorority, providing Japanese American women the opportunity to participate in sorority life. After marrying Frank Kawase in 1962, Joan relocated to Boston and completed her degree at Boston University.
After returning to California and settling in Brea, Joan continued her work as an advocate for education and cultural preservation. After being asked by the Brea Director of Recreation and Park, Joan started a low-cost preschool and a Summer Day Camp, both of which are still in operation to this day! As a credentialed teacher, Joan had an illustrious 23-year teaching career at St. Anthony Claret grammar school. In addition to her passion for education, Joan was also involved with the Rotary Club of Brea and helped in the development of a 30-unit low-cost senior housing project called “Breal”.
Joan’s commitment to the Japanese and Japanese American communities can be seen in her role as former President and board member of So-Phis, coordinating their annual fashion show. She is a long-time member of the SELNAOCO Chapter of the JACL and also worked with Nanka Kanazawa Kenjinkai on the award-winning Kamari for the Tanabata Festival. Joan has also dedicated countless hours volunteering for the BreaFest, Brea Arts and Craft Show, as a Girls Scout leader, and at her children’s schools. Joan is a proud mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and will be welcoming her first great-grandchild in October!
Pioneer Spirit Award recipients are dedicated, long-standing community volunteers and leaders of the Japanese / Japanese American Community.
Nancy Kyoko Oda
Nancy Kyoko Oda was born in Tule Lake Segregation Center and returned with her family to Boyle Heights. She attended Maryknoll School in nearby Little Tokyo. As a youth, Kyoko earned a Kodokan black belt in judo from Senshin Doji in 1963.
With an avid interest in history, it was natural to take the helm of Tuna Canyon Detention Station that is a historic cultural monument 1039.
In June 2013, the City of Los Angeles designated the former Tuna Canyon Detention Station a Historic Cultural Monument. Ms. Oda and the coalition had relentlessly sought recognition of the site where 2,000 Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants and Japanese taken from Peru were detained for several years during World War II. In 2014, Ms. Oda was designated the first president of the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition, a new non-profit formed to preserve the history of Tuna Canyon.
Under Ms. Oda’s leadership, the Coalition developed a traveling exhibition, funded by the U.S. National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant, entitled “Only the Oaks Remain.” With further funding, Project Directors, Dr. Russell Endo and June Aochi Berk have interviewed more than forty descendants at the Watase Media Center at the Japanese American National Museum.
She has been a lifelong member of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center where she served as president of the board of directors and is a member of the JACL. She has been on the Future Planning Committee for five years and will be co Capital Campaign Chair for a much needed multipurpose facility.
Five years ago, Kyoko and her nephew, Ernie Nishii, began to coordinate a Day of Remembrance with the Manzanar Committee. Nisei incarcerees brought their personal stories students in the ABC Unified School District.
Currently, she is Vice President of the WWIICampWall in Torrance, California that will honor the 125,000 that were incarcerated.
Among her honors are Los Angeles City Pioneer Woman of the Year, Japanese Woman’s Society Woman of the Year, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for meritorious service toward Japan.
Kyoko was a LAUSD elementary school principal for thirty two years. In 2020, she published “Tule Lake Stockade Diary,” a rare account written by her father, Tatsuo Inouye. Kyoko is married to Kay Oda and had two sons, Jon and Daron. Daughter in laws are Monique and Yvonne Oda. She has four grandchildren who are Alexander, Arielle, Devon, and Kyle.
Pioneer Spirit Award recipients are dedicated, long-standing community volunteers and leaders of the Japanese / Japanese American Community.
Kanji Sahara
Kanji Sahara was born in Hiroshima, Japan on April 4, 1934 and was raised in Los Angeles, along with his three older sisters. In April of 1942, Kanji and his family were sent to Santa Anita Assembly Center and were incarcerated in Jerome, Arkansas from 1942 to 1944 and in Rohwer, Arkansas from 1944 to 1945. After the war, the family re-located to Chicago, where Kanhi went on to receive his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and his Ph.D from Northwestern University.
After graduating in 1961, Kanji moved to Pomona to work as an engineer for General Dynamics. While back in California, Kenji met and married Jane Sachi Sakata and they later welcomed two children, Richard and Judy. After Raytheon Technologies acquired General Dynamics, Kanji and Jane moved to Arizona before he retired in Torrance after 37 years in engineering. However, retirement has not stopped Kanji, who has acted as a volunteer docent at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the Japanese American National Museum.
In addition to his work as a volunteer docent, Kanji is the former president of both the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center and the Greater Los Angeles Japanese American Citizenship League. He also formed and led a Democratic Club at El Camino College and has been involved with the Historic Wintersburg Preservation Task Force, continuing to protest around town! Additionally, Kanji’s proposal helped to secure funding for wall memorials at the War Relation Authority camps and led him to sit on the board for the World War II Camp Wall non-profit.
While life has slowed down, Kanji remains as committed as ever to give back to the community through the support of various organizations. In recognition of his tireless work, Kanji was the recipient of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Spirit Award in 2017 and the National JACLer of the Biennium in 2018.
The Nisei Week Inspiration Award recognizes exceptional individuals who represent the Nisei Week “spirit” by volunteering their time in the Japanese & Japanese American communities.
Kristin Fukushima
Kristin Fukushima (she/her/hers) is the Managing Director of the Little Tokyo Community Council—the nonprofit community coalition of businesses, residents, nonprofits, and other vested stakeholders, dedicated to protect, promote, and preserve Little Tokyo. She previously served as the Project Manager for Sustainable Little Tokyo (SLT), and continues to help lead SLT in its mission to sustain Little Tokyo for future generations.
She has also worked for the Pacific Southwest District of the Japanese American Citizens League, the Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies at the Claremont Colleges, and is a co-founder of Kizuna, a Japanese American youth development and empowerment organization.
Kristin received her Masters of Public Administration concentrating on Non-Profit Management from California State University at Northridge, and her Bachelors degree from Pomona College.
The Nisei Week Inspiration Award recognizes exceptional individuals who represent the Nisei Week “spirit” by volunteering their time in the Japanese / Japanese American community.
Don Tahara
Don Tahara is a restaurateur, chef, and caterer who has serviced the JA and Little Tokyo community for many years. He was impressed by the volunteerism exhibited by people affiliated with the various non-profit organizations and the strong social commitment by Little Tokyo’s community leaders. He made it his goal to provide catering to the community since the early 1990’s. He has supported JANM, LTSC, Budokan, Visual Communications, East West Theater, AADAP, JACCC and Aratani Theater, Go For Broke, Nisei Week, and Keiro among others. He has catered a wide range of events including family gatherings, weddings, award shows, professional and college sports, and memorial services at churches and temples and locations throughout Southern California.
In 2004, Don signed a lease to build a restaurant at the site of the historic Far East Cafe. He put together an ownership team to create Far Bar with supporting community service an integral part of the mission statement. Far Bar is a Little Tokyo meeting place where the community dines and imbibes. It is the site of countless community meetings and celebrations.
He opened Sake Dojo in 2018 on 1st Street to celebrate sake and Japanese cuisine in the growing Little Tokyo district and to provide another community venue. Sake Dojo has hosted numerous JA and Asian events for non-profits, professional associations, and family celebrations. He has hosted the Little Tokyo Cocktail Competition and has provided lunches for Little Tokyo Sparkle. Sake Dojo prepares daily lunches for senior citizens through the Little Tokyo Nutritional Services program.
Don was born, raised, and educated in Los Angeles and is a dedicated Trojan fan. He and wife Jocelyn were married at Nishi Temple. Daughter Jill and son-in-law Masumi Asahi were married at the Terasaki Budokan (the first wedding at the newly opened building) and Don catered their wedding reception at JANM. Cafe Dulce donated donuts and Fugetsu-do provided sushi. The after party was at Far Bar and the bride and groom stayed at Miyako Hotel making this production an all-Little Tokyo affair.
The Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award recognizes businesses and organizations for their outstanding support to the Southern California Japanese & Japanese American communities.
Anzen Hardware
Anzen Hardware has been a lifelong passion for owner Norihiko Takatani. The general hardware store opened in 1946 by Tsutomu Maehara on First Street, one block from its current location in Little Tokyo.
Norihiko Takatani was born on June 27, 1938, in Hiroshima, Japan. He is the eldest of four sons to Seizo and Katsue Takatani. Before World War II, Nori remembers as a child seeing American planes flying throughout the day and small bombs being set off in the city destroying homes, buildings, and causing fires. To escape the danger, his mother took Nori and his younger brothers to live in the countryside, while his father stayed back, working to provide army supplies.
After the war ended, Nori’s father joined the family in the countryside and worked as a rice and silk farmer. Nori’s mother died from cancer when he was ten years old. As an atomic bomb survivor and following the loss of his mother, Nori’s aunt recommended he return to the city for a better education. Instead, Nori wanted to move to the United States as he realized the rigorous education in Japan would be too challenging. He got a student visa and at 16 years old, he moved to Morgan Hills, California to live with his uncle and attend school.
Nori lived with Uncle Morioka, his mother’s older brother, and his family. He attended a local high school, but had a difficult time learning English. To avoid dropping out of high school, his uncle suggested he enroll in a foreign student program in Los Angeles. Nori went to live with Tsutomu Maehara and his family and enrolled as a sophomore at Belmont High School. He enjoyed sports and played football and was on the track and field team. Every day after school, Nori worked at Anzen Hardware with Maehara. Little did he know that working at Anzen Hardware would become his livelihood for more than 65 years.
After graduating from Belmont High School, Nori attended Los Angeles City College and earned his associates arts degree. He enjoyed singing and joined the Olympic Band where he met his future wife, Eiko. They eventually got married and had five children. Nori also enjoyed watching boxing and went to the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. He would turn this passion into a secondary career as a boxing manager for over 25 years, with one of his boxers becoming a world champion.
Despite his many endeavors, Nori has remained deeply dedicated to Anzen Hardware. He enjoys meeting people from all walks of life who visit the store. He also appreciates Little Tokyo for the dedication and support the community provides. As he says, “We look out and take care of each other.” And, while he would love to continue working, at 85 years old, Nori realizes he is slowing down. He is grateful to his wife, five children, and nine grandchildren for letting him build a life in Little Tokyo.
Is it ‘During World War II’? If the American planes came to Japan before the war broke out, it’s not right.
The Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award recognizes businesses and organizations for their outstanding support to the Southern California Japanese / Japanese American Community.
Tanaka Farms
Takeo Tanaka immigrated from a poor farming area just outside of Hiroshima-ken, Japan in the early 1900’s. Working in the US as a farm laborer he finally married and had several children, one of them George Teruo born in Dinuba California. George was a kibei (born in the US and educated in Japan) and soon after returning to the US went into the farming business with his father around 1940.When the war broke out and Executive Order 9066 came about, the Tanaka’s packed up what they could and headed to Utah to avoid being interned. While in Utah George meets and marries Chris Yamashita, a young woman from a farming family. Oldest daughter Terry is born in Utah, Eileen and Glenn are born in Orange County. Glenn, upon graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, marries Shirley Namekata, a farm girl from Riverside California, and takes over the family farm.
We farm strawberries and tomatoes for wholesale. Glenn is an ambitious sansei and expands the operation, getting into financial troubles and the farm struggles to survive through the 80’s and 90’s. Meanwhile Kenny was born, yonsei, and his preschool class was invited out to tour the farm and the spark for agri-tourism was ignited.
Today under the guidance of Kenny, married to Christine Kimoto a school teacher and their three children Landon, Kaylee and KJ, the farm does no wholesaling. Produce is sold direct to the public at the produce stand and their CSA program. Our main income comes from the school educational field trips and the families that come out on the weekends to pick strawberries, watermelons and pumpkins!
The farm has also become a community center of sorts as the OCO Club holds many of their activities there such as Annual Halloween party, Easter party, Steak Dinner Fundraiser, various dinners, meeting place for youth clubs and taiko practices. OCO’s two biggest events are Walk the Farm which raises funds for the farms in Japan that were affected by the earthquake/tsunami in 2011. At one point the event attracted over 600 volunteers from 30 different JA organizations from the southland and we have raised over $1m for the farmers in Japan. The other event is the annual Mochitsuki Taikai which promotes a kagami mochi making contest which involves over 35 different organizations. Over 2,500 people come to be a part of this New Year’s celebration.
The farm has become a mainstay of the community. During COVID when the stay at home order came into effect, the farm created a drive through produce stand where people could come and shop while staying in their vehicle. The farm became a destination spot for some much needed relief and to get fresh produce!
The farm works not only with OCO Club but with various other non-profits to help raise funds through various matsuri events, unique “walk the farm” events and creative dinners on our hilltop venue. Nova Vita, Solutions for Urban Agriculture, OC Farm Bureau, Max Love Project, 2nd Harvest Food Bank are just a few of those organizations.
Of course being a farm, we have extra produce and we support 2nd Harvest Food Bank, South County Outreach, local schools, Saddleback Church and various other food banks.
Our latest venture with OCO is the “Issei, Nisei Farmers: Their Legacy” wall. A collection of photos and stories in a collage form submitted by the individual farm family. The intent of this project was to create a talking point for when families get together. “Did any of our ancestors have a farm?” And if they did, what did they do and do we have any photos? Walkthefarm.org has an easily accessible portal to submit their story, post on our website and on our wall at the farm.
Tanaka Farms not only grows fruits and vegetables but we grow a community.
The Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award recognizes businesses and organizations for their outstanding support to the Southern California Japanese / Japanese American Community.
Toyo Miyatake Studio
Toyo Miyatake Studio was started by Toyo Miyatake, photographer, started his studio in 1923 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA. Along with the businesses in LT they created the Nisei Week event to attract the local community to be aware of the business community they developed.
The Miyatake family, along with 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were interned during WW2 and the family business was forced to close. TMS reopened along with many JA businesses in the Little Tokyo district and helped reopen NW in 1949. His son, Archie and the Nisei generation followed suit adding the second generation’s ideas and culture. Archie and his wife Takeko with their family joined many organizations and were involved on many events in the JA community. They were involved in Boys Scouts, church, and sport activities.
Archie’s son, Alan started working for the family business and quickly was involved in community events and Nisei Week and TMS has never missed photographing NW since 1943. Alan, along with his daughter Sydney continues this tradition into the fourth generation.
Alan has been married to April for 45 years. They live in the Los Angeles area and have been involved in the community along with their daughters Sydney and Lindsey.
Alan’s family always look forward to Nisei Week to see friends and family every year.
Toyo Miyatake Studio is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2023 by being honored to photograph 4 generations of families in Southern California.
The Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award recognizes businesses and organizations for their outstanding support to the Southern California Japanese / Japanese American Community.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 77,000 employees and $682 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services.
Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
Learn more at usbank.com/about.
Downloadable Festival Booklets
2015 Festival Booklet
75th Anniversary
1990 Festival Booklet
50th Anniversary
Festival Booklet Archive
Cal State University, Dominguez Hills
Maps & Transportation
See below for the key Festival locations including nearby hotels, parking lots and parade route. Click on each marker to get directions or learn more about them.
Points of Interest
Click on Map Toggle for more info
Festival Locations
- JACCC
- Japanese Village Plaza
- Japanese American National Museum
- Centenary United Methodist Church
- Go For Broke National Education Center
- Nishi Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin
- Terasaki Budokan Community Gymnasium
Parking Lots
- Japanese Village Plaza Parking Lot
- Aiso Parking Garage
- Sho Tokyo Parking Garage
- City of Los Angeles Parking Lot 2
- City of Los Angeles Parking Lot 7
- Mangrove Parking Lot
- Centenary United Methodist Church
Area Hotels
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- Miyako Hotel
- Omni Hotel at California Plaza
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nisei Week Japanese Festival?
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival is a nine-day cultural event held in the historic Little Tokyo District of Downtown Los Angeles. We are proud to be one of the longest running ethnic festivals in the United States. With leadership from the Nisei Week Foundation and vital support from local, national and international businesses, the Festival continues to thrive in size and scope.
What does the Nisei Week Foundation do?
The Nisei Week Foundation was established in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to oversee and organize the Nisei Week Japanese Festival and raise funds to produce the annual event.
How can I support Nisei Week?
We welcome your support and involvement with the festival. The Nisei Week Foundation is deeply grateful for the generosity of its volunteers and donors. Community participation ensures the festival legacy continues on. For more information on how to support Nisei Week, please call 213.687.7193 or click here.
How do I get there and where do I park?
For a complete list of parking locations in and around Little Tokyo during Nisei Week, please go to the Maps & Transportation page.
What does the logo mean?
The Nisei Week Foundation logo is the Japanese character matsuri, meaning festival.
Where can I get a listing of Nisei Week events?
Nisei Week offers a variety of cultural events and activities. There are many opportunities to participate during the festival plus special events throughout the year. Check out Events Overview for an updated schedule.
Note many of the events are free. Click here to see a listing of Nisei Week events and admission/parking information.
Who is Nisei Week operated by?
Nisei Week is produced entirely by volunteers. Thousands of hours each year are invested by individuals from:
- corporations and local businesses
- religious and community organizations
- high school and college service groups
Where can I buy Nisei Week merchandise?
Nisei Week is honored to partner with Japangeles to create limited edition merchandise. Please visit Japangeles during the festival at:
141 Japanese Village Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Volunteer Form
Please provide your contact information below and select which events you would like to volunteer for. For more information about each event, place your cursor over the icon next to the event name. After submitting your volunteer form, a member from the event committee will contact you about available roles.