bmwracer wrote:

It moved over to Weller Court, I believe.

Haven't been down there in awhile, guess I should go check. Besides, I need an excuse to go to Kinokuniya and see if the calendars are starting to arrive yet.

I did not know that there is a marital arts museum located in that area where all the Ninja hide out, Burbank: http://martialartsmuseum.com/

bmwracer wrote:

It moved over to Weller Court, I believe.

Yup, swung over there today. It's up on the second level.

Dropped into Kinokuniya. They have completely rearranged the store. No more cds or dvds and they've moved a lot of the stuff around. Now I'm kind of nostalgic for the old Kinokuniya.

Calendars are in. Just one with idols, all people I've never heard of. The rest are the usual woodblock during the Edo period, cherry blossoms, etc.

Rafu Bussan is looking for a new home.

http://www.rafu.com/2015/10/looking-for-new-roots/

Years ago when I used to go to J-town, I bought many a wedding, anniversary, and birthday gift from there. The employees were always helpful, the store spacious and well stocked.

^ Looks like in the process of revitalizing Little Tokyo, they're losing the Tokyo part.

shin2 wrote:

The new Tokyo Central on Redondo Beach Blvd. used to be called Pacific Market. I liked shopping there; it often had deals separate from the regular Marukai stores and also had a nice selection of goods from Hawaii. The only drawback was it was always really cold in there; great during the summer, not comfortable at all the rest of the year.

I stopped in there today instead of going to Mitsuwa like I usually do. They have a whole Hawaiian section over to the left just as you walk in. Their prices seem a little bit higher than Mitsuwa's though.

Japan Expo this weekend: http://japanexpousa.org/en/home/

shin2 wrote:

Rafu Bussan is looking for a new home. http://www.rafu.com/2015/10/looking-for-new-roots/ Years ago when I used to go to J-town, I bought many a wedding, anniversary, and birthday gift from there. The employees were always helpful, the store spacious and well stocked.

Not altogether surprising news. Many of the longstanding establishments that characterized Little Tokyo are no more, given the change in demographics and economic realities. None of the new investment in Little Tokyo has done anything to maintain the ethnic character of the neighborhood despite the gentrification of the surrounding area and the influx of money that comes with that phenomenon.

Tu_triky wrote:

Not altogether surprising news. Many of the longstanding establishments that characterized Little Tokyo are no more, given the change in demographics and economic realities. None of the new investment in Little Tokyo has done anything to maintain the ethnic character of the neighborhood despite the gentrification of the surrounding area and the influx of money that comes with that phenomenon.

Or put another way:

Quote:

Looks like in the process of revitalizing Little Tokyo, they're losing the Tokyo part.

gaijinmark wrote:

Yes, indeed. You said it succinctly.

On the bright side, there aren't anymore parking lots left so they can't build any more high-rise apartments that no one can afford to live in.

Torrance Mitsuwa, Tohoku Fair November 6-16:http://www.mitsuwa.com/event/rising-tohoku-food-fair-torrance-san-jose-stores/?instance_id=2324

2016 Little Tokyo calendars from Little Tokyo Historical Society are now on sale:http://www.littletokyohs.org/publications.html

L.A. Tea Festival, December 5th and 6th: http://teafestivalla.com/

Miyagi Fair, Torrance Mitsuwa, January 14th to 17th: http://www.mitsuwa.com/event/miyagi-fair/?instance_id=2350

shin2 wrote:

Rafu Bussan is looking for a new home. Years ago when I used to go to J-town, I bought many a wedding, anniversary, and birthday gift from there. The employees were always helpful, the store spacious and well stocked.

They don't have anything on their website but while watching FNN News this morning there was a spot that said they will be reopening in March over in Honda Plaza.

Mitsuwa customer appreciation, Feb. 12-22nd: http://www.mitsuwa.com/event/customer-appreciation-event/?instance_id=2363

shin2 wrote:

Rafu Bussan is looking for a new home.

Re-opening in Honda Plaza on March 18th:https://www.rafu.com/2016/03/a-new-era-for-rafu-bussan/

Finally found a 2010 Nisei Week t-shirt!!

Had them all since 2003 except that one. It sold out on the first weekend which had never happened before (or since).

^Those were great shirts!

I bought two the first Saturday. One for me and one for a friend. Sent it to her and never heard a word. No "thank you", no nothing.

She is now an "ex-friend".
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