Spring in the city

Cherry Blossom trees are not common in Southern California--palm trees feel more at home in our hot and dry weather. So even though we were missing the beauty of the sakura in full bloom, people came out to Little Tokyo to enjoy the beautiful day.

Street fair at the Cherry Blossom Festival
Contributed by: bokinaka

Street fair

There were vendors of all kinds at the festival. Here are some vendors selling Hawaiian goods.

Hawaiian goods booths
Contributed by: bokinaka

Do a good deed daily

The local Boy Scout Troop participated as a way to drum up new scouts. Troop 379 has been a part of Little Tokyo for many many years. Unfortunately, few boys (and girls) are involved with scouting these days, so without new members, what will happen to the troop?

Koyasan Boy Scouts
Contributed by: bokinaka

Fundraiser for kids

These girls were selling cookies and drinks to raise money for their basketball team.

Basketball Fundraiser
Contributed by: bokinaka

Takoyaki man

Takoyaki is a Japanese treat sold at festivals. It is a ball made of flour with a piece of octopus inside. Trust me, it's really tasty!

Making takoyaki
Contributed by: bokinaka

Hungry people

These people are waiting for their takoyaki!

Waiting in the food line
Contributed by: bokinaka

Origami

At this booth, kids can make paper cranes and other arts and crafts.

Origami craft booth
Contributed by: bokinaka

Smile!

This young volunteer is showing kids how to make a fortune cookie from felt. The kids can write their own fortune and put it inside the "cookie."

Craft booth fortune cookie
Contributed by: bokinaka

Art Nakano - the one man band

Art Nakano has been a street performer for a long time. He was one of the entertainers at the festival.

Arthur Nakane, the one man band - close up
Contributed by: bokinaka

Fun to watch!

He can play the guitar, harmonica, keyboard, drums, even a tambourine at the same time!

Arthur Nakane, the one man band
Contributed by: bokinaka

Out and about

This Little Tokyo resident is enjoying the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Senior citizen at the Cherry Blossom Festival
Contributed by: bokinaka

Street dancers

These ladies are originally from the same prefecture in Japan. They enjoy getting together to participate in cultural events.

Yamaguchi-ken ladies
Contributed by: bokinaka

Street dance

Street dance
Contributed by: bokinaka

Close up of street dancer

Street dance performer
Contributed by: bokinaka

Sumo demonstration

At the martial arts stage, amateur sumo wrestlers show how they warm-up. Amateur sumo is very international and has weight-classes.

Sumo demonstration
Contributed by: bokinaka

Kimono-clad couple

A young couple get into the spirit of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Couple in kimono
Contributed by: bokinaka

Cosplay kids

Kids who are hard core anime fans like to dress up as their favorite characters and hang out in Little Tokyo.

Cosplayers at the Cherry Blossom Festival
Contributed by: bokinaka