CALIFORNIA FOCUS / Go Little Tokyo’s Hole-in-One Weekends

Spring into Family Fun with Food, Shopping, Art, and the Inaugural Little Tokyo Mini Golf Open

Los Angeles, Calif.] – Dust off your lucky putter and start practicing your chip, the Inaugural Little Tokyo Mini Open will take over LA’s most vibrant neighborhood for two weekends only–April 21-22 and April 28-29 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC). Each hole of the pop-up, 9-hole miniature golf course showcases a vibrant art installation created by local artists paying tribute to the past, present, and future of Little Tokyo. Celebrate the 134-year-old Japanese American California Cultural District with Go Little Tokyo’s countless opportunities for a hole-in-one weekend with top family-friendly food, activities, and of course, mini-golfing fun.

Treat the kiddies to the vast array of delicious treats throughout Little Tokyo. Start the morning off with delectable strawberry-stuffed pancakes at Farbar LA, or bite into a glossy pink sprinkled donut courtesy of Cafe Dulce. Tee up your clubs for a round of mini golf, then take a break at Ramen Maruya and satisfy your palate with ramen, sushi and tempura that even the kids will love! Power up after 9-holes of fun with an exciting traditional Japanese

dessert, mochi - Fugetsu-Do has been serving this sweet and sticky treat since 1903.

Need a mid-day break from the tees? Little Tokyo is filled with rich, cultural activities that are fun for the whole family. Take the kids on a stroll through the James Irvine Japanese Garden, a beautiful, intimate, hidden oasis designed in zen tradition of the famous Kyoto gardens. Stroll through the breathtaking streets of the urban neighborhood and stop by the Home is Little Tokyo Mural; the famous mural depicts Little Tokyo’s 100+ years of history with festive colors and lanterns. Relax in the Japanese Village Plaza filled with unique restaurants and shops including well-known children’s store, Monkey Pants LA, home of the famous pusheen plush cat!

Pay homage to the rich culture that is Little Tokyo throughout the neighborhood and at every Little Tokyo Mini Golf course hole. Local artists including Brie Wakeland, Mei Zhao, Lina Cheng and Dan Kwong will create vibrant artwork in tribute to the past, present, and future of the Japanese American Community. Of the participating artists is well-known duo, Mario Correa and Zen Sekizawa, of MANO YA showcasing their artwork titled Noguchi’s Mulligan. MANO YA drew inspiration from Isamu Noguchi, the artist and designer of the JACCC Plaza. Their mini golf hole art will reflect the changes the internment camp experience had on Noguchi’s practice. “We are drawn to the point in Noguchi’s life when he is compelled to self-intern at Poston War Relocation Center in response to FDR’s Executive Order 9066,” said MANO YA.

The 9-hole Little Tokyo Mini Open course offers both ‘Open Play’ April 21-22 and April 28-29, and ‘Tournament Style’ miniature golf on April 23, 2018. ‘Open Play’ miniature golf is $3 per person and free for children 12 and younger. ‘Tournament Style’ mini golf is $100 per team with (4) participants allowed per team. Walk-ups are welcome on ‘Open Play‘ days. Registered participants will have priority access. Register online today at visitlittletokyo.com/miniopen.

The Little Tokyo Mini Open is generously sponsored by Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s Let’s Play initiative, Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA) and in partnership with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) and Sustainable Little Tokyo. With additional support from: Global Green, Manufacturers Bank, M. Okamoto & Associates, New Japan Travel, and Keller Williams Realty.

For additional family-friendly ideas for the spring season, visit www.golittletokyo.com and make your experience in Little Tokyo a hole-in-one!