Oshogatsu in LA's Little Tokyo

Yes, it's small, but it's big fun. My favorite neighborhood in Los Angeles, don't you know.

Koyasan Temple is a small Buddhist temple in the heart of Little Tokyo. It's a Shingon Buddhist temple, which Otaku might know was the philosophic underpinnings of the Ninjas. The temple is popular on New Year's day because it's right in the middle of things, and it's also a one-stop shop for omamori, the lucky amulets people buy on New Year's day.

I got there fairly late but people were still coming in in droves. I was going to go through the line but decided against it because I didn't want to be disrespectful. Instead, I went right to the booth where they were selling omamori.

Since I'm still in college, I got a fresh one of these. I don't know where my old omamori went to, but I'll save it to put it in the old omamori box next year. It seems to be working...my first grade from Fall 2009 came in and it was an Ace.

This is one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Little Tokyo. It's been here since at least the '50s as far as I could find out.

I had a bento FEAST on New Year's Day. This was the whole set...not shown was a bowl of brown rice and a bottomless cup of Green Tea. Favorite item: the Nasubi (Japanese Eggplant) baked in Miso. So yummy.

This is Num Num Kawaii, a little store that sells vintage and used clothing and Lolita clothes and accessories. BTW if you're a guy, you have to come in here with your girlfriend. Or your mom. Or someone else female. I guess that's one way to keep the pervs out.

This guy is great. He was one of the many cultural performers who played on two stages at Oshogatsu festivities here.

I thought it was quite interesting there are signs in Japanese at the Gold Line Little Tokyo Station.

This is an awesome place to live. Thanks for reading!