Nisei Week Japanese Festival - Los Angeles Hotels .com

Started by Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, during the Great Depression, the goal of this time-honored festival is to celebrate Japanese heritage and culture with people from all backgrounds. And the festival does just that, drawing in thousands of participants each August to participate in--or simply enjoy--cultural events that celebrate new and old Japanese traditions, including the popular Grand Parade and the Tofu Festival, among others.

The Tofu Festival features a wonderful variety of vendors and merchants presenting tofu--a primary ingredient in Japanese cuisine--in all its versatility. The Grand Parade is also a longstanding local favorite for its flair and diversity--from traditional ondo dancing groups and martial arts dojos, to mokoshi shrines and proud pageant queens.

Other popular events include an annual car show, including import exhibits and prize-winning car competitions, the Little Tokyo Anime Festival, a street fair and carnival, and a Nisei beauty pageant and the queen's court who reign supreme at the Grand Parade.

URL: http://www.niseiweek.org