Exploring Japanese Culture in Torrance

Japanese culture has been woven into the fabric of Torrance and the greater South Bay for more than a century. Long before Torrance became known for its beaches, shopping, and global businesses, Japanese immigrants and Japanese American families were establishing farms, nurseries, and small businesses here, laying the foundation for one of the most influential Japanese communities in the continental United States.

Today, that legacy lives on through food, festivals, gardens, markets, businesses, and cultural institutions that make Torrance a uniquely welcoming place to experience Japanese culture year-round.

Brief History of Japanese Culture in Torrance

Japanese immigrants began settling in the South Bay in the early 20th century, drawn in part by local land policies that allowed non-U.S. citizens to own property, a rarity in much of Southern California. Many established farms and nurseries in what are now Torrance, Gardena, and surrounding communities.

This early settlement helped shape Torrance into one of the most significant Japanese and Japanese American communities in the United States.

In the decades that followed, Torrance also became an important hub for Japanese companies operating in the United States, including major corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities, like that of Toyota. This economic presence further strengthened cultural ties between Japan and Torrance, contributing to the growth of Japanese markets, restaurants, language schools, festivals, and community organizations that continue to thrive.

Torrance’s deep cultural ties to Japan remain visible today, bolstered by its sister-city relationship with Kashiwa, Japan.

Japanese Inspired Places to Stay

Torrance offers several hotels that blend modern comfort with Japanese-inspired design and hospitality. Guests can enjoy amenities like traditional soaking tubs, Japanese-style dining, and spa experiences that reflect the city’s cultural roots.

Miyako Hybrid Hotel

The Miyako is rich in Japanese elegance with suites and single rooms, some with traditional Japanese soaking tubs. Ise-Shima, their traditional Japanese restaurant, is just downstairs, as is their Spa Relaken, where you can get a hot stone Ganban-yoku waterless bedrock bath after your massage.

Redac Gateway Hotel

The Redac offers both spacious suites and cozy single rooms. They have a buffet-style breakfast with both Japanese and American options and you can even request a rice cooker for use in your room. There’s also a Starbucks on-site, a separate café and a bar serving traditional Japanese Sake and other cocktails.

Japanese Dining in Torrance

Torrance is widely recognized for its exceptional Japanese food scene, from its well-known Ramen Trail to welcoming izakayas. Visitors can sample regional specialties, fresh seafood, and innovative dishes crafted with care by local and visiting chefs.

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen

A favorite among ramen enthusiasts, Hakata Ikkousha Ramen specializes in rich tonkotsu broth with fully customizable bowls. You create your own bowl with their custom ordering sheet, choosing from a host of fresh ingredients. We recommend the Mentaiko or God Fire with crisp fried chicken and the Goodness Gyozas.

Torikizoku

Founded in Osaka in 1985, Torikizoku has grown to over 600 locations worldwide under its philosophy of “making the world a brighter place through yakitori.” Torrance is home to Torikizoku’s first U.S. location, offering affordable, high-quality skewered chicken and classic izakaya dishes in a lively, casual setting.

Irifune

Gozen is a uniquely Japanese cuisine and Irifune is a prime place to experience it. You’ll dine on a main dish, rice, soup and multiple side dishes. You may also have the chance to meet with Tomoko, their resident sushi chef, and learn all about how to make sushi.

Gaburi Chicken

Originally founded in Nagoya, Japan, Gaburi Chicken is a popular Japanese izakaya (casual pub-like eatery) chain known for its energetic atmosphere and signature fried chicken. With more than 70 locations across Asia, Torrance was chosen as the brand’s first U.S. location, adding another exciting layer to the city’s Japanese dining scene.

Japanese Markets & Shopping

Japanese markets in Torrance provide a wide range of groceries, specialty goods, and cultural essentials. From fresh produce and seafood to packaged snacks and household items, these markets make Japanese daily life accessible to residents and visitors alike.

Mitsuwa Marketplace

Located at Del Amo Fashion Center, Mitsuwa Marketplace is one of the most immersive Japanese shopping experiences in Southern California. In addition to groceries, fresh seafood, produce, and specialty goods, Mitsuwa features a food court with ramen, sushi, and desserts, plus shops offering books, kitchenware, and gifts imported from Japan.

Other Japanese markets throughout Torrance include:

• Nijiya Market – fresh Japanese produce and pantry staples
• Seiwa Market – specialty Japanese groceries and unique snacks
• Tokyo Central – groceries plus kitchenware and household goods
• Daiso – affordable Japanese home goods and novelties

Japanese Cultural Experiences

Explore Torrance’s cultural offerings, including serene Japanese gardens, museums, and arts centers. These destinations offer opportunities to learn about traditional practices, enjoy peaceful surroundings, and experience Japan’s artistic heritage close to home.

Pine Wind Japanese Garden

A cultural must-see, the Pine Wind Japanese Garden offers a serene escape within the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Designed by acclaimed landscape architect Takeo Uesugi, the garden features koi ponds, waterfalls, stone pathways, and traditional plantings that reflect classic Japanese design principles.

American Honda Center & Museum

Torrance is home to the American Honda Center, which includes a museum showcasing the famed auto maker’s history in the U.S. Visitors can explore an impressive collection of cars, motorcycles, racing vehicles, and other innovations, seeing first had a true testament to the long-standing relationship between Japanese industry and the South Bay.

Annual Japanese Festivals in Torrance

Each year, Torrance hosts festivals that celebrate Japanese traditions, arts, and community. Visitors can enjoy music, dance, food, craft demonstrations, and family-friendly activities that highlight the city’s deep connection to Japanese culture.

Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival – April

Held each spring, the Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival celebrates the arrival of sakura season with food vendors, cultural performances, and community activities inspired by traditions in both Japan and Southern California.

Bunka-Sai Festival – April

This two-day festival honors Torrance’s sister-city relationship with Kashiwa, Japan, and showcases a wide range of Japanese cultural arts. It includes music, dance, tea ceremonies, bonsai, martial arts, calligraphy, and more. Food vendors and family-friendly activities make it a highlight of the year.

Baseball, the Dodgers and Cultural Pride

Baseball has long been a meaningful cultural bridge between Japan and the United States, and that connection feels especially strong in Southern California. With the Los Angeles Dodgers calling nearby Chavez Ravine home, Torrance sits just a short drive from one of baseball’s most historic stadiums and is a great home base for enjoying the action. (The Dodger Stadium Express is a FREE shuttle to and from Dodgers stadium on game days.)

In recent years, Japanese stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki joining the Dodgers have deepened that connection, resonating strongly with Torrance’s Japanese and Japanese American community. Their presence reflects more than athletic achievement; it represents the enduring cultural exchange between Japan and Los Angeles County, and a shared love of the game that spans generations.

While Torrance’s Japanese identity extends far beyond baseball, the Dodgers remain a modern touchpoint of cultural pride, bringing together history, heritage, and a love of the game.

Experience Japanese and AAPI Traditions in Torrance

Torrance offers a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture in Southern California. With historic roots, community traditions, authentic cuisine, markets, gardens, and festivals, the city reflects a living, vibrant connection to Japan.

Torrance is home to a vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. You can celebrate other AAPI cultures in the city through events, cultural centers, and local businesses highlighting the diversity that helps make the South Bay so unique.

Whether you’re exploring cultural attractions, sampling regional dishes, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Torrance provides a rich, immersive experience for visitors and residents alike.