Celebrate Children’s Day in Little Tokyo

This weekend is Children’s Day in Little Tokyo. Instead of celebrating Girls’ Day on March 3 and Boys’ Day on May 5, as is the tradition in Japan, Little Tokyo sponsors have decided to combine the two into Children’s Day, Kodomo No Hi, and put on an all-out two-day festival with dozens of free attractions.

Today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 628-2725), there will be taiko drummers, aikido demonstrations, puppet shows, films and mural painting in the center’s plaza area. Upstairs in the library, storytellers will focus on Japanese folk tales. Sunday at the center, the schedule includes karate demonstrations, Chinese and Japanese dance performances. There will be food booths and arts and crafts for sale both days.

At Japanese Village Plaza (327 E. 2nd St., (213) 620-8861), Bob Baker Marionettes will perform today at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday at 1 p.m. taiko drummers (this time they’re children) take the stage, followed by a Japanese dance troupe and a children’s choir.

At Little Tokyo Square (3rd and Alameda streets, (213) 680-3361), there will be origami demonstrations and children’s activity booths on both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Weller Court and Hotel Tokyo, events will take place on Sunday only. Weller Court (2nd and San Pedro streets, (213) 485-1177) features a children’s music festival, magic show and games from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Hotel Tokyo (328 E. 1st St., (213) 228-8888) children can watch demonstrations of radio-controlled aircraft and cars from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Sunday morning the streets of Little Tokyo will be blocked off for the Fun Run for 5- to 12-year-olds. Registration for the 1/2K and 1K runs is at 8 a.m. with the races beginning at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $7.50 plus a toy donation for homeless families in the area. More than 400 children are expected.