The 14 Best Shops & Bookstores in Arts District
Anime Jungle 1st
A densely stocked shop on E 2nd Street carrying anime action figures, collectibles, and goods across a wide range of titles. It draws a devoted crowd and has the selection to back it up.
Little Tokyo Mall
Little Tokyo Mall on 2nd Street is a small indoor mall that has accumulated an impressive number of reviews from visitors and locals alike, suggesting it pulls consistent foot traffic. A good anchor for a walk through the neighborhood.
Daiso - Japanese Household Goods
The Little Tokyo location of the Japanese variety chain, useful for picking up affordable housewares, beauty products, and snacks. If you've been to a Daiso before, you know what to expect; if you haven't, it's worth a wander.
Artist & Craftsman Supply
A well-stocked art supply store on E 7th Street covering a broad range of disciplines, from painting and sculpting to bookbinding and origami. It's a reliable resource for working artists and hobbyists alike, and people seem to genuinely like it.
ROW DTLA
A sprawling 30-acre complex of retail, pop-ups, offices, and restaurants built into a historic district at 777 Alameda St. It's the kind of place worth an unhurried afternoon, since what's here changes regularly and there's enough ground to cover that a quick pass won't do it justice.
Sanrio
The Hello Kitty flagship in Japanese Village Plaza, stocked with gifts, apparel, and accessories featuring Sanrio's roster of cartoon characters. A reliable stop if you or someone you know is a fan, and generally well liked by the people who visit.
Juice
An outpost of a local organic juice chain offering health-focused food and drinks, available for takeout or delivery. Straightforward and popular if that is what you are after.
Dover Street Market Los Angeles
The Los Angeles home of Dover Street Market sits on Imperial Street in an industrial space carrying a wide range of designer collections from multiple brands. It is the kind of store you walk through even if you are not buying, just to see what is on the floor.
Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore
One of the better art and architecture bookstores in the city, Hennessey + Ingalls carries a genuinely large inventory covering design, photography, and fine art. Worth a long browse if you work in a creative field or just want something more specific than what a general bookstore stocks.
Scent Bar DTLA
Scent Bar at ROW DTLA is a fragrance shop with a strong following among people who take perfume seriously. It's a calm, focused place to explore niche and independent scents, and the staff reputation reflects that.
Monkey Pants
A kids' boutique inside Japanese Village Plaza Mall stocking colorful Japanese clothing for children up to age seven, along with accessories and toys. Well liked by the people who've found it.
Wine Stop DTLA
A well-loved wine shop on Santa Fe Ave in the Arts District, consistently praised by the people who shop there. If you need a bottle and want a real recommendation rather than a shelf full of guesswork, this is the place to go.
Sunright Tea Studio
A tea shop on Central Avenue offering takeout and delivery at an affordable price point. Details on the menu are limited, but it handles both walk-in and delivery orders.
Japangeles
A shop inside Japanese Village Plaza Mall with a strong local following and a name that suggests a focus on the intersection of Japanese and LA culture. Specific inventory details are not available, but it is well liked by those who have stopped in.