The Little Tokyo Historical Society will celebrate their 2020 Shinnenkai with a luncheon and a presentation on "New Horizons for Little Tokyo" on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 12 noon. The party will take place at Señor Fish at 155 S. Main Street, LA 90012 in Little Tokyo.

Come and enjoy a delicious lunch while learning about two highly anticipated projects currently under construction in Little Tokyo - the Metro Regional Connector, and the Terasaki Budokan Gym and Community Center. Featured speakers will include Mike Murase and Jeanmarie Hance.

Jeanmarie Hance, Metro Community Relations Manager, is a familiar face in Little Tokyo and has been with Metro Office at Japanese Village Plaza since December 2013. As the Metro Regional Connector moves towards the end of construction with an opening date in 2022, Hance with Olga Arroyo, Construction Relations, will provide an overview of the project and its current status. What opportunities will this transit connection present, and how might we prepare to tap those benefits are some of the Metro RC issues related to "New Horizons for Little Tokyo."

Mike Murase, a long-time community activist, has now been with Little Tokyo Service Center for 14 years. He is currently Director of the Budokan Capital Campaign. The long-awaited Terasaki Budokan Gym and Center is currently under construction and slated to open in 2020. Murase will talk about the Mission of Budokan, including programs and opportunities for the community.

Hard Hat Tour of Budokan Construction Site - As a special attraction, Mike Murase will provide a personalized Hard Hat Tour of Budokan for Shinnenkai guests only following the program. Those attendees who are interested in the Budokan Tour are asked to RSVP at littletokyohs@gmail.com by February 10th.

Shinnenkai, literally "new year gathering," is the Japanese tradition of welcoming the arrival of the New Year and is generally held among co-workers or friends in January. It is a way of getting together to celebrate, catch up, and wish each other good luck and fortune.

The LTHS Shinnenkai is $25 per person to be collected at the door. Five types of tacos, salad, chips, desserts and beverages will be served. RSVP by February 10th at littletokyohs@gmail.com or leave a message at (310) 214-2312.

LTHS is an all-volunteer, nonprofit community-based organization that focuses on researching and discovering the historical resources, stories and connections of sites, buildings, and events related to Little Tokyo as an ethnic heritage neighborhood of Los Angeles.