During the week, the Little Tokyo Galleria feels like any other old mall — a familiar mix of small shops, restaurants and beauty salons: quiet, fluorescent and a little too still. But on weekends from 12 PM to 5 PM, the space comes alive. A buzz of excitement fills the air as walkways transform into a pastel colored maze of vendor tables and stylish visitors. The once-bare hallways become alive again, with laughter, the shuffling of clothing hangers and the smell of freshly whisked matcha lattes.
At the heart of Little Tokyo lies the Little Tokyo Flea Market — a hidden gem that’s quickly gained its footing among fashion lovers, collectors and anyone chasing that perfect mix of creativity and nostalgia in Los Angeles. Founded in late 2023, the market began as a small space for independent artists and vintage curators to celebrate and share their work with the LA community. Two years later, it quickly developed into a thriving marketplace. Unlike larger markets sprawled across parking lots, the LTFM feels much more intimate, with two floors tightly packed with booths that mirror the individuality of the vendors creating them.
Each table tells a story about its owner — some filled with 3D printed skeletal shaped jewelry or lovely patchworked pouches, others packed with unique vintage clothing, cute plush keychains or vibrant prints from local artists. There’s a feeling of controlled chaos, the kind that defines any good flea market, but with a softer, cuter rhythm that makes LTFM stand out.
Last week’s theme was Rilakkuma, the brown, sleepy bear from Japan loved across the world. Created by the Japanese company San-X in 2003, Rilakkuma — which literally translates to “relaxed bear” — has become a global symbol of cuteness and comfort through its soft design and carefree personality. Many booths leaned into the character’s playful iconography: from sugar cookies shaped like Rilakkuma’s face, to cardboard cutouts scattered across the mall and even vendors dressed up in onesies inspired by the bear. It created an atmosphere that felt both curated and cozy, something that even vendors have come to look forward to.
“The reason I love the Little Tokyo Flea is because of how the organizer picks the themes,” said Kayla Wong, owner of Baking Kukkis, a small business that sells custom, handmade sugar cookies. “A lot of markets feel very generic, but she picks themes that aren’t as popular, and everyone gets excited to join in.”
The recent Rilakkuma theme is one of many that keep the market fresh, each serving as a creative prompt for artists and sellers to reimagine their displays and items. As Marie, owner of Tinker Talent Thrift, a vintage fashion booth inspired by Japanese street styles, explained, “The themes are really fun but not everyone has to abide by them, so it’s very flexible and I think that’s very nice. And the curation is really good. I love all the artists and the clothing sellers too, so it’s a really fun variety.”
But, beyond the adorably curated displays, the LTFM thrives because of its community. Many vendors describe it as a space where artists, small business owners and creators can meet people who genuinely care about their work.
When asked what she looks forward to most, Marie mentioned the crowd as her biggest source of inspiration: “People are always so friendly and want to talk. I really appreciate the community we have here, and that’s what I value the most.”
From local bakers selling intricately frosted sugar cookies to thrifters curating racks of “Mori Kei” fashion, each vendor adds their own unique touch to the market. For example, My, owner of My’s Bear Shop, an independent artist booth filled with bright art prints, charms, and stickers, made an appearance at the flea market for the first time last week. Drawn by the event’s creative marketing, she said she loved the combination of, “art, clothing, and girly-pop vibes.”
That sense of connection extended beyond the booths. Throughout the day, fashionable strangers complimented each other’s outfits, swapped socials, shared good finds and flipped through flash tattoo designs together.
Bailey and Rei, two friends who are always looking for cool new clothing pieces, were drawn to the Rilakkuma theme. They described the flea market as “laid-back, and judgment-free.”
“Everyone is so nice and friendly! It’s fun and laid back.” Rei added, smiling.
And even as the golden afternoon light faded in hue and the flea came closer to closing, hallways in the Galleria were still full of energy: vendors chatting across tables, the faint hum of a tattoo gun gliding across skin and the delicious scent of sugar and tea lingered into the night.