Little Tokyo in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Koyasan Temple

and The Boy Scout Troop 379 Drum & Bugle Corps

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Koyasan Temple Marker

Inscription.
Koyasan Buddhist Temple of the Shingon sect was founded in Los Angeles in 1912 and is one of the oldest existing Buddhist temples in America. The temple moved to this location in 1940. It has always been a hub of many community and cultural activities, including the Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 and famed Drum & Bugle Corps, which were started in 1931. Over 280 Japanese American youths from Troop 379 have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. The Drum & Bugle Corps has performed for Japanese royalty, U.S. Presidents, Disneyland, the Rose Parade, and the Nisei Week Parade. Additionally, they have won numerous California Junior Drum & Bugle Corps Championships.

Erected 2023 by Little Tokyo Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 34° 2.956′ N, 118° 14.411′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Little Tokyo. It can be reached from 1st Street east of San Pedro Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 342 1st St, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kame Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Honor Award Story (within shouting distance of this marker); History Mural - Little Tokyo (within shouting distance of this marker); Sei Fujii (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Is Little Tokyo Mural (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (about 300 feet away); Fugetsu-Do (about 300 feet away); Kouraku (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Koyasan Temple. In the fall of 1912, the temple was formally organized as the "Koyasan

Koyasan Temple image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Koyasan Temple

Daishi Kyokai of Los Angeles" by Reverend Shutai Aoyama, a native priest of Toyama Prefecture. A new temple, under the leadership of Bishop Seytsu Takahashi, was constructed at the present site in the center of Little Tokyo. With the breakout of WWII in 1941, the temple was closed. All members were incarcerated and relocated to internment camps for more than three years. After the war, the temple restarted with support from Issei and Nisei members upon returning from the camps. The 100th anniversary was celebrated in the fall of 2012.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - Aoyama Tree, the original location of Koyasan Temple, located one block north.

Rev. Shutai Aoyama at the original Koyasan Temple image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

3. Rev. Shutai Aoyama at the original Koyasan Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.