Honestly, when you’re traveling, there are some places where getting lost is part of the fun. Costa Mesa proves it: being in the city is an opportunity to find the unexpected. You never know what’s around the next corner, and your camera roll looks like you’ve put stamps on your passport. Think vibrant visuals, unexpected experiences, and even immersion. It’s like stepping into an art installation you can live in, or at least delve into for a weekend.

California has always been a crossroads of cultures. Whether it’s places like Little Tokyo or Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles, generations of immigrants all working, living, and dreaming together have shaped the state. Costa Mesa is proud that different cultures are wound into the city’s DNA. One of the striking “installations” here is the presence of Japan: taiko drums against blue California skies, calligraphy next to street murals, and surf shops next to yakitori. We invite you to get lost experiencing the Japanese influence in Costa Mesa.

You’ll find that Costa Mesa’s easy to reach and impossible to forget. Just fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA) or drive to Orange County, between Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south. The streets are postcard-ready, lined with palm trees, neon, and endless possibilities to explore.

Get Lost in the Sights, Sounds, and Flavors of Japan

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the OC Japan Fair. The fair invites people to celebrate and experience Japan by way of Southern California. While there’s endless incredible food options (seriously, plan to arrive hungry to try everything you’re interested in), that’s only the most obvious draw. Traditions, like tuna cutting and handmade kimonos, are alongside more modern fun like cosplay and J-rock concerts.

For more Japanese art, don’t miss the Orange County Museum of Art’s Yoshitomo Nara sculpture exhibition, I Don’t Want to Grow Up. These larger-than-life sculptures are leaving at the end of 2025, so hurry up and see these bronze behemoths. Bonus tip: They’re in the museum’s outdoor sculpture terrace (perfect for scenic selfies), which you can find by taking the elevator to the third floor and heading out onto the terrace from there. 

If Japanese food is really the name of the game for you, Costa Mesa has it all. (Fun fact: Some folks call us the unofficial ramen capital of Orange County. We don’t play around with ramen.) Try Wafu Of Japan for some stellar sushi (and don’t overlook their banger lunch combos). Another institution is Tokyo Central, a Japanese grocery store with prepared food options—our favorite aisle is #11, which has all the kimchi and umeboshi your heart desires. While you’re already at Tokyo Central, make sure to hit up our favorite secondhand shop for rarities and collectables, BOOK OFF. 

And if you know anything about Japanese grocery stores, you know we wouldn’t ever leave out the icon that is Mitsuwa Marketplace. 

A Study in Flavor and Form

If you want to sit down and truly indulge in an epic meal, we say it’s worth taking your time at Anjin Japanese Restaurant. The meat is worth savoring, as are the vibes. We’ve always had a blast, and their famous shochu cocktails only ever liven things up.

Or bring it up another notch at Hamamori, where you can pair outrageously creative (and delicious) offerings like the Hamamori Shooter, featuring ponzu, quail egg, and your choice of oysters or uni or both, with Alaskan Black Cod cooked yuanyaki style. Each bite is a whole sensory experience.

Then there’s Michelin-reviewed Hana re, an intimate omakase experience where the sushi bar is actually the chef’s table. Chef Yokoyama takes onlookers on a journey—it’s not just about the restaurant ambiance, which is top-notch, or the sight of pristine, perfectly cut fish. It’s about the smells, the sounds, and most importantly, the taste. If we had to recommend somewhere to end your wander, it would probably be Hana re.

Ready to get lost without worrying about your passport? Come experience the touches of Japan wound through Costa Mesa’s vibrant community. Make it a weekend getaway and stay in one of the many beautiful hotels the city offers. You’ll find a home base for your exploration with the amenities you need at the budget you choose.