Sawtelle Spirit is a location-based, interactive storytelling platform that allows visitors, residents, and work people to learn about the history of Sawtelle Japantown in a fun and engaging way.
Sawtelle Spirit uses a mixed reality (MR) platform that features augmented reality (AR) objects along with various digital media, including video, audio, images, and digital characters, integrated with the real-life world of Sawtelle Japantown.
Sawtelle Spirit features an engaging narrative that takes users from location to location in Sawtelle Japantown. The narrative is about a guardian spirit who is protecting Sawtelle Japantown’s history from disappearing.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Instructions for how to get started will be available after launch in October 2026.
PROVIDE FEEDBACK
Please provide any feedback on your Sawtelle Spirit experience here: Sawtelle Spirit Feedback.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Design and Programming: Randall Fujimoto
Lead Graphic Artist: Zoe Iwanaka
Storywriters: Tess Ida & Joseph Tsuboi
3D Graphic Artist: Kaylee Takata
Community Liaison: Walton Chiu
Quality Assurance: Keiko Delatorre and Cosmos Gakuin students
Special Thanks: Nick Suda, Britney Winthrope, Peter Xu, Maggie Yoshioka
Video Narration: Tom Ikkanda, Tosh Ishioka, Randy Sakamoto, Ted Tanaka, Sandy Toshiyuki, Henry Yamaguchi, Jack Yamaguchi
Sawtelle Spirit is co-sponsored by The George and Sakaye Aratani CARE Award and UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center.