A City of Belonging and Comedy
Born in Taiwan, raised partly in Japan, and ultimately settled in the US as an undocumented immigrant, Okatsuka’s story is one of resilience and humor. In her breakout HBO special The Intruder, she tackled immigration, anxiety, and identity through the lens of comedy — themes mirrored in her approach to the city of Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles is the first place that truly felt like home,” she told BBC Travel, crediting the city’s inclusiveness and cultural mix for giving her a sense of belonging. Her connection to the city is intimate — formed not through glitzy landmarks but through the quieter, character-rich corners often missed by the typical traveler.
Atsuko’s Go-To LA Spots
Taco Trucks in Eagle Rock
Okatsuka’s perfect day begins with tacos — specifically, tacos al pastor from Tacos La Estrella in Eagle Rock. “It’s how I connect with my neighborhood,” she says. The sizzle, aroma, and unfussy setting offer comfort that’s hard to beat.
Kinokuniya Bookstore, Little Tokyo
In search of identity and nostalgia, she visits Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo, where Japanese books, manga, and stationery bring her closer to her roots. It’s a quiet sanctuary in the middle of a bustling city.
Secret Stand-Up Spots
While the comedy clubs on Sunset Boulevard are famous, Atsuko often performs in unconventional spaces — laundromats, rooftops, or church basements — where LA’s underground comedy scene thrives. “That’s where the magic happens,” she says.
Griffith Park
For moments of solitude, she hikes in Griffith Park. “You can look out over the city and think about how wild it is that all this is yours — even if just for today.”
More Than a Travel Guide
This is not just a list of places. It’s a narrative woven with emotion and experience. Atsuko’s Los Angeles is humorous, raw, and vibrant — a place where food stalls become meeting points for memory, where bookstores resurrect heritage, and where every stage — no matter how small — gives rise to something bigger.
As LA continues to evolve, so does her journey within it. And for visitors who want to see the city through her eyes, this guide is an invitation to go beyond the palm trees and red carpets — into the soul of one of America’s most multicultural cities.
