Shishigumi LA member Kyosuke Kataoka, 28, while wearing a lion costume, approaches El Camino College student Alonso Mora, 28, English major, and other attendees in a “shishi-mai” or “lion dance” ...

Set deep within the Yambaru forest, the experience features Jan, a lively yanbaru kuina bird sporting bright red sneakers, and Shishi, a gentle guardian modeled after the traditional Okinawan shisa ...