Where is japantown in sf

This is a Japanese chain store that sell just about anything in housewares you can imagine. Most of it's imported some Chinese products, but also lots of Japanese items. Check out their large selection of Japanese snacks. Lots of the beloved Pocky stick varieties, plus the candy-stuffed bears. East Mall. Japantown has lots of shops selling traditional Japanese goods as well: kimonos, swords, pottery, etc. You'll see them as you explore the malls. New People, at Post Street near Buchanan, houses some interesting, contemporary Japanese shops and activities, headquarters for all things J-pop.

Up on the top floor is a cool activity: an " escape room " that is set up with clues to solve the puzzle of getting out of the room. You can reserve times online, at RealEscapeGame. The second floor has two Japanese clothing boutiques. One of the shops is Alice and the Pirates , showcasing a brand of clothing catering to the "sweet Lolita" style, a style and subculture originating in Japan that has super-feminine, frilly, little-girl dresses and accessories for teens and adult women. Odd, but interesting.

Photos in the Alice store are strictly forbidden, but if you want to get an idea of what the fashion is like, check out their online store at Alice and the Pirates. Apparently it's very popular in Japan. The Cherry Blossom Festival has a fashion show based on this style on the Sakura stage. This year it's on April 12, , at pm, but check the schedule closer to the event. See the festival schedule for They also have a theater that shows Japanese films anime and non both during the festival, and throughout the year.

See the list of films for the festival. See Cherry Blossom Festival for tips on what to do and see there, plus how to get there, maps and parking. Eating is one of the delights of Japantown. There are so many restaurants for enjoying ramen, sushi, udon, and more, it's hard to choose! I've just listed a few of my favorites. Most of the eating establishments here are Japanese, with a few Korean ones as well.

Sad news: Isobune Sushi has closed permanently. This was a favorite of many all the way back to the 's. It will be missed! This charming place was the home of the original sushi boats.

The owners patented the mechanism and you could nab the irresistible little plates of sushi and more as the boats sailed past your table.

But there's good news, too! Another sushi restaurant, Izumi Sushi , is now at the same location and although they don't have the wooden boats and flowing water, there's a mechanical conveyor belt that sends the tempting dishes past the diners.

Located in the West Mall, just inside from the Peace Plaza. If you park in the Japantown Garage, it will straight ahead as you come up on the stairs or elevator. I tried some of their sushi and it was very good, including my favorites like the lush Dragon Roll and spicy tuna roll. There's also another sushi place in Japantown that has the conveyor-belt delivery system: Tenroku Sushi, in the Kinokuniya Mall. This is a fun place to have dessert for both kids and adults. You design your own crepes from a list of ingredients, including ice cream, honey, kiwi, banana, syrups, chocolate and more.

Not only are the crepes tasty, they are morphed into adorable animals with little faces made from cookies, cereal, pretzels or candy. More kawaii. I think I got a rabbit. Delicious, except for the green tea flavored crepe. Interesting, but next time I'll go for the regular one. If you're in the mood for something really different, try their boba tea sweetened tea with milk and flavorings topped with a big puff of cotton candy in different colors.

Totally kawaii. Mochi are rice flour balls filled with sweet bean paste; they taste better than that sounds. Japantown is a great place to sample authentic Japanese sweets. Between the East and West malls is a large cement area called the Peace Plaza, with a 5-story pagoda rising above it, the biggest landmark of Japantown.

The cement pagoda, a Buddhist stupa, was a gift from Osaka to San Francisco in The Plaza has benches to hang out on; a little bleak without the blooming cherry trees, but convenient for taking a break from shopping. The Kabuki 8 movie theater on the corner of Fillmore and Post Streets used to be one of the coolest theaters in San Francisco, and it's still a good venue to watch a movie. They've kept some of the theater's original features, but not all.

The Kabuki still shows some independent and art films, but it's mainly mainstream commercial releases now. What made it special were the nice seats, quality food and drink, and absence of commercials.

They still have the comfortable rocking chairs, reserved seating, and tables next to the seats for the wine, beer, cocktails, and snacks that you can purchase at the bar and bring into the theater with you. They also have a big selection of cocktails, wines and artisanal beers, draft and bottles, but the food is now more limited to standard movie theater fare, instead of the more varied and "gourmet" selections that Sundance provided. They sometimes have cocktails that tie in with the movie selection e.

The popcorn still has real butter, but there are now lengthy commercials shown before the previews. I've read complaints online about the conditions of the bathrooms, but they were clean and well-maintained when I was there. I went to see a film there recently and it was a good experience. There's a large bar on the second floor where you can order drinks to take in with you or sit and enjoy them in the bar. We took our wine and beer in with us and I was surprised that we got actual glass glasses; much nicer than drinking out of plastic cups!

There's a parking garage in the same building, with the same low rates as the Japan Center Garage same people. Check out their film schedule at Kabuki Theater. Zone out in Japantown's traditional Japanese bath house. Saunas, massage, facials, baths. Reservations are a good idea, see their website. Entrance at Geary Blvd , Kinokuniya Mall.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a wonderful event that celebrates spring and the arrival of beautiful pink flowers on the cherry trees. And very popular; over , people show up. This festival takes place over two weekends in early April every year.

Japantown is overflowing with traditional Japanese music and arts, as well as showcasing the latest developments in Japanese popular culture, or J-pop. Come to enjoy graceful dancers in beautiful kimonos, amazing sword play, and pounding taiko drums. See my tips on what to see and do there past years. Another fun street fair in Japantown, one weekend in August every year.

Wide variety of art, music, and food. Around 30, people attend. It can be fun to have someone to take you around and show you the sights and tell you about Japantown's history. There are a couple of ways of doing it. Note: I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website. San Francisco City Guides is a non-profit group that gives free guided tours to lots of San Francisco attractions.

Go for a communal soak Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are women-only , but also indulge in the menu of massages, seaweed wraps, facials, and more. After a trip to the sauna, jacuzzi, or clay ball room, and a Pearl Special moisturizing treatment, you'll feel relaxed and rejuvenated. The most noticeable change to Japantown in the recent years is the opening of bona fide, fashionable hotels, solidifying the neighborhood as a destination for tourists and staycationers who come for the area's Japanese culture as well as for the foodie scene here and in neighboring Fillmore and Western Addition.

Those with keys can enjoy modern-zen-style rooms with poppy art and cascading rain showers. Whiskey is a thing here—perhaps a nod to Japan's love of the stuff—so look for the light fixture made from 3, whiskey bottles. All rooms have a curated ambiance including shibori-print pillows and kimono robes. Meet Poppy, Cruise 's all-electric self-driving spokesvehicle. Five years of nonstop driving in San Francisco has made her a local's local.

Like you, Poppy has been exploring every corner and celebrating all the city has to offer. From her very first drive to delivering thousands of meals during the pandemic, Poppy's journey is a love letter to San Francisco, one neighborhood at a time. Be sure to also follow her adventures and unique city knowledge on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok.

Ei Katsumata. One of just three official Japantowns in the U. Here's where to hang out while you're in the 'hood. Courtesy of Nari Japantown's neighbors in Pacific Heights and the Western Addition have long gotten all the attention when it comes to trendy dining—State Bird Provisions and Octavia are within walking distance.

Courtesy of Hotel Buchanan The most noticeable change to Japantown in the recent years is the opening of bona fide, fashionable hotels, solidifying the neighborhood as a destination for tourists and staycationers who come for the area's Japanese culture as well as for the foodie scene here and in neighboring Fillmore and Western Addition.

Thank you to our partners at Cruise. Related Articles From Your Site. Related Articles. Some of the theaters at the Kabuki also offer food and beverage service including wine and beer in their balcony area.

You will find the theater on the corner of Post and Fillmore Streets. This is when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, which means it's time to celebrate the Japanese culture. During this two-weekend long event, you will get the chance to sample traditional Japanese food, listen to Japanese music and watch Japanese Folk Dancers.

You'll also get the chance to hear the Taiko Drummers, watch and learn about the ancient Tea Ceremony and more. Origami Palooza : A one-day event where you can show off your best Origami. You can also learn from experts and participate in contests. It's usually in the middle of June. It's usually the middle of July. Most are in Japanese with English subtitles. You will find live music, performances, food, and other fun activities.

It's usually the first weekend in August. Spooktacular Halloween Event : Grab the kiddies and come on over to the Japantown Center Malls for their annual trick-or-treating event. It's a safe place for kids to enjoy some free candy, a bouncy house, face painting, and more. Click here to visit the Halloween for kids' page for this year's date and details.

There are a few great places to stay that are only a couple of blocks from the heart of Japantown San Francisco. Here are your top-rated options. The Buchanan is a three-star hotel about a block away from the Peace Plaza in Japantown.

It's a modern facility with rooms. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, business center, and free high-speed Internet access. You will find both a bar and a restaurant on-site. Suites are also available in this hotel. Compare rates and find the best price for The Buchanan in Japantown. This 3. It's offers a great location with large, clean rooms. It has many local touches also including the cute Japanese court gardens in the center of the hotel.