Japantown communities are made up of community halls, churches, Japanese restaurants, temples, and fish markets. The neighborhoods consist of residents, Japanese festivals, and other community gatherings. There are only three major Japanese communities left in the United States. They are in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose. They are the last three major communities to survive the demolition during the 1950’s and 1960’s urban renewal. They are the few places left where Japanese Americans have a true sense of place.
Japantown is also known as Nihonmachi. They consist of large complexes with a variety of sushi, ramen, and shabu-shabu restaurants as well as gift shops, karaoke bars, specialty grocery stores, day spas. A 5-tiered Peace Pagoda stands in the courtyard and is the site for regular community events and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit the San Francisco area is from September to November. The fall offers some of the warmest weather year-round. There are fewer crowds during the fall compared to the summer. Another good time to visit is spring. The lack of rain and mild temperatures make it a favorite time for tourists to visit.
For tourists wanting to enjoy the sites that San Francisco has to offer, summer is the worst time to go. The fog is prevalent making it tough to enjoy the views.
Places To Explore
There are so many places to visit in Japantown. Tourists can experience Japanese culture by visiting the places listed below. Take time and visit the Peace Plaza to see where the Cherry Blossom Festival is held or stop by the Uoki fish market and buy some fresh fish. Stepping into Japantown will feel like a step into Japan. The authenticity of the markets, Churches and other landmarks will have anyone that visits feeling like they are in Japan.
Japantown Peace Plaza
The Japantown Peace Plaza which is an outdoor court connects the Miyako and Kintetsu Malls. Many community celebrations such as the Obon Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival are held here. The Peace Pagoda was inspired by a set of round pagodas. It is one of the main landmarks in Japantown.
California Japantown Landmark
The California Japantown Landmark is an outdoor permanent historic exhibit that explains the history of Japanese American communities. The landmark captures the struggles and hopes of the Japanese American community. The landmark provides visitors with the opportunity to learn a better understanding of the history and challenges in the community. The three-sided nine-foot-tall landmark stands on the sidewalk to the entrance of the Peace Plaza.
Hokubei Mainichi
Hokubei Mainichi is a Japanese American newspaper. It was started in 1948 for the Japanese community in Northern California. It is available five days a week in both Japanese and English. Hokubei Mainichi is in the Post Street building which is one of the first buildings in Japantown. The building was formerly a church annex. The Hokubei Mainichi was originally located on Sutter Street but moved to its current location in the mid-1970s.
Soko Hardware
The Soko Hardware store has been open since 1925. The store is under the guidance of Ray Ashizawa who is the third generation of the Ashizawa family. The store specializes in Japanese tools for woodworking and gardening. Besides the normal hardware store items, there are unique goods such as books and seeds for Japanese plants.
Uoki Fish Market
Uoki Fish Market is the oldest grocery store in San Francisco’s Japantown. It’s the best place to find fresh fish and imported Japanese food items.
Buchanan Mall
The Buchanan Mall Gate in Japantown is a well-known landmark. It’s located at the Sutter Street entrance. The gate symbolizes a Japanese mountain temple gate and the natural garden atmosphere is a welcome addition.
Benkyodo Company
Benkyodo Company is one of the oldest businesses in Japantown. It opened in 1906 and is one of the last manufacturers of mochi and Manju in San Francisco. Besides its bakery, it serves as a local hangout for lunch where it serves standard American cuisine such as hotdogs and sandwiches.
Hokka Nichi Bei Kai
Hokka Nichi Bei Kai was formed in the late 1800s. It’s also known as the Japanese American Association of Northern California. It is a non-profit organization committed to promoting traditional Japanese art and cultural practices. It offers instruction on Japanese history, language, music, and the arts. The three-story building includes an authentic Japanese tea room that was donated by the City of Kyoto.
Buddhist Church of San Francisco
The Church of San Francisco was founded in 1898 and is the oldest Buddhist Church in America. The Church is home to various organizations such as the Temple Board, Young American Buddhist Association, and Soko Gakuen, a Japanese language school. On Sunday, kids learn how to make and play the Japanese drums.
Where To Stay
- Hotel Kabuki – 1625 Post St. San Francisco
- Hotel Majestic – 1500 Sutter St., San Francisco
- Kimpton Buchanan Hotel – 1800 Sutter St., San Francisco
- Queen Anne Hotel – 1590 Sutter St., San Francisco
Visiting Japantown in San Francisco is an educational experience on Japanese culture. There is so much to see and experience so don’t wait to plan a trip to this educational Japanese experience!