Japantown
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A small neighborhood with Japanese restaurants, shops and other attractions.
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Neighbourhood: Western Addition
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4.0
495 reviews
Excellent
148
Very good
196
Average
104
Poor
35
Terrible
12
TomClan
Azle, TX35 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
We’ve been coming to Japantown for years, and have really enjoyed spending a good part of a day here. However this visit was so inhospitable and awkward as there was nowhere to sit and take a rest unless you wanted to eat at one of the restaurants, while watching them flatly turn away potential customers for not having proof of medical records which was distasteful. We left for a more humane climate outside of SF.
Written 23 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edwelsh
North Canton, OH7,165 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We went to Japantown and stopped in the Japan Center Mall for some noodles. The bookstore was interesting, with just a small section of English printed books. The Ramen restaurant was really good and quite crowded. Worth a stop.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentFlier6257
Houston, TX1 contribution
Don't visit San Fran without seeing Japan Town! Plan on eating some great inexpensive authentic food at the Miyako mall. Take the bus easily and enjoy this peaceful quiet area. NOTHING like Chinatown! Japan Town is clean, safe, and the people are nice.
Written 27 May 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
urbanwarrior
New York City4 contributions
If you are a traveler looking for authentic Japanese Art, then Japantown is the place to visit. I have been to San Francisco numerous times, and only recently have I made the effort to see Japantown and spend a full day there exploring its unique and interesting shops. The bridge houses the most interesting family-run store that specializes in authentic Japanese woodblock prints, and if you are in the market for beautiful original art, then International Art Gallery is the place to be. I couldn't believe that this gallery has been here for over three decades, and couldn't help but purchase two wonderful prints dating back to the early 20th century. When I was finished talking to the saleslady, I celebrated my new purchases by having a wonderful lunch in one of the many restaurants serving authentic Japanese noodles. Putting Japantown on your San Francisco itinerary is a must!
Written 26 July 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PauloCNegrao
Campinas, SP2 contributions
Mar 2017 • Business
I have been attending a yearly course that takes place at the Kabuki Hotel for many years and have always parked my car in the Japan Town garage. Last night between the hours of 7:30Pm and 11pm people broke the windows of two cars, including mine, to steal backpacks that were left in the back seat. My fault for having left my backpack in the back seat, but I would never expect this to happen in an indoor garage with security guards.
My frustration became even more exacerbated when the security guard told me they break into cars in the garage almost every night. For my surprise, the cameras in the garage DO NOT WORK. Keep in mind that you pay about $30 for about 8 hours in the garage. Very frustrating. Not a single sign in the garage warning users to take their valuables from the car. That would have been enough to tip me.
To make frustrations even worse, the garage offers no insurance to the users. The cherry on the cake was when the guy told me that would have to pay to get out. Was that a joke????? You get your backpack and a $1,500 laptop stolen and you still have to pay for the security and convenience of their garage????
The security guards from Marina Security Services were of no help. Two guys circling the garage at night and they do not hear a thing? That does not smell well to me.
At the police station I learned that the Japan Town Parking Garage is a well known spot for auto blasting.
If you are parking in the streets of San Francisco or in paid garages, make sure not leave ANYTHING in the car. Not even a grocery bag. That is enough to get you through a very bad tasting experience.
Hotel Kabuki, please put a big sign in the hallway by the garage elevators warning your guests to take everything out of their cars.
Marina Security: you guys are helpless.
Management Team of the Japan Town Garage: you guys are the worse. Shame on you for not even having security cameras that work.
My frustration became even more exacerbated when the security guard told me they break into cars in the garage almost every night. For my surprise, the cameras in the garage DO NOT WORK. Keep in mind that you pay about $30 for about 8 hours in the garage. Very frustrating. Not a single sign in the garage warning users to take their valuables from the car. That would have been enough to tip me.
To make frustrations even worse, the garage offers no insurance to the users. The cherry on the cake was when the guy told me that would have to pay to get out. Was that a joke????? You get your backpack and a $1,500 laptop stolen and you still have to pay for the security and convenience of their garage????
The security guards from Marina Security Services were of no help. Two guys circling the garage at night and they do not hear a thing? That does not smell well to me.
At the police station I learned that the Japan Town Parking Garage is a well known spot for auto blasting.
If you are parking in the streets of San Francisco or in paid garages, make sure not leave ANYTHING in the car. Not even a grocery bag. That is enough to get you through a very bad tasting experience.
Hotel Kabuki, please put a big sign in the hallway by the garage elevators warning your guests to take everything out of their cars.
Marina Security: you guys are helpless.
Management Team of the Japan Town Garage: you guys are the worse. Shame on you for not even having security cameras that work.
Written 16 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamesmX545MW
Frederick3 contributions
Sept 2019 • Family
Japantown SF, is one of the last existing Nihomachi districts in the United States. This roughly six block area includes three Asian centered malls. The malls are not really that upmarket. The Ginza it’s not. Think ramen shops and fun places to look for chotkeys in funky places like Daiso located right off Peace Plaza
Good choices abound. For ramen, Hinodeya or Marafuku are excellent. Grab a macha or black sesame soft serve or boba before you walk over to see the Peace Pagoda, a gift from the people of Osaka, Japan. Overall, a great place to spend a few hours in one of SF’s safest areas. Plenty of parking to in the Japan Center Garage as well.
Good choices abound. For ramen, Hinodeya or Marafuku are excellent. Grab a macha or black sesame soft serve or boba before you walk over to see the Peace Pagoda, a gift from the people of Osaka, Japan. Overall, a great place to spend a few hours in one of SF’s safest areas. Plenty of parking to in the Japan Center Garage as well.
Written 18 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Storyteller2373
sonoma, ca1 contribution
I just love japan town i think that it is the best place to viset in san fransico. I mean the food the art and the mall.
Written 17 November 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bottomshelfhockey
Richmond, Canada8,812 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
We walked about 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers) from the Lombard Motor Inn to Japantown. When we arrived around 10:30 on this sunny Friday morning the streets were quiet unlike the hustle and bustle of Chinatown.
Japantown is a study in contrast with Chinatown – quieter, cleaner and more compact/small area versus busier, dirtier and more widespread.
It took us about 15 minutes to walk a 3 block by 1 block perimeter of the area. In fact there is not much to see. As far as I can tell the Japan Center (East and West mall) and the iconic Peace Pagoda anchor “J Town”.
The Japan Center has ethnic retail outlets including a Daiso and Ichiban Kan (Japanese versions of Dollar Stores). In addition, there are a lot of restaurants in the mall. When we walked into the mall around 11:00, it was quiet as many stores were just opening. As it got closer to lunchtime, there was a little more activity.
This isn’t a must-see attraction-wise unless you’re going there to have lunch or dinner or buying something specific. If you’re lucky to be there during one of the cultural events such as the Nihonmachi (“Japantown”) Street Fair on August 1st and 2nd 2015 or the Cherry Blossom Festival (spring time) I would put Japantown on my to do list.
I would rate Japantown as average at 3 out 5; your mileage will vary.
Notes and Tips
• For a snack or dessert go to Benkyodo Bakery (corner of Buchanan & Sutter) to buy some mochi or manju – Japanese sweet dessert/pastry.
• Check out the website
• Take the number 2 bus on Sutter Street (just a few steps from the Benkyodo Bakery) to Union Square (downtown) for shopping and sightseeing. You can also walk from Japantown to Union Square – 1.3 miles. You can also take the number 38 but that entails a short walk to the bus stop.
• The distance from the Lombard Motor Inn is approximately 1.4 miles but it is uphill until Clay Street (.8 miles / 1.4 kilometers away). The last .6 miles is flat or slightly downhill. If you plan to walk, zig-zag your way up until Clay Street to save your energy.
• After we finished browsing and purchasing some Japanese confectionery for souvenirs, we had lunch in the mall. We went to the Takara Restaurant based on 1 of many recommendations from a store clerk.
Japantown is a study in contrast with Chinatown – quieter, cleaner and more compact/small area versus busier, dirtier and more widespread.
It took us about 15 minutes to walk a 3 block by 1 block perimeter of the area. In fact there is not much to see. As far as I can tell the Japan Center (East and West mall) and the iconic Peace Pagoda anchor “J Town”.
The Japan Center has ethnic retail outlets including a Daiso and Ichiban Kan (Japanese versions of Dollar Stores). In addition, there are a lot of restaurants in the mall. When we walked into the mall around 11:00, it was quiet as many stores were just opening. As it got closer to lunchtime, there was a little more activity.
This isn’t a must-see attraction-wise unless you’re going there to have lunch or dinner or buying something specific. If you’re lucky to be there during one of the cultural events such as the Nihonmachi (“Japantown”) Street Fair on August 1st and 2nd 2015 or the Cherry Blossom Festival (spring time) I would put Japantown on my to do list.
I would rate Japantown as average at 3 out 5; your mileage will vary.
Notes and Tips
• For a snack or dessert go to Benkyodo Bakery (corner of Buchanan & Sutter) to buy some mochi or manju – Japanese sweet dessert/pastry.
• Check out the website
• Take the number 2 bus on Sutter Street (just a few steps from the Benkyodo Bakery) to Union Square (downtown) for shopping and sightseeing. You can also walk from Japantown to Union Square – 1.3 miles. You can also take the number 38 but that entails a short walk to the bus stop.
• The distance from the Lombard Motor Inn is approximately 1.4 miles but it is uphill until Clay Street (.8 miles / 1.4 kilometers away). The last .6 miles is flat or slightly downhill. If you plan to walk, zig-zag your way up until Clay Street to save your energy.
• After we finished browsing and purchasing some Japanese confectionery for souvenirs, we had lunch in the mall. We went to the Takara Restaurant based on 1 of many recommendations from a store clerk.
Written 1 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunny B
Calgary, Canada23 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
From the outside, it looks like a run down, dated plaza with a faded facade. But it is actually quite a nice experience visiting Japantown.
It has lots of stores, restaurants, cafes, etc. There is the Daiso store selling novelty items at prices mostly at $1.50. I would also recommend not missing the different flavour Mochi and other authentic Japanese snacks at Nippon-Ya (http://sfjapantown.org/nippon-ya/). Outside of the town itself in the nearby streets, there are Japanese supermarkets and more restaurants. It's a small but unique neighborhood.
The best part about Japantown is that everything seemed to be authentic.
It has lots of stores, restaurants, cafes, etc. There is the Daiso store selling novelty items at prices mostly at $1.50. I would also recommend not missing the different flavour Mochi and other authentic Japanese snacks at Nippon-Ya (http://sfjapantown.org/nippon-ya/). Outside of the town itself in the nearby streets, there are Japanese supermarkets and more restaurants. It's a small but unique neighborhood.
The best part about Japantown is that everything seemed to be authentic.
Written 29 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lola_Von_Skilet
Phoenix, AZ135 contributions
May 2011
I was expecting Japantown to be like Chinatown, blocks of stores and businesses. The place is a mall! Many of the stores were empty. The same stuff is sold in Chinatown for 50% less. Save time and money go to Chinatown instead.
Written 14 May 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aside from shopping, what are the main attractions in Japantown pls ?
Written 24 May 2018
Some fantastic restaurants. We ate the same quality food here as we had the night before at the Slanted Door (a very fashionable high end place). The difference was $50 for two in Japantown and $150 for nearly the same dishes at Slanted Door!
Written 22 July 2018
There is a parking garage under the mall. I usually use public transportation which is convenient and inexpensive.
Written 5 April 2017
Visiting San Francisco for the first time. Is Japantown a good location to stay in a hotel for exploring SF?
Written 25 February 2015
Stay around Union Square, which is pretty central to SF sites: Shopping centers, Chinatown, Financial District, North Beach and the Embarcadero. You could walk to these places or take the muni or the cable car, which can bring you from Powell Street to Fisherman's wharf. There are also "Hop on Hop off" tour buses that can bring you around the city. Just a heads-up - there is a lot of construction going on right now in this area. But it's a trade-off: Good news because less vehicular traffic, bad news: harder to find taxi cabs. But walking is always nice around union square especially this time of the year (Feb to March) - cool to mild temp.
Written 27 February 2015
Went to Japan a few years ago and have been obsessed with (real) ramen ever since! I look it up now wherever I travel!
Anyone have a good recommendation for real, authentic Japanese Ramen in SF? I found a few places on yelp, but it's hard to distinguish between people just liking good noodles (authentic or not) or people who want the real deal.
Written 8 January 2015
So many noodle houses to choose from!
- Katana-Ya, Geary St.
- Ken Ken Ramen, 18th St.
- Izakaya Sozai, Irving St.
- Hapa Ramen, Mission St. (this is a hot spot with local chefs, they use fresh local organic ingredients)
Just a quick note about Mifune...although they have ramen on the menu they specialize in soba and udon. The broth is okay but lacks the depth of flavor that you usually find in a great bowl of ramen.
Cheers!
Written 9 January 2015
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