SF: Japantown, Founded in 1906

Despite the five-story-tall Peace Pagoda at its center (a gift from the citizens of Osaka), one will never mistake wandering through the stone gardens of Japantown as actually being in Japan. One will find, however, an intoxicatingly friendly J-Pop culture that invites languorous noodle slurping or fanatical enthusiasm over the shops with an array of curios in collection. Elegantly glazed porcelain, funky tee-shirts, kimonos, robot anime, photo sticker booths and shabu shabu are all within footsteps of each other while wandering through the Nihonmachi Mall. Daytime strolls through Japantown lend themselves to shopping and spa treatment. Evening's distractions include the newly acquired Sundance Kabuki theatres, karaoke bars, and an array of restaurants — both Japanese and Korean. Pizza can be found two blocks up towards Pacific Heights — but what's the point in that?

Japantown
Located at Geary and Fillmore

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