Japantown in San Francisco preserving the arts and culture of Japan

San Francisco’s Japantown is a rare and hidden gem, one of only three remaining Japantowns in the U.S. With a rich history dating back to the 1860s, this neighborhood has preserved the arts and culture of Japan through generations of Japanese immigrants and their descendants.

Visitors to Japantown can immerse themselves in Japanese cuisine, arts, and performances just like in Japan itself. The neighborhood is home to a variety of culinary experiences that have recently gained prestigious industry recognition.

Endomasa, a legendary Tokyo yakitori shop with almost a century of success in Japan, opened its doors in Japantown in October 2023. Their secret-recipe chicken skewers have become famous, and they even incorporated a bar top made from the original 100-year-old stall where it all began.

Yuji offers Kappo-style cuisine, a newer style of Japanese food for San Francisco, focusing on seasonal ingredients. Less than a year after opening, they were added to California’s Michelin Guide.

Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop, a longstanding bakery in Japantown founded nearly 50 years ago, was recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist for outstanding bakery in 2023.

Fermentation Lab, a popular San Francisco bar known for its pickled products, is set to open a second location in Japantown this spring.

Aside from the culinary delights, Japantown also offers a vibrant shopping experience. Visitors can explore the Japan Center Malls, which comprise an East and West mall. Here, they can find unique items such as Japanese tea, vintage clothing, beauty products, and Japanese books. The malls are also home to various culinary offerings, from matcha ice cream to ramen and sushi.

New retailers like 3 Pillars, a small business specializing in art, apparel, prints, and stickers, have opened in Japantown. Founded by two local artists who grew up in the community, Brendan Oshima and Derrick Higa, 3 Pillars emerged from an initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic to create colorful murals that fill mall storefronts and eye-catching streetlamp banners that line the neighborhood.

For those looking to explore the neighborhood, there are several tours available. Origami in the Sky is a cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) tour offered by Paper Tree – The Origami Store in partnership with Adobe. Visitors can embark on an immersive origami adventure using their smartphones, with origami dioramas appearing to “float in the air” along Buchanan Street.

Edible Excursions offers a food tour through the neighborhood, providing a culinary journey with stops at various local eateries.

Japantown also boasts a spa experience at Kabuki Springs & Spa, a Japanese-inspired bathhouse and spa that has been a staple in the neighborhood for over 50 years. Visitors can enjoy hot and cold bathing experiences, as well as a range of facials and massages.

Outside of Japantown, there are other Japanese attractions to explore. The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is a must-visit, featuring a 109-year-old pagoda that underwent a two-year restoration. The pagoda restoration included replacing damaged wood with salvaged redwood and creating a new spire from recycled Douglas fir. Traditional bells and ornamental finials now adorn the pagoda, adding to its historical charm.

The Legion of Honor museum hosts two rare Japanese art exhibitions. “Japanese Prints in Transition: From the Floating World to the Modern World” showcases over 140 works, including iconic pieces like Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave.” Another exhibition, “Zuan-cho: Kimono Design in Modern Japan,” features colorful woodcut kimono designs.

The Asian Art Museum features an exhibition of Japanese ink paintings from the 15th to the early 17th century, offering a glimpse into the artistic engagement between Japanese and Chinese ink painting styles.

Beyond Japantown, San Francisco is home to several notable Japanese restaurants. Akikos Avery Lane, a sushi and omakase experience, offers sustainably sourced, single-line caught fish from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market.

Friends Only, a sushi counter in the Nob Hill neighborhood, showcases dry-aged ingredients and creative approaches to Japanese cuisine.

Nisei, a Michelin-starred restaurant, presents California Washoku cuisine, emphasizing the harmony of food and focusing on balance and respect for ingredients.

Noodle in a Haystack, a ramen restaurant, offers a hyper-intimate tasting menu with a focus on modern ramen made without compromise.

Gozu specializes in robatayaki, a Japanese style of open-fire cooking, and highlights the use of wagyu beef in new and innovative preparations.

Yokai, a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar and charcoal grill, showcases Japan’s after-work food and drink culture with a focus on wagyu beef, fish and seafood, and local produce.

Dragon Horse Bar & Sushi serves craft cocktails, sushi, ramen, and izakaya dishes until 1 a.m. six days a week, making it a popular late-night spot.

Pabu Izakaya, a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant, recently collaborated with consulting chef Shotaro “Sho” Kamio to introduce a new culinary experience. The menu features small and shareable plates, larger entrees, and various rolls and hand rolls.

With its rich cultural heritage, unique culinary experiences, and diverse attractions, Japantown in San Francisco offers visitors a hidden gem to explore and enjoy the best of Japanese culture.