Japantown

Given to San Francisco as a gift from Osaka Japan, this Japanese inspired Pagoda symbolizes friendship.

Given to San Francisco as a gift from Osaka Japan, this Japanese inspired Pagoda symbolizes friendship.

Jameson Datoc '23, Photo Editor
April 28, 2023

A quick trip to Osaka, Japan is a little closer to the states than you think.

Welcome to San Francisco’s Japantown–an area known by San Franciscans as a place filled with a vibrant atmosphere. Where Japanese trinkets, art, and cultural items fill the stores. Where people can explore and immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

This red bridge, or Guzei, are typically found in Japanese gardens, but can be seen in Japantown SF’s Japan center.

Where people come to take great photos in Peace Plaza. And where people come to take part in seasonal cultural festivals and of course have some authentic Japanese food.

San Francisco’s Japantown, located on Post and Fillmore streets, has been the center of the Bay Area’s Japanese and Japanese American community since 1906. It is not only the largest and oldest out of the three Japantowns, which all happen to be in California: Little Tokyo in Los Angeles and Nihonmachi in San Jose, but also in all of the United States.

San Francisco’s Japantown, or what locals call it, “Little Osaka” is sometimes overlooked by San Francisco’s Chinatown, but there is a lot to do in the seemingly small area.