Though Chinatown is arguably the more famous Asian conclave in
San Francisco, Japantown is not to be overlooked! It's like a fascinating little slice of Tokyo at the heart of the Bay Area, filled with authentic ramen shops, sushi restaurants, cute gift shops, and the like. But before you simply write Japantown off as a theme park-like district designed to look and feel like Japan, think again! This neighborhood truly embraces Japanese culture at its finest, upholding its many traditions, embracing its beauty, but also blending it with the American sensibility. Learn more about this fascinating part of San Francisco.
Where is Japantown in San Francisco?
Japantown doesn't exactly lie at the heart of the city, but it's still one of
San Francisco's central neighborhoods. For one thing, it's not too far from Union Square, the city center. You'll only have to pass through Nob Hill to get to it, which means it's fairly easy to go to and from the city center when you're in Japantown. At the same time, the neighborhood itself is also surrounded by many of the city's most prominent districts, namely Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, the Civic Center, Hayes Valley, and Anza Vista, to name a few.
Is it Safe in Japantown, San Francisco?
Yes, it is. Though it's not exactly the quietest part of town, Japantown uniquely maintains a level of tranquility you won't find anywhere else in central San Francisco. The place stays safe throughout the day, so much so that you're free to roam around and explore the district even if it's your first time here.
San Francisco's crime rates may commonly skew high, but you'll barely feel it in Japantown. And at night, while you'll still have to take the necessary safety precautions when you go out, it's still not so sketchy that you'll consider it a dangerous place.
What's The Vibe in Japantown, San Francisco?
From its iconic Peace Pagoda and other classic temples to the lovely cherry blossoms and Japanese shops, San Francisco's Japantown truly looks and feels like a little slice of the “Land of the Rising Sun.” The culture and community here are so authentic that it's a wonder why it's not as famous a district as Chinatown. Nevertheless, this is the best place to truly immerse yourself in Japanese culture and cuisine. See the fascinating temples nearby, shop at the stores that sell cute knick-knacks, and of course, eat at the many ramen shops or sushi restaurants.
Is it Expensive in Japantown, San Francisco?
Instead of “expensive,” it's more accurate to describe Japantown as a pricey neighborhood. There's no doubt that the neighborhood is one of many that prove just how
San Francisco's living costs truly are, but it's still not enough for it to be considered expensive. The average rent here, for instance, is only about $3,600.00 per month. This is undoubtedly expensive in the grand scheme of things, but it's not too far from the norm for San Francisco in general, which has a city-wide average of about $3,400.00 per month. Even eating out here maintains a nice balance between its pricey upscale restaurants and mid-range to affordable izakayas and convenience stores.
What to See in Japantown, San Francisco
Right off the bat, you should go straight to the famous Peace Pagoda at Peace Plaza. It's the perfect representation of Japanese architecture at the heart of Japantown, practically serving as the symbol of the district altogether. It's also the only notable tourist landmark in the area, as most of the district simply sells or serves Japanese culture and cuisine while it maintains the usual contemporary architecture in modern-day San Francisco. With that said, another notable spot is the Kinokuniya Bookstore, a mecca for Japanese manga, novels, and all sorts of other literature. It's one of the best places to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
What to Do in Japantown, San Francisco
Much like Chinatown, the best things to do in Japantown are to eat, shop, and learn more about Asian culture. This time around, as its name says, it's Japanese culture, complete with its signature zen sensibilities and its more contemporary and camp anime and manga frenzy. You can read and shop at the famous Kinokuniya Bookstore, check out the Japanese snacks at the konbinis nearby, and indulge in authentic cuisine in its many upscale eateries. If you're a fan of Japan yourself but you can't afford to go all the way to Japan, consider visiting or even
moving to San Francisco and settling down here.
The Best Restaurants in Japantown, San Francisco
Authenticity isn't the only reason why you'll enjoy eating out in Japantown in San Francisco. There's no denying that Japanese cuisine takes center stage in this beloved neighborhood, especially since it's the real deal. The sushi, ramen bowls, and other dishes you'll taste here are practically the same as what you'd get in Japan itself. But at the same time, the culinary geniuses behind the district's hottest spots are not afraid to put their own spins on the classic cuisine. Take one of the best culinary journeys you'll ever experience in San Francisco here in Japantown!
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried any of Japantown’s best hotspots:
- An | Japanese Restaurant in Japan Center Malls on Peace Plaza
- Kui Shin Bo on Peace Plaza in Japan Center Malls on Peace Plaza
- Sasa Japanese Restaurant in Japan Center Malls on Peace Plaza
- Oma San Francisco Station in Japan Center Malls on Post Street
- Kushi Tsuru in Japan Center Malls on Post Street
- Nari in Hotel Kabuki - JDV by Hyatt on Post Street
- Tenroku Sushi in Japan Center Kinokuniya Building on Post Street
- HINODEYA Ramen Japantown on Buchanan Street
- Fermentation Lab Japantown on Post Street
- YUJI on Post Street
What to Know About Renting in Japantown, San Francisco
As already mentioned, renting in Japantown is on the pricier side. The average rent here is about $3,600.00 per month, only slightly higher than the city-wide average and more than double the nationwide average. And even without those comparisons, paying more than $2,000.00 per month for a
luxury apartment in San Francisco, or any other place in the US, for that matter, is already outside of the norm. On top of that, the average rent mostly applies to smaller rentals, namely studio flats and one-bedroom homes. If you prefer a bigger place, you'll have to pay a lot more!
Japantown truly stands out as one of the most unique neighborhoods in San Francisco. The district maintains a fabulous balance between Japanese culture and tradition with America’s signature brand of liveliness and urban madness.
