Most visitors to San Francisco visit Chinatown, yet many miss the similarly compelling Japantown district. Comprised of just six blocks, this compact neighborhood is packed with incredible restaurants ranging from all-out omakase destinations to casual ramen bars. Japantown food isn’t the only attraction; the district offers lots of fun things to see and do—and many of these experiences are family friendly.
History of Japantown, San Francisco
Japantown is the nation’s oldest and largest Japanese community and the hub of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Japanese-American community. It dates back to 1906, when a devastating earthquake displaced Japanese residents living in Chinatown and South of Market. Many moved to the Western Addition area, where they started families and businesses. Japantown residents built a rich community over the decades until World War II, when they were forced into internment camps.
Some returned after the war, but the enclave suffered another blow in the late 1940s when an urban renewal project razed half of the district—including many homes and businesses. By the 1970s, only a fraction of the community remained. Since then, Japantown has evolved to become a tourist district crowned by the Japanese Center, a vibrant hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Where Is Japantown, San Francisco?
Adjacent to the historic Fillmore District, Japantown is easily accessible by bus via the #38 Geary line, the #2 or #3 line from Sutter Street, or the #22 Fillmore. Street parking is hit or miss, but the two Japan Center Garages on Geary Boulevard and Fillmore Street provide plenty of options for drivers.
Post Street is Japantown’s main thoroughfare, between Fillmore Street to the west and Octavia Street to the east. Pine Street and Geary Boulevard are generally considered the neighborhood’s northern and southern borders.
Restaurants in San Francisco’s Japantown
While often overlooked in favor of buzzier downtown locations, the district is home to some of the best dining in San Francisco, with Japantown restaurants serving everything from sushi to ramen to sweet treats.
An Japanese Restaurant
Known for: Reasonably Priced Omakase
Set in a small corner of the Japan Center, cozy An offers a comparatively affordable alternative to the pricey omakase menus found at many sushi restaurants—without skimping on quality. Prices range from $64 for sashimi omakase to $125 for the eight-course experience. Ultra-fresh fish shines in sushi and nigiri selections, as well as An’s buttery, miso-marinated black cod.
Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup
Known for: Korean Beef Rib Stew
Incredible kalbijjim—Korea’s slow-braised, beef rib stew—is the reason diners wait up to two hours for a table at Daeho. The beef is juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender, and each dish is topped with bubbling cheese that servers blowtorch to melty perfection. Beef also stars in kalbitang (beef rib soup) and hot-stone bibimbap.
Hinodeya Ramen Bar
Known for: Dashi Ramen
Comfort food doesn’t always have to weigh you down, and Hinodeya has the proof. Its clear, dashi-based broths are light yet full of flavor. Go for the littleneck clam rendition or slurp your fill of vegan ramen with spinach noodles, kabocha squash, and shiitake mushrooms. There’s usually a line for this no-reservations spot, but it’s worth the wait.
Marufuku Ramen
Known for: Hakata-Style Ramen
This San Francisco–based chain draws crowds for its Hakata-style ramen, prized for its rich pork broth and thin noodles. Marufuku has the style dialed in with creamy broth, meltingly tender pork belly, and perfectly cooked noodles. Yes, there will be a line, and yes, you will be happy you stuck it out at this lively spot.
Matcha Cafe Maiko
Known for: Sweet Matcha Treats
A perfect stop for a post-meal treat, casual Matcha Café Maiko serves thick and creamy matcha soft serve to go, plus matcha drinks, shaved ice, and frappes. Try the Maiko Special, a parfait-style blend of matcha and vanilla ice creams, topped with matcha chiffon, chestnuts, and soft shiratama mochi.
Mochill Mochidonut
Known for: Mochi Donuts
Folks line up at the Mochill Mochidonut kiosk in Japan Center for delicious donuts so cute they might be mistaken for colorful bangle bracelets. They come in an assortment of fun flavors, including taro-coconut, black sesame, and strawberry, and the playful toppings include unexpected ingredients like crushed peanut butter cups and Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Nari
Known for: Fine-Dining Thai
Set inside the Hotel Kabuki in an elegant space filled with greenery, Nari is the sister Thai restaurant to Michelin-starred Kin Khao. The cuisine is bold and exciting, featuring unforgettable dishes like the grilled Monterey squid and pork jowl starter, and whole fried branzino tossed with fragrant lemongrass.
Oma San Francisco Station
Known for: Casual Omakase Sushi
Oma SF Station is an eight-seat counter set in an open hallway at Japan Center, but don’t let the casual ambience fool you; the omakase is as good as you’ll find anywhere in the city. Menu options—featuring wonderfully fresh raw fish and assorted warm and cold dishes—range from $95 for 12 items to 24 dishes for $165.
On the Bridge
Known for: Western-Style Japanese
Set on the walkway that connects Japan Center East and West, On the Bridge specializes in yoshuko fusion dishes such as hamburger steak, curry rice, katsuobushi pizza, and 23 varieties of Japanese spaghetti. The colorful, anime-rich interior includes shelves full of manga for patrons to peruse.
Sasa
Known for: Casual Sushi and Omakase
This casual spot in Japan Center is a great place to stop with friends after a shopping session. Along with excellent nigiri and sashimi à la carte, Sasa presents multiple omakase options ranging from $65 to $95. It’s especially fun to order the “mystery box” featuring six or nine mini chirashi bowls presented in a partitioned wooden box.
Udon Mugizo
Known for: Handmade Udon
The housemade noodles at Udon Mugizo are the draw at this busy, compact spot. The thick-cut noodles are perfectly textured, served in a variety of flavorful broths. Try the rich tonkotsu or the Mugizo signature cream sauce udon—just two enticing choices among more than a dozen. Diners can also buy fresh, uncooked noodles to go.
Yuji
Known for: Kappo-Style Japanese
Score a spot at the nine-seat counter for kappo cuisine (the name means “to cut and cook), an informal style that emphasizes the intimate proximity between the diner and the chef. Yuji earned a mention in the Michelin guide and it’s easy to see why: The gorgeously presented omakase menu is a 12-course delight of delicate, seasonal dishes.
Other Things to Do in Japantown, San Francisco
Japantown hosts cultural festivals throughout the year, including the colorful Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in April and the Nihonmachi Street Fair in August.
The self-guided Japantown History Walk includes many historical sites and attractions, from the five-tiered Japantown Peace Pagoda to Cottage Row, a hidden collection of Victorian homes.
In the Japan Center shopping complex, stock up on manga at Kinokuniya Books or head to Daiso Japan for cheap-and-cheerful housewares, toys, and stationery. Treat your green thumb to a bonsai tree at Katsura Garden or browse beautiful Japanese pottery at Daikoku by Shiki.
When it’s time to relax, melt into Kabuki Springs & Spa to enjoy Japanese-style communal bathing and shiatsu, or rejuvenate at Pearl Spa and Sauna, a women-only Korean spa.
With so much to eat, drink, see, and do in Japantown, you might want to book a couple extra nights. The boutique Hotel Kabuki blends Japanese and Western influences with a stylish, modern flair. Hotel Enso features minimalist design and vending machines stocked with Japanese snacks.
To explore more Japanese culture in California, visit Japantown San Jose in the South Bayand Japantown in Los Angeles, aka Little Tokyo. Along with San Francisco Japantown, these enclaves are the only remaining Japanese districts in the United States.
