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About Japantown, San Francisco

The epicenter of Japantown is the intersection of Post and Buchanan Streets. The birth of Japantown was caused by the great earthquake and fire of 1906, which nearly destroyed San Francisco. This side of the city was west of the fire line, so Japanese immigrants felt safe there.

During World War II, Japanese immigrants were sent to relocation camps. After the war some returned initially and some moved to other parts of San Francisco or surrounding suburbs, primarily in the Sunset neighborhood. A new wave of post war migration from Japan began to pour into Japantown, especially after the city of Osaka, Japan was declared the sister city of San Francisco in 1957.

Urban renewal projects initiated in the 1960s were not good for Little Osaka, especially the widening of Geary Boulevard which tore down many old Victorian homes in the area. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in Japanese architecture, some financed by Japanese companies, which has been built alongside the old Victorian homes, all of which has revitalized the area.

Japantown has earned the nickname Little Osaka, and is also called Nihonmachi. Today the Japantown area remains the social and shopping center for the entire Japanese American population of San Francisco.

There are walking tour of Nihonmachi pedestrian mall and peace plaza, site of the five story Peace Pagoda. It is accessible by several bus lines and the Muni.

Japantown Information

Shopping
San Francisco’s Japantown offers a wide array of goods for those seeking out an interesting treasure or just looking to browse... read more

Attractions
On top of the many sights and sounds and many shops that Japantown features, above all the hustle and bustle of the city ... read more

Dining
Of course, no trip to Japantown is complete without visiting at least one of the many fine restaurants that are located in the area... read more

Getting Around
San Francisco's Japan Town is located about two miles south of Fisherman's Wharf... read more