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    Japan Center

    4.2 (174 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Lilian W.

    The Japan Center in San Francisco's Japantown is a vibrant indoor mall full of fantastic shops, restaurants, and unique experiences. If you love exploring different types of cuisine and discovering interesting stores, this spot should definitely be on your list. There's no shortage of great food here. Whether you're in the mood for revolving sushi, a classic meal at Benihana, or something more creative like the fusion Italian udon restaurant at Udon Mugizo, the options are endless. One of my favorite stops is the Matcha Cafe Maiko shop that serves hojicha flavored ice creams--the flavor is rich, earthy, and absolutely delicious. From quick bites to full meals, there's something for every craving. Besides the food, there are a lot of shops to explore. I always make a point to visit the Katsura Garden plant shop, which has a nice variety of unique plants at reasonable prices. The Kinokuniya bookstore is a must for book lovers, offering a wide range of Japanese literature, manga, and interesting gifts. For those who love browsing for cute and quirky items, there are several stores filled with knick-knacks and souvenirs that make perfect gifts or keepsakes. Parking can be a challenge, especially on busy days, but one bonus is that street parking is free on Sundays, so it's worth planning your visit accordingly. Overall, the Japan Center in Japantown is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy great food, shopping, and a taste of Japanese culture all in one place. It's an easy place to get lost in for hours between shopping and eating.

    Maruko X.

    The Japan center is a hub for clothing, jewelry, and toys by Japanese brands, and there are also numerous food places. The mall has two stories and also divided as west and east sections, both are equipped with restaurants and stores. Since there are ongoing renovation and construction, and I'd say the connection in-between is interrupted.

    Across from the peace plaza-quieter area
    Jennifer N.

    I've been coming to Japantown and spending time at Japan Center since 2008. Over the years I've seen it become more popular. As I was walking through last weekend, I heard someone say, "I came here for the vibes." And the vibes are fun! There are two malls packed with eateries and shops. All ages seem to come and enjoy the offerings. There are lots of fun stationery shops, toys, sushi, matcha, a lovely candle shop, garden shop, galleries and much more. There are also cultural exhibits and a new welcome center as well as an amazing Japanese bookstore. The center features the pagoda plaza which is currently under renovation so navigating the area can be tricky. Don't let that deter you! Everything is open and the place is as busy as ever. One of my favorite spots in San Francisco!

    Tenroku Sushi bar
    Sarah R.

    Love this place every time I go. Plenty of unique shops and restaurants Plenty of gift options for the holidays! Stores have a great vibe and most offer cloth bags for your items. You can spend hours in here without realizing it. Highly recommend coming here.

    Cecilia M.

    This is an INCREDIBLE mall in Japantown! It's got everything you could want: Daiso, bookstore, Japanese housewares, collectibles, and a wide variety of Japanese restaurants and snack shops! It's a fun place to visit. You can find eats for under $10 or splurge on a full sit-down conveyor sushi meal. And gift items also in all ranges. Something for everyone!

    Alexis B.

    We were staying at a hotel next door in Japantown and knew we had to visit Japan Center! The Japan Center is also known as Japan Center Malls, as its really three separate buildings connected to each other. The three buildings together contain several shops, food stands, restaurants, coffee/tea shops, and more! We stopped into a few shops and got some takoyaki at one stall and coffees at another! So many Japanese small businesses to try/support! Definitely fun to explore! Don't miss it if you're in the Japantown area!

    11.11.20 East Mall
    May A.

    Shopping! [Japantown, San Francisco] I love the stores here... they just make me want to explore. Daiso is in the East Mall but many of the stores and restaurants I like are in the West Mall. Daiso has plenty ideas for stocking stuffers... lots of trinkets and Japanese candy. One can easily stuff even a huge stocking. I love wandering down the aisles. This location is huge. I found some great gift ideas here in Japan Center. I stopped by a bookstore, a women's clothing boutique, jewelry, cosmetics, and children's gifts. Katachi has a nice collection of swords and knives. Mai Do is a store that carries high quality calligraphy supplies, stationeries and specialty papers. There are also stores for music lovers... one selling ukeleles and a lot of "island" merchandise and another store selling Japanese instruments like the koto. While Japan Center is currently operating and remain open during Purple Tier restrictions (worst tier) there are some strict guidelines the public must adhere to while inside the mall -- wear masks and keep appropriate distance from each other. The Japan Center malls (East and West) are open to foot traffic and holiday shopping although the retail stores are limited to 20% capacity from normal. Each store has posted instructions and guidelines upon entering so just be aware of them. The restaurants are also open, though only for take out and delivery. No indoor dining and the public is advised to not eat inside the malls. There you go... Review #2048

    The directory around the mall
    Darwin P.

    I was surprised I hadn't heard of this mall before. Locating in SF, it is full of everything: food, stores and lots of things coming from Japan! I came with a friend, and looked around for 3 hours. I copped some cool pencils, and a Cubone pop figure. When it came to lunch, we had Teriyaki and rice; Ramen is also offered here. This was back in October, and outside dining was available. Next time I come to the city, I will for sure visit Japan Center again!

    Dina Y.

    First and foremost - BRING A MASK! Most stores require a mask for entrance, so we had to hunt for a store that carried them to purchase. I never thought I'd be sporting Hello Kitty fashion accessories (mask), but they did the job! We came to this mall on a hunt for Anime ... and we were not disappointed! Although many of the shops did not carry what my grandson was looking for - we did find a nice Toy collectibles tucked away that did which made the trip worthwhile. This is a place to come on an empty stomach - you will find food galore! So many I wanted to try because it looked so good, but we settled on crepes knowing we had a movie to catch. Overall, this mall was fascinating (not as diverse, stores basically had the same items) and I truly did appreciate the cleanliness and mask requirements. The 3-part mall was nice to explore and parking was an ease to get in, and not too expensive! I'll most likely ONLY go back when I was to sushi hop!

    East Entrance
    Michael W.

    A lot of people mistake Japan Center is Japantown. But Japan Center is only a shipping mall in Japantown. But I think more than 80% of the businesses in Japantown are inside Japan Canter Mall. Japan Center Mall has two sections. The East and the West. The west side is much bigger than the east side of the mall. There are so many Japanese souvenirs, gifts shops, and restaurants in the mall. More than you can imagine. They have so many little gift shops carrying all the cute items. It is very fun to check out what they have. Of course, you will bring something home unexpected too! Lol! Japan Center also has many restaurants. Some of the restaurants have food samplers made of wax. They look very real. I almost want to eat the wax samples! I'm sure you will have a fun time in Japan Center if you're visiting San Francisco. Don't forget to put them on your list!

    Christmas Tree Full of Origami Cranes
    Darren L.

    We went to the shopping center in Japantown yesterday at San Francisco. My mom got a Black Sesame Soft Serve in a cup, my dad got an Ube Soft Serve in a cup, and I got an Ube Soft Serve with sprinkles and a Biscoff on the top and in a Taiyaki cone with Red Bean Paste inside. This dessert place looks like Somi Somi in Elk Grove and we also saw a Christmas tree with full of origami cranes around.

    Restrooms next to elevator to the parking lot

    This review is for April 2023. The Cherry Blossom Festival was held outdoors in the center. PARKING: - Hourly rates are between $2 to $3 dollars depending on what time parked. - The elevators inside the parking lot is pretty slow so allow extra time if you need to be prompt. - Restrooms are located next to the elevator to the parking garage. - Restaurants, food stands, Daiso, Kinokuniya Bookstore, other miscellaneous shops and more in this center. - Nijiya Market, a Japanese grocery store is located on street level. - Pa'ina Lounge and Restaurant is down the street. - Hotels are nearby.

    Karen H.

    Main shopping center in Japantown. The center has two sides east and west. We came after the pandemic hit and we saw the aftermath. Many of the shops were closed down. But we were still able to shop at the other stores that were able to remain open. We also had lunch at one of the restaurants inside. There are a few to choose from depending on what you looking to to eat. Sushi, ramen, curry and more. On the east side of the mall where Daiso is you'll find this cute bridge and fountain underneath. They also have also model displays out of buildings and clothing. It's definitely worth the walk here if you are staying outside of Japantown.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Japan Center

    Review Highlights - Japan Center

    Daiso is in the East Mall but many of the stores and restaurants I like are in the West Mall.

    Mentioned in 18 reviews

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    San Francisco Centre - Psychedelic escalators

    San Francisco Centre

    3.7(1.1k reviews)
    1.3 miUnion Square, SoMa
    $$

    Oh man! So I use to perform the Fire Alarm Inspection at the Nordstrom for about 7 years straight…read moretill they closed. Went back to do a job walk foe the entire center and boy was i shocked! I cannot believe how empty this place got. Super sad really. I remember the mall to be packed! One of the most iconic and beautiful Nordstroms. Bloomingdales. The most amazing dome. The upside down Christmas tree under the dome. Man, they use to go all out! And now it's all gone. A literal ghost town inside with scary homeless people running around. Well, at least, Panda is still open and we didn't have to wait in line at all, so that's a plus. I sincerely hope they can salvage this mall and that it would eventually come back to life! I really do hope so!!

    Everything went downhill drastically after the iconic four-story Nordstrom and two-story…read moreBloomingdale's were gone. Even 90% of the food court is gone. The remaining eateries are Panda Express and Shake Shack. The movie theater is gone. Walgreens is gone. One entrance to BART/MUNI remained locked. It's so sad to see what happened post-pandemic. The memories of walking around the spiral escalators to Nordstrom, having frozen yogurt while waiting for my grandmother to arrive, sitting next to a Mexican family while eating food court sushi, and shopping for cute clothes at American Eagle Outfitters as a teen. Long live the past of shopping in the 2010s. The entrances on Market Street still smell like urine, though. The majority of SF residents blame the city officials for letting criminals and homelessness go free, which made most retail stores shut down due to robberies. Less than 28 stores remained in business. The best part is that the public restrooms are still open, and there's access to BART/MUNI near the GNC Store. The best shopping mall in SF is Stonestown Galleria, next to San Francisco State University, where you can take the MUNI train M.

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    (c) SFGate

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    PIER 39

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    2.0 miFisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
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    Pier 39 is the perfect mix of waterfront fun, shopping, and great food all in one lively…read moredestination. The pier is filled with unique shops, entertainment, and plenty of places to grab a delicious meal while enjoying the beautiful views of the bay. The food options are endless, from the famous clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl to tacos, seafood, and classic fair-style treats. As you make your way toward the end of the pier, you're rewarded with stunning views of Alcatraz Island and the bay. One of the highlights is watching the sea lions relaxing on the floating docks below -- a fun and unforgettable sight. Whether you want to stop by for a quick bite, enjoy the scenery, or spend the entire day exploring, this is one of those places that has something for everyone.

    Having lived in San Francisco for numerous years, I've been to Pier 39 many times -- sometimes to…read moreshow out-of-towners cool parts of my favorite city and sometimes because I just wanna go to a place by the bay that feels like a carnival! The stores are super cute, there are things to do, there are restaurants as well as good quick eats (like the mini donut shop - oh my gosh that's so good - and a cute retro candy shop at the end of the pier. Additionally, the views at the end of the pier are magical, and you get to view it with songs from the sealions! There are also magic shows at the pier you can watch for free and a large carousel! Pier 39 is 100%, touristy, but it is still festive and fun, whether you're an out-of-towner or a local resident. The only downsides are the prices (because this area is a tourist trap) and the parking. Here are some tricks and tips: Look for coupons for some of the pier activities (ie, coupon books, Groupon, and even on the ads in the local map they give you for free). I've found coupons for the Aquarium By the Bay, restaurants, the mirror maze thingy, and The Flyer. You can also go to the Visitor Center office on the 2nd floor of the pier! Just ask politely for coupons, and they'll usually have something. (They gave me 20% off some nice restaurants last time.) As for parking, be careful with street parking because if you are even a minute late, I swear, you'll find a ticket on your windshield! The city ticket workers are like hawks. There is a Pier 39 parking garage that is the closest but costs a lot. You can look for open parking lots further away, like at hotels, which can be cheaper. If you are able to walk, that may be a good option -- or better yet, take public transportation when you can. That is part of the San Francisco experience! One more tip: if it's your first time there, bring a lock to put at the end of the pier! (See photo) There are definitely a multitude of photo opps here!

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    3.6(97 reviews)
    2.0 miFinancial District
    $$

    Came for a few hours for a meeting. Flew in from out of town. Very minimal instructions were given…read moreto me to get here. Luckily it's all pretty straight forward when you arrive. If you're walking. That's easy. Just pop it into your GPS. If you're taking a cab then I would suggest putting as your destination "Devil Teeth Baking" as getting dropped off at other locations around the area is pretty chaotic (I mean it's already pretty chaotic as it is since you're in the financial district of San Fran). There are many businesses in here. But I came for a business meeting. So if youre going for something like that, you'll want to enter the cement building (no doors just opened entry) and go up one flight of stairs / escalators and head to the lobby. From there, you let them know that you have a meeting and on what floor and give them your name. They'll check in the database for it and then let you into the elevators. You hit the button and off you go. Some of my colleagues found parking around the area but they live here so much more familiar. They suggested to me to not have a car. The meeting space I was in was on the 12th floor and it was a few large meeting spots and some smaller offices that are rented out to different businesses. There's a wellness room and a business center with stationeries. I'm assuming every floor is different. Mine had some color to it. Plants, paintings, art etc. It felt a bit homier than what a generic office would look like. The people were chill too. Good spot. Decent value. Would host a meeting here again!

    Based upon these criteria, I give this event 5 stars based upon :…read more- the ability to meetup & network , - service (mobile bar &Happy Hour) , - site/location (Embarcadero Center) , - value Embarcadero Center Presents Summer Happy Hour Wednesday, July 31 | 4-6pm Urban Patio, Three Embarcadero Center 1) https://embarcaderocenter.com/bar-car-at-embarcadero-center/ 2) https://dothebay.com/events/2024/7/31/summer-happy-hour-at-embarcadero-center-tickets-7-31?fbclid=IwY2xjawEXbtBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQgCExw7wiM5iKRdS0l0itlSr2cAOUW1NDf1kh8GpXP6fZO-iJtpKmDRcA_aem_Rzn27kTXStVBBRFJUEJoLQ

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    Japan Center - shoppingcenters - Updated May 2026

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