My first time ever visiting Japantown and also coming to this mall today. It was a really fun but very crowded experience. Went here for my BIL and his friends birthday for a scavenger hunt around the mall and it was really fun! I would definitely come back here again to try all the wide variety of food! read more

#4/2016 Not in the Brutalist style but the equally charmless 1960s box architecture of the same era squarely situated in the heart of Japantown where you'll find the Kinokuniya and Kintetsu Malls otherwise known as the Japantown Center. Inside, there are scores of stores selling everything from Japanese wood sculptures to kimonos, dolls, trinkets, anime and salons and plenty of restaurants. Japantown Center offers an eclectic array of goods and is ideal for strolling and waiting for inspiration to strike- or if you're like me, being very directional and making a beeline for a favorite kimono store that's "on the bridge" connecting the two malls. The mall itself is slightly rundown. There's no music, no decorations, shabby floors and scuffed up stairwells. It's best described as "utilitarian." Teenagers roam in happy, harmless packs (there's at least one math learning center at the mall) and moms with strollers suddenly stop mid-course as the world's sloppiest security guard ambles by with his shirt askew. This is the perfect place to go on a rainy day especially to grab steaming hot bowls of ramen at any one of the 15+ restaurants inside the Kintetsu mall. If the weather's pleasant, head outdoors to Peace Plaza and meditate on this slightly melancholy space that feels world's away from the bustle of the City. Before 6pm, metered street parking's fairly easy to find and even better, there's inexpensive ($2/hour) parking under the Center and most businesses validate, too. If you're heading home, stop across the street at Soko Hardware for Japanese cook/dishware or grab some groceries or a Bento box at Nijiya Market on the corner of Post & Webster. read more

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The mall looked really cute with its Japanese décor. The mall is split into an east and west wing with a courtyard splitting the two wings. The shops were boutiques that have really expensive stuff, but there were plenty of authentic knick knacks and misc. items to buy: kimonos, scriptures, tea sets, etc. A worthy mention: Daiso Japan was also in this mall located in the east wing at the lower level leading to the courtyard. There was also the store Ichiban Kan that was fun to browse in, but compared to Daiso, their products were way too expensive. Lol. There is a corridor where most of the restaurants will be located at if you get hungry. I can't remember exactly, but I believe both wings have a good variety of restaurant options. read more

Kintetsu Mall - At the courtyard between the two wings. - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Kintetsu Mall is the highlight of San Francisco's Japantown. They have really good restaurants in there, purikura (those picture things) for those who like that, creperies, toy stores, a huge bookstore, karaoke bars, and many more. There are a lot of places where visitors can take great pictures and view fine art as well. read more

Kintetsu Mall - Kintetsu Mall in San Francisco's Japan Town - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Japantown or "JTown" as we like to call it affectionately, is home to tons of little restaurants and noodle shops to try. Kintetsu Mall is just a part of this amazing enclave of all things great and Japanese. You can find restaurants like Benihana, Isobune, Mifume and we discovered this room of Japanese photo booths to try our best Asian pop star impressions. Anytime we crave a bowl of noodles after a long day's work, my sister and I drive over to the Kintetsu Mall and find parking easily underground ($1.75 an hour I think, and street parking is doable if you spend a little time looking for it). We like trying the different noodle shops and then wandering thru the cute stores selling kawaii afterward. Granted, the place isn't as shiny as a Westfield Mall, but if you're looking for a friendly ethnic enclave and their good food, you got it. Oh, and the area's many karaoke bars leak the happy sounds into the night and entertain the young masses. How can you not love that? read more

Kintetsu Mall - Trying out the Japanese photo booths - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

This mall is pretty clean until you get to the bathrooms. Homeless people use it to clean themselves, there is also no ventilation. It's nice that they clean it twice a day but the really need to add ventilation....ventilation in the entire mall. This is an okay Japan center. A lot of things are over priced, the food is definitely not that great. There isn't really a good boba place either. Honestly, Chinatown is much better. read more

Kintetsu Mall - Breast cancer awareness - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Awesome mall with a lot of Japanese restaurants and stores. I really enjoy coming to this mall read more

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One of the main stops to hit when I visit Japantown. Park in the garage under the mall. It's $2/hour, not to bad for SF and if you eat at one of the establishments the parking is validated. A lot of the restaurants and food places here are awesome. I really like the curry at On the Bridge. If you're feeling really touristy, they even have a Beni Hana here. Stores you must stop by: Kinokuniya - Japanese bookstore Nippon Ya - delicious mochi and snack Pikapika - feeling fobby enough to take Japanese photobooth pics? Sophie's Crepes - YUM! Daiso - most items $1.50 I definitely get my Japanese fix when I'm here. read more

One of my favorite part in San Francisco is Japantown and their mall. They have awesome products with great price and food food food! I would totally live around the area! read more

Kintetsu Mall - Made me feel like I was in Japan even though I haven't been there! - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lots of great places to eat. A great place to walk around. There are so many stores with so many tiny things you'll probably never use. read more

Kintetsu Mall - Sunset in Japantown - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Many great shops here! This side of Japantown has the snack shops such as crepes, boba, and taiyaki. Lots of souvenir shops, the Kinokuniya bookstore, Maido stationery, and many snacks to try. Nijiya Market is located right outside of the Kintetsu Mall. However, the bathrooms aren't too great and you can tell that the building itself is getting old. Other than that, the shops here are great and I highly recommend coming here. read more

Kintetsu Mall is an old small mall in San Francisco filled with Japanese stores in JapanTown. Although the mall is a little dim, with moderate decorations and non modern design, I still love the stores in Kintetsu Mall because many of them design their storefront beautifully and culturally to match the Japanese culture. I'd say the restaurants were moderate, even though the decoration is beautiful. It's hard to find a mini Japanese city in the middle of San Francisco though, so come here when you visit Japantown in San Francisco! It's definitely a cultural place that you might just love! read more

I just adore this place. We always make a point of coming here when we visit. My son loves all things Japanese and I just love the....i dunno...the orderliness of this place. I love the onigiri rice balls with the sour plum, so I always buy a bunch. Yeah the hakujin loves these yummy balls of heaven( that sounds bad lol). read more

When I first moved here, I would just hang out around Japan town exploring. The mall is broken into 2 sections as you cross a bridge inside! The stores are very nice and the restaraunts are plentyful and have varioius flavors. they have a toy store, book store, tourist type things... Parking garage price has to be one of the best in the city. read more

This place is great for tourists and locals looking to get some cool stuff or just look around. Some of the stuff is pricey, but you can find good deals. It's a must see if you are in Japantown, interested Japanese merchandise, or want to see the different neighborhoods of San Francisco. There's a $1.50 store, an awesome bookstore, lots of clothing and knick knack stores, a hello kitty store, an incense shop, a sword shop, lots of restaurants, lots of plates/cups/etc. The $1.50 store is awesome--I got everything I needed for an at home sushi dinner (sake cups, plates, etc). Outside the mall but still part of it (it's on the directory) is a market that has fresh sashimi-quality fish, and lots of other foods that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else; the prices here are also pretty good. read more

I love this place! Incredibly cute and well maintained. Every single store is full of toys :D Daiso, Ichiban Kan, a bookstore, a video store, 2 separate crepe stores, a bunch of restaurants, a purikura place, you know, just all the basics. Just be prepared for a wait if you want to eat anything, but especially crepes. read more

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Dozens of cute little shops and delicious eateries... including a new Mahoroba Bakery, which sells a killer curry bun. I find that the Kintetsu section of the Japan Center has the most Sanrio/anime/toy/cosplay type shops. A must everytime I'm in SF :3 read more

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This was one of the first places I came to when I arrived in San Francisco. I didn't know it existed. I just wanted to see Japantown, and I ended up entering this mall. This place is VERY japanese. A large manga store, cutesy/girly stores, an obligatory sanrio store, gift shops, a dvd rental store, girly photo booth place, a booth selling mochi balls (ice cream or red bean), many restaurants, and a food court. I imagine this is how a Japanese mall or even a commercial street in Japan is like. I entered a few shops and window shopped the rest. Many items were quite costly, so expect mall prices. Even the smallest totoro plush costs $30! I ended up eating at Sophie's Crepes and had some mochi. I was overly satisfied with the entire experience, almost sick of Japan. I shouldn't have an "I want to move to Japan" ache for some time now. Easily recommended for those feeling the need of some Japanese in their life, even if it's targeted at asian kids. read more

Being from the Midwest, coming here was a treat even if certain things were overpriced. My favorite purchase was the Japanese nesting doll set that looks like five wooden versions of ME. (Is this an indication of a complex?) Other than that, I regretfully did not purchase the Mean Little Girls "I Love Nerds" t-shirt. Le sigh. The food here is okay but I heard it's overpriced for the area. Regardless, because I come from the corn land, it was pretty good food. read more

The Mall looked the same as what I remembered when I first came here as a small child. Now, I know why my parents refused to step foot here because well, .. it's boring and not many stores to shop in. I only came here because 1) I thought this place has changed from present to 20-25 years ago, but still looks the same. The West Mall is pretty much dead inside whereas the East Mall, it has more restaurants, various shops, seems to be more alive, which is good. read more

The plethora of shops and restaurants in this place just keeps me coming back time and time again. There's a little something for everyone here, from Japanese pottery to anime goods to an amazing bookstore and many things in between. The way the interior of the building is set up makes you feel as though you're walking through narrow streets in Japan, window shopping and soaking in the atmosphere. Of course, most of the things in all the shops are incredibly expensive; I have to save up a bit before each visit because I can't help myself and have to buy a million different little things I want but definitely don't need and end up walking out with not just holes, but chasms burnt into my pockets. The mall itself has a two level parking garage but it fills quickly, so come early in the day if you want a spot. So charming keep me occupied and shopping for hours. read more

How often did I go to Japantown for lunch or dinner? Many, many times. How often did I actually enter the Kintetsu/Miyako Mall? Zero times. Embarrassing, I know. But today a friend and I did go there for an after lunch tea. He's been to Japan and said: this is pretty much like a mall in Japan - except the aisles are only half as wide. Great place, amazingly calm for a mall. Old ladies sitting on benches sipping their tea and watching people, kids running around chasing one another - a very peaceful vibe was hovering all over the place. I need to come back again and dig in all the little stores and cafes and and and ... read more

This place is great to go to. My personal favorites are all need a little food vending shops on sides they're delicious and really cheap. Came here today for the Cherry Blossom Festival and man is it packed. I recommend going on a day where there isn't a special event. The crowd and parking will anger you if you don't get there early enough. The parking garage has decent price compared to other places in SF, possibly a little bigger? read more

Alot of the stuff I found here can be found in Chinatown for cheaper (esp. the Japanese snacks), although there are definitely some bargains to be found. Alot of cool businesses, but also alot of stuff catering to tourists. was disappointed to see more Weeaboos than actual Japanese people...but alas, what to expect. read more

Anyone who likes Japanese things or Japanese culture should come here. Good Japanese restaurants, a Daiso, Japanese furniture, clothing...you name it! And when you're done, it's nice to sit in the little park with the giant statue and just relax. read more

Mine and the kids first time going to Japan town in SF. The mall is small and was packed when we arrived. There's lots of cute boutiques with cute items for sale. I liked the decor a lot. The bathroom needs to be updated tho... it's small, cramped and not as clean. read more

Fun Tiny shops ! Jewelry toys books and Japanese foods! Some places can be real pricey ie restaurants. I go here when I have nothing better to do read more

Lots of little stores and restaurants. I like the variety.

First thing i saw walking into the building was a poster with Hello Kitty, and announced they were having a cherry blossom festival featuring hello kitty and other Sanrio characters on stage. I got super excited, and cannot wait til april to come back for festival!!! The mall was unique and peaceful, we didnt actually shopped but explored the wonderful shops we never been to. The Pinka Pinka place was odd to me, i didnt know what to do in there!! I got embarassed and walked out.. haha! read more

Kintetsu Mall - cherry blossom and bamboo fountain - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you're in the area, I would suggest a stop by this mall. There are clothing stores, accessory stores (So many bento box options! So cute!), restaurants, a book shop, and even a pastry and bread kiosky-place. If I hadn't been there with my boyfriend (who has judgment filled eyes), I probably would have walked out of there with mini containers, kitchen utensils, and stationary. And only because They. Were. So. Cute. read more

It's an ok mall, a little old and dusty. A lot of similar type shops. There were several Japanese book stores, several Japanese pottery stores, several Japanese stationary type stores. Not much selection of shops. We went to one side of the mall and didn't bother to go to the other side, because it's probably the same stuff on the other side. read more

On the second floor across from the little crepe place is the most playful shop ever - I think called Pinka Pinka. Whatever the name, it's the most fun you can have in San Francisco for under $10. It's filled with the coolest little photo booths - the kind you would find at carnivals or in the mall when you were a kid, but with Japanese pop culture icons and club music inside each one. It's so much fun!!! Bring your BFF, a date, throw a birthday party or just kill time before a movie. You'll have a blast making silly faces and posing for goofy photos you'll cherish forever. read more

The mall is dying and is not clean. It is over half empty now. Most of the good name brand stores are gone. It's a shame how this mall is slowly dying. I am very disappointed this place. read more

best place to go to eat or buy manga love it the stores are amazing great place to go find figurines or collectibles or items of a certain series read more

A girlfriend of mine showed me Kintetsu Mall earlier this year and I instantly fell in love with it! Not that I needed another place to go shopping but hey, YOLO! Great stores, delicious restaurants, book stores, beautiful architecture with a bridge inside and best of all..... delicious crepes! I actually have only been to one of them thus far but my friend has been here more often than I and says they're both equally delicious while different. Well, I guess that gives me one more reason to come visit the mall again ;) Parking is pretty inexpensive as well... a HUGE plus in this city. $2 per hour underneath the mall. read more

it's filled with a bunch of great lil stores with everything your like heart could desire.....ok, almost everything. They got food, they got books, they have cherry blossom festivals, they got art, they comics, they got models, they got more food, they got sake, they got those lil wooden sandals that go *clopclopclop, and indy movie theater, a japanese grocery store and last but not least they have boba. Ok - perhaps they have everything I could desire. If they had a tattoo parlor then it would be almost perfect. ;D read more

Love this place! Great if you want to merch for obscure animes! Also had these cool fuffly bunnies!

Very fun mall!!!! Japanese items, little cafes, bookstores, and you can take the cutest silliest pictures ever!!! Don't forget to drop by the Sanrio, take pictures, go to the On the Bridge café, and just walk around. read more

Nice mall. Good stores. Slightly weird layout. A lot of turnover with restaurants so you may return and find your favorite place gone.

Love this mall so much! It is beautiful and has everything you could need in a well laid out design. Everything is close and it is easy to go in and out quickly. read more