A Japantown GEM!!!!! Been going there for years! Amazing family owned business! You can spend a lot of time discovering treasures throughout the store. My kitchen is filled with their products...from rice bowls, chopsticks to my rice cooker. Love this place read more

Nice little hardware store with a lot of Japanese items in Japan Town the owners were super friendly and we talked story about how they had relatives in Hawai'i on both Oahu and Maui I would love to visit them again read more

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When I tell you they have everything... I came out with a ball of twine, a "world's best scraper" ($.50), incense, a phone charger, a carabiner and a lucky cat statue! And that's barely the surface of all the useful and beautiful items they have. Staff was so kind and friendly, helped us when we needed it several times. Loved seeing the rainbow sticker on the door that means we are welcome! read more

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Did you know this is the oldest hardware shop in Japantown? You definitely need to come here. The service is incredible. The value is awesome. We love getting Asian vegetable seeds for our garden. Love looking at the beautiful knives in kitchen sets you can get here. I definitely recommend it if you're in the area. read more

It was nice to pop in this hardware shop which has a variety of items. Including kitchenware, containers, pots, spoons and so many things.

Quick take: unassuming name (my 600th review) This place does sell hardware supplies. But if you walk into the shop it's much more than the name implies. A lot of household goods, home decor, and gifts. We needed a specific size tea strainer. We found the strainer at the store. Lots of cute items for gift ideas. read more

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I live a million miles away from San Francisco but every time I visit I make it a point to visit Soko Hardware. The basement is filled with treasures like ceramics, fancy chopsticks, special kitchen items, and more. And, there's a stop on my way to or from the de Young! read more

Horrible customer service. I was there two weeks ago to buy a sink drain cover. I didn't know what size I needed so I asked the employee (while I was buying) what their return policy was. They said I could return with the receipt and if not opened. So I bought two different sizes. I go in today, about 4 minutes from closing, and the guy wearing the industrial strength mask already has the closed sign up and is visibly irritated and states that he is locking the doors in 150 seconds (really, WTH!?!). So I tried to return it and he tries to give me store credit for 6 dollars to a place I never go. I tried to argue with him for a refund but he wouldn't budge. (Apparently it's on the receipt that they don't give cash refunds but I wanted it charged back). They should have said the return would only be for store credit and I would never have bought two. read more

Having had lived in San Francisco is my younger years, I never thought of paying a visit to this spot until some friends wanted to stop by. And I'm glad I did, because this is a pretty cool store. Walking in, you'll feel like you're taken aback in time and into one of those classic hardware stores, feeling like you're in an era when your parents or grandparents may have operated this shop. There's a street level and basement level for goods, and most of the items will be in the basement. Once there, you'll find lots of tea sets, ceramic plates, knives collections, traditional Japanese banners, and so on. Really random stuff here. It's not like an ACE hardware store, but lighter home hardware that you wouldn't find elsewhere. Worth a visit if you're in the area. Maybe you'll find something cute for gifts or for yourself. read more

11.13.25 - fyi, this store no longer sharpens knives. stopped there today and was told they do not.

I love downstairs. This is so much more than a hardware store. I got the most beautiful soup bowls. I always find something when I'm just going for something small. Love it here! read more

I always find something cool/needed here. Great for sometimes harder to find older tools like a dual small hammer/screw driver etc to contemporary Japanese kitchen gadgets. Nice selection of straight forward leathercare products and brands like Toyo toolboxes in various sizes. Easily one of my top 3 hardware stores in the city. read more

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** For Review #5,400, I have to hand it to my peeps and pay tribute to a hardware store that's been run by the same family in J-Town for an astonishing 95 years. Why, I'm talking of Soko Hardware, of course, on the corner of Post and the cobblestone section of Buchanan opposite the Peace Plaza. What makes it special is the variety of merchandise they have beyond the hardware and appliances downstairs. In certain ways. It reminds me of my favorite chain store in Japan. That would be Tokyu Hands, because of all the Japanese housewares, art pieces, and other imports. As a struggling college student, I purchased a magenta flower vase for my mom at Soko, and then years later, I recall buying a couple of colorful fabric pieces with traditional block prints that I had framed. Still saw them there. They continue to operate during the pandemic, and I ended up coming here for some batteries, a teapot, and conversation. The Ashizawa family is here to help you. RELATED - Here's a collection of my previous milestone reviews: https://bit.ly/3aEIvyO read more

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I got some Hokusai items. I got a cup, bag, etc. Hadn't been to this hardware store gift shop in Japantown.

I've been following the @sf_japantown Instagram page for a while and loved how they post about the family-owned small businesses in the center! This is how I came across Soko Hardware. I have to admit that out of all the times I've visited Japantown, not once have I checked out this store. Probably because of the word "Hardware", I thought this place would be like a small Home Depot. I had planned to check out this store on my first visit back to Japantown since covid. I went straight for the sake vessels and cups to buy as a birthday gift for my dad. I loved how there were items of all price points and for all budgets. My selection was only $11 for the vessel and $2 for the sake cup. There was an array for colors and designs that it was hard picking just one! I didn't get to browse the store too much due to time constraint but from what I saw, there was a good selection of DIY supplies, home decor, plates and utensils, and hardware of course. A young man was helping us at the cash register and was very nice. He wrapped up our purchases in newspaper very securely so that they wouldn't break. It does seem a little awkward in the store because there's no background music and everything is so quiet but that doesn't deter me from coming back. read more

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Wonderful varied selection! Japanese dishes, gardening supplies, household items, beautiful lacquerware! Excellent nail clippers. A thrilling store. read more

Dad was puzzled why I hauled him into a hardware store with squeals of glee, but Soko has been the BEST source for Asian housewares for as long as I can remember. The selection of affordable porcelain bowls and adorable chopstick rests outclasses everywhere else: I have longed for Soko through 15 years of living in other states. If I were equipping a home from scratch, I would start here, as they also have all the normal household basics that keep your dishes tidy and your plumbing moving. read more

桑港 or So-ko/mulberry harbour was the pre 20th century Japanese name for San Francisco so some of the old school Japanese American establishments still bear So-ko somewhere in their names. Keep an eye out for 加州 Kashu- since it's the old school name for California. So-ko Hardware over time seems to have evolved into a variety store-Japanese gift shop. So now I can buy garden tools as well as artful Japanese ceramics, Fudè/Japanese calligraphy brushes, traditional carpenter's tools. Only things I didn't see were plumbing & electrical parts. Yelper Jim W. bought a bamboo fountain while I got a tree branch saw from Japan which looks as though it can cut through petrifed wood since Japanese blades are famous for their sharpness & cutting ability. There are so many things to peruse on both floors that an hour can easily go by, and there's always something needed for the house that you can find there. read more

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I bought great stuff here, including souvenirs, when I lived in SF many years ago. Located in Japanese trade center, many other shops worth visiting, and great sushi restaurants, across the street. read more

This is one of the finest hardware stores in the Bay Area! I love the classic stock and the addition of fine Japanese tools. They don't have lumber and stuff, mostly kitchenware, tools, knives, saws. read more

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This place is perfect, it have been owned by the same family for 80 years. Friendliest people, a bunch of amazing little goodies you can find like these imported paper lamps, frames etc.. please go if you ever visit Japan town this is a total jewel with amazing prices read more

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There's no store really like this so it's really in a class by itself. If there were room on the front, a more appropriate name would be Soko Nissei Housewares, Hardware and Gifts, then I would have understood what I was walking into. My brother lives in the outer reaches of the Bay Area but would have to shop here for much of what they have in here isn't found in one store elsewhere. Nice selection of home decor items from Japan and in accordance with Japanese-American and Nipponophile tastes. Lots of stuff I want for my house in Milwaukee but weight and size make traveling back by plane unaffordable. They actually do have hardware, both the more common stuff but also some specifically Japanese related hardware and tools. Fun place just to stop in and look around, but the one problem is somewhat erratic hours. read more

Soko Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

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They have nik-naks, plates, cookware, vacuum cleaners, and when I say nik naks I mean various sorts of clay animal banks to put your coins in whatever they are. Key chains and keys. It sure isn't the average hardware store. read more

Art supplies and a tea pot is what I walked out with! No nails or hammers this time! My friends and I were shopping the mall and I remembered Soko! I've been here before when I worked up the street and have good memories of the area. Soko has been around forever! read more

OPEN DURING THE PANDEMIC. First time here and really enjoyed it. I really appreciate the mask policy, because, well, covid. I personally know someone who was pregnant and got covid and she ended up getting an emergency c section and put on a ventilator. I wear my mask PROPERLY and (shocker) EVERYONE was really nice and pleasant. Kriss' review is dumb af. The staff was super nice, the bowls I got were great, and I want to come back for a knife. Affordable too. Support your local mom and pops stores! read more

I have searched every hardware store for a high-quality made pick hammer from Nor Cal to So Cal and I just couldn't find what I wanted not until I visited Soko Hardware. The pick hammer I want and need was clearly displayed in a glass cabinet. Before purchasing my pick hammer, I began shopping for another rice paddle. I also checked the prices for cooking appliances. Soko Hardware is reasonably priced and I am very satisfied with all my purchases. read more

Soko Hardware - Soko Hardware at 1698 Post: Extreme Wide Angle View of Store Location & Landmarks - Hardware Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been here many times buying fun items. This visit seemed like they were out of many items and very unfriendly. Maybe she was having a bad day. Will stay away for now. read more

AWESOME place for souvenir or house supply shopping. Forget the silly souvenir shops. Not many places in the South carry kokeshi dolls and Japanese masks. It's Christmas season, so if you got some Japanimaniac friends, you really should stop by here. Especially since things are pretty affordable here. (We're not in San Francisco anymore, Toto, are we?) Plenty of cheap knickknacks for gifts and stuff around the home. Other stuff they carry include sushi dishes, tea sets, tabi socks for your geta slippers, charms to hang on your keychain or rearview mirror, good luck kitties, kitchen knives, and of course, tools (it's a HARDWARE store! Duh!), and other stuff. read more

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Years have passed since I bought my water bottle, its the best investment for someone who is poor, I use it for my main heat, as I am too poor to pay for heat and I cannot burn wood. Each time I use it, I am so grateful, as it is my temp due to my illness is bordering on hypothermia, and this bottle keeps my toes warm, then when they are warm I move it up to my belly and warm my hands, so it has made my life manageable. read more

We come here every so often through the years and it's always a pleasant experience. They have a limited supply of everything that a typical hardware store carries but geared towards more of a Japanese home. I swear if you are looking for a certain Japanese item, look here first! They are located across the street from Japantown and if you compare prices, Soko is significantly less on certain items. In my case, I was on the hunt for a new teapot, my mom uses hers daily and she wanted a new one because the handle had worn down. So I came here, and much to my surprise, they sold teapots and separate handles. So I, being economical, I bought two handles, one of each size. Come to find out, my mom no longer had her teapot?!? Argh! The girl at the counter was understanding when I came back to return the handles, and she deducted the handles and I walked out with a new teapot for mom. The teapot was much less expensive than what I would find back home or across the street at Japantown at the specialty stores. read more

Been here many times so I thought it's time to review. Over the past few months I have bought from this store a takoyaki maker, rice cooker, tape measure, sharpening stone, and drill and screw bits. There's definitely a few items I bought here that have yet to remember. Overall 5 stars and I'll be back should I need something else. read more

Eunice helped us find EVERYTHING we need and was extremely knowledgeable about all of the products in the store. Plus her hair is amazing!!!!!! read more

Solo Hardware is a great mix of both practical and fun. We were also able to copy keys here for very cheap.

Nice selection and staff. The staff explained the pros and cons of the different rice cookers on display, helped us choose the one that best fit our needs, and advised against a more expensive model that had features we didn't need. read more

I've been shopping at Soko Hardware since I moved to SF in 1985. Not all that often, but at least a couple of times a year, when I needed something that only they would carry. Five stars for Soko Hardware's selection of uncommon hardware and household items. Minus a star for customer service, and minus another for inconvenient opening hours. The customer service thing has been a problem for as long as I can remember. The staff ranges from pleasant to sullen. I get that they've had to deal with people from "the 'hood" coming in and causing problems; I've been there when a group of school kids came in, were making a lot of noise and being boisterous, and the man (the owner?) at the front counter told them to leave. It must be difficult to mediate those situations. But rather than allowing that to temper the way they interact with customers like my wife and I, who are obviously not troublemakers, it would be nice if they either followed Japanese tradition and greeted everyone with a hearty "irasshaimase!", or like many American stores do, with a friendly "hello". Instead, they seem to do neither. Other than the chattering of a couple of the staff (with each other) downstairs, it's always weirdly quiet in there. The inconvenient opening hours are nearly a deal-breaker for me. I resent Discount Builders' Supply closing at 6pm when Brownie's stays open 'til 7, Cliff's stays open 'til 8, and the big box hardware stores stay open 'til 10! But 5:30? Absurd! And what is a hardware store thinking, being closed on Sundays?! That is the day when most Americans are working on household projects, and many of them will need to get something from the store for those. If they have to close one day a week, close on Mondays, but NOT Sundays! I can think of no other hardware store ANYWHERE that's closed on Sundays. If Soko Hardware stayed open until *at least* 6pm, was open on Sundays, and their staff was welcoming to people who look like customers, they would be my favorite independent hardware store, and they would probably be considerably more successful. But until then . . . read more

#34/2016 I can't believe I've never written a review for this fine hardware - and so much more - store. Two stories of many things you'd need for around the house and kitchen, be it odd-sized lightbulbs and metal broiler pans; flower and herb seeds and apartment sized-vacuums; sake containers with matching cups. Plates, bowls, excellent knives at every price point; woks, food storage containers, cast iron tea pots, spider ladles, bamboo steam baskets and serving plates. And you can get a key made while you shop! Shop Soko Hardware and watch those little errands get quickly scratched off your list. They keep a close eye on prices on Amazon so you're going to get competitive pricing plus shop locally at a fine SF mom 'n' pop- and get instant, total gratification. No refunds, only store credit so shop wisely. That said, you'll always find something useful to buy that you actually need and use daily from Soko Hardware. I love this store. read more

Amazing hardware store on two floors, the basement is lots bigger then the first floor. it is located across post from Japan Center's Peace Plaza with the big structure. Once you get inside you will find most of what you expect at a hard ware store, paint, hardware, Japanese downspout chains...they have a good selection of the chains. They also have Paper lanterns, Origami paper, dragon wind socks, all kinds of asian dishes, cast iron teapots and an amazing kitchen gadget area with Items I haven't found elsewhere (silicon gadgets for the kitchen in great variety, plastic silverware that looks like the good stuff...) They also have some amazing tools from japan for bonsai and gardening to home repairs. It is amazing the blend of stuff they have...I can gush all day but you should see it for yourself, the prices are great for what they are selling. In summery I always have to keep reminding myself I have to pack for my flight home all that I buy to limit myself here. read more

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-Obstructional Return Policy. -Misusing description "Damaged" and "Used" when product brought back for store credit only after 2 days of purchase. -Twisting the fact to over-protect their return policy that wasn't informed at purchased. -Avoiding you from talking to their manager. -Poor communication between staff. -Attitude Bought a water fountain device, tested it this morn. Device is good but water splashes out of the fountain, hoping to use my store credit as promised, plus adding $10 to buy a bigger device from them, I returned to soko 1pm. Had the receipt, all the parts and packages Unhelpful lady staff had poor, stiff, rigid judgement about not being able to offer store credit as the device has water mark on it (which Will dry out and disappear in short while) She kept refering it as a case of "damage and used" I objectively believe very few people plan to "use" the water fountain for 2 days and return to the store. I see these 2 days more a "test period" NOT a usage. Certainly No damage. Being stubbornly assertive, she stared me right in the eye very aggressively. Telling me I should have known if the size was right immediately. It felt like an interrogation. I explained I needed to put water in to see if it splashes the floor wet. I reasoned with her she said she'd get a second opinion with a colleague upstairs, whom later confessed to me that his judgment of deciding not to agree on offering store credit, was pressured by the lady staff's colored influence. I asked for the manager she said she doesn't know when he's back. Suggesting I had to just randomly come back in & out to see if the manager is around if I get lucky. Other young lady staff near by interfered by sayin" The manager will not be available. He had family business to deal with" (with an attitude implying get out my store and that I couldn't argue with family business) No one cares to take my phone number, so they could call me when the manager is back. They'd rather have me making the effort to keep checking in all day I guess. Avoiding having to have further interaction with intimidating lady staff, I asked Erin the staff upstairs of her name so I could refer the case better when I talk to the manager. He said: "Go down and ask for her name yourself "What's your name!?" I walked out of Soko trembling. Between choices of getting my store credit, or writing a long yelp review and never return? I choose to reveal that this is not my usual encounter with a Japanese business. Good selection of products tho. I guess the staff can handle being friendly on a superficial level providing it's a simple routine transactions/inquiries. Beyond that they don't want to deal with the complication and help. I give up wanting to have dialogs with the manager tho he might be a nice person. I do know the above contradicts the Japanese business etiquette value. read more

Soko Hardware - Can you see any water mark or damage guys? - Hardware Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been going to Soko Hardware as long as I can remember. I stopped in today to look for Kamenoko Tawashi, which they had in three sizes. I was also able to snag some heavy duty hooks and a steamer insert for my donabe. The employees are always super friendly and are knowledgeable about the product and their assortment. The products cover so many different categories, from housewares, to hardware, to tableware, and little decorative home stuff, amongst other things. 10/10 recommend and hope they stick around for years to come. read more

We searched high and low for a standard, large dish rack (sorry I read that Rubbermaid redesigned their old fashioned wired racks and the feedback was just awful). After combing through BBB, Ichiban Kan and Daiso, we broke down and ran into Soko as a last ditch resort. Boy are we glad we came! We made a beeline downstairs to the home goods department and we found porcelain soup spoons for 55 cents each! That's right! Their spoons are cheaper than Kamei's and Ichiban Kan/Daiso!!! We also found our large plastic dish rack for $10. Service was great and the lady who rang us up was nice too. Folks, this store is the Japanese sister of Ginn Wall, minus the dust! Definitely come here and check it out. Some of their stuff is cheaper than the J-town dollar stores! read more