Grant's
San Francisco
Travel Guide

The Neighborhoods of San Francisco - Japantown

After its destruction in the 1906 earthquake, Japantown was re-established at its new location, bounded by Post, Geary, Laguna and Fillmore streets.

At the heart of Japantown is Japan Center, a large complex of restaurants, shops, theaters and hotels. Shopping here offers Japanese goods, groceries, music, books, art and much more.

Events

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri) is held in Japantown for two weekends each April. It is a festival to welcome the spring and became a tradition in the U.S. after Japan sent thousands of cherry trees to be planted in Washington D.C. in 1912 as a gesture of friendship.

The Bon Festival is held on the first weekend of August. It is one of the most important Japanese holidays. Bon (or Obon) involves the ritual of welcoming ones ancestors back to this world. Traditionally a variety of foods are offered in order to gain their ancestors repose.