Your Neighborhood
About Japantown
San Francisco’s Japantown dates back to just after 1906. It is
one of three Japantown’s in the United States and is also the largest and
oldest. In its six-city-block area includes shops, restaurants, and small
businesses that represent both the old and new Japanese culture. Japantown offers
Japanese-oriented retail, restaurants, and cultural centers; and is adjacent to
the vibrant retail and entertainment district on Fillmore Street and Pacific Heights.
History
The Japantown neighborhood was established by Japanese immigrants who moved to San Francisco following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. By World War II, it was one of the largest areas of Japanese residents, but was decimated when Japanese Americans were interned during WWII, leaving many parts of the neighborhood abandoned. After the war, a few Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants returned with the support of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, the Japanese Government, and Japanese companies. Today, Japantown is a vibrant and harmoniously integrated community in San Francisco.Nearby Parks
- Lafayette Park
- Jefferson Square
- Alta Plaza Park
- Raymond Kimball Playground
Neighborhood Dining Spots
Things To Do
- Kabuki Springs & Spa
- Japan Center shopping
- Kabuki Theatre
- Peace Pagoda
- Cherry Blossom Festival (April)
Neighborhood Watering Holes
About Katsura
The Katsura Apartments were built in the mid-1970s by Theodore Lee, who was part of the early redevelopment of Japantown, and named after the Katsura Imperial Gardens in Kyoto. Recently remodeled and upgraded, Katsura has 42 apartment units with studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. All units have patios or balconies, and the building offers on-site secured garage parking, laundry facilities, an Amazon Hub for package deliveries, and an outdoor roof deck.