See the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown - San Francisco

Japantown (also known as Little Osaka) is located just a mile from Union Square. The Japantown here is small and encompasses roughly six blocks between Sutter Street and Geary Street. Japantown is an easy walk offers a unique perspective in the Japanese part of San Francisco.

Here you will find a variety of shops, Japanese restaurants and a host of other Japanese treats. The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in April and visitors enjoy Japanese arts and crafts fair, taiko drumming, martial arts, Japanese cooking as well as cooking demonstrations, a grand parade and The Cherry Blossom Queen is crowned. If you can time your visit during this time, it is well worth the effort. The Nihonmachi Street Fair takes place in mid August.

The Japan Center is at the focal point of this colorful area. Be sure to look out for Ruth Asawa’s origami fountains made of wrought iron on the Pedestrian mall. See the Peace Pagoda, an interesting 5 storey structure designed by Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi. The plaza surrounding this structure has Japanese Reflecting pools and is often the site for festivities and other gatherings.

The Kabuki 8 Theater hosts the annual San Francisco Asian American film festival. Also, see the Webster pedestrian bridge which has great views.

Have a massage, enjoy some sushi or have a blast at the Karaoke lounges. Sushi is very popular in San Francisco and Japantown is no exception. Only here you can find some of the best sushi in the city! Come see for yourself…

Visit Japantown for a taste of Japan!