While locals enjoy San Francisco's Japantown, visitors often miss it. That's unfortunate; because there are treasures to be discovered there. Whether your interests are shops, museums, relaxation, entertainment or cultural enlightenment, Japantown is well worth some time on your schedule.
This five-acre complex has a variety of shops and restaurants. It is also home to the Miyako Hotel, Kabuki Springs & Spa and a multiplex cinema. The center's Peace Pagoda, located at the Peace Plaza, was designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi to express the goodwill and friendship of the Japanese people. If you're in the mood to browse, the Japan Center mall is perfect. Look for meditation cushions, Japanese furniture and other interior design elements, Japanese cookware, kimonos, exquisite papers, stationery, toys, souvenirs and gifts in a wide range of prices. Enjoy tasty Japanese food at one of the restaurants. Afterward, be sure to try green tea ice cream; it's delicious and refreshing.
Japan Center
Geary Street between Fillmore and Laguna
San Francisco, California 94115
(415) 922-6776
Kabuki Springs & Spa is a favorite among locals. Based on traditional Japanese bathing facilities, it offers massages and communal baths in a serene environment. Visitors will find seated baths, a hot tub, cold plunge, steam room and sauna. After the baths, guests can relax further with a Shiatsu or Swedish massage. Facials, body wraps, other body treatments and acupuncture are also available. Complimentary body polish and other bath products are provided. The facilities are open just for women on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Men have the baths to themselves on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Tuesday, when bathing suits are mandatory, is open to everyone.
Kabuki Springs & Spa
1750 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, California 94115
(415) 922-6000
http://www.kabukisprings.com
There is plenty to fascinate (and educate) children and adults in San Francisco's Exploratorium. The museum houses over 400 interactive exhibits that provide adventures in art, human perception and science. The Exploratorium is visually exciting, with blinking lights and changing, three-dimensional exhibits. Visitors might easily find themselves spending the whole day exploring the sights, challenges and fun of the Exploratorium.
Exploratorium
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, California
(415) 561-0360
http://www.exploratorium.edu
Are you visiting San Francisco in April? Your trip might coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival. The exact dates change from year to year, but there's always a vibrant two-weekend celebration. Each year, over 200,000 people attend the Cherry Blossom Festival. You'll find a lively street fair with a food bazaar, Japanese arts and crafts, children's village and demonstrations of Japanese cooking. The entertainment includes Japanese dance, taiko drummers and martial arts demonstrations. The festival concludes with a colorful parade that begins at the Civic Center and ends at Japantown.
Here you'll find a vast array of Japanese books, magazines and DVDs. In fact, this is the largest collection of Japanese-language books in San Francisco. If you only read English, that's not a problem. Kinokuniya has a fine and famous selection of English-language books about Japan and its culture. Among the shelves, you'll discover Asian magazines, CDs and DVDs.
Kinokuniya Bookstore
Kinokuniya Building
1581 Webster St.
San Francisco, California
(415) 567-7625
