Top 5 Things to Do in Japantown San Francisco

Kevin and I lived in San Francisco for several years before making the big move to Los Angeles. Truth be told, we had a tough time adjusting to LA after enjoying San Francisco’s incomparable food scene and its walkable bliss.

Clearly, things worked out for us in LA. But hey, the weather in sunny SoCal certainly helped! And it’s not like we don’t get back to San Francisco often. Before we got married, our friends even organized a gay bachelor party — naturally — in San Francisco where we took in breathtaking hikes and even did a pole dancing class. Move over J-Lo! There are new Hustlers in town.

Love Japanese culture, shopping and sushi? Well, you might have found your next new spot to explore in San Francisco. On our latest trip we explored Japantown, a neighborhood that is one of the city’s most walkable and entertaining districts. So follow us along on our latest journey where we compiled the top 5 things to do in Japantown San Francisco. But first…

How Much Time Does it Take to Tackle the Top 5 Things to Do in Japantown San Francisco?

Great question. We recommend spending at least a full day here. There are plenty of shops to explore, restaurants and spas all within a short walk. But you won’t want to rush it. If you end up getting your fill of Japantown, we recommend walking up Fillmore Street to explore Pacific Heights, one of San Francisco’s swankiest neighborhoods (and where we used to live).

Sure, Japantown might not be on the top of San Francisco’s tourist list. But you might be ready for a break from all the T-shirt shops of Fisherman’s Wharf. Trust us.

5. Lounge in a Comfy Chair with Fresh-Brewed Tea or Coffee

As anyone who knows us (or reads this blog), there isn’t a comfy coffee shop that we can’t pass up! I guess it isn’t much of a surprise that Kevin and I actually met at a coffee shop. If you’re looking for good coffee, tea and free Wifi, look no further than YakiniQ Cafe. Not only is it comfortable, but there are plenty of cute shops to explore just steps away. You know, very important for me whenever Kevin hits the 5 hour mark on his laptop and I start getting stir crazy. It isn’t the easiest spot to locate — in fact, we had the actual address and walked past the door about 3 times.

The outside might not look like much — and is easy to miss — but inside you’ll find mismatched chairs and plenty of places to plug in and get some work done. Or work on that next blog post.

4. Chow Down on Some Wild and Tasty Desserts

Japantown was basically made for me. Besides lounging in coffee shops and shopping, my other hobbies include eating at every bakery known to man. Thank god online dating wasn’t a thing when Kevin and I met, because I think my profile would scare just about ANYONE. Looks like you’re stuck with me Kevin. Japantown has no shortage of bakeries. And trust me, you haven’t lived until you stop for a treat at Mochill Mochi Donut.

I don’t even like donuts, but have to admit that they taste a lot better to me as mochi (a Japanese rice cake). And don’t they always say rice cake is super healthy? Okay, maybe the donut cancels that all out! But don’t stop there. Japantown is loaded with other dessert options, including one of my absolute favorite desserts called Taiyaki (a Japanese fish-shaped cake). Get them topped with ice cream at Uji Time Dessert.

If you’re not full of dessert yet (I mean, there is always room for dessert, right?). Head to Yasukochi’s Sweet Shop, one of Japantown’s hidden gems, for a slice of its famed coffee crunch cake. The bakery is located inside a Japanese grocery store. Just walk in and make a hard right and purchase a slice for just $5. Kevin doesn’t even like coffee but nearly ate the entire slice himself.

3. Shop for the Perfect Gift That Won’t Break the Bank

You’ve found your shopping haven inside Japantown. It’s here where you’ll find everything you never thought you’d possibly want to buy (but will feel tempted) — from towering Buddha statues to panda keychains. The Miyako shopping plaza is packed full of cute little gift shops including Shiki, which offers authentic Japanese ceramic plates, bowls and tea sets. Looking for a gift that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Japanese-chain store Daiso, which is like the Family Dollar Store, Japanese style. Most items are less than $10-20 dollars and soon you may be walking out with Hello Kitty earmuffs and not even sure how that happened. Okay, not talking from personal experience here…

2. Grab Fresh Sushi From a Train

So maybe you want an actual meal in Japantown besides desserts. It’s probably best to get your lunch or dinner before going crazy with the mochi donuts and all the treats Japantown has a lot to offer. You’ll find ramen, sushi and even Okonomiyaki (a specialty pancake from Hiroshima made with sauces, spaghetti and cheese). It’s really like being back in Japan and you basically can find about every item on our list of 10 Essential Foods to Try in Japan. We’ve eaten at many spots in Japantown but Hikari Sushi Bar was one of the best and is not some ordinary sushi restaurant.

The twist is that every dish is delivered by a Japanese bullet train. Pretty much every table was packed with kids. Well, except for our table — with 3 grown men waiting for a train to deliver our sushi. But seriously, I loved it so much. I wish all my sushi was delivered by train. Each booth has a touch screen that you can order with a tap of a finger. Be careful though — it’s easy to order too much, especially if you have several people ordering at once. Every dish is delivered individually by the train that comes chugging down the line and even whistles.  Besides sushi, we highly recommend the katsu chicken with curry. And it was delivered within minutes by a bullet train. What will they think of next?

1. Soak in a Traditional Japanese Spa

And our top favorite spot in Japantown? It easily goes to the Kabuki Spa, a relaxing oasis right in the heart of San Francisco. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to one of Japan’s traditional bath houses with it’s hot pools, steam rooms and relaxation rooms. Besides lounging around, you can book spa treatments like facials, massages and even a private herbal bath if you’re not into the communal thing. When Kevin and I visited Japan a few years back, one of our favorite things to do was unwind in one of their many community baths. In Japan, it’s a way of life and in many areas, it’s for just locals looking to unwind and relax. Kabuki takes it to a whole new level and makes it a high-end spa experience.

The baths are open for women only Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and open to men Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tuesdays are co-ed. Bathing suits are required on Tuesdays.  To access just the bath, it’s $30 per person. And if you’re doing a spa treatment like a massage, it’s just $15 extra on top of your treatment.

And there you have it! Enjoy your next trip walking through San Francisco — and don’t feel too guilty about all that great food you’ve been eating. I’m always amazed how many steps I end up clocking. Looking for other ideas for San Francisco? Maybe something a little romantic? In that case, be sure to check out the top 5 unique and cheap things to do on a date in San Francisco. Is rain in the forecast? Welcome to San Francisco. In this case, we recommend our rainy day survival guide to San Francisco. Have a few more days to explore? We highly recommend a trip to Napa and reading our guide on how to spoil yourself silly.