I knew about Chinatown but I didn’t realize we had a Japantown in San Francisco as well. I found the Japantown almost by accident as I was driving to a different location and happened to see the big pagoda. I decided to go back and check it out. Turns out it is one of only three Japantowns left in the United States!
The Japantown Peace Plaza was donated by the city of Osaka, Japan, San Francisco’s sister city, in the 1960s. The large statue is an eternal flame monument.
There is another statue at the entrance to the plaza. It has some wonderful carvings depicting the immigration of Japanese to the US.
There are also some areas to sit and enjoy the scenery.
On either side of the plaza are the East and West Malls and across the street is a mall with restaurants and shops. We have eaten at the Benihana there once. It was delicious of course.
You might think that the Japanese Tea Garden is located in Japantown but you’d be wrong.
It is in Golden Gate Park and unfortunately the day I picked to do my exploring was a Sunday and it was very crowded. Plus, I was by myself so I couldn’t even have my husband drop me off and go around the block while I took the pictures, so this is what I got. It does look like the coloring page though.
It is the oldest public Japanese Garden in the United States, built as part of the Worlds Fair SF had in 1894, slightly before my time – LOL.
I’m sorry I don’t have more pictures to show you. You’ll just have to come to SF and check it out! Only $6 for non-resident seniors!
And so we start the second full week of the A to Z. Are you with me so far?
Disclaimer notice. The coloring book pages are from the inserts the San Francisco Chronicle put out and I mentioned them in my theme reveal so you can go to that to get the info about the artists if you are interested. I did the coloring and took the pictures.
Janet's Smiles 
I’m kind of amazed that Japantown is so unknown yet we chose a hotel there from the other side of the world because it was off the tourist trail.
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It was very interesting to visit the area.
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Some lovely houses in the surrounding area too if you wander round the streets.
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I’m so glad you included these! We stayed at JapanTown just across from the pagoda but our #1 favourite place in San Francisco was the Japanese Garden…we just loved it to bits! It has stirred up an urge to visit Japan.
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I don’t know about going all the way to Japan but I think going to the gardens again when I can get out and walk around would be fun.
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I’m exactly the same – know and have been to Chinatown but not Japantown. Will have to rectify that some day. I’m confident there’s a sushi place?
Just realized that in my city (Zurich, Switzerland) there’s a China Garden, but no Japan Garden. There is, however, a tiny Bonsai Garden next to a public park.
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-z-2021-kill-two-birds-with-one-stone.html
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Pretty sure you could find sushi. I know Benihana has it!
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Those certainly are really good carvings
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They really were impressive, Derrick.
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A Japanese garden? How wonderful – you’re so lucky! I hope you get to enjoy it properly sometime soon.
A-Zing from Fiction Can Be Fun
Normally found at Debs Despatches
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Yes, fortunately we can go in the middle of the week when it is not too crowded.
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What a fun find. I have never heard of a Japantown in any city. Weekends In Maine
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It was a happy accident!
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Another wonderful treasure in your city. Thanks for clearing it up that you didn’t attend the 1894 World’s Fair. 😉
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LOL you know Ally, occasionally I feel really old, but not THAT old!
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Japantown is a new one on me. Not that it’s a bad idea…
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I guess since there are only 3 in the United States, it makes sense that not many people have heard of them. It was a pretty peaceful spot, of course it was early in the morning too.
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Oooooo I love these pictures!! And love Japanese gardens!! So beautiful!
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Thanks T! Another one of those places I have to go back to.
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Most definitely!!
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