Unique Experiences

Japantown / Japan Center

🌧️Rainy Day Hero🧒Best for Toddlers🎒School-Age Favorite

Japantown

About This Spot

One of only three remaining Japantowns in the US — an indoor mall and surrounding blocks with Japanese restaurants, bakeries, bookstores, anime shops, and cultural experiences. Kids love the mochi, crepes, ramen, and the Kinokuniya bookstore. The Peace Plaza pagoda makes for great photos. Cherry blossom festival in spring is unmissable. A cultural field trip that feels like a mini-trip to Japan.

What to Expect

🏠Indoor Space

🍽️Food Available

🧒Toddler Safe

Planning Notes

💡

Start at the Peace Plaza pagoda for photos, then head inside the Japan Center malls. Kinokuniya bookstore is a must — manga, kids' books, stationery, and Japanese toys. Grab crepes at Sophie's Crepes or mochi at Benkyodo. Ramen shops are great for lunch — kids love slurping noodles. The Cherry Blossom Festival in April is the highlight of the year.

More Planning Notes

•Kinokuniya bookstore is a must — manga, Japanese stationery, kids' books, toys

•Sophie's Crepes and Benkyodo mochi are kid-tested favorites

•Multiple ramen shops for a warm, slurpy lunch

•Peace Plaza pagoda is a great photo spot

•Cherry Blossom Festival in April is the can't-miss annual event

•Japan Center has two connected malls — East and West

•Daiso (Japanese dollar store) is fun for kids — everything is affordable

•Japan Center garage has affordable parking ($2.50/hour)

•Combine with a walk to nearby Fillmore Street

Quick Info

Hours

Most shops 11 AM-7 PM daily (varies by store)

Neighborhood

Japantown

Nearby in Japantown

🦕Japantown

A culturally rich neighborhood with kid-friendly shops, restaurants, and the Jap...