| Cultural center/shopping mall (no kidding!) in San Francisco Nihonmachi. The area around it used to be the center of the local Japanese community, but many of those moved after they returned from relocation camps in World War II. However, the Japan Center itself remains the focus point. It's very large, though not particularly nice to look at. It includes a Peace Pagoda, a movie theater (the Kabuki 8), a zillion Japanese restaurants, some assorted other restaurants and bakeries, a Kinokuniya and Kinokuniya Stationery, antique shops, kimono stores, gift shops, countless Print Club photo sticker booths, an ikebana association with displays, and lots of other stuff. It's a great place to shop and wander-- and eat. (Just avoid the Benihana, for crying out loud.) |
