San Francisco Japantown & Kinokuniya

San Francisco's Japantown is the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States, dating back to the late 19th century. Anchored by the iconic Peace Pagoda and the Japan Center Mall, it serves as a vibrant cultural hub. For geeks, the main attraction is the multi-level Japan Center Mall, which houses the legendary Kinokuniya Bookstore, famous for its massive collection of Japanese manga, anime art books, import magazines, and stationery. The mall is also home to specialty anime figure shops, purveyors of character goods, arcade games, and purveyors of authentic Japanese snacks, ramen, and sushi, making it the perfect afternoon getaway for pop-culture tourists.