Japan? Nope, San Francisco.
Marc and I were in Union Square yesterday when the stage there was being readied for what was supposed to be a J Pop Summit concert. It was the first time we had heard of such celebration in San Francisco. After a quick check on the internet, we did see a full schedule for this weekend in different parts of the city.
Marc and I went to join in the fun in Japantown, the epicenter of Japanese culture in the Bay Area.
Was the crowd ever so huge. It didn't surprise us much though since it always gets crowded there each and every time there is an important event. I later realized how significant the Japanese presence is in San Francisco.
Here's a compilation of pictures of places from all over the SFO I have taken over the years and which reminds me of one of my favorite countries in the world. I have been to Japan nine times since 2004 and how I wish I went more often. Gosh, take me there NOW!
The Japanese Flag flying high at the St. Francis Hotel in Union Square (July 21. 2014)
This sea of people is typical in Japantown every time there is a festival or a big to do there. My favorite is the spring festival. That's one event not to be missed in Japantown in the city should you find yourself here. It will transport you to the Land of Edo. (July 19, 2014)
Inside one of the two malls in Japantown. The lines for the different restaurants here stretched from one end of the mall to the other during the J Pop Summit. This reminded me of the crowds in Tokyo Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, heck, in all of Tokyo! (July 19, 2014)
The pagoda in Japantown taken last April 2013
A replica of the Osaka Castle in Japantown taken last April 2013
A mural in one of the Japantown malls. (June 13, 2014)
Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco (2008)
At the Japanese Tea Garden (2008)
A pagoda at the Japanese Tea Garden (2008)
I once read a popular travel blogger name a list of must see's and must do's here. I couldn't believe my eyes when he advised his readers to skip the small garden next to the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. If he meant the Japanese Tea Garden, I beg to disagree. He didn't know what he was talking about. In fact, a visit here should be high on anyone's list. It is a gem. You be the judge.
A gate at the Japanese Tea Garden (2008)
Standing next to a memorial commemorating the arrival of the first Japanese naval ship, Kanrin Maru, last March 17, 1860 in San Francisco.
The plaque explaining the significance of the stone memorial above
The Uniqlo Store along Powell Street taken day after Thanksgiving 2012
Uniqlo, Japan's version of the US' GAP Store has arrived in the US. I was so glad when Uniqlo opened a branch in the Union Square area two years ago. I no longer have to go to Tokyo as often just to buy staples there. Taken summer 2014
Muji, another Japanese retailer, opened a store in SF nearly two years ago.
The MUJI store in the South of Market. I only wished this MUJI opened in a more central location.
If you happen to love Japanese food, Japanese restaurants are everywhere in the city. From Union Square to the Financial District, you will not be short on choices.