San Francisco's Asian Experience

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San Francisco is a city rich in Asian history and culture. Visiting any city is always unique and exciting, but San Francisco is truly an intercultural experience. San Francisco offers a variety of ways in which you can experience this culture first hand.

Chinatown

Chinatown is full of beautiful architecture, culture, and history. It takes up eight blocks and consists of two long main streets. As you enter through the dragon crested Chinatown Gate you discover the treasures that await. One of the most popular attractions in Chinatown is shopping. There are many stores and shops featuring a wide variety of different items from ancient herbs and recipes, to soaps and perfumes, traditional clothing, and so much more. Authentic Chinese cuisine is also a major highlight of Chinatown. With some of the best restaurants featuring authentic dishes, you'll be sure not to leave hungry. In addition to the food and shopping, the architecture of Chinatown is amazing and features many beautiful buildings, streets and hidden alleys. A trip to Chinatown is a true experience, with tons of shops, restaurants, and attractions it is a unique adventure.

Japantown

Though smaller than Chinatown, this area is certainly not to be missed. Japantown takes up about six blocks in the Western Addition of San Francisco. The heart of Japantown is the Japan Center which is a huge complex featuring many restaurants, shops, theatres, and sushi bars. Standing in the middle of the two halves of the Japan Center is a three-story white pagoda which is a symbol of eternal peace. Webster Bridge is also a highlight of Japantown, with it's architecture inspired by traditional Japanese pedestrian walkways. Japantown is also home to the Kinokuniya Bookstore which is a famous Japanese chain. Japantown will remind you of a traditional Japanese Village with great shopping and traditional food, this is an experience you won't soon forget.

Little Saigon

With over 250 Vietnamese-owned businesses, this area on Larkin Street is known as Little Saigon. In addition to the many Vietnamese shops and restaurants, Little Saigon is home to the annual Tet Festival.

Asian Art Museum

With over 15,000 pieces in its collection, the Asian Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the western world that focuses solely on Asian Art. The museum strives to help the world discover and honor Asian art and culture.

San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

This yearly event is dedicated to screening Asian American and Asian films and also honors and showcases the talents of the many Asian American and Asian filmmakers who submit their works.

Chinese Culture Center

The Chinese Culture foundation was designed to promote, preserve, and influence Chinese American culture and offers a wide range of unique cultural events, such as exhibitions of art and performances of Chinese opera and dance.

Japanese Tea Garden

Located in Golden Gate Park, this is the oldest Japanese style garden in the United States. Here you can enjoy many different views from the paths and bridges in a pristine and peaceful setting. Flowering cherry trees, camellias, Japanese maples, and dwarf pines are among the many sites to be enjoyed at the Japanese Tea Garden.

These are just a few ways that you can experience and enjoy the many Asian cultures that have made San Francisco the city it is today.

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