The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival presents the Give & Gift fundraiser, an opportunity to shop in Japantown while giving back to small businesses and supporting our Festival at the same time. Pick up gift certificates for select retailers at discounted prices, so you can stretch your dollar further while purchasing gifts for your family, friends, and yourself!
This fundraiser is generously supported by the GAMBARO Project. がんばろう GAMBARO roughly translates to “don’t give up, let’s help one another through adversity.” This project was a charitable response to assist Japantown’s small businesses and nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center (Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California) collaborated with the Japantown Merchants Association to purchase a large sum of gift certificates, which were then donated to community nonprofits like ours for fundraising purposes. We are thankful for the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation for funding this project.
As we celebrate spring and cherry blossom season, it’s perfect timing to dress up your living spaces, share unique gifts, and dine delicious food from our Japantown neighborhood. We invite you to peruse the shopping directory of our participating businesses and pick up gift certificates. We have discounted individual gift certificates for sale, as well as gift packs at a greater discount, while supplies last!
1. Amiko Boutique
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
We all need cute things in our lives, and Amiko has got us covered! Amiko is your boutique for women’s fashion accessories and a great variety of kawaii goods such as Anirollz, Fat Rabbit Farm, Line Friends, Loungefly, Momiji, Pusheen, Sanrio/Hello Kitty, Smoko, and Tokidoki. Shop in store or in their online shop for cute gifts.
1737 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall West)
(415) 931-0988
Mon-Thur 12PM – 5PM
Fri 12PM – 6PM
Sat-Sun 11AM – 6PM
2. Asakichi
Shop $25 / $50 gift certificates at a discount!
Since 1978, Asakichi has been the perfect place to find Japanese antiques and cultural items, including tea ceremony goods, natural incense, kimonos, and cast iron teapots. Asakichi has several stores in the Japantown malls, each carrying different items, so you are bound to find exactly what you are looking for! They also provide a gift wrapping service with washi paper. You may use your gift certificate on any of the three stores.
Main Store: 1737 Post St #365, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall West)
(415) 921-2147
Daily 10:30AM – 6PM
Cast Iron Teapot & Bronze Store: 1730 Geary Blvd #207, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Webster Bridge)
(415) 921-3821
Daily 10:30AM – 6PM
Incense Store: 1730 Geary Blvd #209, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Webster Bridge)
(415) 921-8292
Daily 10:30AM – 6PM
3. ChaTo
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
ChaTo is your one-stop shop for all things tea! This family business partners with small producers of premium Japanese loose leaf teas, matcha powders, and teaware essentials. Shop in person or online to pick up a variety of fragrant teas, chasen tea whisks, cold brew Hario bottles and more. In the spring season, shop their limited edition Sakura Honoka Sencha, loose leaf tea from Shizuoka with the sweet fragrance of sakura!
1825 Post St #230, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Kinokuniya Building)
(415) 771-8840
Tues-Sun 12PM – 5PM
Closed Mon
Photo by @sfchato
4. Glam Up
Shop $25 / $50 gift certificates at a discount!
Glam Up is your best Japanese hair salon in the heart of Japantown; owner Maiko and her stylists will provide you pampered hair styling, coloring, and/or straightening services. View the salon website to gain inspiration for a refreshed hairstyle, then give them a call to tailor your appointment. This salon also validates for Japan Center Garage parking after your hair appointment.
22 Peace Plz #450, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall East)
(415) 441-2484
Call or book an appointment on their website
Tues-Sat 10AM – 6PM
Sun 11AM – 5PM
Closed Mon
Photo by @japancentermalls
5. Japan Video and Media
Shop $25 / $50 gift certificates plus Sakura 360 Anime Fun Packs at a discount!
Since 1984, Japan Video & Media has been the source for anime, samurai, Godzilla & kaijyu, Japanese TV & Korean TV, J-POP & K-pop media and collectible merchandise. Please support this San Francisco Legacy Business, opened and still operated by Takeshi Onishi! Onishi-san also started the Anime Costume Parade as part of our Festival’s Grand Parade in 1999, the first anime parade in the U.S., and will continue this tradition at a future physical parade.
1737 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall West)
(415) 563-5220
Sun-Thu 10:30AM – 6PM
Fri-Sat 10:30AM – 7PM
Photo by @japancentermalls
6. Japantown Collectibles
Shop $50 gift certificates plus Sakura 360 Anime Fun Packs at a discount!
Japantown Collectibles is a classic import toy and hobby store, one of the few left in the Bay Area! They carry vintage and rare model kits and figurines from franchises like Gundam, Pokémon, Robotech, and Transformers. They also carry anime merchandise, board games, plushies, Funko Pops, trading cards, and plenty more collectibles! Follow their Instagram page to see what’s new in stock.
1581 Webster St #190, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Kinokuniya Building)
(415) 563-2970
Daily 12PM – 7PM
7. Katachi
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
Since 2006, Katachi is your #1 source for anime swords in the Bay Area, both decorative and functional! Shop in person or online for swords, machetes, pocket knives, throwing knives, plus a large variety of anime goods like keychains, figurines, face masks, clothing and more! Follow their Facebook and Instagram pages to see the newest items in stock.
1737 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall West)
(415) 931-9822
Mon-Thur 12PM – 6PM
Fri 12PM – 7PM
Sat-Sun 11AM – 7PM
8. Kohshi Master of Scents
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
Soothe your soul with some essential oils and incense from Kohshi Master of Scents, available in store and online. They have the best selection of incense from over 30 different Japanese companies, as well as scented soaps and candles, ceramics and more!
1737 Post St #335, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall West)
(415) 931-2002
Wed-Mon 11AM – 6PM
Closed Tues
Photo by @japancentermalls
9. Paper Tree
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
While affectionately known as “the little Origami Store,” Paper Tree has the largest selection of origami paper worldwide! This family-owned business celebrates its 53rd year in Japantown and houses an origami museum by top international artists. Shop in store or online for origami paper and gifts like handmade cards, handcrafted origami art, incense and accessories! You can also sign up for Linda Mihara’s Free Fold Saturday classes.
Linda began a Hearts for Love community project in support for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Paper Tree received over 7,000 hearts from around the world for their storefront display, and they invite you to share origami hearts on your windows from home.
1743 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Buchanan Mall)
(415) 921-7100
Wed-Mon 11AM – 5PM
Closed Tues
Photo by @papertreesf
10. Sakura Sakura
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
You are bound to find something unique in Sakura Sakura, a boutique that specializes in limited production clothing, jewelry, accessories and more from and inspired by Japan and California! They have face masks with a range of great designs and many accessories like crane earrings, kanzashi hair accessories, sakura fans, and kimono patterned shoelaces.
1737 Post St #363, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall West)
(415) 922-9744
Daily 11AM – 5:30PM
Photo by @sakurasakurasf
11. SaSa Japanese Restaurant
Shop $100 gift certificates at a discount!
SaSa Japanese Restaurant is a premium, innovative dining destination with the traditions of multi-course kaiseki cooking. Owner Chef Weida remarks that “Nigiri means hold, each piece must be made with the chef’s hand. Every single piece of sushi has power and soul in the rice and fish.” We recommend ordering omakase and their newest item, Kaisen don with uni, scallop, ikura, negitoro, snow crab leg, and tiger shrimp.
22 Peace Plaza # 530, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall East)
(628) 600-6945
Daily 12PM – 2PM, 5:30PM – 9PM
Photo by @sasa_sanfrancisco
12. Tokaido Arts
Shop $50 gift certificates at a discount!
Looking for one-of-a-kind artwork to liven up your home? Visit Tokaido Arts for their gallery showcasing Japanese woodblock prints and other fine Asian arts. Browse and shop through a curated selection online with the option for store pickup, and find a larger collection in store! In addition to art prints, you can also shop for some beautiful greeting cards and postcards. Gallery appointments are available to set by phone or email at [email protected] at least one day in advance.
1581 Webster St #202, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Kinokuniya Building)
(415) 567-4390
Wed-Sat 12PM – 6PM
Sun 11AM – 5PM
Appointments Wed-Fri
Photo by @tokaidoarts
13. Uji Time Dessert
Shop $25 gift certificates at a discount!
Uji Time is your dessert cafe for soft serve icecream in crispy taiyaki and waffle cones with fun toppings! Try their hard scoop icecream, mousse cakes, puddings, as well as their newest items, matcha and kinako warabi. Check on their website for their next pop up collaborations, where they invite other local businesses to release special treats!
22 Peace Plz #440, San Francisco, CA 94115 (Japan Center Mall East)
(628) 444-3003
Sun-Wed 12:30PM – 7PM
Thur-Sat 12:30PM – 8:30PM
Photo by @ujitimedessert
Please remember to wear your mask and practice social distancing when you go to Japantown, and check with individual stores for their hours prior to your visit. The store hours are valid as of May 10, 2021. The small businesses in Japantown rigorously follow San Francisco’s health and safety guidelines, so you may safely shop for your gifts.