The first Japanese arrived in San Francisco -- or Soko as they called it -- in the 1860s, laying the foundation of the oldest Japanese community in the continental United States. For the most part they lived in Chinatown and in neighborhoods south of Market Street, including South Park and the area near what is now the Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre.  When the 1906 fire destroyed their homes, they began to move to an area in the heart of the City, just west of Van Ness Avenue and only a mile from Union Square.  It was here that Japantown was born.  The new residents built churches and shrines, and opened typically Japanese shops and restaurants.  The neighborhood began to take on a very Japanese character and before long a miniature ginza burgeoned in this quarter.

Now, more than 100 years later, Japantown still is a vibrant community where you'll discover:

• scores of restaurants, sushi bars, and karaoke lounges
• shops stocked with a fascinating array of merchandise from Japan
• spas offering Japanese baths, shiatsu and anma massage, and reflexology (foot massage)
• Japanese supermarkets
• cultural displays, and much more.

You'll also discover that more than 50 shops, restaurants, and other businesses are offering coupons and exciting special promotions. These are featured on the following pages.