Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
made in-house, including popular green tea, peanut and strawberry flavors; cash
only.
Step into Japan Center's Cartoon Scene
like a Hiyao Miyazaki animation brought to life, with indoor pedestrian bridges, rock
gardens and curtained restaurant entryways intact since the mall's grand opening in
1968. But Japan Center stays current, with anime photo-booths downstairs and Lolita
goths reading manga at
Kinokuniya Books & Stationery
(
415-567-7625;
22, 38)
.
www.kinokuniya.com/us
;
Japan Center, 1581 Webster St;
10:30am-8pm;
Reflect at Peace Pagoda
Japantown's signature monument is Yoshiro Taniguchi's minimalist
Peace Pagoda
(Peace Plaza, Japan Center; 22, 38)
, a gift from SF's sister city of Osaka, Japan, in 1968.
Similar stupas exist in India to commemorate Gandhi's peace efforts and in Hiroshi-
ma to remember victims of the atom bomb. Hewn-rock benches beneath cherry trees
offer prime perspectives on this 100ft structure and its lofty aspirations.
Fast-Forward to Future Fashion & Film
Glimpse ahead of the curve at
New People
(
www.newpeopleworld.com
;
1746 Post St;
noon-7pm Mon-Sat, to 6pm Sun; 2, 3, 22, 38)
, a three-story emporium of novelty. Unre-
leased international films screen in basement
New People Cinema
( 415-525-8600;
tickets $12)
. Try on Alice-in-Wonderland-worthy Lolita costumes upstairs, then join tea
parties in progress downstairs at Crown & Crumpet (
Click here
)
.
Soak at Kabuki Springs
Unwind in communal baths at
Kabuki Springs & Spa
(
415-922-6000;
www.kabukisprings.com
; 1750 Geary Blvd; admission $25; 10am-9:45pm, co-ed Tue, women-only Wed, Fri
& Sun, men-only Mon, Thu & Sat; 22, 38)
. Scrub down with salt, soak in the hot pool, take
a cold plunge and repeat as necessary. Bathing suits are required on co-ed Tuesdays.
