A newcomer's impression

Riding the Muni 22 line north on Fillmore Street past Geary Boulevard, I notice a gray pagoda rising slightly over the surrounding buildings against the gray sky backdrop. It's two p.m., and walking east on Post Street between Fillmore and Webster, the shopping bags swing aiming for your kneecaps. After passing Sundance Kabuki Cinema the signs for sushi restaurants begin to come into view. 

I must admit that I am unfamiliar with Japanese culture aside from sushi and "Lost in Translation." From this point of view Japantown has the feeling of a low-density Chinatown with what I perceive as a likeness in the script that graces storefronts, poster boards and street signs. 

The primary similarity, however, is that when so saturated with a culture of a faraway place, after a few hours the mind awakes from its drifting to discover that it is in fact still in San Francisco. This mind travel is ushered in when entering the main attraction of Japantown from where all the knee busting shopping bags generated: Japan Center. This shopping center is separated into three buildings: the Kinokuniya Building, the Kintetsu Mall and the Miyako Mall. 

Taken together the buildings occupy three square blocks and contain a movie theater, a hotel, and establishments ranging from supermarkets, restaurants and cafes to antique shops, record stores, and clothing outlets. When Japantown advertises itself as "The Gateway to Japanese Culture, Cuisine, and Shopping," the statement is fairly accurate.

A mix of old elaborate structures and modernJapanese architecture line the main thoroughfare Post Street as well as well as surrounding streets of Webster, Buchanan, Laguna, and Sutter. For some, the architecture alone is reason enough to visit.

"I love the architecture and how it all matches," San Jose resident Titus Ares said while sharing sushi wraps with a friend in Japantown Peace Plaza. "It's definitely a place to immerse yourself in the culture."

Much of the language emanating from the restaurants, stores and sidewalks was a mystery to me. Between Geary Boulevard and Sutter Street, Buchanan turns into a pedestrian space where groups congregate, even on this chilly Sunday afternoon. Here the Korean BBQ restaurants are interspersed with the sushi bars.

"It's not really our favorite place," said Hechang Myong, a 24-year-old student from Seoul, South Korea. "But the food is great." His friends Yong Youn and Sooyoung Mon nod their heads enthusiastically in agreement.

Jessi Lee, 26, San Jose, agrees about the food. She enjoys coming with friends to get Taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry with red beans inside. "And the Cherry Blossom Festival is really cool. There's food, cars and Taiko music," Lee said.