Visiting the Japantown Peace Plaza

San Francisco's Japantown evokes the urban design and architecture of Japan, with the Japantown Peace Plaza as its center.

The Peace Plaza was established in the 1960s to complement the surrounding (and underground) Japan Center Mall and serve as a public amenity.

The plaza spans two blocks and features seating elements, sculptures, and the "eternal flame" pagoda which occupies the plaza's southwest corner. The monument, designed by renowned architect Yoshirō Taniguchi, is 100 feet tall and represents peace and friendship between the US and Japan. The pagoda has five distinct stories supported by reinforced concrete pillars. It is capped with a bronze spire.

The pagoda is by far the most dramatic part of this urban landscape, but what makes the Japantown Peace Plaza a truly special space are all of the small design details that delightfully transport you to Japan.

Different textures of cobblestone, stone, and concrete adorn zones of circulation, sculpture, play, and seating. Mundane elements of the streetscape like utilities, lighting, and signage are stylized with Japanese inspiration. Transformers are hidden in little wooden huts; street lights shine from behind shoji panels; and signs have Japanese characters, translations, and educational elements. The buildings also match the Japanese theme with their facades, signage, and materials.

On a busy day in the non-Covid era (unlike the morning I photographed), this area is bustling with activity. It is a beautiful place to enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms, people watch, and eat delicious Japanese takeout.