With a recent trip to Tokyo postponed (sadly) for obvious reasons, Mr. H and I decided to embark on an adventure to Japantown in San Francisco instead. There was rain mixed with pockets of sunshine, cocktails in hidden bars disguised as detective agencies, a mall straight out of Shibuya, too much shochu, a trip to a Galaxy Far Far Away, insanely good coffee, and a rumble with a gang of mice pretending to be Hamlet. Here are a few photos...
Souvenirs (from left): poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke and futuristic folkflore by Jasper Fforde from City Lights Books, French Star Wars t-shirt courtesy of Skywalker Ranch, Souplove recipe book and Fort Standard Merit Badge necklace from General Store, and borrowed Green Tea from Hotel Tomo, all atop a vintage scarf from an unnamed store next to Four Barrel coffee in the Mission district.
The mall in Japantown.
Hamlet mice at Paxton Gate.
Mission district restaurant, Commonwealth.
Luchador masks on the way to Humphry Slocombe.
Hayes Valley store Lavish wants you to put a bird on it!
The enchanting Muir Woods, or "Ewok Village" as Mr. H called it.
Not the cherry blossoms we hoped to see in Tokyo, but close enough. These brightened the Presidio, and after days of rain, the sun finally made a triumphant appearance in beautiful San Francisco. Still, as always, Japan remains in our hearts and minds. If you haven't already, please donate to relief efforts here.
