How to Spend 24 Food-Filled Hours in San Jose’s Japantown

San Jose’s “J-Town” gets overshadowed at times by its more metropolitan counterparts in San Francisco and Los Angeles. But this historic cultural hub has become an interesting mix of older traditions and newer trends thanks to a new generation of Asian Americans eager to keep this area thriving.

More recently, the emergence of Hawaiʻi food has become popular in this tight-knit community, going beyond the more common Japanese fare you can now find all over the Bay Area.

Here’s a list of spots to hit up if you decide to visit Japantown in San Jose for a culinary tour, along with a few places where the area’s history and culture are alive and well.

11 a.m. Loco moco lunch at Santo Market

245 Taylor Street, San Jose

Start with an early lunch from family-owned Santo Market, which has sold Asian grocery staples since 1946. These days, however, they’re more known for their to-go counter where you can order items like their poke by the pound or a beef teriyaki sandwich. But for a real treat, order a Hawaiʻi local food dish like the loco moco or the kalua pork plate, served with a choice of macaroni, potato, or cucumber-ocean salad.

12 p.m. Explore the Japanese American Museum of San Jose

535 North Fifth Street, San Jose

A visit to the Japanese American Museum of San Jose will help you appreciate the neighborhood’s culture and pride, and set you up for a more insightful walk around Japantown. Established in 1987, it was originally known as the Japanese American Resource Center. The facility showcases many of the community’s notable small businesses, historic sites, and important events that are a part of the neighborhood’s long and varied history.

2 p.m. A sweet stop at Shuei-do Manju Shop

217 Jackson Street, San Jose

Shuei-Do Manju Shop

No stroll through J-Town is complete without a visit to the long-standing Shuei-do Manju Shop. Started in 1952, this is one of the last manju shops left in California. Specializing in manju (wheat flour) and mochi (rice flour) confections, they sell anywhere from 700 to 2,000 of these soft and chewy sweet treats every day. Current owners Tom and Judy Kumamaru still make everything by hand and offer a large selection of regular and seasonal flavors, along with their filled varieties using azuki (red) or lima (white) bean paste. Like many of the small businesses in this neighborhood, they have very specific hours so check before you go.

2:30 p.m. Shop handmade items at Moment Japantown

208 Jackson Street, San Jose

San José Made

Enjoy some shopping at creative retail space Moment Japantown which highlights the best of Asian American artists and crafters. One of a few locations around Silicon Valley, this store is more of a rotating collection of handmade items from four or more different artisan makers who would not otherwise have a permanent store. Developed by the company SJ Made which specializes in large-scale events and pop-ups, think of it as Etsy in real life. If you’re a fan of all things “kawaii” (“cute” in Japanese), this is the place for you. You’ll find keychains, cards, stickers, artwork, and stuffed animals. There’s so much pop culture cuteness in here it could put any Sanrio store to shame.

3:30 p.m. Look for maneki nekos at Kogura Company

231 Jackson Street, San Jose

Kogura Company

Since 1928, family-owned Kogura Company has been a treasure trove of fun finds from traditional Japanese kitchenware and home decor to fun trinkets and stationery. And if you’re looking for a maneki neko, the lucky cat figurine you see at the entrance of almost every Japanese restaurant, there’s a wall full of them here. It’s the perfect place to find yourself a distinctive gift or souvenir.

4:30 p.m. Cool off with Pau Hana Shave Ice

248 Jackson Street, San Jose

Take a break and enjoy Hawaiʻi’s answer to the snow cone at Pau Hana Shave Ice. They offer plenty of options for customizing your own shave ice including syrup flavors like li-hing mui (sour plum), POG (passionfruit, orange, guava), or ube (purple yam). Toppings like boba, fruit-flavored jelly, or fresh mochi can also be added. Can’t decide? You can choose from their menu of specialties like the “Dole Whip,” consisting of creamy pineapple syrup, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, crushed pineapple, and condensed milk.

5 p.m. Grocery shop at Nijiya Market

240 Jackson Street, San Jose

Before you leave for the day, visit the popular Japanese chain grocery store Nijiya Market. They carry everything you need to make your own Japanese dishes at home as well as a plethora of snacks, candies, and beverages you never knew you wanted to try. Pick up Japanese curry to make an easy weeknight meal or fresh ramen from Sun Noodle. You’ll also find specialty produce, meat, fish, and sashimi here to stock your fridge.

6 p.m. Make a poke stop at Aloha Fresh

225 Jackson Street, San Jose

Aloha Fresh

Finish off your trip to Japantown with a bowl of fresh poke from Aloha Fresh, known for its fresh fish caught directly from Hawaiian waters. This eatery takes pride in serving fish that is never frozen or treated with carbon monoxide and it is flown to the Bay Area within hours of being caught. Add a side of salt and vinegar chicken and wash it all down with a li-hing lemonade to finish your day right.