Be still my jamming heart, they have the small 4oz ball jars cheaper than anywhere online! (I may have snapped them all up, more on the way) For a small(er) hardware store, I'm always surprised that they have everything I need--aaand japanese tools, beautiful ceramic tupperware, rice paper, cast iron woks (hard to find!). And they're a friendly family owned business--yippee! read more

Down side of Japantown shops are they close so early that work people can't make it there during the day. Except for that, I like this store. I bought a Japanese knife for about $25. It's very sharp, light and easy to use than the European brand knife that costs 4 times as much. They recommended me that particular knife and actually use the same material as the very expensive ones in the case (more than $100). read more

When my husband says let's go to the hardware store, my eyes glaze over! If we lived near this one, I would be in BIG TROUBLE! I would be in there every other day! This place is So Cool, it is hard to get out of the place. You kind of forget where you are really. The Prices on Japanese bowls, serving platters, sushi plates, sake sets, etc. are outstanding. You need not go anywhere else for your Japanese goods. I always find a treasure I can't possibly live without when I go there. Oh and they are in fact a real hardware store, with all you may need to fulfill the dreams of the home improvement enthusiast...o.k, I'm starting to flicker off again! read more

Like a dollar store in selection, unlike a dollar store in price but still reasonable ($0.99 for a 24-ounce mason jar). Reminiscent of mom-and-pop stores in Asia. read more

Great hardware-little bit of everything store. They have a nice selection of items from Japan. This includes hand tools for carpentry and hobbies to lots of kitchen and household items. While it's nothing like Korin, they do have a nice selection of Japanese knives. It has the charm and selection of an old school hardware store with the added and atypical benefit of unusual Japanese goods too. When I'm in the area I always stop by and browse like a kid in a toy store. Well worth a visit. read more

Terribly slow service. They only care about making the bigger sales instead of helping the people waiting at the cash register already. Several small items over priced and could be found cheaper at other stores/ dollar stores. Used to love this place but after a recent visit last week extremely disappointed. read more

Hahah, my parents love this place. I had to give them five stars on their wide range of Japanese wares.

Always stop by the store when we're in SF. We've been coming for years, actually decades. The store is great, has everyday items well as unique and hard to find items. Stopped by yesterday and the customer service was horrible. The employees/owners were so sullen. No smiles, greetings or thank you's. Two of them followed us around afraid we might steal or misplace something. They really would have preferred we weren't there!! We did end of buying some items but really regret giving them our business. read more

Not really what I was expecting after all the reviews. It's not really a good spot for tourists to visit because most of the items here can be found at any other kitchen store. There are a few japan-specific items here but I wouldn't waste my time here and just go to the Daiso instead. read more

Great place to go for basic hardware needs. They have a wide array of kitchenware, hardware tools, and cleaning supplies. They also have many traditional Japanese decorative items such as lanterns and zen garden decorations. Prices are some of the best in the city. Make sure to visit Soko Hardware for all of your cleaning/kitchen/hardware needs. read more

I like local hardware stores. This one has a good amount of Japanese tools and goods which gives it an added, interesting and fun dimensions. read more

this store has been around for more than 70 years. colorful paper lanterns fill the ceiling. you can find anything here like japanese wood carving tools, ikebana tools, vases and kenzan, noren (cloth hangings in doorways), chopsticks, dinner and cookware, real tatami mats (and the fake roll up and take to the beach kind), shoji screens, inkstones for japanese calligraphy, whetstones for sharpening knives, rice cookers microwaves, toasters, and cookbooks. they also have all the usual tools hammers...screwdrivers...nails..drills, etc. if you're looking to paint a room, stain or seal your deck...dig a trench in your backyard you'll find what you need here. you can have a set of keys copied while you shop for tansu furniture hardware or look through the handmade paper. you'll be amazed at what you'll find here. read more

Though I no longer live nearby, this is still my favorite store. We can't go to San Francisco without coming here. My husband bought me a fantastic poultry ax and it's about the best gift that I've ever received (almost as good as the Sawsall I got for my anniversary). read more

Coolest hardware store. Packed for Blossom Fest weekend. Sells Japanese cultural items and tchotchkes. Flags and -related items. Overall, it is less of a hardware store an more of an all purpose shop. read more

One of my favorite places in San Francisco. Very useful Japanese tools of all kinds, especially if you prefer them to western tools. The downstairs has a nice selection of housewares, mostly from japan. Their Japanese cutlery is to drool over, very nice, quality stuff...and affordable prices. Don't let the gruff demeanor of the older staff sway you...they will drop everything and help you with every need, and really are quite friendly once engaged in conversation. I love this place! read more

Soko Hardware is a special place because they sell Japanese woodworking tools, knives, floral arranging supplies, a wide variety of paper lanterns and other cool items you'd find in a regular hardware store. read more

What can I say? I love a good hardware store. Better yet, I love a good quirky hardware store. A gentle mixture of utilitarian things I need with things I didn't know I needed and things I want but definitely don't need. read more

Felt like a child in a candy store when I first visited Soko - rice paper, donabe ceramic pots, tea pots, excellent cutting boards, delicate temple bells, black ink for sumi painting - as well as the standard fair for hardware stores. Called recently to ask about care for my donabe pot and the person I spoke with was so helpful - Soko even shines over the phone. Gratitude* read more

I am so glad I found this place! Found so many wonderful things. Wish they had a website to order from!

Looks like just another unsuspecting hardware store. If you like zoris (flip-flops) for $3, this is the place for you.

This is my favorite store to visit in Japantown! I love getting cute animal ceramic bowls and novelty chopsticks here. They have a great selection of gifts and souvenirs downstairs. read more

I really like this place. I can't believe they've been there for so long. I think it was one of the first Japanese American businesses in Japantown or something. Where else can you walk in and find a variety of chochin lanterns that say stuff like "ramen" and "sake." Haha. It's a neighborhood hardware store with fun stuff like Japanese kitchenware and cutlery. If you want the mammoth selection for home improvement or something, I would go to Home Depot, but I like patronizing Soko's business. I like their store and I like the experience. I would definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the Japantown area. You'll need to find street parking or park in the lot inside the main mall building. I'm not sure if Soko validates but most of the restaurants in the mall seem to. read more

Amazing place, very helpful 2 asian men own this place *i'm guessing son and father* prices are exactly what they should be. Great range of merchandise read more

Yes! I was reminded of this place while reading Barb B's reviews... great place to spend an hour or so looking at everything. They have all the things other places have, but for more reasonable prices. read more

pros...this is a great little shop where you can find a lot of interesting things in japantown. it is still a hardware store, so you can get all sorts of things for your garden and toolbox as well. but it has a killer downstairs part which has almost anything you can think of for you home. just one of the best places to go for japanese cooking knives, tools, and equipment. the housewares are just cool. the top or street level has lacquer ware, tools (japanese and western) and other odds and ends. i say a trip to san francisco is just not complete without a visit to soko hardware. cons...don't remember but they are closed one day of the week. the escalator doesn't always work, actually i don't ever remember it working. small aisles, don't get carried away, or else you will break something. watch out fat people! and you have to park in the garage across the street, which is not bad, actually one of the cheaper places in the city. read more

I wish we had a Soko Hardware in New England. Instead, I have to bring an extra-large suitcase with me when I visit, so I can stock up on all sorts of kitchen- and housewares that I can't find anywhere else. They've got a great selection of disposable bento gear, too. It's a great place to look around and find all the little accessories you didn't realize you needed. read more

I'm a cook and this is a fun little place to get really nice knives and some kitchen equipment. It's a great shop, I love it.

I came here once with my boyfriend just to see what this store holds . We were very surprised to find that they carried a pretty wide selection of hardware supplies , kitchen supplies , and other interesting Japanese items . I would definitely recommend this store to people who are trying to pick up supplies or materials to fix or decorate their house . read more

i'm very grateful to have purchased my Toto washlet just prior to this pandemic. who knew the value of not needing as much TP!!! many years ago, Philip used to have a demo product in the front window, but removed it awhile ago - but they still sell them. I picked it up at the store a few weeks after i ordered it, installed it that weekend, and have never "looked back!" with all the press that bidets are getting now, i feel so blessed to have this version that gives me all the options. the box has a carrying handle - not too heavy to carry to your car. i know this is more of a review of the product than the store, but you all know that this store is a great resource for a number of Japanese products - i love browsing downstairs through all the kitchen stuff, great gift items....since i'm home more, going through the old family recipes and decided it's time to start a batch of nukazuke. and where else could i look to buy the container? my favorite thing from there is a 2" square plastic thing i use to scrape my pots/pans - it's on the counter. so you never know what you'll find to make your life easier in the kitchen!! and don't forget the articles you might need for your family shrine at home - they have those items too in the back.....happy shopping! read more

This is the go-to place for all household things Asian. Downstairs is a veritable playground of housewares. I was looking forward to spending some time here this afternoon but forgot they were closed on Sunday--dang! read more

always loved this place and this time was no exception. I went there to find supplies for the costume I'm making for my kid, all kinds of random stuff that I would be there looking for hours to find, Adele who works downstairs helped me out with imaginative and thoughtful solutions. Thanks Adele!! read more

This places has a lot of cool stuff. Fun to just look at the stuff they have. Might not be as comprehensive as other hardware stores though. read more

this is the best hardware store in san francisco, plus it has nice japanese souveniors and trinkets. good service, and quality merchandise. plus, there's a college aged student who works there during some of the holidays and breaks who is absolutely adorable! read more

Soko Hardware is a great place to get kitchen supplies to outdoor work supplies. They have many great things in their inventory and in a Japanese way. From pots and pans to light bulbs. Its my first time going there, and I was already impressed. It was easy to find the supplies I needed since it was very organized. Both floors of the place were helpful. I would definitely come back when I visit Japantown again. ^_^ read more

They had just what I needed. I indulge my kid too much. He wants Spam Musubi--I go out and look for a Musubi mold. Sure enough, Soko is the only vendor that I could find that had it in stock. They even have 2 models. Great store for Japanese products. read more

Every hardware store specializes in different things, and each has a personality. In Soko you can find all kinds of things which no one else has. It is my favorite hardware store in the city. I once bought the best gardening trowel I ever had, an indestructible tool from Japan. I bought a fine chain saw and an unusual garden watering can. The owner is very helpful. I always buy things like drill bits there, because he advises me exactly what to buy, and I trust him. When I needed to replace a hanging lamp, the owner showed me what pieces I needed and how to connect them. I understand that the store is run by the grandson of the original owner. When a place has been around that long, you know they are doing something right. read more

I LOVE Soko Hardware! This is definably in the middle of a sort of touristy stretch of Japan Town, but it is a serious hardware store. Well, sort of a combination of art project store and hardware store. Great gardening supplies downstairs, too. Only two problems. One, they have sort of limited hours (they close at 5:30 most days), and 2) parking can be hard to find or expensive. So you end up carrying your purchases up and down hills looking for where you left your car. read more

Great place to window shop, and for anyone looking for dry goods and artifacts / crafts from Japan (made in Japan,) and some other Asian countries. Shows Western influence on products from Japan, etc. Really nice. read more

Here is where I fell in love with Asian hardware stores.... because its mostly full of my favorite things, rather than actual hardware. I'm sure if you're an avid reader of mine, that by now you know (you know) I collect soup spoons, chopsticks and tea pots. This place has sooo much of that! I enjoy strolling in and seeing the sweet resident pup, usually snoozing away in her bed near the register. The register area is a trap btw...in a great way! Hanging charms, jade pieces, morning star incense- you name it, I grab it. There's a huge variety of Japanese gardening tools, lanterns, tea cups, and cookware- I almost always find a gift for someone here, and how cool to say you went to Japan town to get it?? There are two stories, so you can imagine how hard it is to peel myself away. I feel like a small child when its time to leave, eying everything cool looking in site. Always the first place I flee to when I'm in need of a little retail therapy, there's none like it! read more

Great layout of great items, a unique hardware with fine Japanese items. However, a bit overrated. Prices are high, there is not much customer service but with attitude, slow check out considering it never seems that busy. My biggest complaint is that I returned an item, perfectly wrapped like new, within 30 days, and was charged a 10% restocking fee. I gotta admit, it makes me not want to go back. Downstairs where most of the good stuff resides is not wheelchair accessible. I guess if Ikea or Wal-Mart is your idea of great, its fine, but SOKO is a lot more expensive that shopping at Ikea. Go across the street to Ichiban Kan first. read more