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    Tokyo Anime Center

    3.4 (20 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Yan W.

    I love gachapons but their gachapons are expensive. Their items are overpriced. I only liked that it's official Bandai Gachapon shop. It was still fun to browse around.

    Jesse E.

    This place is great to bring kids brought my 13 year-old daughter for her birthday here very fun and nice people

    Jessica A.

    If you know Japan, you know the gachas are everywhere there. I'm glad they found a way to fill the empty spaces in Japantown with these fun gachas. There's plenty of variety but the price is quite expensive. Each token is 2 dollars and you need at least 2 tokens to get something here. Most of the more desirable items are 4 tokens each ($8) which I don't think is worth at the end of the day. The credit card has a minimum of $20 charge. There are cute cubbies where you can take photos of your items.

    Toys
    Janice P.

    We passed by the Tokyo Anime Center while in Japan town. It's a pretty cool concept, with rows and aisles full of machines where you put tokens in to buy toys. My youngest son loves these types of toys so he really appreciated the store. They also have little background stages where you can place your toys and take pictures of them.

    So fun!!! Great treat to do with kids before dinner! Lots of things to collect! Cheaper than a flight to Japan!

    gashpon photo booth- ミニチュアチャーム コレクション2: GINDACO Party Pack 24 pieces, POMUNOKI ミニチュアチャーム: Omelet Rice topped with Hamburg Steak (06/2024)
    Florence G.

    ok. i LIVE. i love that this space that has been vacate for so long, has become one of the most trendy and hype-st spot in jtown that really capitalizes on the love for anime and gamba :') what really makes this place great are the following: -they change out their items/stuff every now and then to suit everyone's tastes. from animals, food, anime, and just obscure things, they really have a bunch to choose. the pro and con is that there are many gacha that do repeat. good if it's something the eye of the beholder likes, not good if they don't. -they take card and cash. the only caveat to credit card is that they do automatically charge $20, while with cash you can choose how much to spend. (and you can only put in $1, $10, and $20) -the cute lil photo ops/background for the gacha pulls. they have 12 lil backgrounds for folks to put what they've won into a great place to post pics. LOVE. why not five?: -it's really easy to spend a lot of money by using the token system, but that's too be expected. 1 token =$2 and most machines require 2 tokens. so $4 per spin isn't too bad BUT-- -if like me, folks only have card and get $20 worth of tokens, then wallets n hearts will be cryin and hurtin from spending all this money ESPECIALLY if i wasn't intentionally trying to spend that much money on gachas. -staff do not refill empty machines/ nor do they look friendly either as they are just on their phones. if the staff were to be walking around and see a machine is empty. i wonder if they can put a sign to say when they will refill it (if there are patrons who may want to return) -it can get super crowded. just be warned that if covid or crowds make you feel uncomfortable, try going on a weekday in the morning. weekends i bet can get packed and when i went on a thursday in the evening, there would be waves every 10 mins or so. i will definitely come back but with cash next time cus $20 on just gacha really hurts my heart :')

    Token machine.
    Frank J.

    In all honesty this place is "meh". In the afternoon and evening this place can fill up. Especially on weekends. Not very introvert or social anxiety friendly around this time. It wouldn't be so bad if the majority of people were actually buying gashapon and not just standing around being a nuisance. The more annoying ones are there having conversations about anime and not moving. Others have their kids running around sticking their hands inside the machines. I've seen people try to use quarters on the machines. The gashapon IS expensive. On some you're paying double for it, if not close to it. If you know where to look you can buy gashapon online and even cheaper. The gashapon in this place isn't always up to date to what you see on the Bandai site. Though one good thing is that they sometimes have older sets. Not every machine in this place is unique, so expect to see multiples. They usually have 2-3 machines of the same sets. This place also has Flat Gashapon. This place uses tokens. One token is $2. The cheapest machines take 2 tokens ($4.00). The most expensive ones are 4 tokens ($8.00). Token machines accept $1, $10, and $20 bills. THEY DO NOT ACCEPT $5 bills! If that is all you have, then you are out of luck. You can also use VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you use any of those, you can only get $20. On a very rare occasion a machine may not dispense your gashapon. You can simply ask the staff for help if that happens (so long as someone is there). One of the bigger problems with this place is that the gashapon machines aren't always stocked up and have the "SOLD OUT" strip covering the token slot. You'd think they'd restock before opening, but no. Imagine traveling to this place and arriving early just as they open, only to see the machines are "SOLD OUT" (from the day before). Most of the gashapon isn't really for me, but every now and then there is something that catches my attention. The things that I described in this review make this place very "meh". You're not missing out on much, especially with online shopping at your fingertips. If you got money to burn and don't mind overpaying, give this place a visit. It's all Bandai gashapon. If you're looking for J. Dream, Re-Ment, Tarlin, etc. you wont find it here. A tip for anyone checking this place out for the first time: Take a look around first. That way you don't end up wasting your money on tokens, only to then find out they're out of stock on something you want or if you just don't like the selection. A quick video of the place: https://youtu.be/uS830Bc2v28?si=kqeDopqiVlDnAO9L

    Token machine
    Anita L.

    This gashapon location seems pretty expensive. They use tokens for their machines and each token costs $3. Their token machines only accepts $1 or $20 bill for cash and if you use credit card it's "accepted in $12 payments." No change is given back for cash payments. This location is large and has many gashapon machines, but there are also a lot of machines with the same prizes listed. They divide their machines into "anime" sections and "cute" sections. It looked like the minimum amount of tokens for a prize is 2 tokens with most machines I saw requiring 3-4 and one Gundam gashapon machine even required a whopping 9 tokens for a prize. That's $27 dollars for a random Gundam figurine! There was also a gashapon photo booth section where you can put your gashapon in to take photos, which is cute. There's also a counter where you can purchase tokens from an employee, but I didn't see anyone there. Overall, I think this place is asking too much money for these gashapon prizes.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    My daughter so happy when we come here first stop. Located downstairs in Japantown. The staff is so friendly. Huge selection of Anime.

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    1 year ago

    Lots of fun, wide variety of gashapon capsule toys. It can get pricey fast, so walk around and check what you want and budget accordingly.

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    Review Highlights - Tokyo Anime Center

    Each token is $3 so a $12 purchase gives you 4 tokens.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Amiko Boutique - Besotted plastic friend

    Amiko Boutique

    3.9(87 reviews)
    0.1 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights
    $$

    San Francisco is a city full of character. I noticed there are lots of characters are all around…read moreSan Francisco all four seasons. Then there are characters on social media without any character being performative in SF at the restaurants and public spaces. It's interesting to see so many characters all over the city especially in the Summer time . There is one place which has lots of stuffed characters ( not from eating food) at a mall in SF. It's at the Japan Center Mall in Japantown of San Francisco and it's called Amiko. On a Japantown stroll I landed at Japan Center Mall West and entered Amiko. Inside you will see some interesting stuffed characters and other items usually from the land of the rising sun. You will also find different characters to fill a public trinket box. Inside you will find shirts and bags. You will also find hats and bracelets. This place has blind boxes and a Kawaii vibe. Amiko has a lots of character. Japantown has lots of good places to go and lots of places to eat and "shop" like getting some sushi with Tonkatsu the Japanese fried "pork chop" and then go to Amiko and see a stuffed bunnies that don't "hop" and grabbing an ice dessert treat with a cherry on "top" Go on a stroll in Japantown also known as a "crawl "you see lots of characters in SF during all four seasons Winter, Spring , Summer and "Fall" you will also see lots of stuffed characters and it's not from eating its seeing a stuffed character "doll"and it all takes place at the "Japan Center Mall"

    I've been looking for Smiski and didn't want to risk buying a fake online, so I checked out…read moreJapantown. A few shops were sold out, but I eventually found some at this store. All Smiski items come in blind boxes. I chose the "Let's Exercise" series and ended up getting the Balance one. I also picked up a strap blind box and got a secret, which was a nice surprise. Customer service was great, and the prices were decent. This was my first time buying Smiski, glad I was able to find them here. :)

    Photos
    Amiko Boutique - Key rings

    Key rings

    Amiko Boutique - Cabinets for collectables

    Cabinets for collectables

    Amiko Boutique

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    iFun - Lazy animals watching tv

    iFun

    2.5(26 reviews)
    0.1 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights

    San Francisco is a fun place. Sometimes you see and hear the narrative of the negativity which…read morehappens in SF from people who don't even live in the city on social media. There are so many places you can visit in the city which have lots of activities especially during upcoming Summer months. Although there are few malls left in the city there is one place I like to go to for fun is the Japan Center Mall. There is one place for fun items and it's called iFun. On the last few days of Spring stroll in San Francisco I landed at the Japan Center Mall at iFun. Inside you will find blind toy boxes such as Lubu's and other animal creatures in SF. Inside you will see lots of people of all ages drawing and creating crafts. You will also find toys from Sanrio like Hello Kitty and Pikachu. This is a good place to find a gift. The iFun is a place where fine arts so creating art should be "fine" a place where you can "design"and draw outside or inside the "line"and also you can draw both the yellow cheese moon and an orange "sunshine" Go to iFun the place to get "artistic" and the draw the characters in SF and add color to their "characteristic" some are complex to draw and others are "simplistic "they say art is healing and can be "holistic"

    Charged $52 for a $17 service, then blamed it on "mistake"…read more The advertisement said $38 all day, but when I got to the store I was told it was $48, but that's not the worst part. I only spent one hour there, and the amount due was approximately $17. However, the cashier initially charged me $52. I questioned him on the spot, and he admitted to "making a mistake," then asked me to swipe another $17 as the correct amount, promising to refund the previous $52 (or cancel the transaction). Throughout the entire process, he greeted the white customer in front of him with a smile, but remained cold and arrogant towards me (an Asian person). I didn't check the bill, and that $52 just slipped through my fingers. This isn't just about a few dollars; it's about deliberately betting on the customer's honesty by not looking at the receipt, and it's blatant discrimination 广告写$38全天,我到店被告知$48,但这还 不是最过分的。 我实际只拼了1小时,应收约$17,结果收 银员第一次直接刷了我$52。我当场质问,他 才承认"收错了",然后让我再刷$17作为正 确金额,并承诺退回之前的$52(或撤销)。 整个过程中,他对前面的白人顾客笑脸相 迎,对我(亚洲面孔)全程冷漠傲慢。如果 我没有核对账单,这$52就被默默吞了。 这不是十几刀的问题,这是故意赌顾客 不看小票的诚信问题,以及赤裸裸的区别对待。

    Photos
    iFun - 03.02.24 Sonny Angel 'Gifts of Love' series - my daughter is crazy about these things

    03.02.24 Sonny Angel 'Gifts of Love' series - my daughter is crazy about these things

    iFun
    iFun - After!

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    After!

    Mai Do - San Francisco - Stationery haul: washi tapes, bullet pen, stickers

    Mai Do - San Francisco

    4.2(339 reviews)
    0.0 miLower Pacific Heights, Japantown
    $$$

    This place is next to the matcha store…read more I could spend hours here! Their shelves are stocked with stationary from local small businesses like @palett.es , atelier by Jo, @faithcaoculator. I don't have to wait for SJ made to come around any more! I picked up some cute cards, stickers, and the viral build a room using stickers sticker sheet. I barely made it past the cards and stickers after 30 minutes. The items are a bit pricy but that's the general trend of stickers and cards from smaller creators. I'll check out the other half of the store next time.

    I think I was probably much more enamored by Mai Do here before they started proliferating in SoCal…read moreand then SoCal started having giga huge Kinokuniya that already incorporate Mai Do into their stock, but it's nice to have a standalone stationary shop as well, especially if it means more varied and unique stock. I like that this location has items from local small businesses and artists too. I know SJ Made gets fisted in Bay Area and there's not as much space and many recurring events, so having physical spots to purchase and support these creatives is great. There's stickers, special paper, journals and journaling tools, writing and drawing utensils, sticky notes, ink and fancy ink pens, planners, and much, much more, including little trinkets, gifts, blind boxes, keychains, etc. So you can get something for yourself or you can get something as a gift for someone else. It can get a bit pricey though. With some small notebooks being $10 and a fancier keychain being around $20. Really depends on what you're looking at, how high quality it is, if it's imported in, etc. Staff can get swamped helping customers check out, but they'll do their best to answer your questions!

    Photos
    Mai Do - San Francisco - Miffy

    Miffy

    Mai Do - San Francisco - A particularly cute umbrella sold by the entrance

    A particularly cute umbrella sold by the entrance

    Mai Do - San Francisco

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    Japan Video & Media

    Japan Video & Media

    3.7(97 reviews)
    0.1 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights
    $$

    Late review, but this truly was a staple of SF's Japantown. Although I'm a SoCal native, it was…read morealways comforting seeing an old mom & pop shop every time that I was there. Probably have been visiting for over 10 years at this point. With rent hyper increasing in areas like this, sadly, we're probably going to see less of these unique shops and a gross amount of chains and generic copy paste shops, unfortunately. I'm going to miss seeing that little Totoro plushie and they did have a big sale and large outpouring of support in the final days. Let's see what the future brings for J-town.

    Dear Japan Video/じゃぱんビデオへ (I know this is my 2nd letter to someone/a business on Yelp because I did…read morethis for Uncle Clay's), Thank you for being a pillar for what was it? 40 years? That sounds about right. You and stores of the past made me who I am today. (I remember a neighboring store having merchandise of a game series that never appeared here in "Sentimental Graffiti"/"センチメンタルグラフティ".) I don't remember when I started visiting, but I would always come by with my city friends or at least just 1 of them. Since Yelp wants me to type up the "service" part of these reviews, the place always thrived there. Oh, and I always thought that even though I did spend more than what I want, it's more of me wanting to avoid spending, but I end up buying an item that has a cute girl anyway. Ha ha ha! Well, enjoy the earlier than expected retirement. (Dog gone rent hikes.) Someone should make a display or whatever to protect the legacy. I better get going. ありがとうございました! ^^ - Don, San Jose/Milpitas +/The jiving and vivid memories, with the selection and interactions, have me remember the place. -/No flaws.

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    Japan Video & Media
    Japan Video & Media
    Japan Video & Media - KDRAMAS! :)

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    KDRAMAS! :)

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    4.5(547 reviews)
    0.0 miLower Pacific Heights, Japantown
    $$

    Super cute interesting finds, pretty pricey. Such as $25 for a small cloth tote or $35 for a normal…read moresize shopping tote Calendars, toys, plushes, and oh books of course. A lot of people go for the items more so than books

    This is a long-established Japanese bookstore that has been around since I first came to the United…read moreStates over 20 years ago. My grandmother and my aunt both loved this place. They spoke Japanese and received a Japanese education, so this bookstore always held a special meaning for them. The store carries a wide selection of Japanese books, magazines, Reader's Digest (Japanese edition), and manga. It also offers many adorable Japanese-style plush toys, collectibles, and accessories. You'll often see American teenagers who are passionate about Japanese anime and manga browsing here, which gives the bookstore a lively and welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend this bookstore to anyone who loves Japanese culture, anime, manga, or simply wants to experience a little piece of Japan. 一家很老的日式書店,我20年前來美國就有的書店了,我奶奶和我大姑姑生前就很喜歡這家書店,尤其她們都會講日文也接受日本教育。這家書店也很多日本的雜誌、包括讀者文摘和日本的漫畫,這家還有很多很可愛亞洲風格的玩偶和飾品。平常有很多愛好日式動漫的美國青少年會光顧這家書店,我強力推薦給喜歡日本文化的各位。

    Photos
    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco - Studio Ghibli plushies are back (3/10/26)

    Studio Ghibli plushies are back (3/10/26)

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco
    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco - Moomins!

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    Moomins!

    Daiso - Who knows

    Daiso

    4.2(596 reviews)
    0.1 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights
    $

    Every single time I come to the particular San Francisco Japan town Daiso I always find unique…read morethings!! The Cupertino Daiso is much closer to me, but this particular evening, my fiancé and I were showing his sister around and she is from Florida. The closest Daiso is in Orlando, which is about 90 minutes away from her so she was very excited to see San Francisco, Japan town as well as a Daiso!! I love all the random hello Kitty and characters they have as well as the array of different Japanese snacks!! It honestly reminds me of my childhood!! I also love all their unique erasers shaped like food and cute little boxes and arts and crafts, such as origami, woodwork, and gardening items!! I will continue to check out this particular SF Daiso seasonally when I get a chance to come up to the city!!

    Japantown has many good places shop in San Francisco for some Summer fun in the sun. There is a…read moreplace where you can find your wine vineyard escape hat along with that Summer music festival and San Francisco street fair hat. This place has salty chips for those who like it salty in SF along with sweet snacks . You will also find matcha for Don Juan de la matcha and orgami paper. This place is a global chainstore with locations in Australia, Taiwan , South Korea , Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia,and Vietnam. It is called Daiso and it's located in Japantown of San Francisco. On a Japantown stroll past the Peace Plaza and the Godzilla mural I landed inside the East Mall of Japan Center of San Francisco. Inside Daiso you will find different items ranging from stationary, craft supplies along with household goods like bowls, plates, and cups. You also will see aisles of merchandise like stuffed animals , sunscreen and skin care products. Daiso is worth shopping and discovering what the land of the rising sun offers. They say the sun always shines on the television "screen" but in SF they say everyday outside is "Halloween" you can go out enjoy the street festivals like the Union street fair and join the "scene "but don't forget the Daiso bought "sunscreen " Go to Daiso and grab some household goods like bowls to hold food for a "meal " it's a fun store I see the "appeal" of a place in SF to still get a good" deal "on new merchandise with characters like Hello Kitty and friends from "Sanrio"

    Photos
    Daiso - Threeppy

    Threeppy

    Daiso - Best seller

    Best seller

    Daiso - Checkout

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    Checkout

    Just For Fun

    Just For Fun

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.3 miPacific Heights

    Digital devices have become a personal attachment and addictive in our modern day daily lives and…read morenot all things in real life revolve around digital screen. Some argue that things aren't fun anymore. There are lots of fun things to commemorate and celebrate in 2026. May the Fourth Be With You is highly celebrated on May 4 and Mel Brooks who did the Star Wars movie spoof Space Balls turns 100 years in June. Godiva Chocolatier turns 100 years this year. America turns 250 year old in July and it's a celebration of a lifetime. There is a place in SF which feels like it's your birthday everyday. There are adult card drinking games and Legos. This place also is a good place to pick up that toy gift. This is a place to curate fun and the store is located in Pacific Heights in San Francisco and it's called Just for Fun. On May stroll through Pacific Heights I landed on Fillmore street. Inside feels like everyday is Christmas. There are four Just for Fun stores around San Francisco and this is my favorite one. There are many fun games you can take at a party or local park to play like MahJong. They also have one of my favorite drinking card game like Don't Drink & Draw and other fun interactive adult game Pictionary for Adults Only. Just for fun carries Legos so you can also build sun flowers and a tulip bouquet . They also have a variety of board games available. Come to Just Fun to have some fun. Go on a May stroll with Don Juan and come "along" play Super Mario Chess without the chess piece of "Donkey Kong "and go back and forth on the chessboard like a game of pickle ball or "ping pong" then after that chess game play a game of " Mahjong " Fun things you can "generate "and inside Just for Fun the store they have items that are fun and at a gathering you can" incorporate" and on July 4 you can go to a park to party and "celebrate" 250 years of America we should all "commemorate"

    My pup and I walked by Just For Fun, a toy store that moved into the former Mudpie space (a baby…read moreclothing & toy store that moved just a few steps away to 2121 Fillmore). From their website, I see that Just for Fun has 3 locations in SF, one in Noe Valley, one on Union St and this one on Fillmore. Lots of great toys for the kids and kids-at-heart. Also art supplies. Last time we visited, we browsed and brought some watercolor pencil combo. Can't wait to make some art. Haven't been doing that for a while and is a bit rusty. 2025 is the year of Snake. According to the internet, Snakes are often associated with wisdom, transformation, intuition, and rebirth. And it's said that this is a year for self-reflection, letting go of old patterns, and embracing personal development, so there we go. Art projects on the horizon Service friendly. Located on Fillmore and Sacramento.

    Photos
    Just For Fun
    Just For Fun - I seen these heads floating around by the water being a bit salty on my social media feed in SF

    I seen these heads floating around by the water being a bit salty on my social media feed in SF

    Just For Fun - I keep seeing Robots on my social media feed at the open spaces in SF

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    I keep seeing Robots on my social media feed at the open spaces in SF

    Tokyo Anime Center - toys - Updated September 2026

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