Food, History, and Resistance: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

San Francisco, US
100% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (9 reviews)

Highlights

  • Explore the historic Japantown at your own pace
  • Discover the little-known stories that shaped the food, culture, and landscape
  • Experience the traditional Japanese confection of manju
  • Step into the jazz scene of Bop City
  • Uncover the rich history of San Francisco's black community

Meeting Point

Under the red torii gate at Sutter and Buchanan Streets. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace. Directions to the starting point are in the app.

Meeting point

1737 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115 , United States

End point

What to expect

1

Japantown

While there are many great restaurants, there’s just so much more to Japantown than ramen and sushi. There are stories here that so many don’t know - stories you might never know unless you were part of the community.

2

Benkyodo

Benkyodo is one of only three traditional Japanese manju makers remaining in the US. The others are in each of the other two remaining Japantowns in Los Angeles and San Jose. Manju is a traditional Japanese confection, traditionally filled with sweet bean paste and wrapped with mochi, a glutinous rice that is pounded down into a sticky, gooey, delicious mass.

3

Fillmore Street

Bop City at 1712 Fillmore Street became the place to play after hours. Anyone who was anyone in jazz played here: John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington to name a few. In the 1940’s San Francisco’s black community grew immensely and Fillmore Street was dubbed the Harlem of the West.

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Wheelchair accessible
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    Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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    Service animals allowed
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    Public transportation options are available nearby
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    Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Provided by VoiceMap Audio Tours

What our experts say

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    Start the tour between 10:30am - 3:30pm.
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    Visit the local shops for unique snacks.
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    Check out the Japanese Cultural and Community Center.
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    Bring headphones for a better experience.
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    Enjoy lunch at a nearby ramen shop.

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