Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

Fan of manga, anime or japanese culture? this is the place to start inside Japantown. Huge stock of imported books, mangas, magazines, artist's books, sketchbooks, literature and japanese culture books among many other collectibles. 2 stories full of culture!

I usually come here to find Japanese fashion magazines, but as the prices have gone up, I no longer buy them. But now I find that they have a lot of cute toys that I love so much, more than San Jose locations.

This store was such a pleasant surprise! I adore bookstores which is why I came in, but I ended up leaving with two books and a plethora of merchandise! If you are in any anime fandom, you will absolutely love their lower level! There is so much merchandise that is often so much more expensive to import online, and it made me so happy to see even smaller fandom merch here!

An amazing Japanese bookstore that offers a wide range of Japanese books, Mangas, magazines, and other merchandise. You can find Studio Ghibli merchandise here as well. As of 1/6/2025, there are lots of Hello Kitty and Kirby merchandise. Make sure to watch your time because you could easily spend one hour here looking through all the products, books, and merchandise. The store is very well organized, and it's easy to navigate through and find what you're looking for. If you need help, the employees are knowledgeable and will help you find what you need. Overall, an excellent store to find Japanese pop culture related Mangas, and more!

Kinokuniya is a paradise for people who watch anime , read manga and love to collect its merch . I love to hang out to read some traditional Japanese literature but also manga . I bought some good merch of my fav donghua and loved it . Overall it’s a really good place. Please be aware it’s crowded in the weekends.

Huge selection of Manga on the first level. 2nd floor had lots of different types of books!

If you like books, magazines, games, arts and anime this is your store. The manga and comic book sections are massive, if they don’t have it here you have to mail order it from Japan. I specifically like the manga posters and artworks. Great for collectors. I’m also surprised at the big Japanese books and magazines section upstairs too, including a nice corner of section for kiddos. Very friendly and well informed staffs, they know their stuffs.

Has a decent selection of Manga in Japanese and English. Much more books and merchandise, including Japan-focused, local interest, and otherwise, upstairs.

Kinokuniya Book Store is a gem in Japan Town, San Francisco, located inside the Japan Center indoor shopping mall. Spanning two floors, this bookstore has a rich history. Before the era of the internet, it was the place to get Japanese books and magazines, which explains its longstanding presence in the mall. Inside, there's a little something for everyone. Whether you're into anime merchandise, coffee-table books, mangas, plushies, or quirky themed gifts, you'll find plenty to browse. During my visit, I purchased an adorable Studio Ghibli insulated lunch bag for $20 (including tax). While the price is on the higher side, the quality and uniqueness of the items make it worth it for special gifts. Even if you're not looking to buy anything, it's still a fun place to explore. Whether you're a bookworm, an anime enthusiast, or just curious, Kinokuniya is a delightful experience with endless browsing opportunities. Definitely a spot worth visiting!

I had an awful experience and quite honestly, I'm too frightened to visit this location again. I visited San Francisco with some friends for the Dungeon Meshi Pop-Up. I didn't know that the membership card was non-sharable, even if I was present. I would have been fine buying the items for my friends under my name as gifts if I was asked to do so, but the cashier berated me and put all of my friends in the spot instead. He asked me if I knew how Costco memberships work (which DOES allow the person to enter and use the card if the person is present). I almost cried outside of the store once I left. I understand that it was against Kinokuniya policy after he told me, but that cashier didn't have to make me feel like I'm going to be punished. I will likely stick to the San Jose location since I've only had positive experiences there, and I know staff won't threaten me if I make a mistake like that.

Woke up today and decided to check the balance of my rebate card thinking there's only $1 and change left but lo & behold it was $154 & change. Since it was expiring this month I thought I better spend it..! So off I go. Stopped by japantown and used it at the garden store, no problem. Went up and decided to stop by this store, almost no problem. Guy at the register (usually it's ladies), was paranoid (I get it, maybe worried about fraud?) asked for my ID since it had my name on it (just like the Amex I use every other time I've been here but ok). I've worked retail in another lifetime and try not to give any trouble for folks just doing their job. So why the low rating? Because I witnessed him have patience to allow the lady before me count out $0.96 in change to pay for her purchase, and let her take the purchase through the window/ When it came to my time, and after reassuring him it's no biggie including forking over my passport (US) ID for him, as I was holding onto the magazines I brought, to put in my bag, he without words (I can't hear, he might have been mumbling-- and I don't have bad hearing, I heard him and the lady while being almost 6 ft away--can't say the same for the grandma, son and grandson as the grandson wanted to buy a mechanic toy that didn't require battery, they were next in line after me$. HE GRABS THE MAGAZINES FROM ME AFTER I PAID, and wordlessly at that point walks to the end of the table to plunk down the magazines and walks back to help the next folks in line. I'm kinda shocked cos I never had service like this. I don't expect them to treat me any better because I'm dropping $30 on two magazines or $100+ on three books or whatever but what was the point of grabbing what I could have in less than two seconds placed into my bag, and insisting on putting it at the end of the counter about six feet away? Like ok dude.

This Japanese-based retailer is known for its collection of books and magazines, where you'll find numerous manga collections on the group floor. I also like the second floor, where you can get all kinds and souvenirs.

Kinokuniya Bookstore is a great bookstore to kill some time if you need to. They have lots of books, magazines, manga, toys, gifts, etc.

Looking for a hard copy of Jujutsu Kaisen for my brother in Canada. Reddit said volume 14 was a top fav. No need to say, he was more than happy this Christmas :P

A haven for everything Manga, kawaii stuff, and everything in between. I love going here everytime I'm in Japantown. I browse around the magazine and books sections they have here and would gush over everytime I see my fave JPop entertainers or celebrities that grace their covers. Book selections are enormous especially on their 1st level where you can find all the Manga series your heart desires. From Japanese and English language books, they have everything for every ages. Although it can be a bit pricey, you are definitely getting quality products and adding more to your collections. They are helpful here if questions need to be answered and definitely knowledgeable bout the products they sell in this place. I really enjoy getting lost in this place and finding new things.

Step into the enchanting world of Kinokuniya bookstore, nestled within the bustling Japan Center mall at Japantown, San Francisco. From the moment you enter, you're greeted by a vibrant atmosphere that's as inviting as it is exciting. The first floor is a paradise for anime and manga enthusiasts, boasting an extensive collection of Japanese and English manga, art books, and anime merchandise. And don't miss the illustration by the renowned Japanese artist, Katsuya Terada, adorning the entrance. It's a testament to the store's commitment to celebrating Japanese culture and artistry, with a touch of magic added by Terada's live painting during his visit in 2013. Venturing up to the second floor, you'll discover a haven for book lovers of all kinds. Here, you'll find a diverse selection of general English and Japanese books, magazines, and gift items. Whether you're searching for a new novel to lose yourself in, a magazine to spark your curiosity, or the perfect gift for a loved one, Kinokuniya has you covered. What truly sets this bookstore apart is the variety of offerings from Japan. From literature to lifestyle, stationery to snacks, there's something to captivate every interest and taste. I often find myself getting lost in the aisles, marveling at the array of titles and treasures waiting to be discovered. But it's not just the impressive selection that keeps me coming back--it's the staff. Knowledgeable and friendly, they are always willing to offer a recommendation or answer any questions you may have. Whether you're a devoted manga fan, a curious reader, or simply seeking a slice of Japanese charm, make sure to pay a visit to this delightful bookstore. You won't be disappointed!

Manga fans (both English & Japanese language), this is the place to go. They have another location in the South Bay, and having been to both, the South Bay selection is definitely more limited. This store is a 2 floor bookstore, but all the manga is on the lower level, entirely manga related with a walled section for character based charms, plushies, notepads and other non-book related items. There is a good selection in both languages and many of the same series are available in both languages (other stores carry predominately English versions). I noticed however, that the English versions cost more than the Japanese versions. The staff is helpful if you are looking for something specific and if you are purchasing Japanese versions, they make sure you are aware at check out you are purchasing Japanese versions. This is definitely your place to go for manga.

This is an incredible 2-storey bookstore in Japantown mall. Be prepared to spend hours here perusing their large selection of English and Japanese publications. The ground floor is dedicated to anime and manga offering not just printed materials, but also collectibles and accessories. All the manga are wrapped in plastic to protect the books. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They KNOW their stuff. On the top floor are books of all genres and wide range of magazines from around the world. They also have a huge selection of plushies including Pusheen, Samezu, Gudetama and Hello Kitty. There's a corner for all things Studio Ghibli. AND also an aisle of different types of puzzles and models. There's really something for everyone in this store!

Such a fun store! Lovely place to browse for all kinds of gifts. Definitely put it on your must-see San Francisco list. I didn't buy anything but that's also because I was on my way to the airport right afterward.

For Kino, I've been to this one, the SJ Mitsuwa location, the Santa Anita location, and of course the Little Tokyo one. Hands down this is the biggest location and big W that the entire bottom floor is dedicated to anime and manga! Top floor is the cutie characters and kawaii merchandise and books (think Sanrio, Rilakkuma, Chikawa, etc.) as well as a Ghibli corner. This floor also has the magazines, souvenirs and knick knacks, and normie books (much less interesting to me LOL). Just know that you can't bring unpurchased items downstairs!! Now downstairs is my favorite part and makes this Kinokuniya a MUST stop whenever I'm in SF Japantown (instead of just being an ok stop at other locations). There's a whole entire wall of anime art books and a wall of merchandise near the stairs. This includes keychains, acrylic stands, mini wallscrolls, desk items, stickers, etc. These are generally for the more popular series or what is currently airing/popular, so when I went it was a lot of Chainsawman, some Tokyo Revengers. There was some Sono Bisque Doll and Bocchi the Rock as well. Despite not being as big as it was before, there was some FGO here too! I also managed to find an acrylic stand for Mieruko-chan. Rare find! Of course there's an entire small section dedicated to Genshin and Vtubers as those are the most popular things amongst weebs lately. There's also a shonen section with JJBA, MHA, and SnK surprisingly still. The main tables in the center rotates with whatever newer/popular collection they have. It seems like it was Doraemon and Junji Ito this time around. Near the counter there are TGC behind the cases as well as more blind box keychains than you can ask for! Lots of Yuru Camp when I was there. They also have figurines. There's manga galore both translated and in the original Japanese language (I also saw something called bilingual manga, very interesting) and light novels. In the back there's also how to draw guide books as well as the yaoi and yuri for the "rotten" individuals out there (iykyk). I gotta say though, the prices can be a bit steep, especially if you're planning on gambling on the blind boxes, but if it's something that you can't find so easily, I'd say go for it. This Kinokuniya location definitely has more variety than what I've seen at the other locations, thus making it one of my favorites to peruse through, even though I may not find what I ultmately desire, it is refreshing to see merch that isn't from the current big 3. Must stop for all Japantown goers!

If you're looking for mangas and anime merchandise this is the place to go. They really did had everything from the most popular anime shows such as Naruto, Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball to Berzerk, Another One and The Promised Neverland. If you need any help finding the one special thing you can ask the staff members they're very knowledgeable, however be prepared to spend more than a pretty penny. The merchandise is definitely worth it.

Always been a fan on this bookstore ever since I was a kid. Imported books, magazines, and various products from Japan, you'll find a lot of interesting things here. The store is pretty big - filled with a ton of unique products you'll probably end up browsing here for a good amount of time if you're curious about seeing everything here. My most recent visit, I left with a few things that weren't books - a couple packs of blank cards that had beautiful Japanese designs on them and some little fun gifts. If you're interested in learning Japanese, they have a well stocked section full of books, flash cards, etc. Cooking, craft, media / film (Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Snoopy, Pokémon, and more), anime, travel, fashion, lots to find here.

Didn't find the book i wanted but got the blind posters i wanted!! Went back in for a second time and got his bestie x2 too!!! +Free gift promo! Even on a super busy weekend the cashiers are friendly. The official merch for every show is affordable as well. Love this spot

Amazing bookstore in Japantown that has 2 floors! They have all the current books, trinkets, calendars, etc. I like how the manga books are clear wrapped so they stay clean from everyone's hands picking them up to check them out. Also they do have books in Japanese which is awesome. Not all of us use Amazon and some of these books can't be found anywhere else without paying the high online prices. They have a membership that gives you a tiny discount if you're local. Bought a ton of books during thanksgiving as Xmas gifts for my younger siblings. My favorite manga find was "The Way of the House Husband" on the first floor which apparently is also now on NETFLIX and after watching the show it is just an animated version of the books so technically don't need the books now but they make great decor!

I love to read books! Kinokuniya is very conveniently close to my home, and service is super good! This is the only bookstore sells Japanese books near my house. I don't know what I should do without Kinokuniya. But nowdays I noticed less Japanese books there and more dolls and things. I hope you never disappear from my eye sight! Like other book store! Thank you for your services!! Akemi

Back in 1969, Kinokuniya Bookstore opened its first location here in San Francisco. The bookstore sells books, magazines, anime/manga, comics primarily in Japanese and some in English. They also sell toys, puzzles, plushies, and other things. Occasionally, the bookstore also hosted signings. What I love: Cute plushies. Who doesn't want an avocado plushie? Or a Pusheen? Great place.

Walking by more than a number of times, I made a point to finally enter and get something. There are a number of popular dining spots within yards of this store so I often gaze at their show window displays while walking by. I saw a basketball jersey that piqued my curiosity and I even took a photo of it... wonder where that is now. In perusing through Ken K.'s () activity, I saw something that would make a wonderful gift for a friend. It'd been a while so I wasn't sure it's still be available. I glanced at the left wall near the cashier station and saw those items (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=z8oWpuDBoXrhhm4XwZ3vxg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). Thankfully, they still had the one that I wanted. The line was short to pay, but the customer at the counter had some product issues so it took a little while for me to pay, being second in line. The cashier notified a coworker about the growing line and another station opened to the joy of me and the two people behind me. By the way, congratulations too on this business passing the 50th anniversary mark a couple years ago. Too bad it was about the time the world as we knew it changed. Hope to stop in again and browse a little more on a non-work day.

Always love coming to this bookstore. I always find such cool stuff. They had a great selection of kawaii, anime goods and manga along with other books. Service was great as usual, and saw tons of really cool stuff on my visit. Looking forward to my next stop.

This place is a local gem since forever. The staff are very nice. I highly recommend this place for books, media and small gifts. Unlike that Japan video and media store that's in the same plaza, this place will not yell at your children or price gouge you.

Excellent selections/inventory! Its always pleasant to browse there. Pricey, but that's SF...

This bookstore and gift shop (located inside an indoor shopping mall) is so much fun to browse through. You feel inspired and in total awe of the Japanese culture by the time you leave here. I saw cute stuffed animals, books on how to draw, origami, calligraphy, tattoo art. The bottom floor had Manga. Great place to come to when there's a long wait time at the local restaurants.

I've been coming to Kinokuniya since I was in high school, so for me, this bookstore comes attached with much nostalgia. This is a huge space, so they offer quite a bit of fiction, nonfiction, art, design, and what's probably 50% of Japanese-language books on the top floor alone. And with a whole other floor full of manga, illustration books, and anime merch, I could (and used to) spend hours here. It's a great spot to window shop, and a great spot to relax. However, the magic has gone stale somewhat since I've revisited as an adult. You'll notice very quickly that it is so hot in the store- like, a full 10-15 degrees warmer than the rest of Japantown. It can be physically uncomfortable and stuffy to shop here, so be wary of that if you're planning to visit on a weekend or a holiday. Secondly, there never seems to be enough staff here when it's busy- if you're looking for help, you'll likely need to interrupt staff who are helping people check out. It can feel inconvenient, so it might be best to know what you're looking for ahead of time.

Although I'm not an anime at heart it is fun to window shop in this 2 leveled Japanese book store. The downstairs level features anime books & collectibles while upstairs features cookbooks, children's books, arts & craft books, totes, stuffed animals, cups, & a ton of other stationary items. It's a great place to peruse, while on the east side of J-town building.

stumbled across this bookstore for the first time and I just thought it looked sooo cute! Found some gems I've always been wanting to read so I'm satisfied I'll definitely be coming for a visit again when I'm in San Fran

Look no further if you are an Anime fan... Kinokuniya is a Japanese-based retailer known for its collection of Asian books & magazines, along with DVDs, stationery and other little trinkets. Think of Kinokuniya as a smaller Asian version...more specifically a Japanese version of a Barnes & Noble So well organized! You can find just about any anything in Japanese media here. The selection of Anime is fairly extensive.

This is probably the best japanese bookstore I've ever been to in the US. Its very big with a wide selection, very clean AND they have a whole big area dedicated to everything Miyazaki (my heart swells). It makes me happy to see how accepting and mainstream it is to love anime now cause man (now I'm dating myself), I can remember the days where it was "uncool" and people looked at you weird. Til this day, I have no shame in ever owning some anime backpacks in Highschool- fight me. I like to think I helped paved the path for today's youth to enjoy anime with no fear of judgement. Younger me would've loved to come here all the time and just buy a bunch of things I did not need. Cute erasers? Cool figurines? Manga? Nowadays I just peruse for the nostalgia factor.

One of the best, if not the best Japanese bookstore in the Bay Area. Their selections include books written in Japanese to manga comic books to books in English but about English. A must visit for anyone who's interested in Japanese culture.

Second time I visited and actually looked around, they had so many cute things! I wasn't expecting so many kirby options, definitely took some things home this time and the lady who checked me out was very kind

The Manga section is pretty large compared to other stores. They have a small section of American best sellers and a pretty large selection of journals. Everything was pretty reasonably priced.

A cornucopia of manga, anime, art books, Studio Ghibli memorabilia, literature by Japanese authors, chic design books and more! I spent over an hour here with my preteen daughter and loved it. There's a TON of merchandise, but organized so well. Bonus: the wealth of noodle spots and Japanese crepe stalls just outside.

Kinokuniya Bookstore has been one of my favorite stores to go to in Japantown for decades. Every time I go to Japantown this is always one of the first stores I have to go to which is in an area within the mall that is filled with lots of great restaurants as well. If you love manga this is the perfect place to go because the 1st floor is filled with manga/anime related items. It's also the busiest area as there are lots of people browsing through the manga section as well. The upper floor has a lot of cute plushies, merchandise, Ghibli related stuff, etc. I always recommend checking this store out whenever you visit Japantown.

"The perfect cherry blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your entire life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life." - Katsumoto Who doesn't love a good book store, right? And if you're into Japanese culture, Japanese foods, Japanese manga, or Japanese Kaijū (monsters) look no further than Kinokuniya Bookstore in San Francisco. Kinokuniya Bookstore is located in Japantown and feeds your knowledge for anything Nihongo. I spent lots of time at this wonderful specialized shop when I took Japanese language courses. I also loved the books on Ukiyo-e, doing my research, as I have a collection of these beautiful Edo - Meiji period art. Of course, there are books and magazines from Tokyo you might be interested in, like the history of Hello Kitty, how to look Bijin (beautiful) in a Japanese way. Books on Datsun, Kikaida, Kimonos, or Hikari Mitsushima! If you're into Omiyage, you'll find all sorts of small gifts and souvenirs too. From "Spirited Away" Kaonashi toys to puzzles to classic Godzilla movies on DVD! In the end, I highly recommend Kinokuniya Bookstore for anyone into books or things Japanese. Lately I've been drifting more towards the Zen minimalist way, but I can always find something fun, unique at Kinokuniya...

The Japanese culture is pretty cool. Don't you think ? I stopped by to check out gift items and books. They have nice magazines too! A plush toy for my cousins kid is just perfect. This is a place to spends many hours shopping!

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** How have I lived this long - and I do mean 'long' - and not bought a lil bucket of pencil erasers shaped like fried chicken? I'm not sure really. Common sense, I presume, but when did common sense dictate frivolous purchases that have no practical application, especially when the erasers start to look like worn tenders after a couple of uses. It's interesting how a pandemic has made my eyes veer toward merchandise like this over the books and periodicals that make up most of the inventory here. The manga section downstairs is still quite robust for aficionados, and there were several masked Asian youth hanging out down there. It's just that I've got Amazon in the safe quarantine of my home after all. It must be a need for domestic comfort that I must find in Japanese trivialities like origami versions of the Sagrada Familia. Kinokuniya continues to provide relief from a cold world, and they've understandably set it up as a fortress to ensure safe distancing can occur. In the meantime, I've got my eye on the ramen bowl pencil sharpener. RELATED - Exploring J-Town? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2C8Z4mZ

A very good size bookstore inside the Japan Center Mall has hundreds of books in Japanese and English together with many cute stationeries and fun little things in the store. They have so many books on the tables or the bookshelf that will give you the information or introduce to you the Japanese culture. The cookbooks, the novels, the histories, the gardening, etc., they even have the books there talking about bobas. So professional! I have found many cute and interesting stuff in the store I wanna bring them home. A lot of them are educational and fun to play with friends and family. The cashier counter is just right next to the entrance. Usually have a line in front of it. But the line is moving very quickly. So don't let the line turn you away!

One of my favorite book stores! Whenever I visit Japan Town, I always have to check this place out. The main level has books of all subjects in English and Japanese, and the level below has comic books (or "manga" in Japanese) in English and Japanese as well. In addition to books, on the main level, this store also sells magazines and various goods (i.e. Studio Ghibli merchandise) from Japan. Are you interested in learning Japanese language? There's a spot on the main level dedicated to textbooks for Japanese learners. Are you looking for books to read in Japanese? Look no further. This place has a great selection. If you're unable to make it to this store, you can actually search for books and buy them on Kinokuniya's website. I recently bought some books online, and they arrived in about two weeks and in excellent condition! If you visit Japan Town, be sure to check this place out! 基本的に日本町に行くたびにこの本屋に色んな本を買いに行きます。メインレベルは日本語と英語の本がありますが、下のレベルは漫画があります。日本にもあるけど、アメリカはなかなかありません。地域にいれば、行ってみてください。 最近、サイトを通して、色んな本を買って、早く届きました。

Love this place.. it's the go-to for all your manga fixings. Lots of them and friendly staff. Due to the current situation it was about a 30 minute wait before entering but well worth the wait. I wish they have a wider collection of mana toys, pop heads and other toys and action figures. Their movie section was a bit limited but then again everyone watches anime on some online platform.

I've frequented this location multiple times, but my last visit left a sour taste in my mouth. As I approached the cashier to purchase my items, he claimed the people behind me were actually the next ones in line. The store was very chaotic at the time from the amount of people and I was unsure, so I clarified with the people he pointed towards. They confirmed with me that I was ahead of them. When I tried to clarify with the cashier, he rudely insisted I go back in line. I was a little angry over his refusal to listen so I returned my items and left the store.

I love this place so much. On the first floor you can browse through a wide selection of books, both Japanese and American bestsellers. There are also super cute plushies and legos and tote bags -- something for everyone. Then you go downstairs and let your inner weeb run free. There is every manga you can imagine, plus anime-themed merchandise. Overall, as an anime enjoyer and book enthusiast, I absolutely love this place and always visit it when I find myself in Japantown.

I love this store. It's pricey but it's San Francisco and they have so much fun stuff. Anime, Manga books, cookbooks, origami books, kid's books, stuffed animals, Tokidoki items, shirts, sushi socks, mini puzzles, etc... I mean this is the store you can get unique, interesting and so very cool Japanese gifts.

Love, love, love this bookstore in Japantown. Please support the local business! TWO stories with two separate entrances: first floor: Japanese anime/manga second floor: bookstore w/ Japanese & English books, accessories, random toys/stuffed animals You can't enter the manga section through the first floor (previously could); you need to enter from the first floor. A mini line of 10-15 minutes. Manga is available in English & Japanese. Don't touch the books you're not considering to buy out of respect. About $10/book aka not bad. Lots of cute accessories for purchase on second floor (main entrance to bookstore).

This place is so awesome. Once you come upstairs you can find more books center around life itself and also the core and every day readings were as downstairs it's more related to anime and manga. This place is awesome make sure you stop by here this is a must stop

I've been to the San Jose location, but it was my first time at the SF location and it's so much bigger! I love how it's 2 floors and they have a larger variety of items. The entire bottom floor is manga and anime merchandise. The upper floor is assorted books, magazines, and souvenirs of all kinds. They also had a Studio Ghibli section which was really cute as well. When I visited during the Cherry Blossom Festival, it was extremely crowded, hot, and hard to move around, which was unfortunate. The manga line on the bottom floor almost wrapped around the store! They have a great variety, but their prices are a bit expensive for some of the items. Would recommend stopping by if you're into Japanese culture though!

I love bookstores. I appreciate specialty bookstores. They are doing something distinctive when globalization has had the opposite effect it should, of providing all of us with the same bland offerings appealing to our worst preferences. Kinokuniya is a bookstore plus. Even though the internet appears to offer us everything, to be able to browse a curated collection of interesting stuff in real life rather than on a screen, that is the best of consumer culture. I say that as someone who is not a shopper; I never say, hey, I'd like to go to the mall. But whenever I am in Japantown, I have to stop into Kinokuniya. It is of course primarily books and primarily either in Japanese or on Japanese themes, with stationery, toys, and a smattering of other Asian and Asian American items. They have ample anime. Whoever is their purchaser does an excellent job. They just have funny objects perfect for the impulse purchase. So I also walk into boutiques only when I would accept the obligation to spend money. I feel it's a responsibility to support those businesses that are doing something you want to say done -- it would be wrong to spot a book here and then buy it elsewhere, because you'd be taking advantage of the service they have performed of gathering and displaying the wants you did not even realize you had. Incidentally, this also is the biggest Kinokuniya I have been in, in the United States.

One of my favorite bookstores in San Francisco! Lots of Asian/Asian American titles. Fantastic art books about Asian art. Language materials for Chinese, Japanese and Korean language learners. Love their Japanese fashion magazines. And a very tempting selection of stationery!

My fave manga store ever since I got into anime and manga. This branch is way bigger than the one in San Jose. This branch has two floors and I mostly spend my time in their first floor where all of their manga is. Everything is organized by genre and language and I'm sure you'll be able to find your favorite mangas.

Awesome bookstore with multiple levels and the hugest collection of anime, manga and books I've ever seen along with a bunch of other things (posters, games, toys, keepsakes etc) great place to browse around and I can spend hours looking around! It's always nice to be in a huge bookstore IMO...it's a happy place for me!