Asakichi

I have been coming here for years to buy my New Years presents and the same kind and friendly gentleman has always been there to help me. I love this little treasure trove of Japanese goodies. I hope they are around for many more years, one of my favorite little spots in SF.

I actually went to the Asakichi Antique store right at the entrance of the West Mall. The shopkeepers were very nice and one of them actually asked my bf and I if we would like to place our bonsai that we had just bought down on the counter. I decided to purchase a tea pot set that was on sale and even managed to practiced my Japanese when I asked if they had any obi. I managed to find one I liked and was even told that there was another shop that might have more which they were associated with and would allow me exchange for one I liked more. After paying they were kind enough to offer my bf a bag to carry his big bonsai in. I ended up asking my bf what does he say and he said thank you in Japanese which the shopkeepers got a kick out of. I’ll definitely go here again for some home décor.

I was always walking by this place and admiring their beautiful glass animals on display. Last month, I finally decided to buy them to decorate the window shelf in my apartment. A nice Japanese gentleman greeted me and with his friendly service I went home with my new friends! They are indeed a beauty!

I just want to write about the most unpleasant experience here some time ago! My friend and I went into this store to check out their stuff and I had the misfortune of over hearing the owners (father and son I presume) talk about us as if we were not there. They obviously thought we did not understand their language. Boy, were they wrong! not to mention careless! I can’t believe they didn’t see that I was Japanese! Anyhow, the son basically told his father not to push a more expensive teapot on us because we «look poor». Poor? Well, I am sorry to have disappointed you but we were college students after all. It may have been just a slip… but it’s hell of a slip. Japanese people can be so judgy and rude, it’s a shame. Ugh!

LOVE THIS STORE! I can’t believe I’ve never gone in here for all the times I go to Japantown. They have all kinds of unique and beautiful ceramic figurines (cats!!!), bento boxes, utensils, charms, and other items made in Japan. New favorite store.

I got my buckwheat pillow! The price is good and if you don’t like the cover you can change it awesome! The owner was really nice and help me choose a different pillow cover. He explained me how to wash the cover and the pillow.

Asa was very helpful in finding a tea bowl, tea accessories, and matcha. It want all about talking me into the most expensive wares rather what would best fit me as a beginner matcha drinker fascinated with the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
I emailed him regarding another piece in which responded almost immediately and offered to ship it to me.
I will visit again soon and anytime I am in SF.

Very small and cramped store. They really fill it up with goods. I’d never been to this store (and never actually noticed it) until last week. We were looking for washi paper for some party favors we’re making and my sister found this store on Unilocal.We paid the store a visit and found good quality washi paper for a relatively low price. The woman there was really helpful and friendly. We’re probably going to need more washi paper, so count on us to come back!

I love this place! All of the Asakichi locations are really great, but the one downstairs has the most stuff and (usually) Mr. Asakichi is there to help you, and he is super nice and will tell you all about what you are buying. Prices are very reasonable, and I always find something that I want for myself or to give as a gift.

Great selection of ceramic bowls & glassware, and tea drinking accessories! I found myself a darling traditional Japanese ceramic loose tea pot (just like the kind at the Japanese Tea Garden!) and it was under $ 30.
Great gifts for tea aficionados.

Best and most economical for high quality washi paper: Craft makers take note: Best source in SF Japantown for high quality low cost washi (Japanese silk screened paper). This is not your standard origami paper. These are artistically done, silk screened designs.
This store is located in the Kinokuniya building (the west side next to the Kabuki Theater) of the mall, on the first floor, in a corner across from Kinokuniya bookstore. The full size sheets, approximately 2 ft by 2 ½ feet, are $ 13 each and youcan buy just a half sheet for $ 7 or a quarter sheet for $ 3.50 (they will cut it for you). They get new shipments in periodically. The store directly above Asakichi (Kinokuniya Stationary & Gifton the second floor) also sells beautiful washi but the sheets are pricier. As Mi’a K noted, the washi is in a stack –as opposed to being displayed on racks – and one has to flip through to find what one wants.
Note the paper is not their main business, but their supply, variety and cost make them my first stop for washi in Japantown.

Was great to buy tea ware and other bowls and cups here for gifts. By far, this store is my favorite among others in Japantown. Friendly staff and quality products here. Wish we had more like it in Chicago…

Very nice store full of bowls, plates, paper, and other high quality little houseware objects — most new, a few antiques. They have been at this location for 30+ years and the staff are quite courteous and helpful. If you like Japanese things you probably know what you’re in for. If you don’t, and it’s time to set up house, know that you can get a level of artistry, quality, and design at a place like this at a fraction of the price of, say, a department store.

A little gem in a place that strives to preserve Japanese culture. Asakichi has a wonderful array of teaware, ranging from natsume to chaire to chawan and mizusashi. Asa, the owner, has great taste in all sorts of objects (antique and contemporary) and is always willing to help. Once he tracked-​down a hard to find piece of lacquerware for me. The search took him to Japan where he returned with the object. I was happy to see him go to such great lengths for me, a common customer!

My favorite of the 3 Asakichi locations in Japantown tucked away in the far back corner on the first floor of the Kinokuniya Building. Their other locations on the bridge for ironware or incense can be a bit cramped where as this location has a bit from each of the other stores and is more open for moving around in.
They have various tea ceremony wares including tea holders practical for everyday teas. They also have their share of papers, calligraphy/​drawings and Japanese nick nacks. Staff is always helpful and friendly.

Thanks Mia! I forget about this place because it requires too much time to wade through, but I got some beautiful paper a few years ago to use for a Christmas craft project/​gift. It was stunning. I guess I prefer Kinokuniya Stationary just because it is easier to pick out one sheet because it is pre-​rolled for you.
Asakichi also has some beautiful porcelain komono plates! Their extension branch on the bridge has a good collection of those metal teapots and incense.
It is difficult to walk around if there are more than 4 people because it is stuffed with a lot of various merchandise. Kind of like typical stores one might find in Asia.

My favorite spot for handmade Japanese Papers…
Those fancy Japanese Rice Papers that they sell at Paper Source for $ 12 are less than $ 10 at this wonderful little antique shop… You have to wade through an ENTIRE stack of papers (they sell them by the half sheet, as well, for reasonable prices,) but that is half the fun, in my opinion!
After you’ve gotten your inspiration from ideas at Kozo arts and Paper Source, this should be your destination. They get new shipments every few months, so I’m always looking forward to see what new prints they get in!
Only thing is, there is only room for one person to be wading through the papers at a time, and it’s a small shop, so one person at a time!!! No crowding!