Japanese restaurants downtown: 23.
Restaurants with a Michelin star: 1 (see “Beyond Sushi,” next page).
How it all started: A century ago, Japanese immigrants flocked here to work in the salt ponds and open laundries and flower shops. In the ’50s and ’60s, a second wave followed.
A century of tradition: The local Buddhist temple was founded in 1910.
Sister city: Toyonaka, Japan.
Best Pan-Pacific bite: A Hawaiian-style plate lunch at Takahashi Market (221 S. Claremont St.; 650/343-0394), established by a Japanese immigrant in 1906.
Stock up: Ever wanted your own Lucky Cat, the paw-up cartoon figurine you see in pretty much every Japanese restaurant? There’s a huge selection at M.V. Trading Company (251 E. Third Ave.; 650/558-9780). You can also pick up bento boxes, woks, steamers, knives, and a rainbow of chopsticks.
OD on cute: Pair sweet little snacks with cartoon-happy, geek-chic shopping and you’ve got the quirky Sweet Breams. Its primary business is selling schools of chibi taiyaki (tiny, filled fish-shaped waffles), but it also carries affordable cartoon art, kawaii figurines, and Pantone-colored mugs. As for the taiyaki? We’re torn between vanilla custard and rich Nutella for fave filling. 220 Second Ave.; 650/347-3509.
Warm your bones: Why do lizards lie on warm rocks? Because it feels awesome. Make like a reptile and get that lazy baked feeling at Spa Muku, where there’s only one service: lying on a hot-rock platform. Slip on the provided top and pants, then spend 5 minutes warming on your stomach, 10 on your back, and 5 minutes in a cooling-off room. Repeat 3 times and you’ll be blissed out. From $25; 650/525-0306.
Wander a (very) manicured garden: A walled oasis in the middle of San Mateo’s Central Park, the Japanese Tea Garden is tiny but memorable. Stroll the paths to a granite pagoda, over the bridge across the koi pond, and among the beautifully manicured shrubs. Time your visit right and you may be able to catch the cherry trees bursting into blossom (usually mid- to late February). Free; near E. Fifth Ave. and Laurel Ave.
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