Credit: SF Planning / De Alva

Japantown Osaka Way / Buchanan Mall Upgrades

Osaka Way / Buchanan Mall is paved with a river of cobblestones, connecting two fountain installations, consisting of origami flower forms designed by renowned artist Ruth Asawa, and surrounded by low, circular stone walls.  Along with Peace Plaza, it’s the geographic and cultural heart of the neighborhood.

The three main goals of this project are to:

  • Enhance accessibility of the Mall for seniors and people with disabilities and limited mobility
  • Rehabilitate the Ruth Asawa fountains that are iconic to the mall
  • Support the business community by embellishing the sense of cultural authenticity and enhancing the commercial edges of the mall

Japantown’s Buchanan Mall (also known as Osaka Way) is the pedestrian portion of Buchanan Street that runs for one block between Post and Sutter streets. This walkway is lined by restaurants, stores, and cultural institutions on both sides, allowing residents and visitors to experience Japantown’s culture in a pedestrian environment. 

This project aims to implement streetscape upgrades identified by the Japantown community through efforts like the 2013 Japantown Cultural Heritage & Economic Sustainability Strategy (JCHESS). After community leaders advocated for funding, former Assemblymember Phil Ting secured a $5 million grant from the California Natural Resources Agency at the end of 2021. This project has been developed in partnership with the Japantown Task Force, Japantown Community Benefit District, the Nihonmachi Parking Corporation, and the Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc.

Please explore the different tabs on this webpage to learn more details about the project.

Existing Conditions

schematic of Osaka WayDiagram shows the location and boundaries of the project. Details about the space can be found in the Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Community Briefing presentation, see Outreach & Engagement tab.

Timeline *Milestone
Spring 2022 – Winter 2023Conditions & Needs Assessment, Initial Project Outreach
Spring 2023 – Summer 2024Public Workshop Series and Focused Outreach
Spring and Summer 2024Design Development
Fall 2024 - Winter 2025Detailed Design
Spring and Summer 2025Bidding Process
Winter 2026Construction begins (estimated 12 months period) 

* Subject to change.

MEETING DATELOCATIONDETAILSMATERIALS
Community Briefing
Tuesday January 21, 2025
5:30-8:00pm  (free)		KOHO Co-Creative Hub – Issei Memorial Hall
1675 Post Street #2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94115		A Community Briefing on the Osaka Way Upgrades project as we kick off 2025! The project team has integrated valuable community feedback received from from various surveys, open houses, and focused stakeholder meetings. Various perspectives and insights have been essential in shaping this vision, and the project team is excited to share the latest as they work towards a final design.
Open House #3
Tuesday February 6, 2024
5:30-7:30pm  (free)		Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California – Issei Memorial Hall
1840 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94115

Online starts at 6:00pm (not online)		Join us for an Open House to comment on preferred concept for upgrades, including proposed lighting, greenery, seating and more.
– Short presentation at 6:00 (will be recorded)
– Refreshments will be served
– Activities for kids!
– Door prizes!
Open House #2
Tuesday October 3, 2023
5:30-7:30pm  (free)		Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California – Issei Memorial Hall
1840 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94115

Online starts at 6:00pm (not online)		Join us for an Open House to share ideas for upgrades to the pedestrian portion of Buchanan Mall (Osaka Way) between Post and Sutter Streets.
– Short presentation at 6:00 (will be recorded)
– Refreshments will be served
– Activities for kids!
– Door prizes!
Open House #1
Wednesday May 31, 2023
5:00 to 8:00pm  (free)

Meeting will be held In-person and Online via Zoom 


 		Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California – Issei Memorial Hall
1840 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94115

Online starts at 6:00pm: RSVP to receive Zoom link.		Join us for an Open House to share ideas for upgrades to the pedestrian portion of Buchanan Mall (Osaka Way) between Post and Sutter Streets.
– Short presentation at 6:00 (will be recorded)
– Refreshments will be served
– Activities for kids!
– Door prizes!

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