il paradiso spa Japantown The Japan Center was built as part of an ambitious 1960s plan to revitalize the Fillmore D

Japantown il paradiso spa The Japan Center was built as part of an ambitious 1960s plan to revitalize the Fillmore District. Blocks of aging Victorians were demolished and replaced by the Geary Express way and this Japanese-style shopping complex, with a five- tiered, 75-ft (22-m) Peace Pagoda at its heart. Taiko drummers perform here during the Cherry Blossom Festival each April (see p74). The extensive malls are lined with authentic Japanese shops and restaurants, plus an eight-screen cinema, and the Kabuki Springs and Spa. More shops and restaurants are found along the outdoor il paradiso spa mall across Post Street. This neighborhood has been the focus of the Japanese il paradiso spa community for some 75 years. d Map F3

Ashbury 101 historic sites 38 9 history 36 7 Hitchcock, Alfred 9, 53 Hockney, David 126 Holographic Museum 41 Home Exchange Inc 149 Hooker, John Lee 101 Hoover, J. Edgar 16 Hopkins, Mark 39 Hopper, Edward 144 horse-racing 73 hospitals 139 hostels 136, 148 hot springs 33, 34 Hotaling Caf 91 Hotel Del Sol 146 Hotel Drisco 142 Hotel Nikko 143 hotels 141, 142 8

The big guns are all well represented in this city that loves looking good. Most of them are clustered around Union Square. The more upscale the department store, the more it feels like the exclusive parlor il paradiso spa of some deluxe hotel, where you are the pampered guest. A very comfortable way to shop