Japantown is one of only three remaining Japantowns in the United States, centered around the Japan Center mall and Peace Plaza. The neighborhood blends Japanese cultural institutions, restaurants, and shops with surrounding residential streets of Victorian and apartment buildings. Its unique cultural identity and central location between Pacific Heights and the Western Addition give it a distinctive character.

2 Bedroom Homes

Based on SF Assessor data from the past 5 years

$1,262,835

Median Price

$1,165

Avg Price/SqFt

Total Sales

+5.6%/yr

Avg. Annual Appreciation

3 Bedroom Homes

Based on SF Assessor data from the past 5 years

$1,496,301

Median Price

$1,076

Avg Price/SqFt

Total Sales

Neighborhood Map

Data Layers

SF Homes Report Best Locations

Master composite score (0-100) combining all neighborhood data: safety, walkability, commute access, schools, kid-friendliness, appreciation, dining, terrain, transit, parking, bikeshare, cleanliness, sunshine, and more.

Overall Value

Neighborhood quality per dollar: Best Locations composite score divided by median price per square foot. Higher scores indicate areas where you get the most livability for your money.

Access Score

Composite neighborhood accessibility combining walkability, commute ease (BART/Muni/freeway), bikeshare density, terrain flatness, and street parking availability.

Walkability Index

EPA National Walkability Index (1-20 scale) interpolated to 2020 Census block groups. Based on intersection density, proximity to transit, and employment mix.

Bikeshare Density

Bay Wheels (Lyft) bikeshare station density by dock capacity per block group. Higher values indicate more bikeshare infrastructure.

Street Parking Availability

Street parking availability derived from SFMTA meter density. Fewer meters indicates more free/unrestricted parking. Residential neighborhoods score highest.

Flat vs. Hilly

Terrain flatness score derived from USGS 1m DEM elevation sampling (~200m grid). Local slopes computed from nearest-neighbor elevation differences. Flatter areas score higher.

Crime Density

Severity-weighted crime density from SFPD incident reports (last 12 months). Violent crimes weighted higher. Based on initial reports geocoded to block groups.

Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian safety score based on inverse density of pedestrian-involved traffic crashes (last 3 years). Severity-weighted: fatal and severe injuries count more. Fewer crashes = safer.

Night Safety (Streetlights)

Night safety score based on inverse density of 311 streetlight complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints suggest better-maintained lighting infrastructure.

Sidewalk Quality

Sidewalk condition score based on inverse density of 311 sidewalk and curb complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints indicate better-maintained walkways.

Restaurant Density

Food service business density from DataSF registered business locations. Includes restaurants, cafes, bars, and food trucks.

Road Condition

Road condition score based on inverse density of 311 street defect complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints indicate better-maintained roads.

Best Schools

School access score weighted by grade level (elementary highest) and type (private bonus). Measures density and quality of nearby schools per block group.

Kid-Friendly Score

Composite family-friendliness: playgrounds/rec facilities, library proximity, school density, crime safety (inverse), walkability, and pedestrian traffic safety.

Repeat-Sale Appreciation

Median annualized home appreciation from actual repeat sales (same property sold 2+ times) in the SF Assessor roll (2007-2024). Based on assessed value changes at sale events under Prop 13 reassessment.

Home Sales Volume

Recent residential sales activity (2019-2024) per block group from SF Assessor roll. Log-normalized count of detected ownership transfers. Higher = more active market.

Price per Square Foot

Median assessed price per square foot from recently sold residential properties (2020-2024) in the SF Assessor roll. Assessed values reflect Prop 13 reassessment at sale.

5-Year Appreciation

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over the last 5 years, derived from Zillow Home Value Index at neighborhood level. Mapped to block groups via neighborhood boundaries.

10-Year Appreciation

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over the last 10 years, derived from Zillow Home Value Index at neighborhood level.

20-Year Appreciation

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over ~22 years (2000-2022), derived from Census 2000 and ACS 5-Year median home values at tract level (~200 tracts).

50-Year Appreciation

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over the last 50 years (since ~1975), derived from FHFA House Price Index at Census tract level.

Commute Ease

Composite score of Muni rail/streetcar proximity, freeway access distance, BART station proximity, and Muni bus stop density. Higher scores indicate easier commute options.

Street Tree Density

Street tree density per block group from DataSF EveryTreeSF census. Log-normalized so residential neighborhoods with moderate tree cover score well relative to parks.

Street Cleanliness

Street cleanliness score based on inverse density of 311 cleaning/dumping/graffiti complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints = cleaner neighborhood.

Quietness Score

Neighborhood quietness based on inverse density of 311 noise complaints (last 12 months). Fewer noise complaints = quieter area.

Cafe & Coffee Density

Cafe and coffee shop density from DataSF registered businesses (NAICS 7225). Log-normalized to better represent neighborhood cafe culture.

Sunshine Index

San Francisco microclimate sunshine score based on DPW fog/sun zone classification. Eastern neighborhoods sheltered by Twin Peaks get significantly more sun than western fog belt areas.

Median Household Income

Median household income per Census block group from ACS 5-Year Estimates. Higher values indicate wealthier neighborhoods.

Homeownership Rate

Owner-occupied housing rate per Census block group from ACS 5-Year Estimates. Higher homeownership indicates community stability and investment.

Historic Architecture

Percentage of pre-1930 buildings (Victorian & Edwardian era) per block group, from SF Assessor Secured Roll property records. Higher scores indicate more historic character.

Pet Friendliness

Pet friendliness score combining pet business density (stores, vets, groomers) and proximity to dog parks/play areas. Higher scores indicate more pet-friendly neighborhoods.