New People - San Francisco

San Francisco already had a Japantown anchored by several Japanese shops, restaurants and Japanese themed stores. It now has a new attraction. It is called New People.

Photo (c) New People /Viz pictures

I had the opportunity to visit the New People complex earlier in September and I have to say it is truly unique in so many ways.  New People is the nation’s first retail and entertainment complex dedicated to Japanese popular culture. The stores are housed in a trendy 20,000-square-foot modern glass structure that would look at home in Roppongi Hills. It carries fashion trends straight off of the streets of Harajuku.  The complex has three stories that house anime, books, art, clothing and a small café on the ground floor. The boutiques carry a variety of trendy clothes including a popular Lolita line called “Baby The Stars Shine Bright” which was featured in the movie Kamikaze Girls. But wait, there’s more. Take the elevator down one floor and you will find Viz Cinema, a 143-seat HD theater playing the latest Japanese films. The New People J-Pop center was brought to life by the extremely talented Seiji Horibuchi, the founder and CEO of VIZ Pictures and the founder of VIZ Media. When in town, you definitely do not want to miss this venue.