San Jose has a rich Japanese-American heritage, and Japantown Manga & Anime is one of the gems that makes the city’s Japantown district a destination for fans across the Bay Area and beyond. Located at 150 E San Fernando St, this shop is a dedicated haven for anime enthusiasts and manga collectors.
What Makes It Special
Unlike general bookstores with a manga section, Japantown Manga & Anime lives and breathes the culture. The shelves are packed with manga volumes spanning every genre — shonen, shojo, seinen, isekai, and everything in between. Anime merchandise fills every corner: figures, plushies, keychains, posters, and hard-to-find imports that dedicated collectors dream about.
The shop also carries trading cards, including popular titles like Pokémon and other Japanese card games, making it a one-stop destination for the full spectrum of Japanese pop culture fandom. Staff are knowledgeable and share the passion, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations on your next read or figure hunt.
Planning Your Visit
San Jose’s Japantown is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood with fantastic Japanese restaurants, mochi shops, and cultural spots all within easy reach. Combine your manga haul with lunch at one of the neighborhood’s authentic eateries for a full cultural experience.
The shop is accessible via VTA light rail (the Japantown/Ayer stop is close by) and street parking is available in the neighborhood. Weekends tend to be busier, especially when local conventions or events are happening nearby.
Visitor Tips
- Great for finding volumes in series that bigger stores have gaps in
- Check their Instagram for new arrivals and restocks
- Perfect spot to find gift ideas for anime fans of all ages
- Pair with a visit to the nearby Japanese American Museum of San Jose
Address: 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112
Website: japantownmanga.com
Instagram: @japantownmanga
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