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Category: Hardware Stores [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Pacific Heights, JapantownMon-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
"A unique San Francisco store with an amazing variety of cabinet hardware (knobs, drawer pulls, hooks, etc.). In addition to classic and…" read more »
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I've been coming here for decades, but, now that I live in the area, this is where I go to get my household goods. Oftentimes, I'll go in looking for something, expecting to be disappointed because they're such a small store, but I'll walk out, pleasantly surprised. They manage to keep an amazing variety of things in a small space, while also having a large amount of Japanese items to fit the neighborhood. Obviously, they're no Home Depot, but for just about everything I'll need for normal use, they've got it.
The staff is also extremely friendly. I always feel like they'll bend over backwards to try and help. If they don't have exactly what I need, they'll offer suggestions on what they do have that might fit my needs, or tell me where the closest place that might stock it.
Soko Hardware is a Japantown icon... meaning, it seems like everyone I've spoken to in San Francisco knows about this place.
It's just simply a fun place to drop in to have a look around. This store should be mentioned in all the San Francisco tourist guide books, but unfortunately it isn't.
Are you looking for a unique tea pot? how 'bout a nice pair of garden shears? or perhaps a length of copper tubbing to fix up that old leaky kitchen drain? This place is a shopaholic's dream come true.
When in San Francisco Soko Hardware is a must do of do's.
I've been here a couple times since I don't have a lot of reasons to come here to buy anything whereas today was a different story having to run errands for the bf. I was greeted with a "hello" 2x by the storeowners and went straight downstairs to look for the stuff my bf requested. I was hoping this would be a one stop visit and not having to go to Ross dreadfully but lo and behold they had what was needed. For okay prices I figure I want to support my local Japantown and spend good money for good quality. Last time my bf and I came down here he was looking for a waffle maker and ended up buying a 3-in-1 deal and he was quite happy.
Overall this is one of those hidden places people should invest their time in whether you're a local or a tourist (let's just hope for more locals than tourists...). It's a good place to browse and get ideas or if you know what you want and you know this is the place to pay for the quality.
Parking is kinda hard around Jtown but bussing/walking is more convenient. They validate garage parking with a $15 purchase and that escalator has been out of commission for a while and I haven't seen it work for a looong time.
Where else in America can you find a dog and cat repellent? I love animals but I think its interesting that such a product exists.
I love this place. I have bought so much from this place-- chopsticks, tupperware, planters, knives, light bulbs, dishes, graters, sake glasses, kitty cat coffee cups (they were on sale).
I recently cleared out their sales section of japanese plates and bowls. Such great prices and pretty good quality...
Can't believe I've never reviewed this place - they are friendly and they have tons of stuff, and a huge variety of stuff. While they don't always have what I'm looking for, I don't think I've ever left without a purchase in hand.
I bought a Sanyo rice cooker at Soko Hardware about a month ago and after couple weeks, I saw some seal opens on the lid. I was going to ship to the Warranty Department to get a repair, but I thought I would give the store a try to see if they can help me out. Of course they did! They simply took my rice cooker and told me that they would deal with the supplier to get it taken care of.
I got a call later from the store and told me to come and get my new rice cooker - they just gave me a new one to replace the old one.
That's the kind of service you can hardly find these days. I will buy my kitchen supply from them whenever I can. It's actually the precise reason I bought this rice cooker at this store the first place - there is same rice cooker in other stores that is cheaper when I was shopping around.
Soko Hardware is a great place to get kitchen supplies to outdoor work supplies. They have many great things in their inventory and in a Japanese way. From pots and pans to light bulbs. Its my first time going there, and I was already impressed. It was easy to find the supplies I needed since it was very organized. Both floors of the place were helpful. I would definitely come back when I visit Japantown again. ^_^
Oh my god, seriously my favorite place to buy dishes. I'm sort of ridiculously obsessed with Japanese dishware -- it's so much prettier than the boring crap they sell in Western stores.
Plus, nice knives on the cheap? Hell yes.
AWESOME place for souvenir or house supply shopping. Forget the silly souvenir shops. Not many places in the South carry kokeshi dolls and Japanese masks. It's Christmas season, so if you got some Japanimaniac friends, you really should stop by here. Especially since things are pretty affordable here. (We're not in San Francisco anymore, Toto, are we?)
Plenty of cheap knickknacks for gifts and stuff around the home. Other stuff they carry include sushi dishes, tea sets, tabi socks for your geta slippers, charms to hang on your keychain or rearview mirror, good luck kitties, kitchen knives, and of course, tools (it's a HARDWARE store! Duh!), and other stuff.
Need a rice cooker? Vacuum cleaner? Chopsticks? Lanterns? Gardening tools? Sake set? You will find it here. And then some. And the prices aren't too bad either.
I am obligated to give them five stars because they carry a Hello Kitty toaster and coffee maker, and other Sanrio appliances on occasion. I am staking out the place to score myself the elusive Hello Kitty VACUUM CLEANER that my friend says she bought here.
It will be mine...oh yes....it will be mine.
It's like a normal hardware store, you can get all the nuts bolts and drills that you could ever want. The cooler thing is that you can also get wooden practice swords here. Totally awesome!
Fun shopping experiences happen unexpectedly! I came here on a random day about Japantown to explore and wound up noticing a lot of fun items. Noren, bento, great lil bric-a-brac, great nippon kodo incense (one of my favorite brands mind you), nice pruning shears... the list just goes on and on. It's kind of like Cliff's Variety in my neighborhood in the way that you can find such a wide range of items from tools and stuff you'd want from a traditional hardware store, plus a lot of fun/cute items that you'd never expect.
As with most place in Japantown, they close a little early... before 6... not really sure why eveything closes so early in the area, but at least they're sort of on my way home from work. I just have to wait a half hour for them to open, which can be spent picking out manju over at Benkyodo's. The people who work here are also pretty friendly , which is helpful.
I'm not big on bumper stickers but if there were an 'I (heart) Soko Hardware' sticker I'd get it and use it.
I used to have dreams of dishes, acres of beautiful Japanese plates and bowls stacked by the side of the road, strewn across fields, all shapes, sizes...Man! The only thing missing at Soko's was the full moon and night sky that are a mainstay of that particular dream. The paper lanterns serve as a good stand in.
Don't know why of all the shops I've wandered through in J-town, this one slammed me right down into small shops I would spend hours in when I lived on the other side of the Pacific. Weird and wonderful (and not particularly small, but I 'm just sayin'...).
Upstairs they have the usual (hardware) suspects, electrical supplies, stuff for your tool box, but over toward the back is the serious Japanese arts and leisure section, sumi-e supplies, ikebana supplies, go gameboards and supplies. I saw dolls, too, but I don't know if they have the kits for making your own (I used to, but didn't have time to ask).
I saw things (like New Year's sake sets) of the sort that I used to own, forgot about and feel very sad about losing (had to let go of during a few rough patches) Dang.
Downstairs, more toolbox stuffings, and kitchen/dining ware.
As they unpacked and tagged new merchandise, the downstairs staff engaged in gentle-but-biting banter that seemed sort of family-style teasing. Made me want to hang out all the more. The older woman got some real zingers in.
Funny and friendly gets my business every time!
They have everything here! We actually found Shiso seeds here. Hooray.
Downstairs is full of cute Japanese knickknacks, bowls, tea sets, etc.
A good place to lose an hour in browsing.
one star off for being closed on Sundays.
These folks have been my local hardware store for a while, in addition to being the go-to place for various hard-to-find Asian stuff. The service has always been friendly and helpful, and they've always had my hardware needs in addition to lots and lots of "wants", like rice-paper lamps and chopstick rests. This may be the best place in town to buy a rice maker, or at last the best place in Japantown. And where else would I buy the awesome Japanese hand saws, wood planes and cabinetry hardware? Or that fancy heated bidet electronic toilet machine?
The downstairs is only accessible via stairs (the escalator has not worked in years), so wheelchair folks won't get to the basement floor, where most of the kitchenware is. But if you know what you want, ask the employees and they can bring things up for you to see. You may also need to ask for help with the front doors, as (like most businesses) they leave one locked and the open door isn't quite wide enough for my powerchair. But they have always been happy to oblige me, even when all I'm buying is one lightbulb.
"Soko" is the abbreviated Japanese for "San Francisco", and Soko Hardware has been there since before redevelopment. Check out the new historical plaque on their outside wall on the plaza (the historical walk is totally worthwhile, too!) and look in the window there to see some antiques from the store's earliest incarnations as a camera and Japanese book store.
This place is very nice, has a very nice feel to it. But most of all i love the fucking poodle they have there. 5 stars for the poodle!
Ok, here we have a tale of two cities. One of them is a decently appointed hardware store with all of the expected accoutrements. We got nails, screws, saws, hammers, wood, Rubbermaid, blah blah blah. You get the picture. The second is the wonderful selection of Japanese home and garden items. For instance, step inside, and make a b-line for the back of the store. You will find maybe the best selection of Japanese saws (nokogiri) in SF. These things rock because they cut when you pull as opposed to push. Excellent for detail work. Then walk through the trays and to your right is a selection of curtains (noren) that you just don't find every day (except at our place, we have 6). If that didn't get you, the hand crafted black metal bonsai tools will. Or you can look up and see a huge selection of Paper lanterns hanging from ceiling. Again, many of these items are hard to find.
Now we go down the stairs next to the escalator and you are in the center of 'Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium.' Good selection of professional quality Japanese knives, rows of rice cookers, vacuum pots, and indoor grills. They have woks, pots (nabe), hot pots, bowls (donburi), sushi rice tubs (hangiri) and more.
Tip: This is one of the only places in the Bay Area to carry the much beloved Toto brand of 'self cleaning' toilet seats (good times).
I'm a cook and this is a fun little place to get really nice knives and some kitchen equipment. It's a great shop, I love it.
When I am in this store, That's it.
It is too hard for me to get out there.
So many stuff to pick-up and take a look.
I just love to looking around in there.
I don't know they over-priced or not.
Can't tell.
Japanese tea cups and bowls are pretty good.
I like here better than "San-ko" a few stores up to Sutter Street.
and many of garden equipments.
I got many of cooking stuff here.
by the way,
"Soko" means San Francisco in old Japanese.
I have searched every hardware store for a high-quality made pick hammer from Nor Cal to So Cal and I just couldn't find what I wanted not until I visited Soko Hardware. The pick hammer I want and need was clearly displayed in a glass cabinet.
Before purchasing my pick hammer, I began shopping for another rice paddle. I also checked the prices for cooking appliances. Soko Hardware is reasonably priced and I am very satisfied with all my purchases.
I am biased about this place. my mama does not like this it here for whatever reason. and so i feel guilty whenever i patronize them.
let me tell you though, i find my hawaii slippers here for three bucks!
Soko Hardware does sell hardware, it's true. But the real reason you go here is for the insane Japanese supplies. Rice cookers, shamoji (the rice paddle- never use a spoon!), miso soup bowls, etc etc.
Lots of cooking items. They have strainers for tea, and fancy metal containers to keep dry tea in.
Soko Hardare also has fairly nice dishes here- not so nice that they'd be your heirloom dishes, but nice enough to serve your tsukemono when you want to impress guests.
One item I keep having to convince myself NOT to buy: the authentic yakitori barbeque. It's totally awesome. Yakitori is basically chicken teriyaki kabobs, except generally you get them at special bars where they sell a jillion kinds of yakitori. Think unholy love-child of Korean Barbeque and a sushi bar. For some reason, there just aren't any real yakitori places here in the US. So at Soko Hardware they've got this crazy ceramic bucket that gets super hot and grills super clean. I think they stock the special charcoal you are meant to use as well. And it's specifically sized to fit on a balcony (remember the huge percentage of Japanese people who live in giant cities).
random like me..
need a rice cooker??
how about some nails & paint?
some vegetable seeds too??
no problem..
soko hardware has it all..
whenever i come in here... it makes me want to throw out all my flatware and buy a whole new set...
all of it looks so elegant..
and all of a sudden.. you're looking at bathroom supplies..
!!
from dishes to shower curtains..
random
Soko Hardware & Cliff's Variety are the 2 most unique hardware stores in SF. It's my favorite place to get house warming gifts. Ceramic Kaki, teapots, bamboo mats, decorative magnets, ginger graters and many other household items can be found downstairs. They have the best selection of cast iron wind chimes in the form of dragonfly, turtles, fish, lanterns, frogs and many other designs. You can find the larger thick bamboo mats and even a small selection of hand made papers. You can even get vegetable seeds to plant.
It's really more of a shopping experience, as it will take you a few hours to go through it, especially your first time.
I've even seen the 'big green egg' Kamodo clay grill/smokers imported from Japan. These are no longer available as the man who made them in Japan passed on. I am sorry I was never able to get one, as it would have melted on my patio.
This place has tons of supplies at not-so-japanese prices which is a +1*!!
A Japanese IKEA! Amazing store! This place has everything. It's like where MacGuyver should shop if he's on a mission to Tokyo.
Completely unassuming place. I never would have thought that this store would have all this cool Japanese swag downstairs.
Came here looking for some Japanese "Steel" - my chef sister-in-law's new chef BF came to buy a MAC knife for work at Campton Place (see: http://www.yelp.com/bi... ) . Good selection.
If it's your FIRST time to Japan Town, Soko's is worth a visit. The sales staff is super friendly too! =D
I buy bowls and chopsticks here, among other food related things. Because I break/loose bowls and accidentally throw out/loose my chopsticks.
They have all sorts of nifty things though. Practically everything household related that you can think of. not to mention those Japanese wooden clog shoe thingys.
For all the cosplayers out there doing any costume that has some traditional Japanese elements like the shoes or that cone-ish hat thing. Come here! they have them!
I also end up buying a cheapo but spiffy looking fan every time I go... because I'm weird like that and I like them.
This just reminded me i need a new teapot... off to Soko!
Great store if you're looking for specific tools needed for Japanese woodcrafting. I had to take my dad here because he's this hardware geek. I think he got his fix alright. Pricey as anything Japanese, but well worth it.
Although I would go to Kamei or some other kitchen hardware supply place for decorative plates and everything that's kitchen stuff. You can get the same things @ Kamei for a lot less.
They also have some cheap-ish noren [door curtains] if you're ever looking for one.
Soko Hardware, such a cute name!!
Wow.. I am kinda sad I just learned about this store. It's pretty awesome! It's like a mini Wal-mart!! With all Japanese products!!
Up until now, Japantown has been a giant gaping hole in my mental map of San Francisco. But I finally managed to get over here this morning and take a look around...
Soko is probably the coolest store I saw on my little mini-tour (though admittedly, I haven't been in the mall yet). Yes, it is a fully equipped neighborhood hardware store, but more importantly it's an excellent source of Japanese cooking supplies & housewares. If, like me, you've got a thing for paper lanterns, ceramic tea sets & bowls, and anything else that makes your house look all Pacific Rim, then Soko is a must stop. The best part: you can actually afford most of the stuff in here.
Pairs well with a trip to Sanko, a few doors up, which has an even more extensive (and expensive) bowls collection.
I really like this place. I can't believe they've been there for so long. I think it was one of the first Japanese American businesses in Japantown or something. Where else can you walk in and find a variety of chochin lanterns that say stuff like "ramen" and "sake." Haha. It's a neighborhood hardware store with fun stuff like Japanese kitchenware and cutlery. If you want the mammoth selection for home improvement or something, I would go to Home Depot, but I like patronizing Soko's business. I like their store and I like the experience. I would definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the Japantown area. You'll need to find street parking or park in the lot inside the main mall building. I'm not sure if Soko validates but most of the restaurants in the mall seem to.
Wow, amazing store. At first, it looks like a regular hardware store (which just happens to be in Japantown). Then you find the Go section in the back (they have some nice boards and Go stones for sale, yow.) Then you find the Japanese door hardware section. And then the Japanese puzzle boxes. And then the Japanese saws and woodworking hand tools. And the origami paper. And the knives.
Downstairs is a pretty large selection of tea cups, rice cookers, and household knickknacks.
Finally, as you're checking out, you ask the guy at the register - what are those little metal spoon things for sale in that cup on the counter?
Those? Those are ear cleaners.
Prices on all the Japanese items are great -- this isn't an import store, it's a neighborhood store that sells to local Japanese-Americans. The puzzle box prices I saw were competive with on-line prices.
This is a must-visit store if you're into any of the items I listed above.
They have the usual small hardware store stuff too.
Wonderful hardware store but don't be fooled, they carry everything from placemats, napkins to kitchen ware, wrapping paper, Japanese souvenirs, etc and not just hardware tool supply.
As you enter, the hardware supply, key copy service, etc is on the main level but when you step downstairs, it's an entire floor or more household supplies. Bought some inexpensive oriental wrapping paper here and I asked the owner about the key copy and it costs a mere $1.25. Will come back to check out more of their goodies.
this place rocks the hardware and asian-ware. it is an incredible 2 floored mega-mega-mart of anything you can imagine.
25-foot cables? check.
bamboo steamers? check.
art paper? check.
japanese dishwashing liquid? check.
2-inch screws? check.
teapots and teacups? check and check.
between this place and brownie's on polk, i never need to worry about minor household issues.
Amazing hardware store that has things that are a little difficult to find but, the organized sections are their traditional Japanese ceramics, cookware, seeds, rice paper, and culinary knives perfect for fish slicing, gardening tools. Have spent beaucoup bucks on unique Christmas presents here.
Have just learned that those special Japanese knives with the wooden handles are made by craftsmen that don't have many apprentices wanting to learn the craft and now sushi chefs will have a harder time finding some of these handmade works of art. A 400 year tradition dies out in 20 years. Your grandchildren's collectors item....
Whenever I go into this place, I always hear tourists exclaiming they've found one of the coolest places in San Francisco. And it's true! Soko Hardware is very cool. Upstairs you get all the traditional hardware stuff. Downstairs, you get the selection of all kinds of things!
I bought sturdy japan-made bowls on sale for ($4 a piece). I also bought a more expensive teapot that was lovely.
Just go on a exploration mission to check this place out. Chances are you'll come out with some goodies.
Every time I'm in San Francisco, Soko Hardware is one of the must-stops and I'll usually spend an entire morning milling around and looking suspicious to the owners. But who cares -- I'm in Soko Hardware Heaven.
Here are some cool things to look out for when you visit.
Upstairs (street level) offers the following: Japanese fruit and vegetable seeds, outdoor orthopoedic sandals, noren, flower arranging vessels, and Japanese iron furniture hardware.
Downstairs offers a massive selection of plates/bowls/pottery, cookware, furin (wind chimes), rice cookers, woks, kitchen implements, baskets, and garden supplies.
One reviewer noted Soko's "calming effect" and that is definitely true. Walk in here and you'll understand immediately. Outside is San Francisco hustle and bustle, but inside is a warm and cozy space. You'll easily spend an hour or two in here lazily examining everything and it's doubtful you'll leave empty-handed.
They have lots of cute stuff here (wasabi/soy sauce plates etc.). Sometimes the staff stare a little too much (or keeping an eye as they would think). I don't know what to say about a certain staff member I've encountered more than once. I can say he's nice or I can say that he stares in a very uncomfortable way very much (perv like). But then that's not going to stop me from coming here to look at all the random cute stuff.
The ambiance of the store reminds me of ones I grew up with in the midwest. I often wonder about the history of the long non-operational escalator. You can find just about anything that Cole Hardware or the more upscale stores just south of them might carry. There is something zen-like about buying hammers, incense, fancy tea pots and hand-made paper all on the same stop.
The back of the top floor is a bit messier but has some good finds, especially interested drawer pulls and brass hardware.
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