Saigon’s Japan Town: Anime Cafes, Sushi & Hidden Alleyways!

Saigon’s Japan Town in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City is a hidden pocket of Tokyo-style neighborhood with narrow alleys lined with paper lanterns and wooden doors.

Over 300 Japanese expats call it home, so it really feels like a slice of Japan. When I first walked through Japan Town (on Thai Van Lung and Le Thanh Ton streets), I was surprised by how peaceful and tidy everything looked which felt like stepping into an anime scene. 
Everywhere I turned, there were sushi bars, ramen shops, and even Japanese noodle houses packed with locals.

What happens in Saigon Japan town?

Saigon’s Japan Town (also known as Little Japan Town) is an enclave of Japanese culture in Ho Chi Minh City. It spans under 2 km between Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung, marked by Japanese-style businesses.
Strings of red and white lanterns hang above the alleys, and storefronts have bamboo curtains and wooden signboards which look quite picturesque.

In fact, walking through Japan Town you might easily forget you’re in Vietnam with only the bilingual Japanese-Vietnamese signs giving it away.

The vibe here is very different from busy Saigon: it’s more relaxed and refined. Most people come for high-quality sushi, a bowl of ramen, or to sip Japanese beer in a bar. There are also karaoke lounges and Japanese massage parlors.

How to reach here

Saigon Japan Town is in central District 1. The main entrance points are Alley 15B on Le Thanh Ton Street or Alley 8 on Thai Van Lung Street. If you have a motorbike, you can park along Thi Sach Street. Many Grab taxis know the area so you can just say “Japan Town Saigon” or input one of the Japanese restaurants as your destination.

For public transport, the new Metro Line 1 stops very close. Get off at Opera House or Ba Son station and walk about 600 meters to reach the heart of Japan Town. Several city buses also pass nearby (bus lines 03, 14, 19, 45).

If you’re walking from Ben Thanh or Nguyen Hue, it’s roughly a 15-20 minute stroll north through the city’s side streets. The route is quite straightforward: head up Ly Tu Trong or Cach Mang Thang Tam and turn at busy Hai Ba Trung Street.

Top Highlights & Hidden Gems

Full Platter of Japanese Food Served in the Japan Town of Saigon

• Authentic Japanese Food: The standout feature is the cuisine. Almost every block has sushi, sashimi, ramen, and more. For example, try Izakaya Kamura (8A/A14 Thai Van Lung) for grilled robata skewers, or Fujiro Japanese Restaurant for family-style meals.

  I loved sitting at a sushi bar watching the chef slice fresh tuna - it felt like Tokyo’s Tsukiji market vibes. Don’t miss late-night ramen at Ichibanya or udon at ICHIFUJI (both on Thai Van Lung) - they stay open late into the evening.

• Japanese Cafes and Sweet Shops: There are cute Japanese-style Cafes (serving matcha latte and mochi cakes) tucked into alleys. One gem is a tiny bakery selling daifuku (sweet rice cake) and castella.

  Also, look for melon-pan (sweet bread) stands - a favorite Japanese street snack. I once grabbed a green tea parfait from a cafe with bamboo-themed decor - it was a delightful break from Vietnam’s tropical heat.

  

  Markings in Japanese All Over the Town Makes It Look Like Just Another Japanese Town!

• Traditional Bar Scene: Many small bars and izakayas pop up in the evenings. The locals know this as a nightlife zone with sake and craft beer. Tokyo-style karaoke bars are sprinkled here - after a long day, you might find expats belting J-pop songs into the wee hours.

  Most eateries close by 10 PM, but some bars stay open until 1 AM. Business picks up after 8 PM, so if you want the full night vibe, head over after dark but if you want to enjoy the food in peace without crowds then head there early in the evening!

• Photo Ops: Beyond food, Japan Town is Instagrammable. There’s a vibrant mural of Japanese motifs painted on a wall inside one alley. Even simple scenes of a red mailbox outside a shop, or a row of wooden sake barrels make for great snapshots.

  

  Lantern Filled Street of the Town Gives a Nice Aesthetic

• Cultural Connections: If you’re keen, there are occasional events. For example, on Japanese holidays (like Tanabata in July), some shops display decorations. This area preserves Japanese customs of cleanliness and serenity, so the streets here are unusually well-maintained for the city!

Timings and Tips

• Opening Hours: Restaurants generally open for lunch (11:00-14:00) and then re-open for dinner around 17:00 onward. By about 22:00 most kitchen lights go off, but a few bars keep going till 1 AM. Shops (souvenir, grocery, etc.) often start later in the morning and close around 9-10 PM. Best advice: go for an early dinner (6-7 PM) or a late-night drink.

• Getting Around: The area is small - you can walk it in 10-15 minutes end-to-end. All attractions (restaurants, shops) are accessed on foot or via small pedestrian alleys. Even though it’s off the main roads, navigation apps cover it. Since it’s alley-heavy, use landmarks like “Izakaya Kamura” or “15B Le Thanh Ton” to guide your Grab.

• Travel Tips: Little Japan is very pedestrian-friendly at night (cars don’t enter the alleys). If driving, there’s a main parking lot on Thi Sach Street. Watch for scooters on the few streets where cars still pass. Just note that these narrow alleys can get cramped and might feel a bit claustrophobic if that’s something you have a problem with.

  

  There Are Tons of Japanese Theme Bars in the Saigon Japan Town

• Local Amenities: There are ATMs at nearby Thai Van Lung intersections. You’ll find convenience stores just outside the alleys for any snacks or water. Restrooms are inside restaurants and bars, which is the norm here (just buy something small to use the bathroom).

• Best Time to Visit: Daytime is peaceful (shops are open but quiet). Evening is where the action is. If you want a calm stroll and photos, go just before sunset. For a bustling vibe with dinner, 7-9 PM is peak. Late-night (10pm to midnight) is great if you want a happening bar scene, as bars tend to fill up then.

  

  the Walls of the Buildings Have Pretty Nice Street Art Filled With Japanese Characters

What to do and what not to do?

Saigon Japan Town is one of the safest parts of HCMC after dark. It’s well-lit, inhabited by families, and there’s rarely crowds beyond locals and passersby. Petty theft is very unlikely - people here generally keep to themselves. Still, standard safety: keep an eye on your belongings when moving through busy doorways, and on a scooter watch for grabbing pockets if stopped in traffic.

Vietnamese and Japanese cultures share a value on politeness. Shop and restaurant staff will greet you (often in Japanese) - a simple “konnichiwa” or “arigato” (thank you) might surprise them with appreciation. Tipping is not customary. However, if you receive exceptional service, a small tip or a heartfelt thanks in Japanese (どうもありがとう, Dōmo arigatō) is a nice gesture.

Language: Vietnamese and English are understood, but some menus may be Japanese or Vietnamese only. Pointing at menu pictures works fine. The business nature of the area means most vendors expect foreign customers - we find they are polite and patient even if you don’t speak fluent Japanese.

Dress: There’s no special dress code. People here go casual in the day and a bit dressier at night. Shoes are fine (you’ll be indoors a lot), but it’s polite to remove shoes when entering some traditional-style eateries (you’ll see a shoe rack at the door).

Saigon Japan Town Mini Map

FAQ

• What is Saigon Japan Town famous for?
  Its authentic Japanese atmosphere and cuisine. You’ll find high-quality sushi, ramen, izakayas, and Japanese-style bars all in one neighborhood. It’s like a mini Tokyo away from Vietnam.

• Is it safe to visit at night?
  Yes. The area is safe and quiet. Because it’s tucked in alleys, it’s far from main traffic, and shops/bars stay open late with plenty of people around. Just use normal big-city common sense (watch your possessions, especially in crowded bars).

• Are there any entrance fees?
  No. Saigon Japan Town is a public neighborhood with open streets. You only pay for food or items you buy.

• What are the opening hours of shops/restaurants?
  Most restaurants do lunch (11:00-14:00) and dinner (from ~17:00). Shops typically open in the mid-morning. The streets quiet down by 10 PM (most eateries close) but a few bars stay open until 1 AM.

• How to get there by public transport?
  The new Metro Line 1: get off at Opera House or Ba Son station, then a short walk (via thi Sach). Alternatively, catch buses 03, 14, 19, or 45 (they stop near LTT/TVL streets). Taxis and Grabs are easy - just mention “Saigon Japan Town, District 1.”

• Is Saigon Japan Town dog-friendly?
  Dogs aren’t commonly seen in the narrow alleys, and some restaurants may not allow pets. If you do bring a small dog, carry it or keep it on a leash in front. Mostly people come here for dining, so it’s not really set up for pets, though puppies on leashes aren’t unheard of.

• Any special tips?
  Some say the best time is in the evening for the atmosphere. Also, if you’re catching a Vietnamese-Australian showdown: nearby is the border of Little India and China Town (Cholon) so it can be fun to combine your visit with multiple “Little Asia” spots in HCMC.