Culture Reporter 

Sam Mondros

From fist fights, to pepper spray, to black markets, the creepy cute must-have plushie has sparked chaos in the Bay Area.

Japan Video & Media opened in 1984 and gradually became a cultural fixture.

New import costs are wreaking havoc on local businesses, which warn that everything is about to get a lot more expensive.

Japantown’s small businesses have thrived in the past year, unlike those elsewhere in SF. Merchants weigh in on the anomaly. 


Chef Pim Techamuanvivit of Michelin-starred Nari will roll out a new pop-up focused on aromatic curry noodle soup on Friday. 