Super 7: Japantown’s Hidden Spot for Playful Art

Danielle Davis

Among the four-block maze of sushi restaurants and specialty shops in San Francisco’s Japantown lives a hidden gem of zany pop art galore. Super 7 houses a medley of artsy accessories, ranging from street-art books to locally made prints, t-shirts, magazines, and toys—dozens of toys. Not for kids, these neon, fantastical and even sometimes scary models are art toys.

The centerpiece of the shop is the collection of hand painted vinyl figurines, all inspired by Japanese pop culture. Godzilla is a big deal here. In fact, the four San Francisco co-creators of Super 7 have been designing their own toys for eight years, turning their favorite childhood monsters into shelf décor. The store showcases the designers’/owners’ own creations as well as their favorite art toys from like-minded Japanese companies and rare vintage pieces.

A testament to DIY ethics, the Super 7 team organizes occasional shows in their shop, exhibiting collections from their favorite local artists. (July 11th marks the opening of their “Back to the Dust Bowl” show, featuring artists John Stuart Berger, Ben Walker, and Justin Lovato). They even publish their own zine, which explores the world of toy art beyond that which the shop can offer.

Check out Super 7’s blog for updates on the shop, zine, and the latest happenings in the buzzing world of toy art.