For more than 100 years, people young and old have returned to Maneki for traditional family-style Japanese food served in a welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere. We invite you to discover the magic for yourself, located in the heart of Japantown.

Maneki Restaurant is traditional Japanese cuisine located in the International District in Seattle, Washington. Established in 1904, the first sushi bar, tatami rooms (private matted rooms) and karaoke bar were created. The original Maneki was built on the hill on 6th Ave. S and Main St in the heart of Nihonmachi or Japantown. The white building was 3 stories and looked just like a Japanese castle. On weekends it served 500 plus customers in the “tatami rooms” or private matted rooms. It served the Japanese community with its many theatrical plays, weddings and funerals.

When World War II broke out everyone that was Japanese were interned in camps. The beautiful castle was ransacked and became a ruin. A space in the NP Hotel was used for storage for all the internees that were forced into camps. It was after the war in 1946 and when the internees returned and claimed their belongings that the space became available. The present Maneki has been operating and serving loyal regulars for over one hundred years. We invite you to experience a little bit of Japan in a casual at home atmosphere.