Panama Cafe and Teahouse

(206) 223-9242

605 1/2 S. Main St.

Tucked up next to the Panama Hotel, this cafe is the perfect place to unwind after a day of shopping at the International District's many markets and shops — if you're willing to climb the steep hill to get there. As part of the century-old Panama Hotel that catered to Japanese immigrants, the cafe's walls are decorated with memorabilia, mementos and neatly framed newspapers of the time.

Some of the pieces, like the framed picture of the 1936 eighth-grade graduating class from Washington Junior High School, capture the cultural harmony that existed in Seattle before the outbreak of World War II, with Japanese and white students lined up next to each other for the photo.

The cafe itself is spacious, with two seating areas. Owner Jan Johnson established the cafe to encourage socializing, and the lower seating area with its long sitting table with benches does just that. A wide selection of green, white and oolong teas in clear glass jars adorn the counter top, but if you're not in the mood for tea, the foamy, rich lattes and assorted biscotti are a yummy substitute.

— Hanady Kader

Panama Hotel

(206) 223-9242

605 S. Main St.

Built in 1910 and named when the Panama Canal kept the world spellbound, this national landmark is one that Seattle is lucky to still have. The hotel, which hasn't closed since 1910, was in the center of what was Japantown before World War II, and it was frequented by Japanese migrants. Owner Jan Johnson has preserved the hotel in the way it was nearly a century ago, and guests can stay in the same rooms. The luxury of private bathrooms was rare in 1910, and guests at the hotel still share bathrooms.

The highlight of the hotel is the Japanese bath located beneath the building. It is the only remaining intact Japanese bath in the United States, and it has been unchanged from the inside, from the early 1900s advertising to the rusty showerheads and small wooden lockers. Much like a Turkish bath with two separate areas for men and women, the facility was a place for Japanese residents of Seattle to unwind and catch up with each other. Johnson offers tours of the hotel, including the bath. A visit to the Panama hotel is a charming visit a century back into Seattle's history.

— Hanady Kader

Higo Variety Store

(206) 622-7572

604 S. Jackson St.

Although this store showcases art and crafts by a variety of artists, mostly Japanese and American, all the crafts fall under the store's mission: They are the work of artists and craftsmen picked over the mass-produced art that has become so common. The store was family owned for 75 years by the Murakami family before Binko Chiong-Bisbee and her husband took the reins and continued the tradition of showcasing Japanese arts and crafts.

Each year in November, the store hosts a ceramic cup show with 300 cups from Japanese artists and American artists.

Of the more popular items, the ceramics come in all shapes and sizes. For students on a college budget, there are cups for dipping noodles, colorful wrapping papers sold in sheets and various fragrances. Many of the pieces are perfect to give as souvenirs, and a selection of cards priced at $1.50 make a meaningful gift from Seattle that beats a snow globe with the Space Needle in it.

— Hanady Kader

Seattle Kung Fu Club

(206) 624 3838

658 South King Street

At first glance it may appear to be just another building, but walk up the steep narrow steps to the top of the Seattle Kung Fu Club and you'll find yourself in a school devoted to the beauty that is Chinese Martial Arts. Located at 658 South King Street, the Seattle Kung Fu Club offers physical exercise for health, discipline and the unification of body, mind and spirit.

The master and founder of the club, Sifu John Leong, was born in the Kwantung Province, China and began studying Kung Fu at the age of 12. Today, Leong teaches the traditional art of Kung Fu, specifically Hung Gar Kuen and Tai Chi Chuan. Both styles are available for men, women and children of all ages.

Hung Gar Kuen is considered the "hard" style of Kung Fu, including powerful blocks, punches and kicks. Tai Chi Chuan, on the other hand, is the "soft" style using slower movements. While Hung Gar Kuen and Tai Chi Chuan are different in approach, both help achieve strength, concentration, confidence and self-discipline.

Whether it is to learn self-defense or to get a cardio workout, the Kung Fu Club is a wonderful form of exercise.

— Leisha Muraki

A Piece of Cake Bakery

(206) 623-8284

514 S. King St.

Owner Andy Meng has combined the best of Chinese desserts along with mouthwatering classics like chocolate mousse cakes into one bakery. The pastries are all handmade, and making a selection from the clean line of glass cases can take longer than expected, especially if you've never been in the bakery before.

The Chinese desserts are in a separate case and range in price from $1.50-2.75. The red bean pastry has a flaky, buttery crust with a rich red bean filling inside. The selection of cakes makes choosing difficult, especially with impeccably made and decorated treats like strawberry mousse and double mango mousse cakes. Slices run about $2.50, while whole cakes can be purchased for about $25.

There are also bags of buns and breads to take home, as well as a hot case with sandwiches. Seating space is good, and the spot is a nice place for a quick, light lunch or dessert.

— Hanady Kader