Main image: “Cost Mesa” in Orange County.
If you do not live in a coastal city, trying to find Japanese ingredients from soy sauce (shoyu), fresh sashimi, Japanese cosmetics, to a rice cooker can be hard to find which is why I listed ALL THE JAPANESE grocery stores on the West Coast. You’re welcome.
The markets listed here are markets, super markets, and grocery stores that ONLY specialize in Japanese products/foods, and are not the generically labeled “Asian markets” because this is how the Japanese do it:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
There are unfortunately no specialized Japanese markets in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico. All of the listings below are categorized by state, so that you can find the Japanese grocery store near you.
ARIZONA

1. Fujiya Market
In their words “We sell Japanese products, ranging from snacks and drinks to rice and fresh grocery. You will find many items here that you will not find in other Asian stores. Our store even carries Bento (Japanese lunch box), Donburi(lunch bowl), and more. All employees speak English, so feel free to talk to them or ask them any questions.”
- Fujiyamarket.com
- Dobson Plaza
1335 W University Dr #5 , Tempe, AZ 85281 - TEL: (480) 833-3077
2. New Tokyo Food Market
This market has such a wide and extensive range of products from magazines, books, Japanese films, trinkets such as key chains, to a wide range of dinnerware, and of course a ton of Japanese food products. If that does not have convinced why New Tokyo Market is your spot, the 4.7 stars and 314 Google reviews just might seal the deal.
- Phoenix
3435 W Northern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051 - TEL: (602) 841-0255
COLORADO

1. Pacific Mercantile
I grew up going to this market, and in the last 40+ years, very little has changed about it, which is why I love this market. Since I know this market so well, I can tell you how it compares to supermarkets from Los Angeles to San Francisco. From their product line-up to pricing, Pacific Mercantile is the best and only place to go for Japanese products in Colorado, and I would say it does not pale in comparison to even Tokyo Central or Mitsuwa for the size they are. Yea, they may not have 1.5L bottles of Ozeki for $6-7 (loss leaders), but what they do have is some very reasonable pricing across the board.
- Pacificeastwest.com
- Facebook/PacificMercantile
- Sakura Square
1925 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80202 - TEL: (303) 295-0293
CALIFORNIA

1. Marukai
Established in 1965, Marukai Corporation was the first international Japan-based retailer to offer a wholesale market and membership system. In 2013 Marukai joined the Don Quijote Group which is a Japanese company with over 150 stores domestically that carry more than 45,000 products.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Cupertino
19750 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014, (408) 200-4850 - Little Tokyo
123 S Onizuka St. #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 893-7200 - San Diego
8151 Balboa Ave #2421, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 384-0248 - West LA
12121 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064, (310) 806-4120
2. Mitsuwa Marketplace
“Mitsuwa Marketplace is the largest Japanese Supermarket in the U. S.” is what they tout on the Mitsuwa marketplace website. That sounds impressive and all, but if grocery shopping isn’t your thing, Mitsuwa is your market. The reason is, you don’t have to be much of a cook to want to visit Mitsuwa because you can easily get a pre-prepared meal or something from the food court for roughly a couple bucks to an average of $8 (and no tipping is required).
Mitsuwa.com
Facebook/MitsuwaMarketplace
Instagram/Mitsuwa_Marketplace
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Costa Mesa
665 Paularino Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 557-6699 - Irvine
14230 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604, (949) 559-6633 - San Diego
4240 Kearny Mesa Rd, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 569-6699 - San Gabriel
515 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776, (626) 457-2899 - Santa Monica
3760 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066, (310) 398-2113 - San Jose
675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, (408) 255-6699 - Torrance Del Amo
3525 W Carson St Suite 164, Torrance, CA 90503, (310) 782-0335
3. Nijiya
This should sum up the Nijiya experience in their own (incoherent) words:
“In 1986, San Diego, California, all started in hopes of contributing to the local society through Japanese food, and make this wonderful Japanese taste known to the people of America. It was long, long before Organic Ingredients healthy became the trend of American culinary scene.”
Nijiya.com
Twitter/nijiyamarket
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Little Tokyo (Japanese Village Plaza)
124 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 680-3280 - Puente Hills
17869 Colima Rd, City of Industry, CA 91748, (626) 913-9991 - San Diego (Sunrise Towne Centre)
3860 Convoy St Interior Design, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 268-3821 - Torrance (West 182nd)
2121 W 182nd St, Torrance, CA 90504, (310) 366-7200 - Torrance (Rolling Hills)
2533 CA-1, Torrance, CA 90505, (310) 534-3000 - West LA
2130 Sawtelle Blvd # 105, Los Angeles, CA 90025, (310) 575-3300
4. Seiwa
This is the new kid on the block, but you’re not dealing with a noob here because this chain is owned by Hidejiro Matsu who is the founder of Marukai. His first location in Costa Mesa may have a limited selection, but if you’re looking to buy in bulk, or you’re looking for some killer deals, Seiwa is your spot.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Costa Mesa
3151 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 852-6980 - Torrance
21815 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503, (310) 802-6220
5. Tokyo Central
Originally Marukai, but in 2013 several stores were re-branded and remodeled as Tokyo Central because Marukai joined the highly successful Japanese based company, the Don Quijote Group. That partnership led to significant improvements in the interior, in-store experience, and a massive increase of goods of not only food, but also toys, household products, makeup, and more.
Tokyocentral.com
Facebook/tokyocentralofficial
Instagram/tokyo.central
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Costa Mesa
2975 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 751-8433 - Gardena
1740 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248, (310) 660-6300 - Pacific Square
1620 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247, (310) 464-8888 - San Diego
8111 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 384-0240 - Torrance
3832 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505, (310) 375-4900 - West Covina
1420 S Azusa Ave, West Covina, CA 91791, (626) 214-9590 - Yorba Linda
18171 Imperial Hwy, Yorba Linda, CA 92886, (714) 386-5110
NEVADA

1. Nakata Market of Japan
In their words: We are pleased to announce the opening of our new store at Henderson NV.
Yes! We are growing. We now have two locations in Las Vegas Area
We look forward to serving you and we will keep trying hard to be your number one Japanese Grocery Store.
Construction will start in December 2020. We are posting the progress on our Instagram.
Nakatamarket.com
Instagram.com/nakatamarket
- Las Vegas
2350 S Rainbow Blvd #6, Las Vegas, NV 89146 - TEL: (702) 257-1414
2. Japan Creek Market
- Las Vegas
9310 S Eastern Ave #115, Las Vegas, NV 89123 - TEL: (702) 538-9857
OREGON

1. Uwajimaya
In their words: “Welcome to Uwajimaya – Asian Mart In Washington and Oregon. At Uwajimaya, quality is what matters – in relationships, experiences, knowledge, health and food. Family-owned, Uwajimaya has been serving the local Northwest community since 1928. Today, at our four locations in Washington and Oregon, you will find the freshest selections of produce, seafood and meats alongside a large assortment of quality Asian gift and grocery items. Come visit us today and check out what makes Uwajimaya a unique and quality shopping experience.”
Uwajimaya.com
Facebook/uwajimaya
Instagram/uwajimaya
- Beaverton
10500 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97005 - TEL: (503) 643-4512
UTAH

1. Japan-Sage Market
Facebook/sagemarket
Google Places
- Salt Lake City
1515 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 - TEL: (801) 484-4122
WASHINGTON

1. Maruta Shoten
In their words: “Maruta is the Asian grocery market located in Georgetown, Seattle. We have Japanese bento, sushi, Chinese deli, multiple varieties of sake, snacks and also home goods. Please come for shopping at Maruta and enjoy our tasty Japanese and Chinese dishes.”
- Seattle
1024 South Bailey Street, Seattle, WA 98108, (206) 767-5002
2. Uwajimaya
In their words: “Welcome to Uwajimaya – Asian Mart In Washington and Oregon. At Uwajimaya, quality is what matters – in relationships, experiences, knowledge, health and food. Family-owned, Uwajimaya has been serving the local Northwest community since 1928. Today, at our four locations in Washington and Oregon, you will find the freshest selections of produce, seafood and meats alongside a large assortment of quality Asian gift and grocery items. Come visit us today and check out what makes Uwajimaya a unique and quality shopping experience.”
My Notes: such a cool freakn’ market based upon their website.
Uwajimaya.com
Facebook/uwajimaya
Instagram/uwajimaya
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Seattle
600 5th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 624-6248 - Bellevue
699 120th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98005, (425) 747-9012 - Renton
501 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, (425) 277-1635
There are no specialized Japanese markets in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
Westside
With the amount of Japanese markets on the West Coast, I can’t help but say that the West side is the best side for Japanese food ingredients.
Comin’ from the Westside, Westside
Nothin’ but a Westside
It’s hittin’ on the Westside
Fool, you know how we do it