{"id":411299,"date":"2026-07-24T22:29:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T22:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/411299\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T22:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T22:29:33","slug":"new-japanese-market-with-ramen-sushi-now-officially-open-in-san-jose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/411299\/","title":{"rendered":"New Japanese market with ramen, sushi now officially open in San Jose"},"content":{"rendered":"

A snip of extra-large golden scissors slicing through a bright red ribbon ushered in the ceremonial opening of Sakura Market, a new Japanese grocery store and food market in downtown San Jose on Friday morning.<\/p>\n

Against a backdrop of enormous pink flower arrangements on easels and pink-and-white balloon pillars, business and city officials gave speeches to celebrate the new addition to downtown, while a line of people wrapped around the corner and down the street from Sakura Market, eager to collect on promised free giveaways.<\/p>\n

The market combines aspects of the Japanese \u201ckombini\u201d \u2014 a convenience store offering efficient access to fresh food and snacks alongside household staples \u2014 with a cafe and dining options.<\/p>\n

In one corner, there\u2019s a sushi buffet where visitors pick out sushi pieces cafeteria-style, then purchase their meal by weight. Feel like ramen? Head to the three-minute ramen bar, where customers can make their own ramen packets up in real time, then customize them with additional toppings. A matcha cafe, Shiba Cha, crafts matcha drinks in another corner, while the rest of the aisles are lined with an array of dry, refrigerated and frozen imported goods.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A customer serves herself sushi from the sushi buffet during the grand opening of Sakura Market in downtown San Jose on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Customers<\/p>\n

Customers explore Sakura Market during the grand opening of the new Japanese market in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A customer serves herself sushi from the sushi buffet during the grand opening of Sakura Market, a new Japanese market in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Customers<\/p>\n

Customers explore Sakura Market during the grand opening of the new Japanese market in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A customer serves herself meals ready to eat during the grand opening of Sakura Market, a new Japanese market in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Wreaths<\/p>\n

Wreaths of flowers sent by different people and businesses sit outside Sakura Market as early customers wait in line for the grand opening of the new Japanese market in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 6<\/p>\n

A customer serves herself sushi from the sushi buffet during the grand opening of Sakura Market in downtown San Jose on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

There are also sections with hot pot ingredients, fresh-from-Japan sashimi-grade fish cuts, Japanese and Korean ice cream and dessert products, ready-to-heat items geared toward local student, and a whole area dedicated to Japanese beauty and cosmetic products.<\/p>\n

\"ShibaShiba Cha barista Kaori Kori reacts after serving an order of matcha lattes for customers during the grand opening of Sakura Market in downtown San Jose on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lastly, a bar offering sake and beer, lined with TVs for watching sports, is in the works. The team is waiting on the City of San Jose for the OK to open it, according to Sakura Marketplace CEO Kazuhiro Takeda.<\/p>\n

Since the store first began its soft-opening three weeks ago, the reception has been \u201cpretty great,\u201d said Sho Okawa, grocery division manager.<\/p>\n

Speakers said they hope the store\u2019s opening will boost the city\u2019s downtown vibrancy.<\/p>\n

Overall, foot traffic in downtown San Jose is up 11% year-over-year, according to Jennifer Baker, San Jose\u2019s director of economic development and cultural affairs. \u201cThat\u2019s a tremendous milestone,\u201d she said. \u201cI can tell already that Sakura Marketplace is going to hit the mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AA customer carries his instant ramen bowl after serving himself at the ramen station during the grand opening of Sakura Market in downtown San Jose on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Downtown Association CEO Brian Kurtz pointed out that the store\u2019s name, \u201csakura,\u201d translates to cherry blossom from Japanese, and represents renewal. \u201cIt\u2019s a perfect symbol for what we\u2019re experiencing in downtown,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

People gathered to wait in line at the grand opening for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n

Anita Koyanagi said she was excited to see a Japanese-style convenience store arrive in San Jose after enjoying the efficiency and selection of 24-7 konbinis while traveling in Japan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a big step for us here in San Jose,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"AA customer grabs a cold drink during the grand opening of Sakura Market in downtown San Jose on Friday, July 24, 2026. (Ray Chavez\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Others were in town for a convention and had heard about the giveaway, and yet others were there to show support for the new addition to downtown San Jose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to see more life come to downtown,\u201d said downtown resident Duran Allison.<\/p>\n

Sakura Market is operated by the team behind Osaka Marketplace<\/a>, a grocery store specializing in Japanese imports, which opened its first location in Fremont in 2021, then another last year in Foster City. A third Bay Area location is planned at 155 Crescent Plaza in Pleasant Hill, and is expected to open this fall.<\/p>\n

Details: Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at 184 S. Market St., #120, San Jose; sakuramarketplace.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more food and drink coverage
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