Nijiya Market — Attraction in San Francisco

As someone who previously spent years living in Japan, I have a special appreciation for authenticity when it comes to Japanese culture and food. That's why I was so thrilled to discover Nijiya Market in San Francisco's Japantown. This grocery store is a true gem and visiting it always reminds me of my time living in Japan.

One of the things that sets Nijiya Market apart is the authenticity of its offerings. From the fresh produce and meats to the wide range of traditional Japanese pantry items, everything in the store feels truly genuine. I always leave with a sense of excitement, knowing that I can recreate some of my favorite Japanese dishes at home.

But it's not just the grocery offerings that make Nijiya Market such a pleasure to visit. The location in the heart of Japantown is also a major draw. This neighborhood is a vibrant and lively part of the city, and I always enjoy taking a stroll through the charming streets before or after my visit to the market.

One of the practical aspects of Nijiya Market that I appreciate is the easy to find parking nearby. It's always a relief to know that I won't have to circle the block for ages to find a spot.

Finally, I have to mention the staff at Nijiya Market. They are always professional and courteous, and their passion for Japanese food and culture is evident in everything they do.

In short, Nijiya Market is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Japanese food and culture. It's authenticity, fresh offerings, and prime location in Japantown make it a true standout in San Francisco. The easy to find parking and professional staff are just added bonuses. I give this market a 5...

I recently had a frustrating experience at Nijiya Market that left me deeply disappointed. It's important for businesses, especially ones as established as Nijiya, to stay updated on the actual laws surrounding alcohol purchases in California. In this state, only the individual purchasing alcohol is required to present an ID. There's no legal obligation to card everyone in a group when one adult, over the age of 21, is making the purchase.

By the store's logic, if I were shopping with my hypothetical 17-year-old son (who, by law, wouldn't be consuming alcohol), I wouldn't be allowed to buy any alcoholic beverages. This approach makes no sense.

During my visit, despite being over 40, I was required to show ID to purchase alcohol, which I did without issue. However, the store took it a step further and asked my friend, who wasn't purchasing any alcohol, to show their ID simply because we were shopping together. This felt unnecessary, embarrassing, and frankly, out of touch with actual regulations. Given the nature of the items we were buying, it was obvious there was no intent to consume alcohol in any public space.

I was ready to spend $200 in the store, but due to this needless policy and the inconvenience it caused, I left without making a purchase. It’s unfortunate that Nijiya Market chooses to enforce such misguided practices, especially when they run counter to state law. Until they bring their policies in line with California's actual regulations, I’ll be taking my...

Being a Japanese supermarket in the upscale Japantown, prices are definitely not great.

However, if you are willing to pay for freshness, this market offer some reasonably fresh selection of seafood. They regularly offer 20% of all unsold food, usually after 6:30PM (sometimes earlier, sometimes later, depending on the whim of the manager), and I have never been sick consuming those. To be fair, even after the 20% discount, prices are still relatively high, but they are still fresh, so if you want a quick dinner option, and you happen to be in the area, this is a highly recommended place.

By the way, they carry some harder to find items, like uni (sea urchin), and those directly exported from Japan, but expect to pay a premium for those. Usually the sea urchin is local, however, from California.

Personally I wouldn't buy anything you can buy from, say, Safeway, because the prices for the same goods would definitely be much higher here, but if you are looking for things which you can only get from Japan (but the selection here may be limited, and the isles can be a little too narrow to comfortably navigate), or fresh dinner bento (which is basically a meal to go) after work, this place probably wouldn't disappoint you. I would recommend having a budget so you don't overspend, however. (because being a Japanese store and Japanese goods, presentation, or rather marketing, is a major aim, and it is easy to lose yourself under...