Marufuji Japanese Market — Local services in Tysons

I don't get these reviews trashing the place because of other customers' behaviors. Make it make sense. How are other customers' behaviors the store's fault? During the first week, social media hyped this place up so there were long lines and long wait times to check out resulting in a poor experience overall. However, it has calmed down a lot since then. If you can manage it, go during the weekdays. One weekday morning I went, the shelves were full and there were a total of 10 customers in the whole store. I've been back multiple times since and I am both happy and not at the same time. I love that I can buy all the Japanese snacks and food now really close to home. I don't like that I always end up spending wayyyyy too much money.

The prices are jacked up. This is no lie. One Pocari Sweat bottle in Japan was like 120 yen or 90-something cents. It's $4 here. Everything else is probably 4 times jacked up. Is this a formal complaint? Not at all. I already appreciate authentic Japanese stuff is available at all in the area. I paid $30 for 10 of those Amaou strawberries and made a smoothie out of them. It tasted exactly like it was in Japan! I didn't have to take a whole trip there to taste it. If I think of it so, they weren't expensive at all.

I do appreciate being able to buy Meiji chocolates and Japanese shampoos, conditioners, and other personal care products. They are in a class of their own. The onigiris and rice bowls are a hit-and-miss, unlike the Family Marts and Lawsons in Japan. The first time I tried the onigiri, there was very little meat and too much rice. The next time I tried, there was enough meat again. So, it's inconsistent. The tonkatsu bowl I had was very bland. I really couldn't finish it as is. I have yet to try the restaurant and café.

If I'm not mistaken, most of the staff are local Japanese or half-Japanese folks. I've always had the same feeling I had checking out at a Family Mart in Japan. It has always been a nice experience at Marufuji. I also noticed that, just like in Japan, even the lights here are respectful. In any other grocery store, the lights are too harsh and bright white like you can surely tell they originate from cheap Chinese factories. The lights at Marufuji are soft and warm and easy on your eyes. It makes for a pleasant shopping experience (if you can avoid the weekend crowd). You bet I'd be back here often! If only there were a Japanese Anime, Manga, and video games store next door, my life would be...

Since I moved to Virginia in the U.S. eight years ago, I’ve really missed the authentic taste of Japanese food. I’m not saying that American-style Japanese fusion cuisine isn’t delicious, but adding mayonnaise and Sriracha to sushi, sushi rolls, and donburi—popular elements in Americanized Japanese dishes—tends to mask the natural flavors of the ingredients.

The green tea in America most often tastes more like green tea-flavored syrup rather than real tea like from this store

The politeness, manners, and attentiveness in the service from Japanese staff here feel like the kind of experience you’d get at a five-star hotel or fine dining restaurant. Yet this is just the standard of Japanese hospitality.

The overall atmosphere, seeing staff conversing with Japanese suppliers, bowing, exchanging business cards with both hands—it all makes me feel like I’ve been transported to Japan.

The variety and quality of fresh ingredients—especially Japanese wagyu, fish, sashimi, seafood, and even fresh wasabi—are incredibly rare to find in the DMV area.

I really hope this store succeeds and can stay in business for a long time with this quality service. I also hope more people will open their mind and try to understand and appreciate the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine.

As for the price, it might seem high to some, but considering the quality, portion sizes, and the level of this service, it would be hard for them to make it any cheaper. It is “you get what you pay for”

For me, it’s worth every penny. And knowing Japanese culture, they don’t expect tips for their service—they don’t even ask for it at the register or tips jar like many other self-service cafés.

This store is almost two-hour drive from my home, but if I get the chance, I’ll definitely go back again. And whenever I’m in the area for errands, I’ll make sure to stop by.

Thank you so much to all staff...

We recently visited Marufuji, the new Japanese market in Tysons, and it was an incredible experience! Conveniently located within walking distance of the Springhill Silver Line Metro stop and just a short drive from Tysons Corner Center, this market is a fantastic addition to the area. We stopped by on an early weekday morning, and while it was quieter at first, the place quickly became bustling with shoppers as we wrapped up.

Marufuji offers a wide selection of Japanese goods and products, blending staples like fresh produce, meats, snacks, and dry goods with unique and hard-to-find items. For their grand opening, they even brought in goods flown directly from Japan, including select seafood, and sea urchin from Hokkaido; as well as beautifully crafted cakes imported from Yokohama. These exclusive offerings added an authentic and exciting touch to the shopping experience.

What truly sets this market apart is its range of specialty products, including Asian health and beauty items, beautiful ceramic ware, and stylish home goods. It was such a treat to browse through everything, and it felt like we were discovering something new in every aisle. The staff were kind, friendly, and polite, which added to the welcoming atmosphere.

One of the highlights of our visit was their in-house eatery, serving a lineup of Japanese comfort foods. We tried the oyakodon and gyudon, and each dish was flavorful, hearty, and worth the short wait for preparation. They also offer a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, with milk alternative options like oat milk (our favorite!) and a refreshing iced hojicha latte that we highly recommend.

We’re already looking forward to our next visit to explore more of their products and enjoy another delicious meal. If you’re in the area, this is a...