Marukai Corporation · Est. 1965

Bringing the essence of Japan to your neighborhood.

For over 60 years, Marukai has been dedicated to sharing authentic Japanese culture through quality food, everyday essentials, and a commitment to community. Tokyo Central is how we bring that mission to your table.

Tokyo Central storefront at dusk
0

Established

0

Store locations

0K+

Authentic products

PPIH

Part of the group

About Marukai

Discover Japan, right here.

In 1965, brothers Richard and Hidejiro Matsu — sons of the founder of Marukai Trading — opened one of the very first Japan-based retailers in the U.S. market.

What started in Los Angeles grew into Marukai Corporation U.S.A. — a pioneer of the membership-based Japanese grocery model, with the Wholesale Mart in Gardena setting the template for decades of authentic Japanese retail to come.

Today, as part of the Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) Group, Marukai operates Tokyo Central — premium specialty supermarkets that bring the depth, quality, and care of Japanese retail to your neighborhood.

Marukai CorporationOperating Tokyo Central since 1965
Tokyo Central Japanese Market sign

Eat, Enjoy, Explore — Bring Japan to Your Table.

Inspire everyday Japanese cooking by sharing authentic knowledge and offering a curated experience.

Our Brand Values

Four pillars, one mission.

Four values shape what we teach, what we stock, what we charge, and how we welcome you.

  1. 学び・体験

    Education & Experience

    We share recipes, product stories, and cultural insights — so the philosophy behind Japanese cooking becomes something you can make your own.

  2. 品揃え

    Product Assortment

    The “just what I needed” selection — over 20,000 authentic ingredients, seasonings, and tools sourced from Japan and hard to find anywhere else in the U.S.

  3. 価値ある価格

    Pricing Strategy

    We research the market continually to offer better value — so that choosing quality never has to mean overpaying for it.

  4. おもてなし

    Customer Service

    A warm, thoughtful shopping experience rooted in omotenashi — the Japanese spirit of wholehearted hospitality — in a store that feels like a welcome.

Our Journey

Six decades of milestones.

1965

Marukai is founded

Richard and Hidejiro Matsu — sons of Marukai Trading’s founder — open one of the very first Japan-based retailers in the U.S. market.

1980

Marukai Corporation U.S.A.

The company formalizes as Marukai Corporation U.S.A. and opens the Marukai Wholesale Mart in Gardena — pioneering a membership-based Japanese grocery model that would define decades of retail.

2013

Don Quijote acquisition

Japanese retail giant Don Quijote (now Pan Pacific International Holdings) acquires 100% of Marukai Corporation U.S.A. — opening the door to deeper sourcing and global reach.

2015

Tokyo Central is born

Marukai begins rebranding to Tokyo Central — premium specialty supermarkets featuring expansive hot food buffets, exclusive Japanese product lines, and partnerships like Sushi Ginza Onodera.

2026

The story keeps growing

Tokyo Central continues to expand — opening new stores like Bay Street Emeryville and bringing authentic Japanese grocery to even more neighborhoods.

Find Us

Step inside the story.

Sixteen locations across California and Hawaii. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, you’ll find a welcome that feels like coming home.

See store locations