By Keyang Pang
Tokyo Central, a Japanese supermarket chain under Marukai Corporation, officially opened its newest store in Irvine, Orange County, on July 26, 2025. By 5 a.m., eager customers had already arrived, and by the time the doors opened, the line had wrapped around the entire building, creating a lively and festive scene.
The new store, located at 14120 Culver Drive, Irvine, CA 92604, spans 17,368 square feet and offers a wide range of authentic Japanese goods, including fresh groceries, ready-to-eat and made-to-order bento, health products, household items, anime merchandise, specialty kitchenware, and more. It also features an in-store sushi restaurant serving freshly prepared, traditional Japanese cuisine.
“The community of Irvine is known for its love of Japanese and Asian goods and services,” said Koichi Toyo, president of Marukai Corporation. It is an important market for Tokyo Central as we continue to grow our presence in the specialty Asian retail and grocery sector.
“Tokyo Central is the ultimate one-stop shop for Japanese specialty food and lifestyle items and we hope that Irvine residents will enjoy our top notch selection and excellent customer service,” continued Koichi. “With our ‘Customer Matters Most’ motto, we look forward to sharing the unique Tokyo Central experience with the community.
”We directly import products from prefectures across Japan, including limited-edition specialties, and we continue to develop exclusive private-label items. Our goal is not only to bring authentic Japanese flavors to our customers but also to share Japanese culture and lifestyle as a natural part of daily life. We look forward to growing together with the Irvine community.” Toyo said.
Akira Maruyama, Head of Overseas Restaurant and Retail Business at PPHI, added:“Alongside this new Tokyo Central store, we’re excited to launch our second Waka Sakura conveyor-belt sushi restaurant right here in Irvine. Our first location in Gardena became so popular that many guests couldn’t even find a seat.
“At Waka Sakura, we use top-quality ingredients imported from Japan—such as rice, vinegar, and wasabi—and handcraft each piece of sushi with care. Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or simply here for a California roll, we want Waka Sakura to become your go-to spot. Even better, if you love what you eat, you’ll find the same premium ingredients right inside Tokyo Central, so you can bring those flavors home. This is our way of sharing authentic Japanese cuisine while adding vibrancy to the local community.”
City officials warmly welcomed Tokyo Central’s arrival. James Mai, Vice Mayor and District 3 Councilmember, along with Councilmember Melinda Liu and representatives from Mayor Larry Agran’s office, attended the event and presented congratulatory certificates.
Vice Mayor James Mai said: “Thank you, Tokyo Central, for choosing Irvine—specifically District 3—as your new home. You bring not only new business energy, tax revenue, and jobs but also a richer culinary and cultural experience to our residents.”
Councilmember Melinda Liu added: “As a longtime Tokyo Central customer, I’m thrilled to finally have a location here in Irvine. With 44% of our city’s residents identifying as Asian Pacific Islander, it’s wonderful to see greater recognition of our culture and contributions.”
One customer in line told reporters that he regularly shops at Tokyo Central’s Gardena store and made a special trip to Irvine for the grand opening:“I trust Tokyo Central for its quality and cleanliness. Their sashimi and meats are my favorites.”
The grand opening day featured a lively Taiko drum performance and special promotions, including:
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$10 gift cards for the first 100 customers
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A “Spin-the-Wheel” game
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Limited-time discounts
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20% off sushi and bento (limit: two per customer)
Founded in 1965, Tokyo Central is one of the first international Japan-based retailers in the United States. The company remains dedicated to providing authentic Japanese products and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
For more information, visit tokyocentral.com.
