Nijiya Market

Whenever I’m looking for the real deal Japanese goods, Nijiya Market is my go-​to. There aren’t many places that cut to the chase and give me the no-​nonsense stuff from Japan. Or at least the taste of Japan.
My favorites? The three-​pack of micro rice (a precious timesaver for me), the discount meat days (equals beef and pork deals that makes me bus’ out my Mr. Hotman for shabu or sukiyaki) and the obento selections that cater to me and my other half since we like to share the variety.
When I’m not in a rush, I’ll stroll through the aisles and find things that remind me so much of Japan. The cosmetics section is so much more relaxed than the craziness at DonQui. I like to peruse through the myriad choices of ramen and noodles. There are always new brands that offer some unique aspect, like brown rice noodles. Huh?
Best of all, I like looking through the sushi selections. My fave is the assorted sushi but I’n also partial to the chirashi. And the Deluxe Makunouchi bento is always a great choice!
All in all, I’m never disappointed. There’s free parking as well!

This is a great store. Food is yummy and prices are ok but kinda expensive. Their poke bowl is yummy and snacks are good. Way better selection than other Japanese stores. Parking isn’t that good though.

A small store with lots to offer! I stopped in here one day to grab one or two things and ended up with two arms full of snacks.
They have a lot of different types of Japanese snacks and drinks that you won’t be able to find on the mainland (unless you’re in Chicago, Cali, or New York), so take advantage!

Good for groceries, drinks, or meals. Good specials sometimes.

Yes I found the cotton candy grapes here!!! and yes! they taste amazing like candy. Our ohana has been coming to Nijiya for years and we always find fun snacks and food here. The nijiya brand akitakomachi rice is really good and we haven’t found anything better yet…

Nijiya Market, is a like a mini Japanese superstore. For anyone who enjoys Japanese products and foods, you will fall in love with this place. If you’re planning to cook or bake something that requires Japanese ingredients, you’ll find it here. If you need Japanese beauty products or health products, you probably find them here too.
For me, the best time to go is during lunch because the fridge by the checkout is filled with all different kinds of bentos. The bentos range from $ 6 to $ 10 and you can also get sides for $ 3. After you get your bento, the next section you want to visit is the snacks. They have lots of Japanese snacks but they’re pricey. My favorite snack from there is the meltykiss soybean chocolate. It’s the best chocolate ever because the texture is smooth and it just slowly melts in your mouth. Once you start eating it, you can’t stop. I recommend trying a box. It also comes in milk chocolate, strawberry, green tea, and milk tea flavor.
If you’re a meat lover, you’ll want to visit on the 29^th on every month because it’s meat day. In Japanese, meat is called «niku» which also translates to 2 (ni) and 9 (ku). All their meats are 20% off so it’s a good time to stock up. The wagyu does not get 20% though. The staff does a good job of refilling the fridge so you can go in the evening and still get lots to choose from.
For parking, you can park in Puck’s Alley and get validation from the cashier. It’s free parking for 1 hour. If you go on Sundays, it’s free parking all day. The entrance to the parking lot is on University Ave between Greek Corner and A Place To Eat.

You have to taper down your expectations if you’re expecting a Whole Foods or Bristol Farms style specialty grocer. Nijiya is a Japanese specialty store that’s small, clean, and holds high quality products.
Nijiya stands out as extrodinary in their seafood and meats section. They have USDA prime beef (thin cut for shabu shabu), very fresh fish (like copper river salmon, chutoro, otoro, and shell fish) and outstanding chasu pork and belly. Each item named is in the video and difficult to find elsewhere.
The dressings, seasonings, ramen, and rice selection are also outstanding.
Downsides are the tight parking arrangements at the lot upstairs and the produce section which is «ok» at best.
The staff is friendly and well manured and because the store is rarely crowded, I’ve never once waiting in a line for checkout.

Love love love Nijiya Market! Hot bentos, salads, sushi, assorted sakes and tons of toiletries and candies that look great but I can’t read the labels… lol. si masen? Ooops said too much… highly recommended!

Nijiya Market is my weakness because I’m addicted to this store! There is a wide variety of Japanese products and it’s the only store I know that carries Japanese shampoo, soaps, toothbrushes, pain relievers, hair dyes, and so much more.
Every time I go to this store, I buy a lot of Takoyaki because it is dirt cheap and full of flavor. I don’t know any other place that puts mayonnaise, sauce, bonito flakes, parsley, and gives 8 balls per tray for an affordable price.
Their candy selection is good, but some of the big sized candy bags are too expensive. They also sell soon to expire items at a lower price range. I would avoid those because there is a chance that the product has already been expired even before the date passes.

The bento’s here recently don’t taste very fresh anymore. When it first opened the bento’s were of a higher quality.

I go there every month of the 29^th. In Japan there is a curious word play regarding the 29^th day of the month in Japanese, put into just its number components it creates the word ni-​kyuu .[29] which is the same as niku which means meat. All meat is 20% off on the 29^th to celebrate meat lovers! I normally get very thin slices of beef called shabu shabu and beef tongue.

Great Asian market. In house sushi and musubi were tempting even after we just stuffed our faces with a megabento before we walked in.
Variety of options including a lot of healthy, organic products and harder to find Japanese food products

Whenever I go to Nijiya market, I feel like I’m back in J land. I love the well organized shelf after shelf of authentic products from Japan. Usually I go to the Nijiya market on Piikoi but sometimes when I’m this far east I go to this location.
My favorite section is the bentos. They are much better in quality than bentos at other locations but cost a little more. It’s well worth it to me. I love their chirashi bento.
Parking can be a little tricky. Unfortunately you have to go into the parking lot, remember to get your parking ticket validated and exit within the allotted time, typically 30 minutes. Usually it’s no problem because I’m just grabbing a few things and heading out quickly. If you’re there around New Years time, be sure to get one of their calendars for free!

I’m so grateful Niijiya Market is close to where I live because I can get meat, vegetables, fruits, and other items very quick.
I love how they have organic meat available along with having a 20% meat sale near the end of the month. Their bentos are average quality. Of all the food I enjoy, I really like the salmon onigiri ($ 1.49) and their vegetable croquettes.
The only downside to this place is the price. The meat a little more pricey than Times or Foodland along with the fish, but the convenience and commute time I save by going to Niijiya makes it worth it at times.
If you’re interested in knowing what they have for sale, sign up for their newsletter online and you can get their sale ads mailed to you!

Nijiya is my favorite place to shop for Japanese food, ingredients and sundries.
They have just enough of everything so that you can get what you need without being confused by a wide variety.
Both locations are small, clean and neatly organized making for a pleasant and efficient shopping experience. The staff is laid back, friendly and attentive.
The Puck’s location has validated parking although you will need to carry your groceries up a couple of flight of stairs.
I’m sure they do get busy but I’ve never felt crowded or had to wait long in line to checkout.
Much more than a convenience store, they have bentos, prepared foods, fresh meats, fish and produce, along with frozen and dried foods, and housewares.
If you need something Japanese you’re sure to find it there at a fair price or even on sale without having to fight the crowds of the larger Japanese markets.
Nijiya gets 5 stars from me.

I’ve passed my Nijiya market many times and never really had a desire to take a peek inside. I was heading to the Tea Farm Café and decided to walk through Nijiya market to get there and boy was I glad!
They have so many cute donuts and snacks! They have lots of very fresh veggies, meats, and other products that are a perfect size for a 2-​person household. They have lots of sake and Japanese alcohol and everything in the store is decently priced.
I felt like a little kid in a candy store after venturing through here! After we were done at the Tea Farm Café, we made it a point to explore Nijiya market more, bought a few groceries, and I’m sure I’ll be back when I’m in the area again!

I usually wander into Nijiya anytime I go to Curry House or Tropics.
The main reason I go is to check out the $ 1.99 Hello Kitty section where everything is $ 1.99! I love the HK garment laundry bags the most.
If you’re into Asian beauty products they also carry an entire aisle full. Some of the products are entirely in Japanese though. I just picked up the Shisheido Tsubaki damage care conditioner!
Other things they carry are fresh produce and bentos, but honestly I’ve only ever checked out the Hello Kitty and beauty aisles.

In an effort to find eggs near Down to Earth Health Foods Market, I ventured into Nijiya Japanese Market to see what they have to offer. A fixture along University Avenue for a few years now, I’ve always seen this place on my way home from Kalihi to Kaimuki, but never had a reason to go in there and check things out till recently. Nijiya market is basically a ethnic supermarket that caters to the Japanese population in Honolulu. There’s items here that you would not see in Shirokiya (Ala Moana Shopping Center) that’s here at Nijiya. While they do have the eggs, it wasn’t the ones I was looking for. They sell the organic brown eggs that can go $ 5+ for a dozen. Too steep for my blood, so I ventured elsewhere after looking at other things here at Nijiya.
Nijiya Japanese market is located on University Avenue in Puck’s Alley. Bus service via #6 and #1 passes through the area and the intersection is busier than ever. There is private paid parking nearby, but for me, taking the bus or walking, was the catch of the day. The market is small and had a organic feel to it. Nothing like Safeway or even Foodland, and it just focuses on Japanese made products. There were some good deals to be had here and I actually got a few things (minus the eggs) before heading out to Kokua Market Cooperative to look and shop, but I eventually ended up buying those eggs at Foodland Market City shopping center at afternoon. As with life, always good to shop around and check out new places to explore. Supporting local has never been good, even though they don’t have the stuff you want.
Nijiya Japanese market is what you would expect. A small market that just has the right ingredients to make this place a success. I would characterize Niijiya as a very small scale Whole Foods, but with a Japanese influence. There wasn’t too much people shopping when I was there, but it was a Sunday late afternoon, so I’m sure business picks up during the week and Saturdays as well. Now that I know what this place is, I definitely will come back and buy stuff, if the situation arises. The prices here can be a bit overpriced, but I guess with the Japanese and their sushi, its hard not to be. Just got to go with the flow, I suppose. The market here is clean and well organized.
The service here was average and expected. The location is excellent for those who live in and around the University of Hawaii area, especially UH students and faculty too, who need this place for their lifestyle. Overall, recommended for your food choices and other things Japanese. Best alternative to have versus Shirokiya.
Support local!
B+

Nijiya markets itself as an organic Japanese grocery store. If you want really fresh, healthy, (nicely packaged!) groceries, Nijiya can’t be beat. They have a wide selection of fish and meat for all kinds of cooking, Japanese bento and awesome snacks imported from Japan. They also carry Japanese cosmetics and Hello Kitty items.
The pre-​made food in the front is always really tasty. They have a wide range of dishes from sushi and musubi to bento and okonomiyaki. They offer healthier options like brown rice in some of their food too! The costs vary, but the prices can get a little up there if you buy a bento with a lot of sashimi or eel in it. They also provide a microwave in the area, so you can heat up your food on the go.
I usually come by here for the snacks. They have awesome sweets there that you can’t find anywhere else! I love their chocolate chip cookies and strawberry chocolate bar!
The parking structure is just off University avenue, immediately after Curry House. You have to take a ticket and go up the ramp. Nijiya will validate your ticket for up to 30 minutes (don’t hold me to this exact number) as long as you purchase something from there.

From ponzu sauce to ume candy to a variety of natto to mapo tofu ramen… this market rocks!
I was craving sashimi big time over the weekend and luckily, Nijiya was just a traffic light away.
We had the best dinner ever thanks to Nijiya Market! Arigato!
Unbelievably inexpensive Wagyu Beef Sashimi with ponzu sauce for $ 3.74.yup…THREE DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-​FOUR PENNIES. I was trippin when I saw the price. Had to blink again and rub my eyes to make sure I was seeing clear. About 8 – 10 quarter inch seared slices topped with green onions and ponzu sauce. When I brought this bad boy home, I drizzled a smidge of white truffle oil in the ponzu. Ahhhh… the angels were singing at our first bite.
Also bought Kanpachi (Amber Jack), Ha’upu’upu (named Convict Grouper) similar to the texture of Hirame (Fluke) and a block of Ahi. We enjoyed our smorgasborg of sashimi with beer and called it a night. It was a perfect end to a great day. Hea-​ven-​ly.
Only if there was a Nijiya on every street corner… the world would be a better place.