Japanese market and dining site set to open this month in downtown San Jose

SAN JOSE — A Japanese market with an array of shopping, dining, and drinking options aims to start serving customers this month in downtown San Jose ahead of its grand opening in late July.

Sakura Market will have a soft opening on June 24, with a full-fledged grand opening scheduled for July 24, the company stated. Sakura Market is owned by Osaka Marketplace and functions as a small-format version of the larger store.

“Our vision for Sakura Market is to create a space that fits seamlessly into people’s daily routines,” said Kazuhiro Takeda, chief operating officer and a director with Osaka Marketplace.

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The new market will open at the corner of South First Street and Paseo de San Antonio, near a San Jose State University housing tower known as Spartan Village on the Paseo.

Sakura Market is inspired by Japan’s “konbini” convenience stores and is an updated version of the grab-and-go concept.

It will feature a mini-mart, sake and beer bar, sushi buffet, instant ramen bar, and matcha tea shop. The store also will offer a curated assortment of Japanese snacks, beverages, and everyday essentials.

The new grocery and dining spot seeks to hire cashiers, customer service workers, stockers, cleaning staff, bartenders, and sushi preparers, along with other roles, the retailer states in a hiring post.

Wages are expected to range from $18.45 to $21 an hour, depending on experience. Employee roles will include part-time and full-time positions, the hiring post states.

After Safeway closed a small-format store on South Second Street in 2019, grocery options have been scarce for residents of downtown San Jose. A Whole Foods Market and Grocery Outlet operate on the edges.

The operators of Sakura Market hope to fulfill the numerous grocery and dining needs of people downtown.

“Whether it’s grabbing a quick, high-quality meal between classes or work, or enjoying a simple, authentic Japanese dining experience, we want Sakura Market to feel convenient, welcoming and distinctly Japanese,” Takeda said.