PLEASANT HILL, CALIFORNIA — One of the most anticipated new stores in the East Bay is almost ready to open, and Bay Area Telegraph has gotten a unique early look inside.
Osaka Marketplace, the enormous new Japanese grocery store and food hall coming to Downtown Pleasant Hill, will officially open on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 155 Crescent Plaza.
And after getting a look inside the massive space, it’s clear that this will be far more than your typical neighborhood grocery store.
The new marketplace combines an enormous selection of Japanese groceries, fresh seafood, premium meats, imported snacks, Japanese beauty products, collectibles, specialty beverages, sake, whisky, and a dedicated Japanese food hall.
Even before the grand opening, much of the interior is taking shape. Rows of colorful imported products are already on display, enormous refrigerated cases are being prepared for fresh food, and the elaborate dining area is beginning to come together.
The marketplace is taking over the former Orchard Supply Hardware building. The City of Pleasant Hill originally described the space as approximately 42,000 square feet, while Diablo magazine has reported a larger 49,000-square-foot footprint.
Either way, this is a huge addition to Downtown Pleasant Hill.
Here’s what shoppers can expect when the doors open, based on our early visit.
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An Enormous Japanese Grocery Store
The first thing that stands out about Osaka Marketplace is the sheer size of the supermarket.
The interior features high ceilings, long aisles of specialty products, extensive refrigerated displays, and dedicated departments for everything from fresh produce and seafood to Japanese beauty products.
This isn’t just a place to pick up a few Japanese snacks. Osaka is designed to be a full grocery store, a representative told us, where customers can shop for everyday ingredients alongside imported products that are difficult to find at conventional supermarkets.
The store will feature a large produce department, including an area designated for organic products, plus aisles of packaged foods, pantry staples, sauces, noodles, candies, and other grocery items.
At Osaka’s existing Bay Area locations, shoppers can find everything from Japanese rice, miso, and specialty sauces to frozen ramen, udon, and soba noodles.
The company’s selection also includes regional Japanese specialties and seasonal imports that aren’t necessarily available year-round.
For home cooks interested in making Japanese dishes, the variety of ingredients could eliminate the need to drive to specialized markets farther away.
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Fresh Sushi, Seafood, Wagyu Beef, and More
One of the most exciting features is the extensive fresh food department.
The new store has dedicated areas for seafood, sushi, and premium meats, with large refrigerated display cases and preparation areas.
A prominent WAGYU sign marks the premium beef section, while a substantial seafood department promises a variety of fresh fish and Japanese seafood specialties.
Osaka’s other locations are known for carrying premium wagyu beef, sushi and sashimi, seafood, and specialty meat cuts for Japanese cooking.
The company has also developed a reputation for its seafood sourcing, including fish brought from Japan’s famous Toyosu fish market in Tokyo.
At the Foster City location, offerings have included bluefin tuna, yellowtail, scallops, specialty Japanese dried fish, and seafood suitable for preparing sushi and sashimi at home.
The meat department at that location has also offered cuts intended for Japanese-style cooking, including shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and yakiniku.
Specific inventory at Pleasant Hill will vary, but the scale of its dedicated meat and seafood departments suggests that fresh ingredients will be a major focus.
For people who would rather skip the cooking, Osaka has also confirmed plans for ready-to-eat sushi and bento meals. A rep told us where will be a large section for rice bowls, too.
That means customers should be able to stop in for lunch, pick up a prepared dinner, or purchase ingredients for a meal at home.
A Remarkably Extensive Japanese Beverage Selection
One of the more surprising features of the new store is its large selection of Japanese beverages.
The refrigerated drinks section is already stocked with colorful bottles and cans that go well beyond the usual American soft drink brands.
Among the products on display are multiple varieties of Ramune, the popular Japanese soda known for its distinctive marble-sealed bottles.
Flavors include original, strawberry, peach, melon, lychee, grape, and orange.
Other products include Japanese-style melon cream soda, C.C. Lemon, Calpico, Japanese Pepsi varieties, and other imported sparkling beverages, fruit drinks, and teas.
The selection also illustrates Osaka’s broader approach: familiar products sit alongside imports and regional specialties that shoppers might otherwise have to order online or seek out at smaller specialty stores.
Premium Japanese Whisky, Sake, and Spirits
Osaka also has a significant liquor department, with an emphasis on Japanese products.
The store features a dedicated Fine Liquor Collection, with shelves of Japanese spirits and a separate secured display for premium bottles.
Among the recognizable names are Suntory’s Yamazaki 12-Year and Hakushu 12-Year single malt Japanese whiskies, two highly sought-after products.
The selection also includes Haku Japanese vodka, flavored Japanese spirits, and other imported alcoholic beverages.
Sake is another major focus of the marketplace.
Osaka’s existing locations offer a variety of sake, from everyday bottles to more premium offerings, and the new Pleasant Hill store is preparing a substantial section devoted to alcoholic beverages.
Japanese Beauty Products, Cosmetics, and Hair Care
Food isn’t the only attraction.
An entire portion of the new marketplace is dedicated to Japanese beauty products, cosmetics, personal care items, and grooming supplies.
The department includes colorful displays of makeup, skincare products, hair accessories, shampoos, and other personal care essentials.
Among the recognizable brands is Gatsby, whose Japanese Moving Rubber hair wax products come in a range of varieties designed for different hairstyles and finishes.
The selection also includes Japanese body washes, facial care products, beauty tools, cosmetics, and grooming accessories.
Products from brands such as Kracie’s Naive line are represented, alongside numerous other imported products.
This is the kind of department that could appeal to shoppers who previously visited dedicated Japanese beauty stores or ordered specialty skincare products online.
And because Osaka combines the beauty department with groceries, snacks, and household products, customers can browse those items without making a separate trip.
Cute Japanese Collectibles and Mystery Boxes
Another unexpected attraction is a section filled with Japanese character merchandise and collectible toys.
Among the products are blind boxes featuring popular Japanese characters, including Chiikawa and Mofusand.
Blind boxes are packages containing a mystery figure or collectible from a particular series. Buyers don’t know exactly which character they’ll receive until they open the box.
The Japanese collectible market has attracted a growing audience of fans, particularly around cute character merchandise and limited-edition releases.
For families, collectors, or anyone who enjoys Japanese pop culture, the collectibles section adds a playful element to the shopping experience.
A Japanese Food Hall With Ramen, Curry, Katsu, and More
Perhaps the most ambitious part of the project is the new Japanese food hall.
Rather than simply installing a small takeout counter, Osaka is transforming the former Orchard Supply Hardware garden center into an expansive dining area.
The space features soaring ceilings, large windows, dark architectural accents, wooden service counters, high-top tables, and seating areas.
A striking ornamental cherry blossom tree provides a splash of pink in the middle of the space, creating a Japanese-inspired focal point.
The design gives the area a different atmosphere from the grocery store itself, making it feel more like a place where visitors can spend time eating and socializing.
According to Osaka Marketplace’s official announcement, the food hall is planned to include several eateries serving Japanese specialties.
Among the announced offerings are:
- Japanese curry, the rich, mildly spiced comfort food commonly served over rice
- Katsu, featuring crispy breaded cutlets
- Okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake made with ingredients such as cabbage and various toppings
- Ramen, featuring Japanese noodles and flavorful broth
The City of Pleasant Hill previously mentioned additional possibilities including chicken karaage, sushi, and bento boxes.
The company has described the combination of grocery shopping and dining as a “grocerant” concept, allowing customers to shop for groceries and enjoy a freshly prepared meal during the same visit.
In its November 5 announcement, Osaka said it intends to have the food hall open for the grand opening celebration.
Specific restaurant operators, complete menus, and individual food hall hours have not yet been publicly detailed.
Here’s What to Expect at the Grand Opening
Osaka Marketplace has announced an official grand opening celebration for Friday, November 20, 2026.
Festivities begin at 9 a.m., with the store’s doors opening to shoppers at 10 a.m.
The celebration will include a traditional taiko drum performance, a Dassai sake ceremony, remarks from company management and local dignitaries, and a ribbon-cutting.
Osaka is also planning special promotions throughout opening weekend.
The first 100 shoppers on Friday will receive gourmet goodie bags, providing an additional incentive to arrive early.
Regular store hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
The company has also announced that the store will close early at 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.
We’ll be back to visit it once it’s opened up–and to review the food! Make sure to join our free 925 news newsletter so we can keep you updated.
