Five years after he immigrated to the United States, Fujimatsu Moriguchi started selling fishcakes out of his truck to Japanese workers in Tacoma (that was 1928). When World War II broke out, the United States moved him and his family to internment camps in California (first to Pinedale and then to Tule Lake) where three of his children were born.

After being released, the family moved to Seattle and opened Uwajimaya (named for the town of Uwajima in Japan). Now, two generations later, Moriguchi’s granddaughter Denise Moriguchi is president and CEO of a huge Asian grocery store that shows up on must-see-in-Seattle lists. The store ended up being so enthralling that we ran out of time and had to go back again the next morning.
Look at all the lychee!
The sake display.
Look at all the kimchi! (I’m a big fan of both lychee and kimchi. And later you’ll see the soy sauce.)
I’m also a Pusheen fan (but who isn’t–a cat who loves pie!?).
The Mandalorian tea!? Everything here is so cool.
And here’s the soy sauce.
There’s a book store attached to the grocery store that has all sorts of adorable stuffed animals.
The bookstore also has books.
And stationery!
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