Uwajimaya

Uwajimaya, at 600 5th Ave S in the Chinatown-International District of Seattle, Washington, is the flagship of a family-owned Asian grocery and gift retailer that has operated in the city since the 1920s. The store combines a large supermarket with a food hall, a book and gift section, housewares, and stationery, and it serves as an anchor of the neighborhood's Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino communities. The goods sold differ from generic shopping in range and specialization: fresh and packaged Japanese and other Asian groceries, a large seafood and produce selection, sake and tea, rice cookers and cookware, ceramics, Japanese stationery, character goods, snacks, and sweets that are difficult to find in mainstream supermarkets. Because it is a grocery and gift store, authenticity is high, and many products are imported or made by Asian-American producers rather than being tourist trinkets. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not part of the culture. Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted at registers, and cash is rarely needed. The United States has no visitor tax-refund scheme, and most unprepared groceries are exempt from sales tax, while prepared food, housewares, and gifts carry sales tax of roughly 10 percent. The atmosphere is busy and practical, with local shoppers and visitors moving through wide aisles, and crowds build on weekends and at lunchtime. Food options are a highlight, with a food hall offering Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian dishes, a bakery, and prepared items to eat on site or take away. Visitors who are interested in souvenirs often look at the Japanese snacks, tea, ceramics, and stationery, which travel well. The store is a short walk from the International District light rail station and the streetcar line, and parking is available nearby. Hours vary, so the store's website is the best source for current details. The surrounding neighborhood has additional restaurants, bakeries, and the Wing Luke Museum, which makes the area a rewarding half-day trip.