A Visit To Marukai Market San Diego

I had spotted Marukai Market the first time I went into Mitsuwa Marketplace. I remember asking my brother what was Marukai as I was curious what kind of store is it, or say what products that might be in there that is interesting for me. And he said, "it was another Japanese store like Mitsuwa." I thought so, but I was looking for a confirmation.

Hearing that it was indeed another Japanese market, that made me want to visit Marukai and see what goodies are in there. And I know one day I am going to visit that building. And guessed what? That day came and I was happy I went in there with my dad, mom has to work that day so it's just the two of us. And surprisingly we had spent about 3 hours or a little more on the Marukai buildings. Yes, buildings, as there are three buildings on one location. One building for Marukai Value Plus, Marukai Living and then the market.

So, here's the photos I got from our first visit to Marukai of San Diego.

Our first stop, Marukai Value Plus. And as I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed the Big Sanrio sign which made me more excited to get inside the store. I could imagine all this cute stuff inside, and hopefully I could find something I like. And it says "value plus," means I could go on every aisle, find interesting cute items that won't cost a lot. I was even thinking a Japanese 99 Cents Store?

And guess what? This is where we had spent most of our time.

Hello Kitty items from bags, to erasers, pens, slippers, pillows, and even car air freshener fills the right side space of the Value Plus store as we went in.

And straight ahead, in an aisle near the entrance, I spotted this cute fans. I couldn't resist taking some photos of these fans. And why I hadn't thought of trying some for decorations? They would make a beautiful decoration. I had worked with a patient for about a month and fans are used to decorate her beautiful restroom.

Not too far from the cute memo pads and letter set, is aisles filled with other toys and robots, probably two aisles with all sizes of robots. I even saw Goku in there from Dragon Ball Z but he ignored me, he was busy practicing.

It also surprised me to see the price for this Gundam RX-78-2, cost $300. It could just be me as I'm not a gamer. Or maybe because I didn't expect to see something that cost $300 on a Value Plus store.

I also decided to get one of these lucky fortune bells. And oh boy, I could hear the dangling bells even if my phone is on my pocket. Hearing the dangling bells brightens my day, considering it was a lucky bell.

But when I want a total quietness, I would hold the bells inside my pocket so they won't make noises, specially when I'm up to something and I don't want anybody to notice my presence.

Next stop, Marukai Living:

So after what seems to be forever inside Marukai Value Plus, and after we had ventured every aisle, we decided to pay the items we got. There's two more Marukai building for us to visit!

Closer to Value Plus was the Marukai Living, and that's next.

First aisle on the left is all about bath and skin care products. This black soaps had stopped me for a minute as it made me wonder if they are made just like the black soap I had tried before.

Past the beauty aisle is this beautiful Japanese bed. Oh me! I forgot what they call it. I wanted to try it, just sit in there. But then, with all the cctv cameras all around, that made it uncomfortable, maybe they wouldn't even allow someone to sit in there, so I just went past it, looking. And on the end of the aisle against the wall, was Totoro!

I was so happy to see Totoro (below.) They are so soft so I picked one and gave it a hug! Now I know where to find Totoro and I'd keep him in mind. So if ever I need to find a gift to a friend who loves Totoro, I know where to get one.

Totoro, is a character to one of Hayao Miyazaki's film, My Neighbor Totoro where two young daughters of a professor had became friends with a wood spirit (Totoro) who lives under the camphor tree.

I had watched this animated film and enjoyed it.

This is Owlet. Can we name her Owlet?

It was Owlet's wiggling head that got my attention. I was walking around each aisle, and yes, I was hoping to see solar toys on one of these Marukai buildings. Owlet made me smile when I saw her, so cute! For some reason, there maybe some sunlight from the roof top or some other light source that's making Owlet wiggle her head gently, side to side.

And then, there they are on where Owlet is, all other kinds of cute solar toys!

I want Owlet, yes. But I'm not ready, and doesn't want to spend $26. So I just spent some time looking at her and took a photo so I could remember how she looks like. Now others could see her too.

Isn't this a beautiful night light? I think so. But I really like one of the lantern style. But I think no matter how much I like or want such night light, I would still choose my computer. Yes, my computer, I know, that wasn't really smart. But then, I like how much it covers my entire room. I am scared of the dark and it gives me comfort. I even sleep with a kerosene lamp hanging on the ceiling or sitting on top of the table when I was a kid.

And this bamboo made steamers are a treasure for those who could hardly find one on the grocery stores. There's really a lot of ways of using bamboo. I could just imagine steamed buns (siopao) when I spotted this steamer.

Finding our way back to first aisles where we went through, I noticed this cute, mini shopping carts. They are priced for $6.98, plus tax. They are fun to look at, a miniature version of the shopping carts we often see and use on groceries and other stores.

A good display on the kitchen I think. Unless there's other use for it.

Our last building to explore, the Marukai Market. It was past noon but we're not in a hurry.

As we stepped inside the market, I feel like in an instance, I was no longer in San Diego. Produce section is on the left side as we entered and straight ahead is the deli and meat products. But it was that feeling of being in Japan inside the market, with the Japanese products and goodies written in their language. Even the Japanese lady speaking in her native tongue trying to get the customers to try her samples contributes to the experience of being somewhere else.

I like this Mochi ice cream, I didn't know about this ice cream before but when a friend insisted I should try it, I did and I liked it.

On the snack aisle, I was curious what kind of Japanese snack product I could find, something to try or just something interesting. Then I spotted this one, looks like the unleavened bread to me which made me stop and take a good look at it.

I wonder how it taste like? Well, I'm not going to know unless I tasted it. And I'm not gonna be able to taste it unless I buy it. And I didn't bought it. So let's just all wonder how it taste like because I'm not gonna be able to tell you.