Uwajimaya (#26)

The iconic blue tiles were an architectural feature carried over from Uwajimaya’s previous site.

Alabastro Photography. Courtesy of Wing Luke Museum.

Quick Facts

Location:

600 5th Ave S

Significance:

Also known as: Waji’s

Mile: 1.38

Japanese immigrant Fujimatsu Moriguchi started Uwajimaya as a small Tacoma fish market in 1928. He named the store after his place of birth. Today, Uwajimaya has become the largest Asian grocery and gift store in the Pacific Northwest. The store also houses the Kinokuniya bookstore, the largest Japanese bookstore in the region.

Head back to waypoint #24 to see Uwajimaya’s previous location.