If you feel like everyone and their mother has been traveling to Japan this year, you’re actually not wrong. But between I’m Donut ?, the Japanese cult favorite that recently made its sweet NYC debut, Usagi, NYC’s tranquil Japanese bookstore café, and Japan Fes., NYC’s epic Japanese food fest, you don’t even have to subject yourself to a 14 hour flight to get a taste of Japan! One of the more hidden places transporting you straight there is NYC’s Japan Village, and if you haven’t yet heard of it you’re in for a treat!
Japan Village is a full Japanese oasis spanning two floors and in Brooklyn’s Industry City, the 6-million-square-foot complex made up of industrial, office, and retail space that serves as a bustling creative business hub on the waterfront. The 20,000-square-foot space is dedicated to immersing visitors in the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of Japan, and it does so by inviting New Yorkers to celebrate traditions through regularly curated events that showcase the vibrant spirit of Japan.
That’s to say visitors can take part in everything from mochi pounding and tea ceremonies to hands-on workshops on the traditional Japanese art of calligraphy or Ikebana floral arrangements. But you can also sit back and be treated to captivating performances including traditional taiko drumming and mesmerizing arts demonstrations.
And since leaving out Japanese food would be just downright wrong, culinary enthusiasts will also be happy to hear that they can savor the diverse flavors of Japan through themed food festivals, offering a delightful journey into the world of sushi, ramen, and other favorites. The space is essentially part restaurant, part supermarket, and part cultural center.
Where to eat & drink in NYC’s Japan Village
As for the actual destinations on where to eat and drink within Japan Village, your options are virtually endless. Multiple food stalls can be found within the space, including Gohei, Obentoyasan, Hachi, Handroll Bar, Umami House, and more. Restaurants include Sushi Uesugi, Oldies, and Waku Waku, with more coming soon (along with a bakery and cafe!).
If you’re looking to do a bit less eating and a bit more food shopping, you’ll be happy to know that there’s also a Sunrise Mart. This Japanese supermarket offers authentic ingredients, fresh produce, sushi-grade fish, snacks, ready-made meals, condiments, and cosmetics. Basically from kitchen staples to everyday essentials, you’ll find everything Japanese here.
And since no meal is complete without something to sip, there’s also the liquor store Kuraichi, specializing in Japanese alcoholic beverages including sake, shochu, whisky, and beer, with unique and seasonal selections.
Shopping in Japan Village
Beyond the food, there’s a multitude of authentic Japanese goods to browse–take it from us, you’re going to spend a lot of money here. Stores include:
- Book Off – Japanese secondhand shop known for affordable books, manga, video games, etc.
- Daiso – Japanese dollar store that sells everything you can think of, from ceramics to stationeries and snacks
- Bandai Namco – Toy store packed with anime merch, model kits, gacha gacha, and arcade-style fun
- Taro’s Origami – Origami store that brings Japanese tradition to life with origami kits, paper, and workshops for all ages
- Japanklyn – Lifestyle store that blends Japanese streetwear, culture, and art with a Brooklyn edge
- Kiddleton – Fun-filled arcade offering Japanese claw machines, toys, and games from Japan
Japan Village Summer Fest 2025
If Japan Village didn’t offer enough fun to begin with, there’s also Summer Fest to look forward to! The annual event is a free Japanese summer festival that brings together nearly 8,000 attendees for a fun-filled day of food, games, and cultural performances. This year it’s happening on Saturday, August 23rd from 12 pm to 7 pm. More on this here.
Owner Tony Yoshida stated:
[The goal of Japan Village is to] share everything we love about Japan with our local community in a fun and authentic way. Working with Industry City allows us to provide a space where anyone can immerse themselves in Japanese culture through traditional foods, interactive seminars, and family-friendly events.
📍 Industry City – 934 3rd Ave (between 35th & 36th Streets)
Learn more about Japan Village on their website.