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Some Columbus families drive across town on a lunch break just for a container of sushi. Others plan entire road trips so they can stop at one small grocery store on the north side of the city.
People who once lived in Japan treat it like a pantry refill station, and kids treat it like a treasure hunt for snacks they cannot find anywhere else in Ohio. The shelves hold rice balls, bento boxes, sushi-grade fish, imported treats, and pantry staples that usually require a passport.
It is not a huge place, and it does not try to be. What it offers instead is variety, freshness, and friendly help packed into a compact space.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what to grab first, when to go, and why so many Ohioans happily make the drive.
A Japanese Pantry on Old Henderson Road
Tucked into a north Columbus shopping center, Tensuke Market sits at 1167 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, United States.
It is a Japanese grocery store, and it is part of the Japan Marketplace at Kenny Centre, a cluster of Japanese businesses in one spot.
The location makes it easy to reach from much of central Ohio. Drivers coming from Dayton, Cleveland, or Cincinnati can work it into a day in the capital city without much trouble.
Parking is plentiful, which matters on busy days. A cart waits near the entrance for anyone planning a bigger haul.
The store carries Japanese groceries, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, drinks, and even some non-food items like tools and toys. Most products are either made fresh or imported from Japan.
That mix gives the market a dual identity. Part grocery store, part grab-and-go lunch counter, it serves both home cooks and hungry shoppers who just want something good to eat right now.
It has earned a 4.8-star average from more than 2,600 Google entries, a big number for a neighborhood grocery. That kind of following does not happen by accident, and the rest of this story explains why.
Decades of Quiet Consistency
Some shoppers have been coming here for decades, and they describe a store that has stayed reliably the same.
That steadiness is part of the appeal. In a world where favorite shops change owners, layouts, and menus, Tensuke has kept its focus on doing one job well.
Longtime regulars note the store is clean, organized, and efficient. Checkout lines move quickly, even when the aisles fill up.
There is also a fun twist in its story. Neighbors who lived within walking distance for about 15 years only recently discovered it, and now they are hooked.
So the market manages to be both a longtime institution and a fresh discovery. It depends on who walks through the door first.
Out-of-state travelers have joined the fan club too. Families who live elsewhere make a point to stop every time they pass through Columbus, treating it as a mandatory pit stop.
Former residents of Japan say it is the most authentic Japanese grocery experience in the region. That is high praise from people who know what the real thing looks like, and it sets the stage for what fills the cases inside.
Sushi That Sells Out the Case
Sushi is the single most talked-about item at this market, and for good reason.
The refrigerated cases hold a wide range of packaged rolls and maki, and the selection stays well stocked. Some shoppers say they have never needed to order anything made to order because the case always has what they want.
One Columbus worker drives out of the way no matter which part of the city the job is in. The goal is simple: sushi from Tensuke.
The prepared sushi is connected to Sushi Ten, the restaurant next door. There is even an entrance to Sushi Ten from inside the market.
Honesty matters here. Occasionally a packaged item may sit in the cooler a little longer, and fresh restaurant orders can come out better than something from the case.
Still, the consensus is that it beats ordinary supermarket sushi by a comfortable margin. It is also often cheaper than prepared sushi found elsewhere.
For a fast lunch, a road-trip snack, or a casual dinner at home, this case does a lot of heavy lifting. Roll with it.
Sashimi Cut on Request
Home sushi chefs, take note. The seafood section offers fish that can be served as sashimi, which is exactly what makes this market a destination for people who like to make their own rolls.
The seafood is regularly fresh, and most of it holds up well. Now and then an item may fall short, so a quick look before buying is a smart habit.
Here is the bonus most first-timers miss. Staff will cut the sashimi for shoppers for free.
That small service saves time and removes some of the guesswork for anyone nervous about slicing raw fish at home. It also shows the kind of hands-on help the staff is known for.
Sushi-grade fish is not something every Ohio grocery store carries. Finding it alongside the rice, nori, sauces, and other ingredients needed for a full meal makes the trip more efficient.
A family sushi night can come together with a single stop. Everything from the fish to the dipping sauce can leave in the same bag.
That one-trip convenience is a big reason home cooks keep this counter on their regular route. Fish fans, this is your cut above.
Bento Boxes and Rice Bowls to Go
Lunch decisions get easier right inside the front door, where freshly made meals greet shoppers.
Bento boxes are the star here, with plenty of choices in the grab-and-go section. Rice bowls, including a pork katsu don, sit alongside them.
There are also sandwiches and breads for anyone who wants a lighter option. The variety means even picky eaters in a group can usually find something.
First-time shoppers often find themselves more fascinated by the prepared meals than anything else. Picking up a few to try is a common move, and they tend to be a hit.
The prepared food is also budget-friendly compared with similar options elsewhere. That makes it a practical lunch, not just a novelty.
Office workers, students, and road-trippers all benefit from that setup. Grab a bento, pay quickly, and get back on the road.
Many people describe the experience as being like a Japanese convenience store, right here in Ohio. That comparison comes from the steady stream of ready meals, snacks, and drinks all within a few steps.
It is a box worth checking, literally.
The Onigiri Obsession
Small triangles, big following. The onigiri selection here has fans who plan return trips just to restock.
Onigiri are Japanese rice balls, often shaped into triangles and wrapped for easy eating. They make a quick snack or a light meal on the go.
The selection is wide, with several fillings to choose from. A sweet soy version with shrimp inside is one favorite.
Price is a big part of the appeal. Rice balls have been priced at $2.75 each, which makes it easy to try several kinds in one visit.
Out-of-state families call the onigiri lineup seriously impressive. It is one of the items they cannot find back home.
For kids, onigiri can be a fun introduction to Japanese food. They are portable, simple, and easy to share.
Some shoppers head straight for this shelf, grab a handful, and plan their next visit before they even reach the register. That is how a rice ball turns into a monthly habit.
Snack Aisles Straight From Japan
Kids tend to treat these aisles like a treasure map.
The snack selection includes Japanese candies, rice cakes, and plenty of treats that are hard to find in standard Ohio grocery stores. Many items are imported directly from Japan.
One parent brought the kids for the first time, and everyone found a treat they liked. That is a rare win for any family outing.
Rice cakes earn special mention from happy shoppers. Candies and other packaged snacks fill out the shelves.
Drinks get their own spotlight too. The market stocks tons of beverages, including hot canned drinks served the way they are in Japan.
Shoppers who just stop in to browse often say the aisles feel like an adventure, even if they leave empty-handed. The displays are colorful and the variety keeps people wandering.
Beyond food, there are Asian toys and tools on the shelves. Those extras give curious visitors one more reason to slow down.
For families on a budget, a few snacks can turn into an affordable cultural outing. Snack responsibly, of course.
Pantry Staples and a Serious Sauce Aisle
Behind the ready-to-eat meals sits the real workhorse of the store: the pantry section.
Shoppers find what they need to cook a full Japanese meal at home. Noodles, ramen, rice, meats, and other staples line the shelves.
The sauce aisle deserves its own mention. It carries an immense amount of variety, which helps home cooks match recipes more closely.
People who lived in Japan stock up on the specific items they miss most. Even shoppers unfamiliar with Japanese ingredients find it a good place to discover something new.
The store is compact, but it packs in a lot. The selection is considered pretty decent for its size.
Price-wise, some items can be found cheaper at other Asian markets. The difference is the depth of Japanese products all in one place.
Some goods may feel a bit pricey to certain shoppers. Sale and clearance tags, though, can lead to very good deals.
Checking those tags is a smart move on every visit. A full pantry is just a few aisles away.
Belle’s Bakery Goods on the Shelf
Fans of soft breads and pastries have another reason to stop.
A shelf inside the market carries baked goods from Belle’s Bakery, a neighbor in the same Japan Marketplace. The bakery came up more than 60 times in public comments about the store.
The shelf is small, so selection can vary. Early in the day is often a better bet for a wider choice.
Those who want more can visit Belle’s Bakery directly. It sits just a few doors down in the same complex.
That arrangement gives shoppers flexibility. Grab a pastry with groceries, or walk over for the full bakery lineup.
Baked goods pair nicely with the bento and onigiri for a picnic-style lunch. Families can build a mixed meal without visiting multiple parts of town.
It is one more piece of what makes the market feel like a complete stop rather than a single errand. Bread lovers, you can rise to the occasion.
A Community Hub at Kenny Centre
The market does not stand alone, and that is a big part of the fun.
It belongs to the Japan Marketplace at Kenny Centre, which many describe as a genuine community hub. Several Japanese businesses share the space.
Shoppers can eat a meal at Akai Hana, pick up pastries at Belle’s Bakery, and then finish grocery shopping a few doors away. It all fits into one trip.
Sushi Ten connects directly to the market through an inside entrance. Ramen and sushi restaurants nearby round out the options.
That clustered setup makes the drive worth it for out-of-town families. Lunch, dessert, and groceries come together in a single parking lot.
The friendly staff add to that welcoming feeling. Helpful service shows up as one of the most mentioned traits, with more than 160 nods.
Workers help shoppers find items and keep checkout moving. Even casual browsers say the place makes them feel welcome.
It is a neighborhood within a neighborhood, and it rewards anyone who explores beyond the first door.
Hours, Crowds, and Smart Timing
Timing a visit can make a real difference.
The market is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Weekends often get very crowded. The store is on the smaller side, so moving around can be tough during peak times.
Weekday visits are the better pick for a relaxed browse. Shoppers tend to find more room in the aisles and less competition at the sushi case.
Even on busy days, the store runs smoothly. Lines move fast and the layout helps people get in and out with what they need.
Fresh produce selection is limited. Anyone hunting for specific fruits, like Asian pears, may come up short.
Planning around those details helps set realistic expectations. Come for the prepared foods, fish, snacks, and pantry items, and the trip usually delivers.
A weekday afternoon visit might just be the sweet spot.
Worth the Drive From Anywhere in Ohio
Plenty of Ohio markets sell Japanese products, but few pull them together like this one.
Shoppers who have searched Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus often call it the best Japanese market they have found in the state. That says a lot about its reach.
Families get affordable treats and a fun outing. Home cooks get sushi-grade fish with free cutting and a deep pantry.
Office workers get quick, reasonably priced lunches. Travelers get a taste of Japan without leaving Ohio.
The store is not perfect. Produce is limited, weekends get packed, and a few items carry a higher price tag.
Those small trade-offs rarely stop people from coming back. Many already have their next trip planned before they leave the lot.
For Ohioans looking for a hidden gem that feels like a short trip abroad, this compact market on Old Henderson Road makes a strong case. Pack a cooler, bring the kids, and leave room for onigiri.
Some drives are measured in miles. This one is measured in rice balls.
