About Us
Vision
Bring Japan Closer
We are the leading distributor of Japanese restaurant supplies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Japanese cuisine has become increasingly familiar and accessible across American communities. While the number of Japanese restaurants has grown and menus have diversified, most of the American market has only just begun to explore the depth and richness of Japanese food culture. Since our founding in 1970, N.A. Sales has been dedicated to introducing and educating customers about the authentic flavors of Japan. We are committed to supporting our customers with our extensive product selection and in-depth knowledge to truly Bring Japan Closer.
Greeting
Thank you for visiting our website. For 55 years, our company has proudly served the San Francisco Bay Area restaurant community as a trusted source for authentic Japanese foods, sake, tableware, kitchen supplies, and expert restaurant management support. We hold a unique position as a leading Japanese food wholesaler.
As dedicated professionals in the restaurant industry, our team offers deep knowledge, exclusive products, and trusted supplier relationships that set us apart. We continuously evolve not only with changing market demands but, more importantly, with the needs of our customers. While the restaurant industry has transformed over the decades, our commitment to supporting our clients remains unwavering. We work closely with each customer to anticipate their needs and provide tailored products and services—especially during these challenging times.
We hope this website serves as a valuable platform for communication and information exchange. We welcome special requests and strive to be a wholesaler you can count on to meet the unique needs of every restaurant. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
N.A.Sales Co., Inc.
Tetsuo Mochizuki, President
History
N.A. Sales Co., Inc. was established in 1970 by the three Inaba Brothers. They foresaw the development of the Japanese food industry around the San Francisco Bay Area and founded N.A. Sales to meet the needs and demands of the emerging Japanese restaurant industry. While the Inaba Brothers had already set up North American Trading Co., Inc. and North American Food Distributing Co., Inc. in Sacramento, focusing primarily on selling foods, sake, tableware, and kitchenware to retail stores, they recognized the necessity to cater specifically to the rapidly growing restaurant industry in the Bay Area.
At that time, there were only 80 Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area, but this number has since increased exponentially, reflecting the widespread influence of Japanese food culture in the United States. Consequently, we are intensifying our efforts in product development and expanding our operations to provide top-notch services to our customers as specialists in restaurant wholesaling.
Furthermore, the Japanese food culture has undergone significant changes, and our company has consistently adapted to these changes throughout the years.
It has always been our goal to be at the forefront of the Japanese restaurant supply industry. Initially, our product line only included basic food ingredients with simple applications, such as unagi for sushi and tsukemono (pickles) for bentos. Over time, we adapted by introducing products to meet emerging demands, such as the ‘sushi boom’ that started in the mid-1970s. As Japanese cuisine gained popularity beyond the Japanese community, we expanded our product line to include unique items, like colorful soybean papers designed specifically for those uncomfortable with eating roasted seaweed.
We proudly became the official dealer of TSUKIJI MASAMOTO knives for professional chefs. Responding promptly to the ‘sake boom’ in the 2000s, we fortified our alcohol product line, now offering over 400 different types of premium sake from all over Japan to cater to the subjective preferences of any customer. Our extensive range also includes traditional Japanese-style earthenware. Recognizing the rising popularity of Asian fusion style restaurants, we introduced a vast line of white porcelain dishware.
While we highly value our ability to adapt to the changes in the world of Japanese cuisine in the Bay Area, we are equally committed to educating those aspiring to enter this culinary realm. Since 2003, we have organized an annual restaurant show. This event attracts restaurant owners, manufacturers, brokers, and agents from both Japan and the U.S. Many participate to provide our existing and potential customers with the opportunity to learn more about the products we offer through food sampling, sake tasting, and engaging demonstrations. We see this event as a true hub for education, discovery, and mutual benefit.
Our company operates with the perspective of a restaurant manager, aiming to provide the highest quality goods at the most affordable prices. Our objective is to foster close and cooperative relationships with clients to offer the best services possible. We appreciate your ongoing support and guidance. Let’s Bring Japan Closer, together!!
