[First Store in Saga Prefecture] Food Select Shop "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" Opens April 9 (Thursday)
Key facts
- [First Store in Saga Prefecture] Food Select Shop "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" Opens April 9 (Thursday)
- Saga Tamaya will open the "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" on April 9, 2026, introducing the food specialty store "Kitano Ace" through a franchise agreement. This marks the first "Kitano Ace" store in Saga Prefecture, with Saga Tamaya managing store operations. The opening is part of Saga Tamaya's large-scale "Pre-Remodel" update aimed at revitalizing the department store.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: March 31, 2026
Direct answer
Saga Tamaya will open the "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" on April 9, 2026, introducing the food specialty store "Kitano Ace" through a franchise agreement. This marks the first "Kitano Ace" store in Saga Prefecture, with Saga Tamaya managing store operations. The opening is part of Saga Tamaya's large-scale "Pre-Remodel" update aimed at revitalizing the department store.
- Citation
- [First Store in Saga Prefecture] Food Select Shop "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" Opens April 9 (Thursday) (March 31, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- March 31, 2026
Saga Tamaya will open the "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" on April 9, 2026, introducing the food specialty store "Kitano Ace" through a franchise agreement. This marks the first "Kitano Ace" store in Saga Prefecture, with Saga Tamaya managing store operations. The opening is part of Saga Tamaya's large-scale "Pre-Remodel" update aimed at revitalizing the department store.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (14h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 23:20 (369h 41m after Collected)

Saga Tamaya (Headquarters: 2-5 Nakanokoji, Saga City, Saga Prefecture, President: Yuto Yamakoshi) will introduce the food specialty store "Kitano Ace" on a franchise basis and open the "Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store" on April 9, 2026 (Thursday).
This store opening will be the first in Saga Prefecture for "Kitano Ace," developed by Ace Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto Ward, Tokyo, President & CEO: Tetsuya Aburayama), and our company will be responsible for store operations.
Regarding the Large-Scale Update "Pre-Remodel"

Saga Tamaya began its large-scale update, "Pre-Remodel," to rebuild the overall appeal of the building in March 2026. This initiative is positioned not merely as a renovation but as a "demonstration of future department store creation," involving a phased review of all aspects: sales floor, products, and experiential value.
The theme for the renovation of the department store basement (South Building B1F) is "sense of live performance and sizzle." The sales floor layout will be completely renewed, aiming to evolve into a department store that is not only a destination but also a place people want to visit daily, featuring in-store prepared sushi and deli items, as well as a drink counter where customers can enjoy their purchases on the spot.
By opening Kitano Ace, we will develop a food floor that adds color to daily life with an unprecedented product selection.
▼Details of Pre-Remodel (PR TIMES)
On the occasion of its "220th Anniversary," Saga Tamaya will be reborn as the "New Saga Tamaya," transcending the traditional boundaries of a department store. Saga Tamaya, aiming for a new main building x hot springs x town development. Large-scale update "Pre-Remodel" within the existing building begins in March.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000107.000106657.html
Making the Department Store Basement More Fun. Offering "Discovery" and "Joy of Choosing" in Food

By opening "Kitano Ace," which is supported in department stores nationwide, we will significantly enhance the appeal of the food floor, evolving it into a sales floor that is "Fun to see, fun to choose, and delightful to gift."
From local products to daily necessities, gift items, and even imported foods, we will deliver the "joy of discovery" and the "pleasure of choosing" to the people of Saga Prefecture with an overwhelming selection.
Introducing Kitano Ace's Private Brand "Kitano Selection"

Inside the store, we will feature "Kitano Selection," the private brand developed, manufactured, and sold by Kitano Ace in collaboration with domestic and international manufacturers.
It is characterized by a wide variety of products, including dressings and jams made with carefully selected ingredients, sweets, and accompaniments for rice.
The Saga Tamaya store will offer over 300 items, carefully selected from approximately 650 types in the lineup.
Popular products that are well-received at Kitano Ace stores nationwide, such as dashi made with flying fish (ago), carrot dressing for adults, and grilled salted mackerel, will all be available.
With a lineup that meets diverse needs, from daily use to gifts, you can experience the "deliciousness" of Japan while in Saga.
Signature Feature "Curry Shelf®"

The "Curry Shelf®" is a popular corner that symbolizes Kitano Ace.
Retort curries are displayed like a "bookshelf," and it has garnered much support as a sales area where customers can choose while enjoying regional and flavor differences.
In addition to standard curries, we handle a wide variety of retort curries, including famous regional curries from all over Japan and authentic flavors from around the world. The Saga Tamaya store will feature over 120 types of retort curries.
You can find a variety of retort curries to suit your preferences, whether for home use or as a gift.
About "Kitano Ace"

"Kitano Ace (KITANO ACE)" is a food specialty store founded in 1962, originating from Hyogo Prefecture.
With approximately 100 stores nationwide, primarily in department stores and station buildings, it is supported as a "food select shop" offering carefully selected food products.
It is supported by many customers as a "food select shop that offers the joy of discovery and the pleasure of choosing," stocking everything from attractive local products to specialty foods from around the country and imported ingredients.
Store Overview
Store Name: Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store
Location: Saga Tamaya South Building B1F, 2-5 Nakanokoji, Saga City, Saga Prefecture
Store Area: Approx. 100㎡ (30 tsubo)
Opening Date: April 9, 2026 (Thursday)
Business Hours: 10:00 - 20:00
Regular Holidays: In accordance with Saga Tamaya's business days
Operation: Saga Tamaya Co., Ltd. (Franchise)
*The images shown are for illustration purposes only. Contents are subject to change without notice.
FAQ
When and where will the first Kitano Ace food specialty store in Saga Prefecture open, and which companies are involved in its development and operation?
The Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store will open on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Saga City, Saga Prefecture; the store is introduced by Saga Tamaya on a franchise basis, developed by Ace Co., Ltd., and Saga Tamaya will handle store operations.
What is the name of the large‑scale renovation project that Saga Tamaya began in March 2026, and what are its main objectives for the department store basement?
The renovation project is called "Pre‑Remodel", launched by Saga Tamaya in March 2026; its main objectives for the South Building B1F basement are to create a sense of live performance and sizzle, completely renew the sales floor layout, and transform the space into a daily‑visit destination with in‑store sushi, deli items, and a drink counter.
Which individuals hold the presidential leadership positions at Saga Tamaya and Ace Co., Ltd., and what are their respective corporate headquarters locations?
Saga Tamaya is led by President Yuto Yamakoshi, whose headquarters are at 2‑5 Nakanokoji, Saga City, Saga Prefecture, while Ace Co., Ltd. is headed by President and CEO Tetsuya Aburayama, with corporate headquarters in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
How does the opening of Kitano Ace Saga Tamaya Store aim to enhance the daily life of customers through its product selection and in‑store services?
By introducing Kitano Ace, Saga Tamaya will create a vibrant food floor offering an unprecedented selection of products, including ready‑made sushi, deli items, and a drink counter where customers can enjoy purchases on the spot, thereby adding color and convenience to everyday shopping.
In celebration of which anniversary does Saga Tamaya plan to transform into the 'New Saga Tamaya', and what additional developments are mentioned beyond the department store renovation?
Saga Tamaya is marking its 220th anniversary by rebirthing as the 'New Saga Tamaya', and it also envisions new main building projects, hot‑spring facilities, and broader town development initiatives beyond the Pre‑Remodel department store renovation.