Japan Travelogue Series: Japanese Supermarkets

For any visitor or traveler coming to Japan, food is one of the main concerns on staying within your budget. Dining at restaurants and having fast food all the time can get quite expensive. Japan is known to have some of the world’s best gastronomical delights from Michelin Star restaurants to humble izakaya offerings. Whatever type of food you fancy, it’s always better to know your options. One of the most economical ways to keep to your budget is to check out what’s available at Japanese supermarkets.

Though convenience stores are all over in Japan, supermarkets have a lot more variety of food options. Supermarkets are more common in the suburbs and towns around the country. The layout of Japanese supermarkets are pretty much the same as in other parts of the world having a number of aisles displaying varied products.

The most popular supermarkets in Tokyo

AEON Supermarket

AEON supermarket is found all over Japan and even some parts of the world with about about 19,200 stores. The chain has AEON My Basket which is a smaller sized supermarket that also sells kitchen essentials.

Seiyu Supermarket

Seiyu is one of the known supermarkets in Japan with over 300 stores. Seiyu can be found in almost all major train stations in Tokyo. The supermarket chain offer a wide array of products and is known for their affordable meats.

Ito-Yokado Supermarket

Ito-Yokado is a one-stop shopping mall in Japan. Aside from selling food essentials, you can get cosmetics, medicines, clothes and much more.

Common foods available in Japanese supermarkets:

Meat: chicken, pork, beef

Seafood: vast array of fresh fish, sashimi, sushi and processed seafood

Produce: fruits, vegetables, mushrooms

Dairy Products:  cheese, butter, eggs, milk, margarine, yogurt

Soy products: miso, soy sauce, natto, tofu

Snacks: chips, sweets, international candies, crackers

Drinks: soda, alcoholic beverages, juice

Pre-packed ready to eat deli/meals: salads, deep fried dishes, yakitori, noodles, bento meals

Japanese supermarkets are more reasonably priced with options for branded and non-branded items on sale. Many of the stores begin to mark their unsold lunch items around 2pm and other prepared foods are marked down at around 7pm. The mark down usually starts at 10 to 20 percent and progressively increase until closing and may go as high as 70 percent off. Blemished fruits and vegetables are also discounted. Supermarkets usually close at 9pm or 10pm.

Most items at the supermarket are self-explanatory, the biggest hurdle would probably be trying to speak or read Japanese among the items of groceries.

Join Michelle as she takes us along on her trip to the supermarket!