Whether you’re here on holiday or on a long-term basis, it’s worth exploring Japan’s supermarket chains for delicious foods at low prices!
If you have somewhere to cook or just need a quick bento-style feed, Japanese supermarkets have you covered! They have a range of franchises each offering something unique. What they all have in common, however, is quality products at the lowest prices!
Gyomu Super
Gyomu Super is a popular choice for both the locals and international residents.
They are known as the “global supermarket” of Japan, offering both Japanese products as well as international goods.
Whether you need halal meat, Indian parathas, Chinese dumplings, or Italian pasta sauce, you’ll find it all at Gyomu Super!
Fresco
Fresco is like the combini of Japanese supermarkets, least of all because it’s a 24-hour chain!
Personally, I find this really impressive as someone from Australia where 24/7 supermarkets simply don’t exist (you’d be lucky to find a 24-hour 7-Eleven!).
Where Fresco truly shines is in their meats section, offering delicious local and imported meat from Hokkaido, Australia, Canada, and more!
I also particularly like their selection of fresh sashimi, packaged and ready to eat!
Izumiya
Last but not least is my true love, the very first supermarket I walked into in Japan – Izumiya.
This store specializes in classic Japanese products for home cooking and also has one of the best deli sections I’ve seen in any supermarket ever!
My personal favorite is the premium chutoro or “tuna belly” sushi rolls, offering maguro sashimi that is far too succulent to have come from a supermarket deli!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!