New to grocery shopping in Japan? Start with a basket, check the price and quantity on the shelf label, look closely at package dates, and keep your payment method and reusable bag ready. After paying, many stores have a separate counter where you can pack at your own pace. The exact setup varies by store, so follow the signs and the staff’s directions.
A supermarket can feel unfamiliar when every label is in Japanese. This guide is for people living in Japan who want to buy ordinary groceries confidently, even if they know only a little Japanese. It covers the shopping flow, common labels, food choices and useful phrases you can use on your next visit.
How a supermarket trip usually works
At the entrance, take a hand basket. Some stores have small carts that hold the basket; others use larger carts. Put your groceries in the store basket rather than your personal bag while you shop. The shelf label normally tells you the price, while the package tells you the size, ingredients and dates. Check both: a low price can apply to a small pack or a price per 100 grams.
At checkout, tell the cashier whether you need a bag. Depending on the store, a cashier may scan your items and ask you to pay at a separate machine. Some supermarkets also offer full self-checkout. Payment methods vary, so look for the card and electronic payment signs before you queue. Having some cash available is a practical backup.
Many stores provide a packing counter after checkout. Move your paid groceries there before arranging them in your bag. Do not assume that ice, hot water or a microwave is available: these are store-specific services. If you need to keep chilled food cold on the way home, bring an insulated bag or ask whether the store offers ice for purchases.
Japanese labels worth recognizing
You do not need to read every character on a package. These labels solve many of the questions you will face in a normal shop:
| Japanese | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 税込 (zeikomi) / 税抜 (zeinuki) | Including tax / excluding tax | Check which price you will actually pay. |
| 内容量 (naiyoryo) | Net quantity | Compare package sizes. |
| 消費期限 (shohikigen) | Use-by date | Important for foods that spoil quickly; follow storage instructions. |
| 賞味期限 (shomikigen) | Best-before date | Indicates the period for expected quality when stored as directed. |
| 要冷蔵 (yo-reizo) / 要冷凍 (yo-reito) | Keep refrigerated / frozen | Plan your journey home and storage. |
| 原材料名 (genzairyo-mei) / アレルギー (arerugii) | Ingredients / allergy information | Check the full label if you avoid an ingredient. |
| 生食用 (namashokuyo) / 加熱用 (kanetsuyo) | For eating raw / for cooking | Especially useful when choosing seafood. |
For allergies, do not rely on a translation app or a quick glance alone. Read the product’s current label each time, and ask the manufacturer or store if the information is unclear. Packaging and ingredients can change.
What to buy for everyday meals
Prepared food, bento and onigiri
The sōzai section has ready-to-eat side dishes such as croquettes, salads and cooked vegetables. You can also find bento meals, sushi and onigiri rice balls. Check the use-by date and storage directions, especially if you will not eat the food straight away. Evening discount stickers can be useful, but check the final displayed price and the date rather than assuming a fixed discount time.
Produce, meat and seafood
Fruit and vegetables may be sold individually, by bag or by weight. Seasonal produce and the amount you can actually use matter more than a general rule about domestic versus imported food. Meat packs commonly display weight and a price per 100 grams, which helps you compare two packages of different sizes.
If you plan to eat fish raw, choose a product specifically labeled for raw consumption, such as 刺身用 (sashimi-yo) or 生食用 (namashokuyo). A package marked 加熱用 (kanetsuyo) is intended for cooking. If you cannot confirm the label, cook the fish instead.
Rice, noodles and seasonings
A small bag of rice can be easier to carry and store when you are getting settled. Look for 白米 (hakumai) (white rice) or 玄米 (genmai) (brown rice). Noodles, tofu, miso and prepared sauces make it possible to build simple meals without a fully stocked kitchen. If you have dietary restrictions, check ingredients even on products that seem familiar; sauces and seasonings can contain ingredients you did not expect.
Six useful phrases at the store
| What you need | Japanese | Pronunciation guide |
|---|---|---|
| Excuse me. | すみません。 | Sumimasen. |
| Where is the rice? | お米はどこですか。 | Okome wa doko desu ka? |
| Do you have this? | これはありますか。 | Kore wa arimasu ka? |
| Is this for eating raw? | これは生食用ですか。 | Kore wa namashokuyō desu ka? |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか。 | Kādo de haraemasu ka? |
| I need a bag, please. | 袋をお願いします。 | Fukuro o onegai shimasu. |
Pointing to a product while asking a short question is perfectly fine. For an allergy or another safety-critical question, get a clear answer about the exact product before buying it.
Read the labels that matter for your next shop
You do not need to translate every word on every package. Choose the guide that answers the question you have in the aisle:
- What will I pay? Use our price tag and discount sticker guide to distinguish tax-included prices, per-100g amounts and reductions.
- How long can I keep it? Read use-by, best-before and storage labels together.
- Does it contain an ingredient I avoid? Check our ingredient and allergen label guide. For a serious allergy, verify the current package and ask the manufacturer if anything is unclear.
- Which fresh food is this? Compare meat cuts, origin and weight or seafood labels for raw eating, cooking and thawing. Follow the handling instructions on the item you buy.
- Which pantry item should I choose? Our rice bag guide explains musenmai and milling dates, while the soy sauce guide compares koikuchi, usukuchi and reduced-salt labels.
- Which seasonings do I need? Compare miso types and dashi-in miso, dashi stock ingredients, mirin and cooking sake, and cooking oils. Check the exact bottle or pack for ingredients, allergens and storage.
- How do I pay? See the self-checkout screen guide for common buttons and prompts.
A practical first-trip checklist
- Bring a reusable bag, and consider an insulated bag for frozen or chilled food.
- Check whether the shelf price includes tax and whether the package price is per item or per weight.
- Read quantity, date and storage instructions before putting food in your basket.
- Keep a payment backup if you have not checked what the store accepts.
- Pack after payment in the place the store provides.
Shopping becomes less stressful after a few ordinary trips. Start with familiar ingredients, add one new item at a time, and keep a photo of a label you want to learn to read later.
More about settling into life in Japan
Food shopping is one part of getting comfortable here. If you are preparing to move, read our guide to what to bring to Japan. If you are choosing where to live, see our introduction to Japanese apartments and our Tokyo apartment checklist.
Interested in teaching English while living in the Tokyo or Yokohama area? You can also read about choosing an eikaiwa and check b’s current Lesson Partner listing for the position details and application route.
