How to Find Cheap(er) Groceries in Japan

Before the rise of supermarkets all towns in Japan once had an ichiba, where most daily shopping took place. Ichibas are usually open aired shopping streets with stores that are specialized i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, rice, and so on. 

Unfortunately, ichibas are harder to find in city centers or densely populated commercial areas but are still quite common in residential areas all across Japan. Ichiba’s tend to be covered open-air streets that are a one-stop shop for all your household needs. You can also find coffee shops, izakayas, and stalls selling ready-made food (osōzai). The ichibas that have survived decades of change are an interesting amalgam of old and new. With 100-year-old handmade tofu stores right next to a modern coffee roastery. There is much to discover in your local ichiba and specialized vegetable, fruit, meat, and seafood vendors tend to have good seasonal deals on fresh food.

All supermarkets discount items that have passed their prime or that they need to sell quickly. Always look for discount stickers on items in your local supermarket.

There are two main ways to find these discounted items:

A. Chirashi (チラシ) 

A chirashi is a flyer that supermarkets issue every week featuring deals or sales. Chirashis are usually kept near the entrance of the store or can be found online. Often deals are only offered for a day which incentivizes shoppers to visit the store more frequently.

Gyōmu Super (業務スーパー) is a supermarket chain that literally means “supermarket for businesses.” The chain initially targeted small restaurant owners by selling larger quantities at discounted rates. 

Over the years they have grown to have stores all over the country and are still frequented by small restaurant owners but now anyone can shop at Gyōmu Super. Their strategy of selling in volume makes their overall prices much more affordable than regular supermarkets. 

Here is their link to locate the nearest Gyōmu Super to you. (Japanese only)

A great thing about Japan is that no matter where you live, there is probably a farm about an hour’s drive away. Many farmers take advantage of this fact and bring their produce directly to cities to sell to consumers.

By circumventing JA (Japan Agriculture), the national food monopoly, they are able to keep prices affordable and the added bonus is that the food is extra fresh! 

Ask neighbors, friends, or colleagues if there is an area where local farmers sell their produce. They are often found in highly trafficked areas like near stations, post offices, or in front of shopping complexes. 

(Japanese Only)

Pro tip: Discount websites are not always the cheapest option. They do offer great deals but not all across the board, so be sure to price compare to ensure that you are in fact getting the best price.

• さんきん (Sankin)

• はじっこ使うよ。訳あり屋 (Hajikko Tsukauyo. Wakeariya)