GROCERY SHOPPING

Grocery shopping in Japan is not really different from the states but there are some noticeable differences.

I do believe there are far more convenience stores, along with small local mom & pop groceries, not to mention plenty of small shops that specialize in just fruits and veggies.

That said, the large chain, monster (generally bigger than the states) markets are all about town.

Shopping carts. Instead of the large wide basket we are used to in the states, most stores in Japan us compact, three tiered models. Each tier can hold a basket made to slide right in (one, tier can actually hold a small child).

Carts

Choose, one to three, baskets to fit on your cart or simply hand carry one for more modest purchases.

Baskets

 Apples, just as popular here as in the states. Here, though, the majority of the apples are grown LARGE! I have no idea why, they taste great, but, so do the smaller one (which can also be found).

Apples

 These monster size stores are not, like Costco (there are Costco's in Japan but I haven't been to one yet), for example, be all, sell all, warehouse sales. No memberships, no super size packaging. They specialize strictly in food, with some occasional odd and ends related to the kitchen.

Looks familiar, eh?

 As one might expect, seafood, is much more common here in Japan. The selection of fresh and processed seafood to staggering (I love it!) Octopus, squid, you name it, here you can find it.

Seafood a-plenty!

Octopus

Fish on a stick (not to be confused with "fishsticks"

Some items, that you may not feel is common in Japan, but actually quite abundant are things such as beef, pork (very popular here), eggs, milk and other dairy products, such as butter.

Milk

 Even bread is very popular in Japan. An oddity, most packaged bread comes with the ends already cut off. I know that many shops that sell sandwiches even cut off ALL the crust.

Bread and Eggs

Frozen fish

 Another difference, quite common in Japan, for both large and small stores is the checkout line. When you get to the cashier, you put your baskets on a counter, there the cashier will start her process. Setting up an empty basket on the opposing side, she starts scanning each item. She then places, very carefully, yet quickly, the item in the opposing basket. No matter how you present your basket, the cashier will be very efficient in her placing the item in the other basket. Once finished with a basket, she will place empty plastic shopping bags, however many she, it is usually a "she", thinks are required, into the basket. She will tell you your total, then you place the needed amount in a small tray. The cashier takes the money and places it in an automatic machine that spits out the correct change. Once paid, you take your baskets to a nearby table that is set up for you to pack your own bags from the baskets.

Line for cashiers

Just another day in a line

Place your baskets on the counter

 Ice for transporting your goodies home. Though you can find it in the states, it is not that common to find stores that provide ice. Here, I would guess, because so many shoppers either walk or ride a bicycle, free ice is offered at the majority of grocery stores.

Ice packets

Pack your groceries

Generally, the stores in Japan are quite busy, but, the employees are very efficient, polite, and good at what they do. You may not always find a specific brand, but, you can most always find a similar product.