15 inexpensive supermarkets in Japan that you can find near your house!
Japan is flooded with a variety of supermarkets, and we always want to find the cheapest possible store close to home.
However, in order to shop wisely in Japan, one important point needs to be kept in mind. It is about the way products are typically sold in Japanese supermarkets.
In Japan, products are generally sold in packs or by the number of pieces or units, rather than by weight as is common overseas, so it is sometimes difficult to compare prices per quantity, and it is wise to take this into consideration before making a purchase.
So, in this article, we will introduce 15 inexpensive Japanese supermarkets that can be found near your home, taking these characteristics into consideration. We hope you will find them useful.
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Five inexpensive supermarkets nationwide
First, here are some of the cheapest supermarkets in the country, where you can find a store regardless of your location.
1. Gyomu supermarket (wholesale grocery store)
Gyomu supermarkets (in Japanese, "Gyomu" means business use) are supermarkets that achieve lower costs and lower prices by purchasing and manufacturing materials in-house.
| Business Hours | 9:00~21:00, etc. (Depends on the store) |
| Area where the store is located | whole country |
| Official Site | https://www.gyomusuper.jp/ |
2. LOPIA
LOPIA is a supermarket with a reputation for cheap meat. Stores are mainly in the Kanto region, but there are also several stores in the Kansai region.
| Business Hours | 10:00~20:00, etc. (Depends on the store) |
| Area where the store is located | Kanto/Kansai |
| Official Site | http://lopia.jp/ |
3. TRIAL
TRIAL is a supermarket that operates nationwide, mainly in Kyushu. It is convenient because it sells not only food, but also home appliances, clothing, and other items.
| Business Hours | Depends on the store (some stores are open 24 hours) |
| Area where the store is located | Almost all over Japan (note that there is none in Tokyo) |
| Official Site | https://www.trial-net.co.jp/shops/index_map |
4. Sundi
Sundi is a supermarket mainly in the Kansai region, but also in Kanto and Okayama. Sundi's original products are inexpensive and popular.
| Business Hours | 10:00~19:30, etc. (Depends on the store) |
| Area where the store is located | Kanto, Kansai, Okayama |
| Official Site | https://www.sundi.co.jp/index.html |
Don Quijote
Don Quijote is not a supermarket, but it is famous as a very inexpensive discount store with a wide variety of products.
| Business Hours | 9:00~2:00 am, etc. (Depends on the store; some stores are open 24 hours) |
| Area where the store is located | whole country |
| Official Site | https://www.donki.com/ |
7 inexpensive supermarkets in Kanto
Next, here are some inexpensive supermarkets that are mainly located in the Kanto area.
1. OK Store
OK Store is a supermarket that offers cheap prices on standard Japanese-made products (national brands). The reason for its popularity is that there are no special sales days and it is always inexpensive.
| Business Hours | 8:30~21:30, etc. (Depends on the store) |
| Area where the store is located | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama |
| Official Site | https://ok-corporation.jp/ |
2. Ozeki
Ozeki is a supermarket that operates mainly in Tokyo. It is characterized by many unusual products that are not sold in other supermarkets.
| Business Hours | 10:00~21:00, etc. (Depends on the store) |
| Area where the store is located | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba |
| Official Site | http://www.ozeki-net.co.jp/ |
3. Niku no Hanamasa
Niku no Hanamasa (in Japanese, "Niku" means meat) is a supermarket that attracts customers with its variety and quality of meat. Not only meat, but also vegetables and seasonings are available.
| Business Hours | Many open 24 hours a day (with some exceptions) |
| Area where the store is located | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba |
| Official Site | http://www.hanamasa.co.jp/ |
4. Y' S mart
Y'S mart is a supermarket operating in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba. Its own-brand, inexpensive and tasty foods are attractive to customers.
| Business Hours | 10:00~21:00, etc. (24-hour operation also available) |
| Area where the store is located | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba |
| Official Site | https://www.ysmart.co.jp/ |
5.Big-A
Big-A is a supermarket that offers inexpensive products by reducing advertising and display costs.
| Business Hours | Depends on the store (24-hour operation available) |
| Area where the store is located | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki |
| Official Site | https://www.biga.co.jp/ |
6. Super Sanyo
Super Sanyo is a supermarket located in Adachi-ku, Tokyo. The supermarket has been introduced many times on TV and is popular for its "10 Yen Festival," where vegetables and other items can be purchased for 10 yen.
| Business Hours | 9:30~21:00 |
| Area where the store is located | Adachi Ward, Tokyo |
| Official Site | http://www.s34.jp/ |
7. BIG YOSUN
BIG YOSUN is a supermarket that operates mainly in Kanagawa. Its main attraction is its wide selection of inexpensive and delicious fish purchased at the Tsukiji market, as well as meat, vegetables, prepared foods, and more.
| Business Hours | 10:00~21:00, etc. (Depends on the store) |
| Area where the store is located | Tokyo, Kanagawa |
| Official Site | https://www.bigyosun.com/ |
3 inexpensive supermarkets in Kansai
Next, here are some inexpensive supermarkets that are mainly located in the Kansai region.
1. Super Tamade
Super Tamade is a very inexpensive supermarket that operates mainly in Osaka. Characterized by flashy signboards and "one-yen sales," the supermarket is also popular among foreign tourists.
| Business Hours | Many open 24 hours a day (with some exceptions) |
| Area where the store is located | Osaka, Hyogo (Amagasaki) |
| Official Site | http://www.supertamade.co.jp/ |
2. LAMU
LAMU is a supermarket that offers a wide range of inexpensive products, including boxed lunches for 200 yen.
| Business Hours | Many open 24 hours a day (with some exceptions) |
| Area where the store is located | Kansai, Shikoku, Chugoku, Kyushu, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata |
| Official Site | https://www.dkt-s.com/bland.html?id=1 |
3. Echizenya
Echizenya is a supermarket located in Nishinari-ku, Osaka City. The attraction of this supermarket is that all products, including fish, meat, and vegetables, are very inexpensive.
| Business Hours | 8:30~19:00 |
| Area where the store is located | Nishinari Ward, Osaka City |
| Official Site | http://echizen-ya.jp/ |
"LAWSON STORE 100" is also recommended!
Convenience stores have an image of being more expensive than supermarkets, but recently a very inexpensive convenience store called "LAWSON STORE 100" has emerged. Most items at LAWSON STORE 100 are priced at 100 yen, just like a 100-yen store, and vegetables can also be purchased.
Unlike supermarkets, they are basically open 24 hours a day, allowing shoppers to shop anytime. Another convenient feature is that, as a convenience store, it is possible to pay utility bills.
Shop online and save!
Have you foreigners ever heard of the name "IRIS OYAMA"? IRIS OYAMA is a major Japanese manufacturer of home appliances and household goods, and you may have frequently seen its name in TV commercials in Japan. Its product lineup ranges from storage products to kitchen appliances, health and beauty products, and agricultural products, and is known for its high quality but reasonable prices. These products are very attractive options for consumers.
Its online store, IRIS Plaza, offers products in a variety of categories, especially food and beverage products, at competitive prices. If you register as a member (free of charge), you can get a 5% discount on purchases and also earn "IRIS Plaza points" for your purchases. The points you accumulate can be used as 1 point for 1 yen on your next purchase, so you can save even more money, and with frequent sales and other promotional events, there are always attractive deals to be had.
We recommend that you take this opportunity to check out Iris Plaza, as it is a great place to save money while staying at home.
▶︎ ［IRIS OYAMA Official Online Shop] IRIS Plaza
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summary
Although Japan has an image of high prices, there are many inexpensive supermarkets. There are also inexpensive local supermarkets that are not nationwide, so try to find an inexpensive store near your home.
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