Common Useful Stores

Grocery/Super Markets

• Tokyu Store

  • Higher priced but usually very conveniently placed (i.e., next to train station).

• Maruetsu

  • Usually large sized stores with good variety.

• OK Store

  • Usually large sized stores (good chance of having parking lot).

  • Wide variety of foods

• My Basket

  • Very small community store with cheap but limited options.

  • Usually in the midst of a neighborhood so can be very convenient if one is close.

• LIFE

  • Usually large sized stores (good chance of having parking lot).

• Ito Yokado

  • Larger sized, frequently also attached to department store.

International Food Stores

• Kaldi Coffee Farm

  • Does not just sell coffee, but a wide range of international foods.

• Costco

  • Largest international store in Japan. Sells everything in bulk.

  • Requires membership (only takes cash, American Express, Costco credit card, and/or specific cards. Aka come with cash just in case).

• Seijo Ishii (成城石井)

  • Smaller stores like Kaldi

Department Stores

• Don Quijote

  • Similar to Walmart. It has everything (clothing, groceries, school-supplies, beauty products, etc.) for cheap.

  • Considered a ‘discount store.’

• Tokyu Hands

  • Smaller Tokyu hands still have larger kitchen and stationary sections. The large Tokyu hands in Shinjuku has everything.

• Bic Camera/Kojima

  • Large electronics store. Depending on each location can sell:

    • sports/outdoors goods, kitchen utensils, hobby supplies, etc.

• Yamada Denki

  • Electronics store.

• Seiyu

  • Similar to Walmart. Can buy groceries and other goods like clothes, household items, but leaning more towards groceries.

• Joyful Honda

  • Massive department/home improvement store with everything you could need.

  • Worthwhile trip for a hobbyist looking for the right tool or material.

  • Has large home/garden section.

Furniture and Decor

• IKEA

  • Affordable with lots of options.

  • Not always made to fit Japanese homes.

• Nitori

  • Lots of great “Japan sized” furniture and organizational options.

  • Affordable

• Muji

  • Carries furniture, home storage, decor, clothes, food, etc.

• Rooms (ルームズ)

  • Lots of living/dining room options. Higher price on average.

• Actus

  • Smaller decorations.

• Zara Home

  • Smaller decorations.

Home Improvement Stores

• Royal Home Center

• Shimachu

• Kohnan/DoIt

• Viva Home

Second-hand/Recycle Shops

• Treasure Factory

• “____” OFF Stores

  • Book OFF, Hard OFF, Hobby OFF, OFF House, etc.

• 2nd Street

Dollar Stores

• Daiso

• CAN DO

• Seria

English Friendly Restaurants

• Mall food Courts

  • Always have options with photos, can point to what you want.

• Any burger place

  • McDonalds, Mos Burger, Shake Shack, Kua Aina, Burger King

• Jonathan’s

  • English menu, order off of touch-pad (no speaking required)

  • ‘Family style’ restaurant, Japanese/American food

• Gusto

  • English menu, order off of touch-pad (no speaking required)

  • ‘Family style’ restaurant, Japanese/American food

• Denny’s

  • English menu (different from USA)

  • ‘Family style’ restaurant

• Jolly Pasta

  • English menu?

  • Cheap Italian food

• Saizeriya

  • English menu

  • Cheap Italian food

• Torikizoku

  • English menu, order off of touch-pad (no speaking required)

  • Grilled chicken on stick restaurant, Japanese ‘pub’ style

• Bamiyan

  • English menu, order off of touch-pad (no speaking required)

  • Japanese style Chinese food

• Kura Sushi, Hamazushi, Sushi Roll, Uoubei

  • English menu, order off of touch-pad or grab from conveyor belt (no speaking)

  • Cheap conveyor belt sushi restaurants

• Shabuya

  • English menu, order off of touch-pad, then grab food from buffet (no speaking)

  • Affordable Shabu-shabu

• Sukiya

  • English menu, sometimes has touchpad, always has photos of food

  • Japanese fast-food meat bowls, very cheap

• Ippudo

  • English menu, only a few options with photos

  • Ramen shop