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Shopping in Japanese supermarket

Shopping in Japan!

Department stores usually have an information desk on the first floor near the main entrance and a map of the store or a list of merchandise sold on each floor. Many department stores also house several restaurants, usually in the basement or on the top floor. Department stores are often located near subway or train stations and can sometimes be accessed through underground tunnels from subway lines.

Shops in Japan are usually open seven days a week from 10:00 to 20:00. Most convenience stores are usually open 24 hours. Japan’s current consumption tax is 5%.

Keep in mind that you will need to declare all items purchased abroad at U.S. Customs when you return. To plan for this, keep all original sales receipts and a list of your total expenditures.

Since Japanese people are generally smaller in size than American people, you may have difficulty finding clothing in larger sizes. Clothing sizes vary widely—there is no standard—so these equivalents are a very rough approximation.

Clothing Size: Rough Equivalents
Women’s clothes–Japan 7/9 11 13 15 15/17
–U.S. 2/4 6 8 10 12/14
Men’s shirts–Japan 36 37 38 39/40 41 42 43 44
–U.S. 14 14½ 15 15½ 16 16½ 17 17½
Women’s shoes
–Japan 22 22½ 23 23½ 24 24½ 25 26
–U.S. 6 7  8 9 10
Men’s shoes–Japan 24½ 25 25½ 26 26½ 27 27½ 28
–U.S. 7 8 9 10

Where to Shop

Supermarkets

Similar to Western supermarkets, Japanese supermarkets offer a variety of products. Food is often packaged in smaller quantities than in the US, Canada or Europe.

100 Yen Shops

100-Yen Shops are like the dollar stores in America. They offer tableware, clothing, stationery, houseware, and food at exactly 100 yen. But because of the 5% consumption tax, the items actually cost 105 yen.

Convenience Stores

Popularly called konbini, these small stores stock everyday items like groceries, toiletries, and beverages. Some also offer reading materials or school supplies. Often, convenience stores carry what’s in supermarkets or grocery stores, but in limited quantities or brands.  Some offer other services, such as ATM, copier/fax, ticket reservations, digital camera printing, bill payment, and delivery.

Department Stores

Department stores in Japan are called hyakkaten or depato, an abbreviated English term. Some are operated by private railway operators that connect the stores to their stations. Most department stores have a grocery and food court in the basement and a rooftop with garden, aquatic, or pet supplies plus a children’s play area. They also have a traditional Japanese goods section where one can find kimonos or lacquerware.

 

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