Shopping

What you'll learn in this guide How to set up and use Amazon Japan (Amazon.co.jp) as a foreigner Navigating the Japanese interface with and without Japanese skills Amazon Prime Japan benefits vs US/UK Prime What you can and can’t ship internationally from Amazon Japan Best deals, Prime Day, and sale strategies How Amazon Japan compares to Rakuten Ichiba and Yahoo Shopping Amazon Japan (Amazon.co.jp) is one of the most useful tools for foreigners in Japan — it delivers almost anything the next day, accepts foreign credit cards, and has a surprisingly usable English interface. Here’s everything you need to know to use it effectively. ...

Foreign visitors to Japan can claim consumption tax refunds on qualifying purchases — and the amounts add up quickly on major purchases. Most tourists don’t claim everything they’re entitled to because they don’t know the rules. Here’s how to do it correctly. Who Can Shop Tax-Free? The tax exemption (免税, menzei) is available for: Foreign tourists on short-term stays (tourist visa or visa-waiver entry) Foreign residents leaving Japan permanently (less common) NOT eligible: ...

Japan’s grocery delivery landscape has expanded dramatically — but the best services differ by city, language support, and what you’re actually trying to buy. Some are foreigner-friendly, some are a frustrating ordeal without Japanese skills. Here’s a practical breakdown of the options worth your time. Best Grocery Delivery Services in Japan 1. Amazon Fresh — Best for Convenience Feature Details Coverage Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, other major areas Minimum order No minimum for Prime members Delivery time 2-hour windows, same day often available App language English (use amazon.co.jp) Price level Competitive, similar to in-store If you already have Amazon Prime Japan (¥600/month), Amazon Fresh is the easiest option. The website works in English, and you can recognize product photos even without reading Japanese. ...

Japanese supermarkets are organized differently, labeled differently, and stocked with products you won’t recognize at first. That’s half the fun — but also the source of some expensive mistakes. Here’s a guide to navigating Japanese supermarkets with confidence from day one. Major Supermarket Chains Chain Notes Price Level イオン (AEON) Nationwide, large stores, some English signage Mid ライフ (Life) Urban focused, good quality Mid マルエツ (Maruetsu) Common in Tokyo/Kanto Budget–Mid セブンフレッシュ / イトーヨーカドー Reliable quality Mid オーケー (OK) Discount chain, no-frills, excellent value Budget 業務スーパー (Gyomu Super) Bulk/restaurant supply open to public Very cheap 成城石井 (Seijo Ishii) Premium, imported goods, English labels Premium ナショナル麻布 (National Azabu) International, Minato-ku Tokyo Very premium Supermarket Layout Basics Section Japanese What’s There Produce 野菜・果物 Vegetables, fruit Meat 精肉 Beef, pork, chicken Fish 鮮魚 Fresh fish, sashimi Dairy 乳製品 Milk, cheese, yogurt Frozen 冷凍食品 Frozen meals, dumplings Deli/Prepared 惣菜 Ready-to-eat side dishes Noodles/Rice 麺・米 All types Condiments 調味料 Soy sauce, miso, vinegar Snacks お菓子 Chips, cookies, candy Drinks 飲料 Water, juice, tea, soda Alcohol お酒 Beer, wine, shochu, sake Bread パン Often a separate bakery section Seafood Prep Area — Live tanks (crabs, fish) sometimes present Must-Know Japanese Food Items Staples 米 (kome) — rice. Buy 5kg or 10kg bags. Koshihikari (コシヒカリ) is the most popular brand. 味噌 (miso) — miso paste for soup. Red miso (aka) is stronger; white (shiro) is milder. 醤油 (shoyu) — soy sauce. Kikkoman is the standard. だし (dashi) — soup stock granules. Add to water for instant Japanese broth. みりん (mirin) — sweet cooking sake. Essential for Japanese home cooking. Protein 豆腐 (tofu) — firm (momen) or silken (kinugoshi); cheap and versatile 納豆 (natto) — fermented soybeans; strong taste; very cheap (¥70–150 for 3-pack) たまご (tamago) — eggs; Japanese eggs are very high quality; safe to eat raw Ready-to-Eat (惣菜) The sōzai section is one of the best things about Japanese supermarkets: ...

What you'll learn in this guide How to create and use a Mercari Japan account as a foreigner Buying on Mercari Japan: search tips, condition ratings, and payment Selling on Mercari: photographing, pricing, and shipping as a foreigner Payment methods available to foreigners (including foreign cards) How to navigate the Japanese interface with minimal Japanese Best categories to find deals: furniture, electronics, clothing Quick Answer Mercari Japan is Japan’s dominant second-hand marketplace with 70M+ registered users. Foreigners can use it with a Japanese phone number, email, and payment method. The interface is in Japanese, but Chrome’s auto-translate makes it manageable. It’s the best place to buy affordable furniture and electronics when first arriving in Japan. ...

Japan’s online shopping ecosystem is excellent — but much of it operates in Japanese, and not all platforms are foreigner-friendly. The right platforms save you enormous time and money. Here’s a guide to shopping online in Japan as a foreign resident. The Main Platforms Amazon Japan ⭐ Best for Foreigners amazon.co.jp — the easiest starting point. English interface available (switch in settings) Fast delivery (often next day or same day in major cities) Prime membership ¥600/month — worth it for frequent shoppers Works with foreign credit cards Amazon Fresh for grocery delivery Tips: ...

Japan’s package delivery system is world-class — precise delivery windows, easy redelivery, and multiple pickup options. But the notes left on your door and the automated phone systems are in Japanese. Here’s how to handle deliveries without missing your packages. Major Delivery Companies Company Logo Color Common For ヤマト運輸 (Yamato / Kuroneko) Black cat Amazon, general parcels 佐川急便 (Sagawa) Red Rakuten, general parcels 日本郵便 (Japan Post) Red/White Letters, government, some Amazon Amazon Delivery Blue Amazon orders Each company has its own tracking system and redelivery process. ...

Japan’s second-hand market is enormous, affordable, and full of items in near-perfect condition — because Japanese people take exceptional care of their possessions. Foreigners who discover it early save thousands. Here’s where to shop and what to look for. Why Japan’s Second-Hand Market is Special Items are returned/donated in excellent condition (Japanese cultural standard) Previous owners often include original packaging, manuals, and accessories Competitive market keeps prices fair Massive supply — downsizing, moving, and decluttering are very common Online Platforms Mercari (メルカリ) ⭐ Best Overall Japan’s largest C2C resale app. ...