One of the things that I love to do when visiting other countries is to take a gander at the local supermarkets - there you can see a slice of life and experience the local culture too through seeing what the locals eat.
Japanese supermarkets are no exception and when you come to visit Japan I recommend that you check them out - probably a good idea to pick up some noms while you are at it too ^^
Today we take a look at Aeon Supermarket in Honmoku Yokohama.
Many folks say that Japan has one of the highest costs of living in the world - I've lived here for 15 years and I disagree. Sure you can buy a box of 14 apples for 64800 yen (about 640 USD) if you really really wanted to but usually they are about 70 yen or so each.
The thing is that when tourists come over to stay in Japan, they usually are in a hotel or guest house or whatever paying much more than what folks normally pay for rent.
Tourists usually eat out all the time and are more often that not shopping in places which are convenient because they don't know where all the bargains are (that the locals do know). But once you start to live in Japan, you will learn that the cost of living is relatively cheap.
From the past few visits to Europe, I find the cost of a meal for example much more than what it would cost to eat out in Japan.
How many of you have been to Japan and what do you think about the prices of stuff here compared to other parts of the world or compared to your woods even?
Many vegetables and fruits are imported from outside of Japan and are cheap. The Japanese locally produced stuff is more expensive and more often than not has a photo or illustration of the farmer that produced it together with their name - this builds trust with the consumer and appeals that its worth paying more for local produce.
Kagome - not the Inuyasha Kagome but a popular brand of beverage and other seasonings.
398 yen for these katsu bento's.
Can you read the katakana on the first two boxes? If not you need Moekana 2nd Edition which teaches you Katakana too ^^
Mochi - folks who have Moekana will recognize this.
Furikake is something you *must* pick up in Japan - not only a great souvenir but another way to make an instant dish - just sprinkle on hot rice. Read more about it here.
Japan is a rice nation which is why its everywhere. During the 3.11 earthquake however, folks had to queue up for it.
Didn't used to drink that much coffee before but now drink it everyday.
Pocky - if you can't get hold of any locally then check out J-List who will ship worldwide - they also have a load of other Japanese snacks too.