Food and groceries: shops, markdowns, labels · Living in Japan

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptionsExperience

Misconception: Once the 賞味期限 has passed, it can’t be eaten—throw it away immediately
This is one of the most common terminology misunderstandings among people newly arrived in Japan. 賞味期限 means the ‘best-before’ date (おいしく食べられる期限); officials explicitly say that a food does not become inedible immediately after that date passes. Shelf-stable products such as snacks, instant noodles, canned food, bottled water, and seasonings carry this date. The date that really means ‘do not eat after this’ is 消費期限, used only on foods that spoil quickly within a few days, such as boxed meals, rice balls, sandwiches, fresh noodles, and cakes. The terms differ by one character but have completely different meanings, so learn to tell them apart before deciding whether to throw something away.
NoteBoth dates assume the product is unopened and stored as directed. Once opened, eat it as soon as possible either way (in the official wording).
Misconception: Convenience stores (コンビニ) and supermarkets cost about the same, so it’s easier to just buy things there
Convenience stores are among the most expensive retail formats, especially for fresh food (vegetables, meat, and fish), where the price difference from supermarkets is clear. This reflects the cost structure, including franchise headquarters expenses and 24-hour staffing; it is not occasional. Use convenience stores for emergencies, late nights, and convenience, and do everyday shopping at a supermarket. Over time, the savings can be substantial. Guide
NoteSome convenience-store private-label (PB) processed foods and particular items can offer good value; not everything is expensive. But do not use convenience stores for fresh food or bulk shopping.
Misconception: If it says “no additives,” “plant-based,” or “Japanese-style broth,” it must be vegetarian
The underlying flavor of most Japanese cooking comes from だし, and the most common かつおだし (bonito stock) is animal-based. Vegetarians and Muslims should take particular care: ブイヨン, ゼラチン, and 肉エキス often contain ingredients such as pork. みりん is a fermented alcoholic seasoning; cooking sake and some soy sauces or miso also contain alcohol (listed as alcohol or alcohol ingredients). You cannot tell from the product name alone; turn the package over and check each item in 原材料名 (ingredients).
Note昆布だし (kelp stock) and 椎茸だし (shiitake stock) are fully plant-based. For halal food, look for ハラル認証 (halal certification); do not rely only on whether something ‘looks like it contains no meat.’
Misconception: Discounts are a matter of luck—if you happen to find one, consider yourself lucky
値引きシール (discount stickers) follow a regular retail process; they are not random. Learn the timing to benefit consistently. See the column below. Guide

Supermarket Tiers: Where Your Money GoesVariable

General merchandise and food supermarkets (such as Aeon, Seiyu, and Life): freshest produce, widest selection, and reasonable prices; these are your main everyday stores. Fresh fruit and vegetables are often better value here than at 業務スーパー. Guide
業務スーパー (Gyomu Super): best value for processed foods, frozen foods, and seasonings. Its official site explains the real reasons for low prices: direct sourcing from manufacturers without middlemen; direct dealings with about 350 overseas partner factories; an integrated in-house production system; large package sizes; and displaying cartons directly to save labor. It is suited to bulk purchases such as frozen vegetables, frozen udon, and chicken thighs. But it is oriented toward ‘volume’; fresh food and small portions may not be good value, and there are few well-known brands to compare prices with.
Drugstores (such as Welcia, Cosmos, and Sundrug): processed foods, drinks, and seasonings from many well-known manufacturers are surprisingly cheap, and major sale days are common. Combined with special sales, prices can be among the lowest; some stores also have points days (for example, double points on certain days each month). [要確認 each store’s sale dates and points rules]
Convenience stores: the most expensive format overall; use them for emergencies, late nights, and convenience, not for everyday shopping. Guide
Strategy: separate ‘what to buy’ from ‘where to buy it.’ Buy fresh food at a food supermarket, stock up on frozen products and seasonings at 業務スーパー, look for processed-food sales at drugstores, and use convenience stores only for emergencies. Regularly visit one or two main stores and learn their sale days; this saves more time than comparing prices everywhere.

How 値引きシール (discount stickers for items nearing their dates) work by time of day — the heart of this sectionVariable

General pattern: prepared side dishes (惣菜), sushi, boxed meals, raw meat, raw fish, and similar items often start getting discount stickers 2–3 hours before closing. Discounts deepen in stages as closing time approaches, commonly progressing from around 20–30% off to a final 半額 (half-price) sticker. Guide
半額 (half-price) stickers most often appear about 1–2 hours before closing (often said to be around 19:00–21:00), but closing times differ by store, so count backward from the closing time of the store you visit. Guide
Daily-delivery products (tofu, natto, milk, and other items nearing their date) and some vegetables may instead be discounted before opening or in the morning. Discounts do not necessarily wait until evening, so ‘discounts are only at night’ is also a misconception. Guide
Practical tip: Spend one or two visits learning your regular store’s sticker schedule; each store differs, so this is more reliable than general rules you find online. For food you will eat today or tomorrow, look in the discount section; for shelf-stable items to stock up on, compare prices across store types at the regular price.
Etiquette and risks: Do not snatch items someone else has selected or crowd and pressure staff while they apply stickers. 半額 is subject to availability, so it is normal not to find anything. Do not buy more than you can use just to chase discounts and create food waste.

Understanding Food Labels: 賞味/消費期限 + アレルゲン + Hidden IngredientsOfficial

Best-before date vs. use-by date: 賞味期限 means the date through which food can be enjoyed at its best (it does not spoil immediately afterward; common for shelf-stable products), while 消費期限 is the date through which it can be safely eaten (for fresh foods, boxed meals, and fresh noodles that spoil quickly). Both assume the product is unopened and stored as directed; once opened, eat it as soon as possible.
Allergen labeling: The 8 「特定原材料」 items that must be labeled are えび (shrimp), かに (crab), くるみ (walnut), 小麦 (wheat), そば (buckwheat), 卵 (egg), 乳 (milk), and 落花生 (peanut); walnuts became mandatory in 2023. There are also 20 「推奨表示」 items (「特定原材料に準ずるもの」, including soybeans, sesame, chicken, pork, beef, gelatin, and cashew nuts), for 28 items total. Recommended items may not be labeled, so people with allergies should read the full ingredient list. [要確認 Recommended items have changed in recent years; cashews are proposed to move from recommended to mandatory.]
Hidden animal-derived ingredients (important for vegetarians and halal diets): かつおだし (bonito stock), bouillon, meat extract, and gelatin often contain animal or pork-derived ingredients; 豚エキス is often hidden in 「だしの素」 and 「風味調味料」. For plant-based options, look for 昆布だし or 椎茸だし, or check for ハラル認証.
Hidden alcohol: みりん is an alcoholic seasoning; 料理酒 and some soy sauces and miso also contain alcohol (look for 「アルコール」 or 「酒精」). If you avoid alcohol for personal or religious reasons, check the ingredient list on the back.
How to read labels: Read 「原材料名」 from beginning to end (ingredients are listed in descending order by amount); allergens, animal-derived ingredients, and alcohol are listed there. Additives appear after 「/」. The product name and claims such as “Japanese-style” or “additive-free” on the front are no substitute for checking the back.

How Common Japanese Ingredients Differ · Where to Buy Chinese Ingredients · ハラル/ベジExperience

Common substitutes: Chinese dark/light soy sauce → Japanese soy sauce is usually 濃口 or 淡口; 濃口 can replace dark soy sauce, but the sweetness and saltiness differ. Chinese cooking wine → Japanese 料理酒 or Shaoxing wine (available at Chinese grocery stores). Chinese stock → 鶏ガラスープの素 (check whether it contains animal ingredients). Chinese black or aged vinegar → look at Chinese/Asian grocery stores. Chili bean paste, doubanjiang, Sichuan pepper, star anise, and similar spices are uncommon in supermarkets and are usually found at specialty shops or online.
Where to buy Chinese/Asian groceries: ① Yokohama Chinatown (large shops such as Chinese trading companies; some offer mail order). ② Tokyo's Shin-Okubo (many Asian grocery stores) and the basement of Ueno Ameyoko. ③ 業務スーパー carries some items such as Chinese snacks and oolong tea. ④ Online shops (Chūka Ichiba 24, Amazon, Rakuten, etc.); online ordering is often the surest option in cities without physical stores. [要確認 Store operations and stock vary.]
ハラル (halal): Look for a ハラル認証 mark and watch for products that appear halal but contain ハラム ingredients (豚エキス or alcohol in だしの素 is common). Large cities have halal grocery stores and supermarkets; checking both the ingredient list and certification is safest.
Vegetarian/vegan: In addition to だし, ゼラチン, and 肉エキス mentioned above, watch for gelatin gummies and alcohol in some miso and soy sauces. The Japan Tourism Agency's official 「おもてなしガイド」 can help you avoid unsuitable ingredients.
Tip: If you are unsure about an ingredient, do not guess from its name. Checking the ingredient list on the back is the only reliable method.

The Points Economy · University Dining Halls (Co-ops) · 100-yen ShopsVariable

Points: Supermarkets and drugstores offer their own or shared point programs (楽天ポイント, Vポイント—the successor to Tポイント—Ponta, dポイント, etc.) and often have regular “double points” days. Choose a main store and link one or two point programs you actually use; do not go out of your way to visit different stores just to collect points. [要確認 Point rules and partnerships change by retailer.]
University co-ops and meal cards: Many university co-op cafeterias are inexpensive and offer balanced meals. Some provide a 「ミールカード」 (annual cafeteria pass): you prepay an annual amount and can spend up to a daily limit, so the more you use it, the better the value (some plans provide about 270 days of meals for the cost of about 190 days). It generally covers cafeteria meals, boxed meals, bread, and drinks, but not instant noodles, snacks, desserts, or stationery. Co-ops also often offer student discounts at supermarkets and bookstores. [要確認 Plans and prices vary by school.]
100-yen shops (DAISO, Seria, Can★Do, etc.): A great way to get started in the kitchen—spatulas, food containers, seasoning bottles, storage items, and tableware are all in one place, making these shops a good first stop for new students setting up to cook. Quality varies for larger cookware and knives; everyday consumables and small tools are the best value.
A useful combination: Use the campus cafeteria for one or two meals to make sure you get vegetables, stock up on frozen food and seasonings at 業スー, buy freshly prepared food in the supermarket's discount section, pick up processed foods and household goods on drugstore sale days, and get kitchen tools at 100-yen shops. This saves more time and money than simply looking for the cheapest store.

Official and Authoritative SourcesOfficial

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: 消費期限と賞味期限Definitions of the two date types, what to do before and after opening, and examples of applicable foods
Consumer Affairs Agency: めざせ！食品ロス・ゼロ (Food Waste at Home)Official guidance explaining that food does not spoil immediately after its 賞味期限
Consumer Affairs Agency: 食物アレルギー表示に関する情報8 specified ingredients + 20 recommended ingredients; labeling system
Japan Tourism Agency: ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン/ムスリム旅行者おもてなしガイド (PDF)Avoiding hidden animal-derived ingredients, alcohol in みりん, and other pitfalls (April 2024)
National Federation of University Co-operative Associations: 大学生協の事業（食・ミール）University dining programs, including ミールカード
業務スーパー: 安さの秘密 (official website)Cost-saving mechanisms such as direct sourcing, in-house manufacturing, and large package sizes

Mini Japanese Glossary · Words on Shelves and the Backs of LabelsOfficial

賞味期限しょうみきげん

“Best-before” date: Used on shelf-stable items such as snacks, instant noodles, canned goods, and seasonings. The food does not spoil immediately after this date (provided it is unopened and stored as directed).

消費期限しょうひきげん

“Use-by” date: Appears only on foods that spoil quickly within a few days, such as boxed meals, rice balls, fresh noodles, and cakes. Don’t eat them after this date—the term differs from 賞味期限 by just one character, but the meanings are worlds apart.

値引きシールねびきシール

Discount sticker for items nearing their dates: A markdown label placed on prepared foods, boxed meals, and fresh foods before closing. Discounts increase in stages over time as part of a regular retail practice.

What to say at the counterこの商品しょうひんは値引ねびきされていますか？

半額はんがく

Half price: The steepest discount level for 値引きシール, often seen one or two hours before closing. Available only while stocks last.

原材料名げんざいりょうめい

Ingredients list: A list on the back, ordered from the largest to smallest quantity. Allergens, animal-derived ingredients, and alcohol are listed here; additives appear after 「/」. The product name on the front is no substitute for reading this list.

特定原材料とくていげんざいりょう

Allergens that must be declared: 8 ingredients in total—えび・かに・くるみ・小麦・そば・卵・乳・落花生 (くるみ became mandatory in 2023). Other recommended allergens may not be labeled.

だし

Dashi: the foundational flavor of Japanese cuisine. The most common type, かつおだし (bonito dashi), is animal-based; 昆布だし and 椎茸だし are fully plant-based. Vegetarians and people observing halal should pay particular attention to these distinctions.

みりん

Mirin: a fermented seasoning that contains alcohol. Cooking sake and some soy sauces and miso also contain alcohol, so if you avoid alcohol or have religious restrictions, check the back of the package.

Role-play: Asking a supermarket employee (Japanese with pronunciation guides to read along)Experience

① Ask when discounted items are marked down

すみません、惣菜そうざいの値引ねびきシールは何時なんじごろ貼はりますか？

Excuse me, around what time do you start putting discount stickers on prepared foods?

夕方ゆうがたごろから順番じゅんばんに貼はっていきます。閉店へいてんが近ちかいほど安やすくなりますよ。

They start putting them on in the evening, and the closer it gets to closing time, the cheaper they get.

② Find the products

中華ちゅうかの食材しょくざいはどの売うり場ばですか？

Which aisle are the Chinese ingredients in?

あちらの調味料ちょうみりょうコーナーにございます。ご案内あんないしましょうか？

In the seasonings section over there. Would you like me to show you?

③ Check ingredients (vegetarian/halal)

この商品しょうひんに豚ぶたの成分せいぶんは入はいっていますか？

Does this product contain any pork ingredients?

原材料名げんざいりょうめいはこちらに書かいてあります。一緒いっしょに確認かくにんしましょう。

The ingredients list is here. Let’s check it together.

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptionsExperience

Misconception: Once the 賞味期限 has passed, it can’t be eaten—throw it away immediately
This is one of the most common terminology misunderstandings among people newly arrived in Japan. 賞味期限 means the ‘best-before’ date (おいしく食べられる期限); officials explicitly say that a food does not become inedible immediately after that date passes. Shelf-stable products such as snacks, instant noodles, canned food, bottled water, and seasonings carry this date. The date that really means ‘do not eat after this’ is 消費期限, used only on foods that spoil quickly within a few days, such as boxed meals, rice balls, sandwiches, fresh noodles, and cakes. The terms differ by one character but have completely different meanings, so learn to tell them apart before deciding whether to throw something away.
NoteBoth dates assume the product is unopened and stored as directed. Once opened, eat it as soon as possible either way (in the official wording).
Misconception: Convenience stores (コンビニ) and supermarkets cost about the same, so it’s easier to just buy things there
Convenience stores are among the most expensive retail formats, especially for fresh food (vegetables, meat, and fish), where the price difference from supermarkets is clear. This reflects the cost structure, including franchise headquarters expenses and 24-hour staffing; it is not occasional. Use convenience stores for emergencies, late nights, and convenience, and do everyday shopping at a supermarket. Over time, the savings can be substantial. Guide
NoteSome convenience-store private-label (PB) processed foods and particular items can offer good value; not everything is expensive. But do not use convenience stores for fresh food or bulk shopping.
Misconception: If it says “no additives,” “plant-based,” or “Japanese-style broth,” it must be vegetarian
The underlying flavor of most Japanese cooking comes from だし, and the most common かつおだし (bonito stock) is animal-based. Vegetarians and Muslims should take particular care: ブイヨン, ゼラチン, and 肉エキス often contain ingredients such as pork. みりん is a fermented alcoholic seasoning; cooking sake and some soy sauces or miso also contain alcohol (listed as alcohol or alcohol ingredients). You cannot tell from the product name alone; turn the package over and check each item in 原材料名 (ingredients).
Note昆布だし (kelp stock) and 椎茸だし (shiitake stock) are fully plant-based. For halal food, look for ハラル認証 (halal certification); do not rely only on whether something ‘looks like it contains no meat.’
Misconception: Discounts are a matter of luck—if you happen to find one, consider yourself lucky
値引きシール (discount stickers) follow a regular retail process; they are not random. Learn the timing to benefit consistently. See the column below. Guide

Supermarket Tiers: Where Your Money GoesVariable

General merchandise and food supermarkets (such as Aeon, Seiyu, and Life): freshest produce, widest selection, and reasonable prices; these are your main everyday stores. Fresh fruit and vegetables are often better value here than at 業務スーパー. Guide
業務スーパー (Gyomu Super): best value for processed foods, frozen foods, and seasonings. Its official site explains the real reasons for low prices: direct sourcing from manufacturers without middlemen; direct dealings with about 350 overseas partner factories; an integrated in-house production system; large package sizes; and displaying cartons directly to save labor. It is suited to bulk purchases such as frozen vegetables, frozen udon, and chicken thighs. But it is oriented toward ‘volume’; fresh food and small portions may not be good value, and there are few well-known brands to compare prices with.
Drugstores (such as Welcia, Cosmos, and Sundrug): processed foods, drinks, and seasonings from many well-known manufacturers are surprisingly cheap, and major sale days are common. Combined with special sales, prices can be among the lowest; some stores also have points days (for example, double points on certain days each month). [要確認 each store’s sale dates and points rules]
Convenience stores: the most expensive format overall; use them for emergencies, late nights, and convenience, not for everyday shopping. Guide
Strategy: separate ‘what to buy’ from ‘where to buy it.’ Buy fresh food at a food supermarket, stock up on frozen products and seasonings at 業務スーパー, look for processed-food sales at drugstores, and use convenience stores only for emergencies. Regularly visit one or two main stores and learn their sale days; this saves more time than comparing prices everywhere.

How 値引きシール (discount stickers for items nearing their dates) work by time of day — the heart of this sectionVariable

General pattern: prepared side dishes (惣菜), sushi, boxed meals, raw meat, raw fish, and similar items often start getting discount stickers 2–3 hours before closing. Discounts deepen in stages as closing time approaches, commonly progressing from around 20–30% off to a final 半額 (half-price) sticker. Guide
半額 (half-price) stickers most often appear about 1–2 hours before closing (often said to be around 19:00–21:00), but closing times differ by store, so count backward from the closing time of the store you visit. Guide
Daily-delivery products (tofu, natto, milk, and other items nearing their date) and some vegetables may instead be discounted before opening or in the morning. Discounts do not necessarily wait until evening, so ‘discounts are only at night’ is also a misconception. Guide
Practical tip: Spend one or two visits learning your regular store’s sticker schedule; each store differs, so this is more reliable than general rules you find online. For food you will eat today or tomorrow, look in the discount section; for shelf-stable items to stock up on, compare prices across store types at the regular price.
Etiquette and risks: Do not snatch items someone else has selected or crowd and pressure staff while they apply stickers. 半額 is subject to availability, so it is normal not to find anything. Do not buy more than you can use just to chase discounts and create food waste.

Understanding Food Labels: 賞味/消費期限 + アレルゲン + Hidden IngredientsOfficial

Best-before date vs. use-by date: 賞味期限 means the date through which food can be enjoyed at its best (it does not spoil immediately afterward; common for shelf-stable products), while 消費期限 is the date through which it can be safely eaten (for fresh foods, boxed meals, and fresh noodles that spoil quickly). Both assume the product is unopened and stored as directed; once opened, eat it as soon as possible.
Allergen labeling: The 8 「特定原材料」 items that must be labeled are えび (shrimp), かに (crab), くるみ (walnut), 小麦 (wheat), そば (buckwheat), 卵 (egg), 乳 (milk), and 落花生 (peanut); walnuts became mandatory in 2023. There are also 20 「推奨表示」 items (「特定原材料に準ずるもの」, including soybeans, sesame, chicken, pork, beef, gelatin, and cashew nuts), for 28 items total. Recommended items may not be labeled, so people with allergies should read the full ingredient list. [要確認 Recommended items have changed in recent years; cashews are proposed to move from recommended to mandatory.]
Hidden animal-derived ingredients (important for vegetarians and halal diets): かつおだし (bonito stock), bouillon, meat extract, and gelatin often contain animal or pork-derived ingredients; 豚エキス is often hidden in 「だしの素」 and 「風味調味料」. For plant-based options, look for 昆布だし or 椎茸だし, or check for ハラル認証.
Hidden alcohol: みりん is an alcoholic seasoning; 料理酒 and some soy sauces and miso also contain alcohol (look for 「アルコール」 or 「酒精」). If you avoid alcohol for personal or religious reasons, check the ingredient list on the back.
How to read labels: Read 「原材料名」 from beginning to end (ingredients are listed in descending order by amount); allergens, animal-derived ingredients, and alcohol are listed there. Additives appear after 「/」. The product name and claims such as “Japanese-style” or “additive-free” on the front are no substitute for checking the back.

How Common Japanese Ingredients Differ · Where to Buy Chinese Ingredients · ハラル/ベジExperience

Common substitutes: Chinese dark/light soy sauce → Japanese soy sauce is usually 濃口 or 淡口; 濃口 can replace dark soy sauce, but the sweetness and saltiness differ. Chinese cooking wine → Japanese 料理酒 or Shaoxing wine (available at Chinese grocery stores). Chinese stock → 鶏ガラスープの素 (check whether it contains animal ingredients). Chinese black or aged vinegar → look at Chinese/Asian grocery stores. Chili bean paste, doubanjiang, Sichuan pepper, star anise, and similar spices are uncommon in supermarkets and are usually found at specialty shops or online.
Where to buy Chinese/Asian groceries: ① Yokohama Chinatown (large shops such as Chinese trading companies; some offer mail order). ② Tokyo's Shin-Okubo (many Asian grocery stores) and the basement of Ueno Ameyoko. ③ 業務スーパー carries some items such as Chinese snacks and oolong tea. ④ Online shops (Chūka Ichiba 24, Amazon, Rakuten, etc.); online ordering is often the surest option in cities without physical stores. [要確認 Store operations and stock vary.]
ハラル (halal): Look for a ハラル認証 mark and watch for products that appear halal but contain ハラム ingredients (豚エキス or alcohol in だしの素 is common). Large cities have halal grocery stores and supermarkets; checking both the ingredient list and certification is safest.
Vegetarian/vegan: In addition to だし, ゼラチン, and 肉エキス mentioned above, watch for gelatin gummies and alcohol in some miso and soy sauces. The Japan Tourism Agency's official 「おもてなしガイド」 can help you avoid unsuitable ingredients.
Tip: If you are unsure about an ingredient, do not guess from its name. Checking the ingredient list on the back is the only reliable method.

The Points Economy · University Dining Halls (Co-ops) · 100-yen ShopsVariable

Points: Supermarkets and drugstores offer their own or shared point programs (楽天ポイント, Vポイント—the successor to Tポイント—Ponta, dポイント, etc.) and often have regular “double points” days. Choose a main store and link one or two point programs you actually use; do not go out of your way to visit different stores just to collect points. [要確認 Point rules and partnerships change by retailer.]
University co-ops and meal cards: Many university co-op cafeterias are inexpensive and offer balanced meals. Some provide a 「ミールカード」 (annual cafeteria pass): you prepay an annual amount and can spend up to a daily limit, so the more you use it, the better the value (some plans provide about 270 days of meals for the cost of about 190 days). It generally covers cafeteria meals, boxed meals, bread, and drinks, but not instant noodles, snacks, desserts, or stationery. Co-ops also often offer student discounts at supermarkets and bookstores. [要確認 Plans and prices vary by school.]
100-yen shops (DAISO, Seria, Can★Do, etc.): A great way to get started in the kitchen—spatulas, food containers, seasoning bottles, storage items, and tableware are all in one place, making these shops a good first stop for new students setting up to cook. Quality varies for larger cookware and knives; everyday consumables and small tools are the best value.
A useful combination: Use the campus cafeteria for one or two meals to make sure you get vegetables, stock up on frozen food and seasonings at 業スー, buy freshly prepared food in the supermarket's discount section, pick up processed foods and household goods on drugstore sale days, and get kitchen tools at 100-yen shops. This saves more time and money than simply looking for the cheapest store.

Official and Authoritative SourcesOfficial

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: 消費期限と賞味期限Definitions of the two date types, what to do before and after opening, and examples of applicable foods
Consumer Affairs Agency: めざせ！食品ロス・ゼロ (Food Waste at Home)Official guidance explaining that food does not spoil immediately after its 賞味期限
Consumer Affairs Agency: 食物アレルギー表示に関する情報8 specified ingredients + 20 recommended ingredients; labeling system
Japan Tourism Agency: ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン/ムスリム旅行者おもてなしガイド (PDF)Avoiding hidden animal-derived ingredients, alcohol in みりん, and other pitfalls (April 2024)
National Federation of University Co-operative Associations: 大学生協の事業（食・ミール）University dining programs, including ミールカード
業務スーパー: 安さの秘密 (official website)Cost-saving mechanisms such as direct sourcing, in-house manufacturing, and large package sizes

Mini Japanese Glossary · Words on Shelves and the Backs of LabelsOfficial

賞味期限しょうみきげん

消費期限しょうひきげん

値引きシールねびきシール

What to say at the counterこの商品しょうひんは値引ねびきされていますか？

半額はんがく

Half price: The steepest discount level for 値引きシール, often seen one or two hours before closing. Available only while stocks last.

原材料名げんざいりょうめい

特定原材料とくていげんざいりょう

だし

みりん

Role-play: Asking a supermarket employee (Japanese with pronunciation guides to read along)Experience

① Ask when discounted items are marked down

すみません、惣菜そうざいの値引ねびきシールは何時なんじごろ貼はりますか？

Excuse me, around what time do you start putting discount stickers on prepared foods?

夕方ゆうがたごろから順番じゅんばんに貼はっていきます。閉店へいてんが近ちかいほど安やすくなりますよ。

They start putting them on in the evening, and the closer it gets to closing time, the cheaper they get.

② Find the products

中華ちゅうかの食材しょくざいはどの売うり場ばですか？

Which aisle are the Chinese ingredients in?

あちらの調味料ちょうみりょうコーナーにございます。ご案内あんないしましょうか？

In the seasonings section over there. Would you like me to show you?

③ Check ingredients (vegetarian/halal)

この商品しょうひんに豚ぶたの成分せいぶんは入はいっていますか？

Does this product contain any pork ingredients?

原材料名げんざいりょうめいはこちらに書かいてあります。一緒いっしょに確認かくにんしましょう。

The ingredients list is here. Let’s check it together.

Food and Grocery Shopping: Save Money with Supermarket Tiers, 値引きシール, and Food Label Literacy

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptionsExperience

Misconception: Once the 賞味期限 has passed, it can’t be eaten—throw it away immediately

Misconception: Convenience stores (コンビニ) and supermarkets cost about the same, so it’s easier to just buy things there

Misconception: If it says “no additives,” “plant-based,” or “Japanese-style broth,” it must be vegetarian

Misconception: Discounts are a matter of luck—if you happen to find one, consider yourself lucky

Supermarket Tiers: Where Your Money GoesVariable

How 値引きシール (discount stickers for items nearing their dates) work by time of day — the heart of this sectionVariable

Understanding Food Labels: 賞味/消費期限 + アレルゲン + Hidden IngredientsOfficial

How Common Japanese Ingredients Differ · Where to Buy Chinese Ingredients · ハラル/ベジExperience

The Points Economy · University Dining Halls (Co-ops) · 100-yen ShopsVariable

Official and Authoritative SourcesOfficial

Mini Japanese Glossary · Words on Shelves and the Backs of LabelsOfficial

Role-play: Asking a supermarket employee (Japanese with pronunciation guides to read along)Experience

Food and Grocery Shopping: Save Money with Supermarket Tiers, 値引きシール, and Food Label Literacy

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptionsExperience

Misconception: Once the 賞味期限 has passed, it can’t be eaten—throw it away immediately

Misconception: Convenience stores (コンビニ) and supermarkets cost about the same, so it’s easier to just buy things there

Misconception: If it says “no additives,” “plant-based,” or “Japanese-style broth,” it must be vegetarian

Misconception: Discounts are a matter of luck—if you happen to find one, consider yourself lucky

Supermarket Tiers: Where Your Money GoesVariable

How 値引きシール (discount stickers for items nearing their dates) work by time of day — the heart of this sectionVariable

Understanding Food Labels: 賞味/消費期限 + アレルゲン + Hidden IngredientsOfficial

How Common Japanese Ingredients Differ · Where to Buy Chinese Ingredients · ハラル/ベジExperience

The Points Economy · University Dining Halls (Co-ops) · 100-yen ShopsVariable

Official and Authoritative SourcesOfficial

Mini Japanese Glossary · Words on Shelves and the Backs of LabelsOfficial

Role-play: Asking a supermarket employee (Japanese with pronunciation guides to read along)Experience