How To Grocery Shop in Japan (Without Paying a Fortune) (2024)

FAQs

How to shop for food with little money? ›

Groceries and eating out

Local supermarkets are relatively inexpensive if you stick to Japanese food like seasonal vegetables and seafood, and soy bean products. Pre-cooked products can be purchased at discounted prices shortly before closing time in the evening.

Apply for assistance.

If you're struggling to cover the cost of food, you should check to see if you're eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in your state. For states without online applications, you'll need to visit your local SNAP office.

In conclusion, while $1000 dollars may not be enough to fully explore all of Japan's attractions, it's still possible to have a budget-friendly trip. By carefully planning transportation, opting for affordable accommodations, and trying local street food, you can make the most of your budget.

Kakeibo gets its name from a Japanese term meaning “household financial ledger.” Essentially a kakeibo is a physical budgeting journal. Users answer some financial questions and set savings goals. Then they track their expenses, put their purchases in categories, and review expenses at the end of every month.

Of course, it would depend on your lifestyle and family size, but, on average, you can expect to pay around ¥38,000 per month (per person) for groceries in Japan, with daily essentials costing around: 1 liter of milk: ¥200. 500g loaf of bread: ¥215. 1kg of rice: ¥490.

Unlike the West, convenience stores in Japan are a legitimate source of good quality food for those on a budget (or on the move!). Here, you'll find things like bento (lunch boxes), sushi, sandwiches, onigiri (rice balls), inari sushi (rice wrapped in tofu skin) and salads for anywhere between $1 and $5 per item.

Why is Japan so cheap right now? ›

That's because the Japanese currency (the yen) is weak against the U.S. dollar. As a result of the strong dollar, the dollar-to-yen currency conversion gives American tourists extra buying power in Japan. For example, five years ago, in April 2019, one U.S. dollar was worth about 112 Japanese yen.

Contrary to popular belief, Japan is not too expensive to live in assuming you are used to a Western lifestyle and living standards. The average cost of living in Japan is 46% less expensive than the average cost of living in the United States.

Decide what you'll eat for a week, or even a month, and plan meals based around low-cost staple foods like oats and eggs for breakfast; tuna, peanut butter, cheese and nonfat plain yogurt for lunch; and inexpensive cuts of meat like chicken thighs or flank steak and dried beans and grains like brown rice that you can ...

Affordable and nutritious meal ideas for a $150 monthly budget include dishes like vegetable stir-fry with rice, bean and vegetable soups, pasta with homemade tomato sauce, and oatmeal with fruit for breakfast. These meals are cost-effective and can be made in large batches to provide multiple servings.

Buy smaller portions of perishable foods, like a quart of milk instead of a gallon. Buy staple ingredients in bulk to save money and to keep your grocery list short. Limit those impulse buys. Make more frequent, smaller shopping trips.