Local Groceries Stores to Check Out

Whether you’re feeding a family or just living on your own, saving money on groceries can go a long way. With the current economic situation, it’s necessary to spend wisely to allocate money for other expenses like utility bills and rent. Knowing where to find the best deals makes a huge difference.

To give you an idea, here are some local supermarkets that are recognized for their affordability and value:

① Big-A

Big-A is a popular discount chain in Japan known for its reasonably priced products and simple store format. Its stores are concentrated in the Kanto area, particularly in Tokyo, Chiba, and Saitama.

Compared to regular supermarkets, Big-A focuses on basic fresh foods, daily essentials, inexpensive packaged goods, and simple household items. In short, it aims to provide customers a no-frills shopping experience by prioritizing everyday necessities rather than specialty products.

For this reason, they carry a more limited selection and are smaller than typical supermarkets like AEON or Ito-Yokado. While this may seem like a drawback, they’re still worth visiting for their low prices.

When it comes to their products, they rely heavily on AEON’s private-label brand, Topvalu, along with other low-cost generic items.

Another advantage of Big-A stores is their long operating hours—some locations are even open 24 hours. This is especially beneficial for people who work night shifts or run late errands.

② Yaoko Marketplace

Yaoko Marketplace is a supermarket chain headquartered in Kawagoe, Saitama. As of 2024, it has more than 200 stores, most of which are located in the Kanto region. It is often considered a slightly high-end neighborhood supermarket.

Yaoko is known for its wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as its high-quality meat and seafood. One of its biggest strengths is its excellent deli section, which includes bento, sushi, fried foods, salads, side dishes, and desserts. Many of these items are prepared in-store and are visually appealing, healthy, and delicious.

It also offers an impressive array of affordable breads and pastries that can be compared to those from more expensive bakeries.

In addition to its excellent products, Yaoko stores are spacious, well-organized, and clean. Their easy-to-browse layout provides a comfortable, hassle-free shopping experience.

Like many other supermarkets, Yaoko has its own point card, which allows customers to earn points on purchases. You can apply for the card either in-store or through their app.

③ York Foods

York Foods is a community-based supermarket operated by the Ito-Yokado Group. It offers a typical selection of items found in Japanese supermarkets, such as vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, dairy products, bread, and eggs. They also carry ready-to-eat options and deli foods, including bento, fried items, salads, and freshly prepared meals.

As part of the Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd, York Foods accepts the group’s prepaid e-money card, nanaco. Customers can earn points when paying with this card and use those points like cash on future purchases.

Additionally, York Foods promotes digital membership through its official LINE account and store app. You can get coupons and receive notifications through these platforms.

④ Belc

Belc is a supermarket chain with over 100 stores in the Kanto region. Its stores are mainly located in Saitama, Chiba, Gunma, and Tochigi. The company focuses on residential neighborhoods, so you’ll often find its stores near housing areas rather than in tourist spots.

Belc sells fresh produce, locally sourced items, and takeaway food at a reasonable price.

Regular shoppers can enjoy several perks, such as free purified water. All you have to do is purchase their 3.8-liter water bottle, and you can refill it for free. You can also sign up for a membership card that allows you to earn points. Once you accumulate 500 points, you will receive a 500-yen shopping voucher. You earn 1 point for every 108 yen when paying with cash, and 1 point for every 216 yen when using cashless payment methods. You can register as a member in-store or online by downloading their app.

Alongside its physical stores, Belc operates an online shop that offers seasonal gifts, sweets, flowers, curated gift items, wine, and other specialty beverages.

⑤ Y’s Mart

Y’s Mart is an independently owned supermarket chain with a strong neighborhood focus. Their stores are typically located near train stations and residential areas, with extended operating hours that provide convenient access for late-night shopping and quick stops after work.

Y’s Mart stores are compact but well stocked with essentials and daily necessities. Plus, they have a variety of fresh and ready-to-eat meals.

Customers can enjoy various benefits by signing up for the Wise Card or downloading the Wise app. With the Wise Card, you can earn points (1 point = 1 yen when redeemed), which can be used for future purchases. The card can also be linked to Rakuten Edy, a prepaid e-money service, allowing you to make payments while earning points.

The Wise app serves as a digital version of the Wise Card with extra features. In addition to earning points, users can receive product discounts, coupons, and digital flyers, as well as updates on promotions, seasonal campaigns, and special events. It also includes store search functions, store information , and a purchase history tracker.

Some locations, such as the Y’s Mart Urayasu Main Store and Nakakasai Store have an online shop. Customers can purchase exclusive items, like the Wise Mart (in-house brand) products, for home delivery or pickup.

Supermarket Products Price Comparison

This table presents a comparison of prices among the neighborhood supermarkets listed above (tax included).

	Big A	Yaoko Marketplace	York Foods	Belc	Y’s Mart
Kikkoman Soy Milk (Green)	¥235.44	¥192.24	¥236	¥172	¥204
Meiji Milk (900 ml)	¥300.24	¥311.04	¥267	¥302	¥345
Bento	¥321.84  –¥429.84	¥429.84 – ¥753.84	¥355 – ¥646	¥323 – ¥647	¥452 – ¥679
Sandwich	¥213.84	¥213.84	¥302	¥313	¥290
Oikos Yogurt (Blueberry)	¥181.44	¥213.84	¥170	¥183	¥171
Ajinomoto Frozen Gyoza	¥267.84	¥257.04	¥258	¥215	¥269
Meiji Iseru Supercup (Ice Cream)	¥138.24	¥106.92	¥138	¥129	¥128
Firm Tofu / Soft Tofu	¥51.84	¥106.92	¥73	¥53	¥75
Kewpie Mayonnaise (Red Cap – 350 g)	¥321.84	¥235.44	¥300	¥291	¥421
White eggs (10)	¥278.64	¥300.24	¥312	¥269	¥287
Ground Pork (100 g)	¥138	¥99	¥128	¥129	¥158
Ground Beef (100 g)	¥158	¥148	¥160	¥139	¥178
Ground Chicken (100 g)	¥128	¥168	¥150	¥119	¥148
Salmon (2 slices)	¥321.84	¥429.84	¥516	¥556	¥403
Mackerel (2 slices)	¥494.64	¥753.84	¥753	¥539	¥431
Onion	¥105.84	¥63.72	¥52	¥118	¥120
Garlic	¥106.92	¥106.92	¥160	¥107	¥151
Eringi Mushroom	¥95.04	¥149.04	¥150	¥118	¥140
Spinach	¥138.24	¥170.64	¥214	¥151	¥172
Cabbage (Half)	¥149.04	¥116.64	¥96	¥107	¥151
Rice (5 kg)	¥3,650.40*	___	¥3,777*	___	¥4,751*
Rice (4 kg)	___	¥3,326.40*	___	¥4,093*	¥2,915*
Rice (2 kg)	¥2,106*	¥2,138.40*	¥2,482	¥2,042*	¥2,159*

*Supermarkets usually carry different types of rice brands. The prices shown here are the lowest available.

Overall, Big A had the highest number of lowest-priced items (9 in total). Yaoko Marketplace and Belc tied for second place, with 5 items each, followed by York Foods with 4. Y’s Mart ranked last, with only 2 lowest-priced items.

While this is not a comprehensive list of products, it provides a general idea of where you can save more. Please note that the prices are subject to change due to regular promotions and sales, so it’s best to check each store’s website, app, or flyers for the latest updates.

If you want to learn more about the best and cheapest import foods in Japan, click here.

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