Comparing 3 Major Japanese Supermarkets 🛒 Life in Japan Episode 240

[@ene8894]

ほんと日本人の庶民に行動が似てる。なじんでくれてるのが、親近感ある。

[@samrutster]

Awwww grocery shopping in Japan, nothing else like it in the world❤️

[@aso_katano]

日本人の私からしてもすごく勉強になる内容でした。牛乳の表示、漢字を覚えてしまうというのがとても面白かったです。日本では原材料が加熱殺菌しただけの生乳100%の「牛乳」からや「乳飲料」まで７つも区分があるそうで、自分で調べてみて驚きました。ほかにもビールやコーヒーにも区分がありますが、どれも100%ピュアが一番ですね！それにしても、ルースさんのセンスとスキルには毎回頭が下がります❤️

[@slashbat2375]

Ruth shopping videos are always mu favourite! She reminds me of how my mom likes to shop

[@HiroyukiK]

Many Japanese people prioritize freshness, so they (we) shop at the supermarket almost every day.

[@LIJ]

That's a good reason to go each day :)

[@danhill1186]

A nice tour of the 3 supermarkets! Generally, I find Japanese grocery stores really pleasant to be in.

[@alice73322]

Ruth that blue sweater really makes those eyes pop! Beautiful! Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

[@はなかいサクラ]

In Osaka, there is a supermarket called Mandai. On the 1st of every month, there is a day called ``1 Market'' where products are generally cheaper. On that day, there will be a long line at the cash register.

[@ryo6146]

台湾に旅行しに行った時に、「キンダーブエノ」というチョコレート菓子を食べてから、おいしさのあまり、癖になってしまって、キンダーブエノを箱買いしたくてCostcoの会員になりました。 先月と今月だけでキンダーブエノ（1箱1378円）を48箱、66000円使いました。 いつもは新三郷のCostcoに行くけど、12月はキンダーブエノを買うために川崎のCostcoまで行きました。

[@iiraingirlii]

Wow 😮..

[@lorrane2177]

Wishing you both and your family a blessed Christmas! May the season bring joy and happiness throughout the new year.

[@LIJ]

Same to you!

[@alechiaevans9117]

We shopped at Tsuruya in Karuizawa. A little more expensive, but close. And yes it takes awhile to learn the products and where to go to get them. Love all the mushrooms.

[@rosarie4233]

3000円のぶどうは、シャインマスカットという高級フルーツです♡ 本当に、本当に美味しいです！！！！！！

[@ninaspiaggia4405]

It felt like the weekly groceries shopping I do with my mother, only we have a lot more vegetables. We visit an open air market that actually is every day except on sunday, but each day it has other people presenting their goods, close to the market is also a bakery we visit for bread and eggs. Then there are shops we visit also around once, maximum twice a week, to get everything else. Their prices stay almost always the same and they offer some weekly discounts. I find it really interesting seeing you explain these grocery shops as they are similar but in a certain way different from what I know.

[@uncafepf]

This is my favorite channel. I love to see how the family members enjoy their life. They are a good example of how you speak English for learners. I sometimes take notes. As for Samito, I believe it's Summit.

[@LIJ]

Thank you!

[@Its-Kat_]

I like our local Okay Supermarket, pretty cheap and Gyomu Super.

[@LIJ]

OK does remind me of Gyomu!

[@xyas-qs9vz]

食べるラー油はさすがの選択ですね！

[@SABRINA.ARMY.BTS.]

When you want to buy chocolate chips here in Germany you mostly only get 100 Gramm packages as well ! I mostly order them online when I need them to bake ! It’s always interesting to see stores in other countries!

[@suzannaplinke7784]

Love the Canadian🇨🇦 bag. I have a trip booked to Japan for 2024 . First time.

[@LIJ]

Nice! Where will you go?

[@suzannaplinke7784]

@@LIJ Kushiro is our first place and finish in Yokohama with several days in Tokyo before going home. My bucket list is the shopping area that Ruth visited doing her shopping for kitchen items and plates and bowls. It was an entire area dedicated to serving dishes and utensils. That episode was so interesting.

[@gweisa899]

Bring back memories of shopping with my parents in US. I ways wanted food that was not good for you. Did compromise buying at least unhealthy food for my lunch or snack and the rest were healthy. I enjoy seeing what you can get in Japan grocery stores.

[@alechiaevans9117]

Yes I like the S&B crunchy garlic in chili oil

[@jaymieadriano1676]

I looooove your vlog. I already finished all😂

[@LIJ]

Did you watch ALL the episodes?!

[@gerriebell2128]

This was interesting to me. When I first moved to Scotland, the challenge was figuring out how the stores were organized and where to find things. In the US, there is chicken broth in cans (like soup) and in boxes, in the soup aisle. In Scotland the broth was in the meat department, in bags or containers like the deli department would package. Crackers are in the biscuit section, and there were many other differences I had to learn. Then last summer when we moved back to California I had to figure out all over again where things are kept. That is why I was happy to see this video.

[@jessicuta4096]

Loved this video! Could you guys show a Costco haul if you haven't already?

[@cdh89660]

I love OK store at Noborito or Ikuta. The other place I like is Ropia where you can buy meat at reasonable prices.

[@Awk0-Alex]

The first supermarket kind of reminds me of Trader Joe’s!! I love how cute and cheap the grocery stores in Japan are though. I wish it was like that here in America! lol.

[@CalledtoCultivate]

I’ve been shopping at Mega and Food One for produce items. You just can’t beat the fresh seasonal fruits! 🤗💕

[@愛犬家-i4i]

オーケーストアが良いですよ！

[@ze4037]

An easy way to tell the difference between milk and processed milk is to check the small notch on the tab of the pack. This is on the opposite side of the pack from the opening tab and also helps you determine which direction to open the pack. This was originally designed for visually impaired people.

[@razly194]

知らなかった！そんなのあるんだ、今度見てみよう

[@森冴香-d1q]

Life supermarket is also nice store!

[@comarites]

It would be helpful for stores to consider products and quantities for families and for singles.😊 You are right, it would be wise to know the store's strategy in each area to find the smartest way to use the store. Summit, which I use the most, issues loyalty cards. Of course, there is also a smartphone app.

[@とらち-k9b]

私はカナダに15年住んでいましたが、最後まで隣のスーパーにしか行かなかった…今更ながら後悔しています。勉強になる内容でした。私もがんばろっと😅

[@kimberlydeverell2863]

When I was studying abroad in Kyoto, there was a grocery store across the street called LIFE Kita-Shirakawa Store that I loved going to to grab something fresh for lunch like a bento or fresh fruit. Their bakery was also really good. It was rather large and reminded me a lot of some of the grocery stores in the US. Lots of variety. There was another grocery market nearby my host family’s apartment that was also really nice, but I can’t remember the name of it. They were also only a few minutes away from Nishiki Market, so I spent a lot of time there looking for fresh fruits. Where we live here in Indiana, I primarily shop at Meijer, but I also go to Costco about once a month or so. They’re about 45-50 minutes away from me, so I have to plan that trip. Meijer is only 10 minutes away from our house though. I wish I had more options for international foods though. It’s my only complaint so far with living in the Midwest compared to when we lived in Washington state.

[@LIJ]

Ruth shopped at the Meijer's near her before we got married. There's also a number of LIFE grocery stores near us (but not too close) - otherwise we'd probably go there since we like the name of the store :)

[@toybox241]

お気に入りスーパーは西友(SEIYU)！ 安いし比較的なんでも揃えてる

[@nikkibun89]

Ruths earrings are stunning!!! I ususally shop at Aldi which is funny cause I grew up with it in germany but now the US has it too and its just the best deals. However since its a little further for quick trips I go to Publix which is more expensive but its closer and I can get there easily even in rush hour. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and an amazing week before Christmas!!!

[@LIJ]

Thanks! They have Aldi's here in Japan too, but it's called Big A's! Ha ha! I haven't been in one yet though.

[@nikkibun89]

@@LIJ Ha Ha That's a good name! Would be interesting to see how the prices compare and see how different Aldi is in the world.

[@なみ-l8b]

My mother went shopping every day. In Tokyo, there are not many supermarkets to choose from, which makes it difficult. It's easy if you live alone...

[@mwh9103]

That’s a interesting video for me. I’ve still lived in Singapore bIut I definitely recommend you OK store in Yoga.That is a huge supermarket than Gyomu Super.I recommend that you go by car.Because I guess you will purchase a lot of things. And you will need a shopping bag. I recommend the pizza, which is large and inexpensive.

[@LIJ]

Thanks!

[@なーな-d7i]

ドンキホーテ！オリジナルブランドや日用品は100円の差で安い時あります❤❤ ままさんお買い物上手です👏

[@tichtran664]

Amazing how Italian food spread out to ALL of Latin America. Including panneton , pizza, pasta, gnocchi, etc. Especially in Argentina and Brazil. Like how Park Jooho the soccer player whose wife Anna was born in Argentina. Plus she does speak Spanish and got her kids to eat dulce leches, Argentinian cookies ,etc

[@tichtran664]

Anna is technically swiss but she does have Argentinian citizenship dues to being born in Argentina.

[@kayhammond4743]

Ito yokado was my fav. in Tokyo at Musashisakai station. I also loved the little basket-sized shopping carts. It even had a mini bicycle esclator to the underground bike park so you didn't have to strain to push your bike back up the ramp!

[@realwmm]

You should check out OK (good variety and decent prices) and A-Price (commericial sized packages for your large family!). I dislike Summit (very expensive, but they do have some interesting fresh herbs). I could bad-mouth a few other places, but I shall restrain myself today.

[@LIJ]

OK is OK (couldn't resist the pun), but they really aren't that close, so it's not very practical.

[@realwmm]

[Expletetive x 10] Found almond essence at the 17th store (Life) for a ridiculous price. The 18th store (A-Price) had a lot of it at a decent price. We bought all of it so I can corner the market. I managed to hit up the Gyomu Super in Mure a couple days ago. A few interesting things, but mostly...meh...Same butter is 200 yen cheaper at OK. Christmas party shopping is almost done. That's good because my wallet is now empty.

[@nar8569]

オオゼキが一番好きなスーパーですね。魚もかなり新鮮ですよ。

[@ACEsParkJunheeWreckedMeHard]

Its funny to see the differences. Here in Germany most supermarkets look more modern and almost all of them start with the vegetables and fruits and most of them than either do the bread or candy section (or a mix of bread and candy section). Even our discount stores look way nicer. We also got self sheckout in many stores now (altho not all grocery store chains do it and not all stores of each chain who does it got one by now) and depending on what you actually need you find almost all you can think of in the same store, altho supermarkets compared to discounter stores do sell way more. People often have the image that supermarkets in Germany must be tiny, mostly portrayed by YT videos where people only visit ALDI, but if you go to some other places like for example Kaufland, its just huge (especially since depending on location Kaufland can sometime be 2 or even 3 floors big). I like to see differences to other countries tho, it makes it interessting to learn about them and to see whats the major differences to the place where you feel the most used to. My 3 other experiences visiting a grocery store had been Italy, France and Netherlands. In Italy we stayed in a place full of small rentable houses and the grocery store they had was a huge open hall like a warehouse with grocery store shelfs in it where the entire front-side was open (no wall, no door, probably just a security gate for at night) and it was mainly a bakery-section, some household items and veggies. The one I saw in France was quit big, it had all stuff from food to toys and CDs and even fashion etc. but the bread section was dissapointing cause even dark bread was white bread on the inside but they sold sooo many good crossaints. Another thing that lacked a bit was the vegetable and fruit section but since this city did a lot farmers markets, we understood why they had lesser of the fruits and veggies in the store, especially since we didn't saw potatos in the grocery store. In the netherlands we visited a quit small one on an island and the store only had their own store brand and a few brand options of some items, it was super tiny so for people who lived there they mostly seemd to have just basic meals and limited options on veggies, fruits and candy. Not sure what a grocery store would look like in the Netherlands if its normal sized, except I saw a Dutch Lidl once and it was quit underwhelming for me altho they had the famous Vla and some nice brioche bunns with raisins inside.

[@danhill1186]

Nice read! I think it depends. The last one shown in the video really looks nice, and the other two don't look to shabby either. There are not only high class Edekas, but also shady Nettos in Germany 😄 (disclaimer: rough generalisation).

[@Official-OpenAI]

nabe video please. My favorite flavor is "Tan-Tan Nabe". Try it if you havent yet :)

[@LIJ]

Thanks for the suggestion :)

[@jayphillips4942]

We go to multiple places as well

[@角谷省三-z4z]

お気に入りのスーパーは、地元なのもあるけどOKとフジスーパー OKは兎に角値段が安い、フジスーパーはAM1.30迄営業してるので夜行性の私にピッタリ合う 品質も比較的高めです 後行くのに12分ぐらい歩くけど成城石井かな ここはマヌカハニー買う時よく行きます、種類豊富でいつ行っても買えるので安心して買いに行けます

[@natsuko5303]

OK Store やロピアもおすすめです❤

[@ひょっとこ丸-h3n]

私はよくOKストアに行きます、ディスカウントスーパーですね スーパーの一通りの品ぞろえですが、食品一般、調味料が比較的安く手に入るので重宝しています、ただ品揃えは普通ですね

[@RagnarokArrives]

Well that's one nice thing about living in America. Walmart has everything I ever need and it's about 2 miles from my house in this small town of 4500.

[@tckwc]

Gyomu supermarkets have a lot of products made in China.

[@OH-TANI2024]

近所の業務スーパー（ＯＫストア）は冷凍食品が安い。安くて量が多い冷凍食品は大家族にお勧め。 それから１００円ローソン（ローソンストア１００）はレトルトカレーやパスタのソースがスーパーよりも安いです。

[@jantravis4616]

Here in Oklahoma I go to homeland and Walmart stores and we also have stores called dollar tree I go there too.

[@LIJ]

Dollar Tree!!

[@bjjyokohama]

Hello from Victoria BC Canada!!

[@TMN7Nemuro]

カスミってスーパーに良く行きます。198円で買える大盛りサラダが一人暮らしには非常に助かる。あと、鮮魚が充実してます。

[@nyaaateam1985]

業務スーパーやイオンは全国にあるけど サミット、いなげや、マルエツ等は関東エリアしかないですね。 自分は大阪です。 万代、イズミヤ、アプロ、サンディによく行きます。

[@cinnarinaa]

When I lived in Osaka, I got most of my basics from super tamade as it was very cheap. I’m vegan, so I would have to go other shops like Aeon or Life to get vegan bread, ice cream, margarine, soy meat etc. I ordered heavy stuff online like big bags of rice since I couldn’t carry it home.

[@LIJ]

We like ordering some things online too!

[@spikecandy2460]

When I lived in Ebisu, I used to shop at National Azabu international market in Hiroo. Now I live in WA state and shop mostly at Costco.

[@acochra2]

I have fond memories of shopping there as a child while living in Japan 🥰

[@星-i1b]

OKってスーパー品質良くて安いですよ！

[@EllieCG1999]

What are some of the things that you or the children miss that you cannot buy in Japan? I know from old videos that there are certain foods and brands you or the grandparents bring back from America (or send it) but are there any other things you really miss in Japan?

[@LIJ]

Our kids didn't grow up in the States, so there's not a lot that they "miss" from there. They do seem to really like some of the cereal though :)

[@robinwild1]

How did you manage to get a Costco Canada bag!? It appears the prices of food there are much cheaper than Canada and the variety and selection better. Except for Costco of course. But then you have to buy an elephant’s portion. Too much when you are just feeding a couple of old geese, lol. (Canadian geese of course)

[@angelicasoup638]

お疲れ様です、ありがとうございます. Ice cream, Chips, Instant noodles,and Juices drink 卒業しました。　Sumit is my mom favorite store. And she think’s fun to runs more than 2 stores in a day.

[@joannereutter625]

You should have shown them how you get checked out and then have to package your own food. That's different from the states.

[@LIJ]

They are putting in self-checkouts everywhere around here now!

[@elteescat]

Here in Ohio, my favorite grocery store is a regional chain called Meijer. They started coming into the area in the late 80s to early 90s and they gave Kroger's a run for their money! I think the Kroger company was in shock at Meijer's lower prices! 😂 I love Meijer's mainly for their variety. I can get all the foods i love there.

[@LIJ]

Meijer is great. I worked at a Kroger's when I was growing up in Illinois!

[@elteescat]

@LIJ I worked at Kroger's when I was 20-21. Meijer's was opening up new stores in the area. We were scared that Kroger's would go out of business and leave us unemployed! 🤣🤣

[@phyorin7087]

Ma,ma chan has been mastered how to buy when she wants to buy cheapest and tasty and healthy foods. that`s her buying style is showing us almost completely Japanese Mamachan style. yes, it true I think. when I watching your buying scene at the supermarket, your acting to buying is like the Japanese. sorry you are American but , you are staying in Japan so long, your doing behavior is showing us the same feeling as other Japanese housewife. this scene makes me up very much and relax my feeling . thank you for doing up roading this new video Life in Japan san.

[@LIJ]

Thank you!

[@ゆなゆななゆなゆ]

サミットは私も好きです！coopも好きです。成城石井もおすすめです！

[@正三粟田]

楽しく見てます。毎週の楽しみありがとうm(_ _)m

[@千葉良樹]

一人もんでいい年こいてそんなに食えないから近くの まいばすけっととコンビニばっかになってしまった… たまには覚悟を決めて大きなスーパーでも行って見ようかな(笑) でも目移りばっかして食えもしねー余計なもんばっか買っちゃって反省するのが目に見えてるんだよな(笑)

[@Tiny_Seal]

Love your videos! Any chance you can talk a little about specialty shops? For instance, where can you find international foods like French produce or Mexican goods in Tokyo?

[@橋口勉-y3r]

やあ　さすが前向きなママちゃん　まさかの「鍋好き」宣言❣　いつの日にか　「鍋焼きうどん」をご馳走したい あのブラジルの美味しそうなやつが気になるナア　お菓子？ それにしても　ママちゃんが業務用スーパ－に行ったり　他の店舗を上手く利用しているとは素晴らしい　 最後に　そのブル－のセ－タ－とても似合っている　(⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡

[@くりん-b7n]

西の地方にしかないけど、ラ・ムーは激安スーパーですよ！😊関西に来たら是非お試し下さい❤

[@山田太郎-z3r4s]

OK Super is cheap and recommended.

[@kuranrido-18m]

もう立派な日本の主婦やな❤

[@nette9836]

The prices of fruit in Japan are obscene. In the states, not even imported fruits reach those prices...crazy!

[@LIJ]

We always have reverse culture shock going back to America. We buy TONS of fruit when in the States!

[@realwmm]

Naw. 500 yen is expensive for 3 bananas (Miuraya)? But maybe they come in a hinoki box wrapped in a furoshiki. I didn't buy any, so don't know. :-)

[@下山政美-v7u]

ルースあなたは昔のカレンカーペンターに似ています。🎶😊

[@シーマン-l3y]

関東ならOKストアが品ぞろえも豊富で安いですよ！

[@MarciaDove-u7m]

Hi! Japan, Is Really Cool!! Do Have Like The Usual Star Bucks & 7/11 And A MacDonald's???

[@SKARTINOV]

ご近所は人口が多い割にスーパーマーケットが少なく店の規模も小さいので、ママチャリでのお買い物は大変だと思います 2024年に「ヤオコー」という良質なスーパーマーケットができるので楽しみです。枡形1丁目の松屋の隣です

[@iiraingirlii]

Interesting !

[@Dugnehxakcdg260h]

This milk say that 成分調整牛乳.　that means Low Fat Milk. Is that Ok? I've bought this one before.But it's not bad.It's kind of healthy.

[@tomokikin]

ナショナルスーパーも良いですよ

[@gabierlle]

Do they have a target or a Publix grocery store? I know Costco is a world renowned I know they’re competitors at one point was Walmart and then something else it showed on the history channel here in America.

[@qpman2995]

食べるラー油買ったね。😚

[@1qazxcvbnmlp09oknxsw2]

地元発祥のBelcやYAOKO、ドラッグストアチェーンが普段遣いでタイムサービス必須です。コンビニは滅多に買いません。

[@razly194]

アメリカのスーパーは冷凍食品がたくさんあるらしいですが、日本に来て食べるものとか子供達に与えるものが変わったりしましたか？どっちの国のスーパーが好きですか？

[@LIJ]

素晴らしい見解だ。そうだね、食べ物の買い方や消費の仕方を変えるんだ。

[@Sharon-yr6th]

Where did you get your grocery bag with the Canadian symbols on it? I would love to have one! From a Grandmother in Ontario, Canada who has also lived in Pa and a son who is in Japan! ❤😊

[@Sharon-yr6th]

I have also been to Japan! ❤

[@LIJ]

It was a Costco bag! Ha ha :)

[@sansfausansfau4544]

I’m sorry i shoping in Spain😂❤

[@TF-cu9nh]

「LIFE」（お魚、惣菜）や「オオゼキ」（野菜、お魚）、「OK」も良いですよ🙆

[@パラレルワールド-q7t]

お店は違うけど、うちの妻と同じような事言って買い物してますね。😊 育った国は違うけど、考える事は万国共通だと思いました。

[@Mikaela_Westmt]

It's probably difficult for you to distinguish, but It's Samitto サミット rather than Samito サミート or サミト . Ask the kids😉 The blue sweater looks very flattering on Ruth.❣️

[@nowgaku]

We call it Gyousuu.

[@yoshikurakino]

スーパーマーケットも色んな個性ありますよね〜 私はイトーヨーカドー系列店が好きです。 以前はダイエーも好きでした。 業務スーパーもかなり個性的で良いですよね。 牛乳パックのデザートや、業務用サイズの韓国海苔や御飯のフリカケ類や冷凍食品が便利です。

[@LIJ]

それぞれのスーパーマーケットの個性がはっきりと表れていると思う。

[@takemaruchitaka0322]

奥様のイヤリング似合ってますよ😊

[@tatsuhikomiura7436]

コンテンツの業務スーパーは普通のスーパーのようですが、河口湖近くの業務スーパーは、正に業務でプロを意識した陳列です。

[@im99er85]

OK shop is much cheaper than expected

[@LIJ]

I like OK too, but we don't really live close to one.

[@dottieland7061]

Do you like kaldi? I love that place

[@peko7446]

I just came back from Japan and one of my friends requested that I bring her Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips for baking. I brought her 3 bags and she was so happy because she said she has a hard time looking for that brand in the stores. I looked it up online and it costs 2000¥ per bag.

[@takeru3214]

私は低脂肪乳が登場してから低脂肪乳を飲んでいます。更年期に入って尿酸値が上がり、下げるには低脂肪乳が良いとテレビで医師が推奨していたので続けています。

[@thoshiino]

私はAVEというスーパーに良く行きます。コストコみたいな感じですよ。

[@kk-mm5xf]

I’m living in Japan but I don’t have Jasons near my house. I want to go there and need to buy everything in the shop.

[@fadijany]

Rice noodles have no calorie ? Which ones : O

[@荒神-l9k]

コストコの発音って英語だとコスコなんだね。知らなかった