Shopping at Costco in Japan | Life in Japan Episode 135

While many international businesses do not do well in Japan, Costco has had tremendous success. And when it comes to our family of 6, Costco in Japan is a go-to place for buying international groceries in bulk and saving money too. See what makes the price of membership worthwhile for our family in this episode of Life in Japan.
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For lots of additional content in English, see our website www.ReutterFami...
Nate's Instagram: NateReutter
Ruth's Instagram: RuthReutter
Visit the Paz Church Channel: / pazchurch
Japanese Translation Team: Ryoji & Miruka

[@LIJ]

And for anyone curious, our total of ¥41,814 comes out to around $370 (depending on the fluctuating exchange rate). Thanks for watching!

[@danielcyr6489]

@Ron Willis you could get as much in a budget store same quality and as much for id say 100+ cheaper, i think cosco is over priced,

[@mayhanna1616]

did you know that your Costco membership can be used around the world. i got mine in Canada and can use it in Japan and anywhere else.

[@wanieta9271]

That’s great

[@robertoquezada4465]

Woooow thats cool :0

[@jimmyboyz126]

That's good to know, thank you

[@Poppy_lotto]

I got a membership in Canada and there is a Costco in France. I was wondering about that. Thanks!

[@lakwatserongkuripot7351]

wow!really?i didn't know that

[@davedavies6518]

Here is a tip when putting you kid in a cart. There are large flat sheets of cardboard that you will find between the layers of different produces. Find one and put it down first inside the cart. It will make it much more comfortable for you kid to sit on instead of the wire cart.

[@redgargoyle]

何が凄いかって、このお母さんがパワフルな事 毎度毎度のお買い物でしょうけど、お疲れ様です。

[@just_a_nother_Matt_on_YouTube]

The nice thing about Costco is their 100% satisfaction guarantee! If you buy it and don't like it, you can return the unused portions!! I work for Costco in Minnesota, and the guarantee is company wide!!

[@rakko-san]

お母様 外国での子育ては本当に大変だと思いますが いつも笑顔で素晴らしいです😌 私も頑張ろうと思います‼︎😭

[@maccat1026]

「お母さん」って凄いな❣世界中どこでも「母は強し✨」mother! Thank you an always!!😊💕

[@LIJ]

Mothers are the best!!

[@maccat1026]

@@LIJ さん その通りです！That's right😘👍

[@kentsuda237]

Hi Reutter family, I just want to say Thank you . I understand the obstacles you need to overcome as a big family in Japan( I was born Japan, living in Canada now), and every single one of you doing your best to adapt from language to lifestyle has been really encouraging. I climbed Mt.Tsukuba back when I was in grade school like twice !! Thanks again for uploading !!

[@LIJ]

Thanks for sharing!! I would like to climb Mt Tsukuba sometime (we took the ropeway, which is really nice too)

[@rizaandroy4ever]

I LOVE a Costco haul video, from anywhere around the world, I love seeing local products and of course the usual reliable products, I’m from Mexico and I go to Costco at least every two weeks. Your Christmas aisles were definitely better stocked than the ones over at my store :(, and those Japan sushis must be of amazing quality! It’s great that you can get american products at a good price with such a family, hope to see more videos ☺️

[@LIJ]

Interesting! How does Costco in Mexico compare?

[@Bezanie]

Shopping is always fun until you arrive home and realize you have to unload and organize EVERYTHING!!!

[@LIJ]

And have to take it all upstairs! Ha ha! So true.

[@janejones5362]

Too true 😅

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Costco is the American experience in Japan. In America, everything is BIG! It's difficult to experience this scale in Japan (not saying either is good or bad).

[@LIJ]

It's true - so it works well for our family :)

[@janejones5362]

Ruth does what I do with juice. I cut it with water about half and half. Makes it last longer, saves money, and less sugar.

[@mstraction]

I live in Illinois and if you buy anything at costco and you don't like it you can return it after tasting it. No questions asked. The only exception is electronics there you have a 90 day time limit. You don't even need the receipt just your membership card. The computer looks it up and your credit card gets credited. I returned things over a year after purchasing...no problem. I think if you abuse this they can give you a warning. I return stuff all the time and never had a problem.

[@Ouiu350]

日本に住んでいても母国アメリカの文化習慣を忘れることなく大事されていていいですね。

[@海原宗太郎]

自分のように一人暮らしだとあまり行く機会が無いですが、家族６人だと保存期間が長いものを大量に買っておけば節約できて、日ごろの買い物も必要最低限で済みそうですね。

[@wingdream6408]

アメリカ人目線でもコストコは量が多いという事が分かってなんとなく安心した（笑）

[@dernduto3705]

コストコは10年くらい前に1番行ってました、当時は今の量が減らされてる時より多く安くお得感で大量買いしてました(笑) ここ数年コストコに行ってないので動画を拝見してたら、またコストコにとても行きたくなりました😄

[@こりさ-e2b]

初めてコメントします。コストコは色んなものがあるので、おすすめな商品を知れて嬉しかったです☺️✨

[@LIJ]

コメントありがとうございます。

[@花々-z2k]

コストコにはまだ行ったことがないのでかなり参考になりました。 動画をアップして頂いて有り難うございます😌

[@MaryanasLife]

Costco actually has a really good return policy so if you don't like it, you can return it no problem.

[@sarahc9994]

that's what i was thinking. I haven't had any issues. i took back a vacuum after I tried it and they didn't ask me anything. :)

[@jaredf6205]

But then the food goes to waste.

[@clairewright8153]

@@jaredf6205 but if you don’t like it you’re only going to throw it out

[@808ERIC808ERIC]

fascinating how we are interested in someone's daily life, just because it's in another country. Make no exception, I'm one of them 🤣🤣

[@AlphineWolf]

It's best to buy the creamed 2kg size honey from Costco as the liquid version is pasteurized. The creamed version isn't and is much healthier.

[@lexx5313]

Wow, combo pizza, burgers & chowder!! That's menu looks back to pre-covid, very jealous of that food court selection!

[@WhitakersWay]

I'm a vlogger in oKINAWA And we get one in 2023 I can not wait to get a costco here! I spend so much money on groceries!

[@todoroki4374]

It's commonplace in the United States, but in Japan it's not good to have a child in a cart. We recommend using the special chair that comes with the cart.

[@tsps621]

Lindt chocolate is my favorite too. Thanks for the tour. It’s interesting to see how similar/different the stores are.

[@LIJ]

It would be interesting to do a comparison between Costcos worldwide!

[@JYYB]

I adore Costco because we can stock up on dry goods and cans etc for emergencies. We don’t go much we go like 3 times a year but when we go it’s like $200-$300 so not bad.

[@ivanb1948]

The green tea from costco is amazing, nothing compared to the one from other shops

[@emerson4ever]

We love Costco also , especially in the Christmas season it is like go back to Brazil (a little)

[@MurphyColeman]

There aren't any Costco warehouses or Ikea stores in Shikoku Island, where I live. I envy those who have easy access to their outlets. I might buy anything in sight on impulse if I could be there! I've decided to visit their websites and enjoy "online" window-shopping!!😆

[@LIJ]

Hopefully that will work - at least you can enjoy some of the benefits!

[@abigailpmm1182]

There are now thirty Costco locations in Japan. In August they will open up one more in Mibu Japan.

[@michellesunshinestar]

I have a really small kitchen too, so I know what you mean. Small apartment fridge/freezer and little cabinet space.

[@DodgerBlue189]

If that was Kewpie brand deep roasted sesame dressing, your friends in the US can buy it on Amazon US. I love sesame dressing and buy it there all the time.

[@cynthiajohnson6747]

I love how Costco is the same everywhere in the world. We ate our Costco pizza in the car too

[@masumitsuda3667]

コストコの買い物は毎回ワクワク楽しいですよね。 今回も動画楽しく拝見しましたが、一点気になるところがありました。 子供さんを靴のままカートに乗せるのは衛生的によくないと思います。 もし自分が、次にそのカートを使いなさいと言われたら断ります。 カートに生鮮食品を入れることを考えていただけたらと思います。 気分を害されたらごめんなさい。

[@LIJ]

また、他の人も同じことを言っていました。 私たちが考えていなかったのは残念です。

[@sfdave65]

Just found this vlog. ...... wow, I love all the foreign Costco's. Definitely going to watch more of you guys....TY

[@LIJ]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@yukiozawa5679]

I'm so jealous to Japanese people who lives in Japan, they are able to get plenty of Japanese food even fresh Sashimi with reasonable price at Costco, in US we can get only 2qt Soy-sauce haha

[@LIJ]

Ironically they don't sell the soy sauce here like that!

[@cynthiajohnson6747]

The Costco in Hawaii carries quite a few Japanese brands. My son loves Eto En green tea

[@noahhall8950]

it’s so crazy as an american to see what’s stocked up more in japan vs in america, the space with the mac n cheese would have so many more boxes for people to buy in america than they did in the video!

[@LIJ]

It is interesting to see the difference. Cereal is the same way!

[@cherrymuffin1]

I think the costco down here in Kyoto is so much more tiny, it's always so packed.

[@Double.J]

Nice to see that Costco still looks pretty much the same in Japan as it does here in the states.

[@aquarius00700]

I always go to Costco Japan once a year, every December, to buy chocolates so I can send them to the Philippines.

[@gq2789]

大家族だと日用品購入も大量で大変ですね。お疲れさまでした。

[@106460]

3:55 but pre-rinsed rice tastes AWWWWFULLLL! I tried buying a bag once and immediately regretted it after eatiing and have never gone back. I know it's a hassle to rinse the rice, but I swear it's well worth the extra effort.

[@lauramoore8823]

We also live over an hour to Costco, but we're in the mountains of Montana! 😂 We lived in India for a while and I would've absolutely cried if there had been a Costco!!

[@passdapo]

Would love to see a what we eat in a day type video! 😁

[@masterkinglee]

Awesome video! Japan seems like a really cool place to rise a family!

[@hawaiigirl3415]

We just went to Costco the other day. I usually buy toilet paper and paper towels from there. This time I also bought meats and bread. My fourth grade son wanted that gigantic bear and I got one for him. It took up a whole seat in the car!

[@LIJ]

Ha ha! Joshua wanted one too, but we didn't have any room at home for it. It sure looks fun though!

[@hawaiigirl3415]

We love it! It’s like e a huge teddy bear floor chair and much more comfy than a bean bag! I’m actually glad we hauled it all the way back from Hiroshima Costco!

[@pucalito]

I’ve been shopping at Costco almost my whole life. In the US, you can feel comfortable buying whatever you want that you haven’t ever tried bc they pretty much take anything back. It’s a huge reason why I keep my membership. Remember that they are very selective about what they sell in their stores and there is a whole process weighing quality of a product versus profitability in deciding whether to use previous store space to hold a product. I wonder if the return policy is different in Japan?

[@LIJ]

It's a generous return policy in Japan as well, but we live almost an hour away, so it doesnt make it convenient to return things.

[@luisarashirovideo]

You are the guys from Takashii's video about families, nice.

[@kazu38225]

いつも金曜日楽しみにしてます❗️ これから日本の冬、温泉最高ですよ♨️ 動画観てみたい😌

[@natalia001]

Guys, all dirt from the street you have on your table. The shoes in the trolly.

[@legothepegleg6571]

Wherever there's a Costco you're always at home!!

[@LIJ]

Love it! Yes- it's true :)

[@katsumimaruyama2002]

Most of Costco's products are big size, so it's good for big family homes. It's also nice for the Reutter-family to have a lot of American food that isn't sold at other supermarkets. Wasn't the car on the way home full of Costco food?

[@LilyMcAllister]

very cool, thank you for posting

[@fetabrown]

Good call on ‘Godiva’ or ‘Lindt’. Especially for milk choc! Thanks for taking us with you - Costco is almost the same in California, England or even Japan it seems.

[@LIJ]

Thanks for watching!

[@calvinsperberg3714]

Just remember you can always return anything at Costco no questions asked, even food and even your membership up to day 364 and get a full refund, and no need to keep original packing or recipts either. Only things with screens have a 90 day return policy. All Costco's around the world should follow this return policy. I work for Costco ^^

[@LIJ]

We had to ask for a refund with one of the turkey's because it was bad, but they gave me a full refund and I got a second - so it does function that way here! Just curious, where about do you live?

[@calvinsperberg3714]

@@LIJ I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin I've been to Japan 6 times and have been to the Sapporo (Kitahiroshima) location many times. Costco Japan is great, I work for Costco and I'm jealous

[@RonLarhz]

@@LIJ How do you return food?!!! Show up with half eaten ones?

[@thanhdao1045]

@@RonLarhz yes you can but don’t abuse the systems I saw someone return a coffee machine 3 years old and Costco still return their $ is unbelievable how can they do that ,and who have to pay for that 3 years old dirty coffee machine ?

[@saltifish]

@@thanhdao1045 thx for the tip

[@ACEsParkJunheeWreckedMeHard]

Not 100% like that but we have a similiar store in Germany. I would say half of the people going there is people from restaurants and the rest is families. My family went there all the time and it was a struggle cause as a kid I allways asked my mom if she could buy me some toys xDD My mom mainly went to such a store cause they sold 3-5kg packs of vegetables for more than half the price of what a standart supermarktes wants from you to pay and my mom's fave chocolate (wich came in giant 200g bars) was also way cheaper there than in a supermarket xD My mom and I went to that kind of store maybe twice a year

[@rowelle]

I’m so jealous of the sushi at Costco! Wish they had them here in the states.

[@soryadventures]

my local Costco in California sells sushi!

[@rowelle]

@@soryadventures You shut your mouth! I'm SOOOOO jealous!

[@Maplecook]

@@soryadventures Up here in Canada, they sell sushi, but it suuuuuuucks compared to the Japanese Costco's sushi. I just got back from Japan, and there's no comparison. haha

[@soryadventures]

@@Maplecook Good for you!

[@めんぼう-z7d]

コストコで外国人を見かけると、自分が海外にいるように感じがして楽しいです。

[@MyZaneyLife]

Just found your channel. Subscribed because you are not ashamed to openly speak about Christ and His love for us. Thank you.

[@LIJ]

Thank you!

[@madcowduette]

When you have a family costco is a must its much cheaper buying in bulk compared to constantly going to grocery stores

[@LIJ]

That's correct!

[@atheaD121]

I love your videos esp. this one! Got me interested to visit Costco near us however I didn’t find any parmesan cheese and choco chips there. I would like to know the location of this Costco you went to because I want to visit it too😇 More videos pls. Thanks!

[@LIJ]

This one is in Machida. But items at Costco in Japan are hit and miss. Sometimes some stores have an item and others don't.

[@caseums123]

The ingredient Cellulose powder, Non caking agent, found in Regular Parmesan shakers is made out of Literal wood chips Interesting.

[@高橋由美子-d4j]

ママさん！ガンバレ✊パパさん！ガンバレ✊子供達の胃袋を幸せにするため✊頑張ろう！

[@user-kl3fh7mu3n]

コストコのティラミスがマジでうまい　けど遠いから中々行けない🥲

[@cheezarose]

"I'm not for Belgium's finest" proceed to name Godiva which is from Belgium 😆 Also,as a Belgian person this kinda hurt a little 🤣 In Europe, Christmas was initially the attempt at christianisation by the Catholic and Orthodox Church of the various pagean winter celebrations. Especially,the pagean holiday of Yule that the Vikings use to celebrate. That's why celebrating Christmas use to initially be banned in some places because despite the Church's efforts people still would celebrate like Yule. Thus the Yule ball in Harry Potter,for example.

[@LIJ]

Ha ha- she's just not for the selection "Belgium's Finest" but does love Godiva and Lindt!

[@cheezarose]

@@LIJ I see 😆 I think by the looks of it those are plain chocolate bars from Galler. I can understand why if you are not use to it,you would not like it,it's not that sweet and more dark compared to American candy bars. Lindt is actually from Switzerland,their country specialises in more sweet creamy milk chocolate. We have a rivalry with Switzerland but to be honest Lindt is so bloody delicious.

[@ruthreutter8355]

I didn’t mean to offend! 😊 Joshua and I love the Godiva dark chocolate. It’s one of our favorite! I didn’t know it was Belgium, so obviously I love Belgium chocolate!! 😋

[@cheezarose]

@@ruthreutter8355 No,offense. I was just joking 😊

[@cynthiajohnson6747]

To be fair Belgian’s finest” is a brand.

[@KaryzzaMalesido]

THATS WHY first thing you do when you sign up the membership is to BUY NEW FRIDGE AND FREEZER 😂

[@John-vh3ig]

All of the products in Costco and tested and approved for bigger profit, so the products are good in quality and taste etc. It's all about $$$$$$ that customer will buy.

[@まいたくこう]

今回はアナ、ベッカ、サラの女の子たちはお留守番だったのかな？ ウチの町にもコストコほしいけどアメリカサイズの冷蔵庫が必要‼️笑

[@K瑞恵]

奥さんのお気に入りが、私と一緒でした〜😊✨

[@deborahleeedwards5510]

That video was very interesting, that was my first time watching you guys. The only thing I would like you to include is more pricing, I find pricing from different countries compared to where I am (U.S.A.) extremely interesting, I used to drive my daughter in law crazy when I would constantly ask her how much is “this” back in your country (India) when we would be shopping. I kept having to pause your video and ask Siri how much ‘in USD is this amount of Yen’ but anyway, very interesting video. Thank You.

[@niko6996]

日本人もコストコ大好きです よね(^^) 私はクリスマスが近いこの季節 がとても好きです。 子供のころからクリスマスは 特別なイベントでした。

[@Alice-ts3wy]

日本のコストコの店内撮影禁止だったと思ってました。大丈夫なんですね。

[@Mo-oz5kb]

多分ダメですよね🥲🥲🥲🥲許可どりしていないだけかな？と思います

[@井上修-h8w]

ママさんご苦労様。大活躍‼️

[@basil8760]

I’ve been to Costco Japan (near U.S. Army Sagami Depot) n among other things, my absolute fav was Japanese Sesame salad dressing🥰

[@LIJ]

It is good!

[@angelapattillo6299]

We have a Japanese restaurant where I live it’s called Mikata so so god but they have a ginger salad dressing the best salad dressing ever

[@nishidanishio7413]

Itsumo ikimasu costcao Tokoname airport Nagoya 🇯🇵I love Costco 🙏🏿Basho Nishio 🇯🇵 I am from Brazil 🇧🇷 São Paulo Like 👍 registered🙏🏿Nishio 🇯🇵

[@gulatatkaba6082]

keep em comin! i recently discovered ur channel and im lovin it so faaar! im interested in the difference between american and japanese in relation to a large family's diet

[@yulichanXD]

Love this channel

[@flwrgrl13]

This costco is pretty unique to me. Never seen one in japan til now😉

[@CarstenBauer]

If you buy something and don't like it, Costco (In Australia at least) will refund you when you return the unused product. Did it with some dry cat food that my cats didnt like.

[@LIJ]

They do that here as well!

[@Ouiu350]

僕はアメリカ産の牛ステーキ肉が1番好きです。臭みもなく、コスパ良し、意外と柔らかい。

[@beckyjones6956]

We lived in Yokosuka Japan from 1982to 1986. I would have loved a Costco!

[@LIJ]

It is a game changer!

[@selita90]

I'm pretty sure that's not Italian Parmigiano lol, most of all cause they named it Parmesan, love this store btw

[@constitutionalrepublic1966]

I have Sam’s Club instead of Costco, and it’s my favorite place to be. I’ve wanted to visit some of these countries to live in, but not without my Sam’s or Costco membership.

[@ikwuamaesi]

That isn't too bad, I guess it's what you buy. Two third of that size is like $300 for my family of 3

[@kkkmmm8129]

日本でずっと暮らしているとやっぱり信じられないサイズの商品ばっかりです笑

[@liamronin821]

Wow, it's nice to see there's Costco in japan. So many choices. Over here in the Philippines there's no Costco but there's S&R. They only have in the big city. Not sure if they are related. They sell same products as Costco.

[@LIJ]

Interesting - not sure if they're the same thing or not.

[@suwertehappylife2267]

In S&R, I noticed the Items from US, price was double including freezer items. I shop all items not in US and bring them home here in Virginia… like, Bihon, Perla’s laundry soap, anything with salted eggs, etc.

[@BlowitAllUp]

Maple syrup is healthier than agave. Less glycemic index or whatever. Make sure it’s 100% though.

[@here4real16]

Costco in Canada you can return anything you try and don’t like. I’ve even returned grapes for being too sour.

[@meetchh4049]

Lucky for you guys they still serve the combo pizza, which they discontinued in the US, "due to CV." 🙁

[@LIJ]

Ruth's favorite!

[@tubetop123]

This is so cool

[@adrianadugrenier]

Hi , I enjoyed your video very much, could you please show us, how the houses look like inside, I am very curious. Thank you so much, and God bless you all !

[@kirapink7698]

Turkeyの調理方法、KZbinでupしてもらえたらうれしいです😊

[@Byzant1453]

There's app about costco , you know in apps about phone or PC bring everything you buy in you home?

[@andrewmarr2852]

Being from Quebec, it's interesting to see how many items have french on them. I did not expect that. Very cool video.

[@LIJ]

A number of our items come from Costco Canada, so it has English/French on it with Japanese labels often pasted on top!

[@andrewmarr2852]

​@@LIJ oh that's very interesting. Thanks for replying!

[@nikkir5527]

I find it funny seeing California rice 🌾 I mean what’s so special about rice from my state 🤷🏻‍♀️ I wonder

[@LIJ]

I heard just today that it's a great alternative to Japanese rice! I didn't know that either :)

[@UniqueDestinations]

Thanks for the tour! I'm very interested to shop there. Too bad they don't have an online store with a delivery option 😅

[@Tiplso]

楽しい動画をいつもありがとう！！

[@kirameki7331]

You know what's my favorite scene? 11:14 😊

[@LIJ]

Yes!

[@jeannewalling4593]

If you put the johnnys garlic spread mixed with butter for your grill cheese sandwich. Really good!

[@LIJ]

Oh wow, that does sound dangerously good!