One of the things I like to do while in a new country is go to the supermarkets and just wander around (and not just because I have no money to buy anything – but that's also true).
Japan has everything you might expect it to have in it's markets: copious amounts of rice, tofu, green tea, and fish. However, there's plenty that you would never think to find in the Land of Rising Sun's markets.
The following is but a small selection of the things I found to be interesting in Japanese supermarkets (as well as things that are not commonly found at supermarkets (in general) in the United States).
And before you find yourself saying, “Pfft, I see/eat that stuff all the time in the US”, please remember that you are not me and probably do not survive on tortillas, cheese, and beer (aka our experience at US supermarkets have been quite different).
Leave a comment and let me know what you think! (Or what I should try next.)
Individually wrapped apples (two for ~$5 US).
Individually wrapped bell peppers.
Individually wrapped limes (and lemons).
Individually wrapped corn.
Individually wrapped celery stalks.
Individually wrapped carrots.
Individually wrapped banana bunches.
A cantaloupe that costs nearly $20 US.
A $10 US mango.
Giant daikons.
A premade sandwich with yakisoba and mayo.
An entire fish, seasoned and shrink wrapped.
Green tea Kit Kat.
Cheesecake Kit Kat.
A loaf of bread – with four slices.
ALL THE SOY SAUCE!
ALL THE TOFU!
ALL THE RAMEN!
ALL THE SEAWEED!
Chicken liver.
Chicken gizzards.
Cow liver.
Pig foot.
Pig tongue and cartilage.
Shrimp tempura.
Small dried fish.
Slightly larger dried fish.
More dried baby fish.
Sashimi.
Octopus.
Scallops.
Horned turbans.
SQUID!
FISH!
Yellowtail collar.
Unrefrigerated eggs.
An individually wrapped chizuhanbagu (basically salisbury steak with some cheese).
The green tea selection.
Giftbox of beer.
Giftbox of drinks.
Lots of non-alcoholic beer.
The smallest beer ever.
Alcohol in cartons.
The biggest whisky ever.
