7 best stores to buy imported groceries in Tokyo

This international supermarket in Hiroo is close to Tokyo’s embassy district, so it’s got good reason to stock an overwhelming selection of imported goods. You’ll come across rotisserie chicken and hot dogs in the ready-to-eat food section, familiar cereal brands, Southeast Asian sauces, cheese from around the world, and even Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 

Although prices can be on the steeper side, one of the best deals in the store is the fresh-pressed nut butters which are made-to-order and cost ¥500 and up depending on the type of nut. For those living further out, the grocery store also has another outlet in Chofu known as National Den-en. Plus, both shops will deliver groceries around their local areas.

Azabu-Juban’s Nissin World Delicatessen comprises two floors of imported goods with liquor located on the bottom floor and food on the upper floor. The alcohol selection is worth a browse as it carries imported beer and wine from around the globe, with a noteworthy collection of wines from California. 

Head upstairs for all your international food needs including a wide range of imported meat. You'll find rabbit, kangaroo, pheasant, and tons of sausages in store. If you’d rather stay home, Nissin World also does grocery deliveries within specific wards of Tokyo.

Seijo Ishii has a number of locations around Japan with plenty of stores right here in Tokyo. The upscale grocer carries a wide selection of imported wine, cheese and snacks and also offers ready-to-eat dishes from a range of international cuisines. Think thin crust Italian pizzas, Thai noodles, Korean kimbap rolls, and Taiwanese soup dumplings, just to name a few. The store also stocks spices, baking goods and health food staples such as manuka honey.

An expat lifesaver, Kinokuniya International carries items such as Marmite, muesli and tons of cheese. You’ll also find a good selection of regional breads such as rye, sourdough, English muffins, and pita bread, which can be hard to come by at other bakeries around Tokyo. The shop also has its own house brand that deals mainly in Japanese food, but the signature roast ham and apple pie are always winners.

It’s almost impossible to walk into a Kaldi store without leaving with something. Focused mainly on premium roasted coffee, the store also offers affordable imported goods and tons of snacks. There are Kaldi shops all over the city and each store is usually organised by international cuisine, so you’ll find dried pasta, sauces and olive oils bulked together, while Korean instant noodles, tteokbokki rice cakes, and gochujang will be in another section. 

Kaldi is also a great place to stock up on wine and it never hurts to browse the cheese and cold meat section – you’ll often find goodies like halloumi and salami at a fraction of what they cost at other supermarkets.

For affordable imported snacks and food, Jupiter Coffee is a great store to know. With stores located across Japan, you’ll often find them tucked into residential neighbourhoods and areas further outside the city centres. In store you'll find goodies like Nutella, maple syrup, hot sauces, dill pickles and much more. As the name suggests, the company started off as a coffee importer, so the stores are well stocked with roasted beans and a big selection of tea. Be sure to check out the wine section and to satisfy your sweet tooth, look for imported treats like Werther’s Originals, Haribo gummies, Walkers shortbread and more.

This list would not be complete without including Costco. The mega wholesale store has three stores in and around Tokyo, with locations in Kawasaki, Machida and Saitama. Although you do need a membership (annual fees from ¥3,850) to shop at Costco, it’s worth it if you’re looking to stock up on everyday essentials such as toilet paper, laundry detergent and large quantities of fruit and vegetables. 

Look out for Costco’s house brand, Kirkland Signature, which offers affordable international goods ranging from frozen foods, dried nuts, cleaning supplies and even vitamins. During the holiday season, Costco also stocks ready-made food such as pumpkin pie and offers rotisserie chickens year-round for under ¥1,000.