Where to go for zero-waste grocery shopping in Tokyo

Sano Miso has been a trusted purveyor of Japan’s favourite umami ingredient since 1934. It stocks around 45 kinds of miso, ranging from light to dark, sweet to salty. At the store, each barrel of the fermented soybean paste is even labelled with recommended uses: some are perfect for soups while others work better in pasta or fried rice. Can’t tell them apart? There are certified miso sommeliers on hand to help you decide. You can purchase as little as 100g or go full pantry prepper and get a whopping 1kg, which should last you several weeks.

Wondering what to make with miso? We have some cooking ideas for you here.

No Japanese meal is complete without a dash of soy sauce, and Matsuya specialises in this ubiquitous Japanese condiment. The Ginza store offers the full range of sauce options from salty to sweet, including styles you’ve probably never tasted before. The staff will help you pick out a soy sauce based on your preference, and you can even try before you buy. There are over 80 varieties, packaged in small 100ml bottles – but you can always bring your own container and purchase by the millilitre.

Gourmet grocery chain Akomeya specialises in the Japanese staple food – rice. At the Ginza, Kagurazaka and Shinjuku outlets, you can shop for 18 different speciality rice varieties from across Japan. Once you’ve decided on how much rice  you want, the staff will polish the grains and wrap them up neatly in a paper bag for you. The shop is also stocked with an extensive selection of condiments, pre-made food and kitchen necessities, so ask the staff for some recommendations to turn your rice into a hearty meal.

Nue by Totoya is a zero waste grocer in Kokubunji selling a variety of nuts, tea, beans, chocolate, olive oil, flour and honey by weight, as well as shampoo cutlery and lifestyle goods. The owner is passionate about reducing plastic waste, so you won’t find any such packaging here. Bring your own containers or purchase the shop’s organic cotton bags, which cost between ¥200 and ¥500 depending on size.

Night Owl is one of the few liquor stores in Tokyo where you can purchase alcohol by volume. Take home an ever-changing range of local and international craft beers, wine, cider and kombucha in reusable growler containers. Bring your own or purchase one at the store: sizes range from 250ml to 2L. Plus, you can always sample a few brews before making a purchase. Check the website to see which drinks are on tap today.

Not only does Oil and Vinegar serve delicious Italian cuisine, it’s also stocked with some of the best quality olive oil and vinegars for purchase by the millilitre. You’ll see a lineup of at least two dozen unusual olive oils like lemon and white truffle, as well as ten kinds of vinegars – including strawberry and fig – in glass jars. Purchase bottles at the store and have them refilled with the oil and vinegar of your choice. You can even mix and match your favourite flavours to create your own dressings.

Tokyo’s largest Muji store in Ariake has installed an entire section dedicated to pantry staples you can purchase by weight. The shelves are stocked with over 50 types of dry goods including coffee beans, nuts, pasta and chocolate. Just pick your choice of container (paper bag or jar) and once you’ve filled it up with the item you want, place it on the scale and enter the product number to print out a label with the price. You can also purchase laundry detergent for ¥70 per 100ml, and even scarves for ¥290 per 10cm.

Support local farmers by purchasing your fruit and veggies at Hacari, which means ‘weighing’ in Japanese. Here you can purchase fresh produce by weight, which means you won’t have to worry about food waste when stocking up your fridge. There are also meals like potato salad and cucumber salad sold by weight, plus you’ll receive a 10% discount if you bring your own container. Don’t forget to bring your own grocery bag, too.