Credit Cards or Cash in Japan
#91
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Halows ( http://www.halows.com ) doesn't - and it's one of the largest chains around, along with Marunaka and less-so Co-op (the latter thankfully take cards).
Welcome to 西日本.
Welcome to 西日本.
Although this does remind me- I confused a cashier when I pulled out my Aeon card to try to get the discount they have on certain days of the month at an Aeon supermarket and it didn't work. Apparently certain supermarkets still don't support UnionPay.
#94
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 174
You don't have Aeon or any of the Aeon-owned chains around there?
Although this does remind me- I confused a cashier when I pulled out my Aeon card to try to get the discount they have on certain days of the month at an Aeon supermarket and it didn't work. Apparently certain supermarkets still don't support UnionPay.
Although this does remind me- I confused a cashier when I pulled out my Aeon card to try to get the discount they have on certain days of the month at an Aeon supermarket and it didn't work. Apparently certain supermarkets still don't support UnionPay.
Aeon acquired Marunaka and Sanyo Marunaka a couple of years ago so they're expanding in the western part of the country. Marunaka now accepts cards, but I find Halows to offer wider product choice.
#95
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 1,658
In Kansai there is also Kohyo which is a rather small Aeon - my local shotengai has one.
FWIW Tamade doesn't accept credit cards.
#96
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#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,565
As a homesick brit who has quite obscene cravings for Waitrose (and M&S) could you tell me if there is a Peacock near Tokyo station? I had a look on the website, but found my auto-translate of it somewhat confusing.
Even the ultra-cheapskate OK, which is so cheap that it charges for plastic bags, take CCs. OK is found inside but separate from Home's home center stores.
In central Tokyo you will find more upscale and over-priced markets like Kinokuniya, Meidi-ya and Seijo Ishii. The latter has great fish in Foodshow at Tokyu in Shibuya. Often they are part of the basement level (food department) of a department store. The upscale shopping centers Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills each have their own upscale supermarkets, Precce and LINCOS. Well, I assume so for the latter -- never entered.
For expat shopping but also excellent meat I recommend Nissin in Azabu-Juban.
Also in central Tokyo there is Peacock, e.g. Aoyama dori, Azabu-Juban, and Daikanyama. They have assorted items from Waitrose in the UK. More like a regular supermarket. Not a big fan.
The large chain Maruetsu (parent of LINCOS) has small markets called Maruetsu Petit all over central Tokyo. They are mediocre but much better than convenience stores.
In central Tokyo there is a store from the Life chain, which is found in Shibuya on Meiji dori a few hundred meters south of the station. I like this store. This is one of the few suburban type supermarkets in central Tokyo. Free parking too.
Another major chain but have to go to Setagaya and the more distant of the 23 wards and there is one around Hatsudai, is Summit. (Sammito). I don't like them.
Oh yeah, don't forget Hanamasa. It caters to small restaurants. But bulk size packaging is like regular US size packages. It is good for some things like vegetables and fruit, but beware of the Chinese gyoza and the Fukushima cucumbers.
Finally, Maruetsu Petit was originally called Pororoca. Maruetsu acquired the chain. What is a Pororoca you may wonder? It is an Amazonian tidal bore.... one hell of a name for a supermarket chain.
In central Tokyo you will find more upscale and over-priced markets like Kinokuniya, Meidi-ya and Seijo Ishii. The latter has great fish in Foodshow at Tokyu in Shibuya. Often they are part of the basement level (food department) of a department store. The upscale shopping centers Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills each have their own upscale supermarkets, Precce and LINCOS. Well, I assume so for the latter -- never entered.
For expat shopping but also excellent meat I recommend Nissin in Azabu-Juban.
Also in central Tokyo there is Peacock, e.g. Aoyama dori, Azabu-Juban, and Daikanyama. They have assorted items from Waitrose in the UK. More like a regular supermarket. Not a big fan.
The large chain Maruetsu (parent of LINCOS) has small markets called Maruetsu Petit all over central Tokyo. They are mediocre but much better than convenience stores.
In central Tokyo there is a store from the Life chain, which is found in Shibuya on Meiji dori a few hundred meters south of the station. I like this store. This is one of the few suburban type supermarkets in central Tokyo. Free parking too.
Another major chain but have to go to Setagaya and the more distant of the 23 wards and there is one around Hatsudai, is Summit. (Sammito). I don't like them.
Oh yeah, don't forget Hanamasa. It caters to small restaurants. But bulk size packaging is like regular US size packages. It is good for some things like vegetables and fruit, but beware of the Chinese gyoza and the Fukushima cucumbers.
Finally, Maruetsu Petit was originally called Pororoca. Maruetsu acquired the chain. What is a Pororoca you may wonder? It is an Amazonian tidal bore.... one hell of a name for a supermarket chain.
#98
#100
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 174
What creates stress? Asking merchants or carrying cash? If you worry about the latter, you shouldn't. It is really safe here by world's standards.
Even though plastic is accepted in a lot of places, you have to remember that Japan is more of a CASH society.
As for supermarkets accepting cards, gnaget gave you a good list of those that do.
Even though plastic is accepted in a lot of places, you have to remember that Japan is more of a CASH society.
As for supermarkets accepting cards, gnaget gave you a good list of those that do.
Last edited by MichaelJapan; Oct 10, 2014 at 11:33 pm
#101
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,017
Your best bets are Azabu-Juban or Aoyama dori. I think the latter is near Gaienmae station. It's an area that you should visit. Go to Omotesando. Check out the Prada building. Amazing architecture. The Meiji shrine is at the end of the street. Omotesando means the front approach road to the shrine.
Also Daikanyama is a pretty interesting place, especially if you are a fan of Tyler Brule. Could be combined with a trip to Shibuya.
Be warned that the Waitrose supplies can be spotty. The manager told me that they only get supplies every 6 months, but my comprehension of Japanese is lousy so I may have misunderstood. I haven't been to any since mid-2003; I don't like their products.
#102
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 608
As a homesick brit who has quite obscene cravings for Waitrose (and M&S) could you tell me if there is a Peacock near Tokyo station? I had a look on the website, but found my auto-translate of it somewhat confusing.
The Peacock that's easiest to get to seems to be the one near Akihabara (and Suehirocho) stations. 東京都千代田区外神田2-14-10
The Peacock that's easiest to get to seems to be the one near Akihabara (and Suehirocho) stations. 東京都千代田区外神田2-14-10
#103
Join Date: Mar 2007
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IIRC, there is a supermarket in the basement of the Marunouchi Building that has a lot of imported foodstuffs. I want to say it's a Seijo Ishii but it may have been a Meidi-ya.
#104
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Address B1 Gyre, 5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
I think that's the right address.
There is a flipping amazing bread shop down there too next door.
Sorry to be off topic. Incidentally, the darn bread store is CASH ONLY.
#105
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 608
They all take credit cards (although a surprising number of Tokyo supermarkets are cash-only, or take only obscure credit cards).