Job Discussion Forums

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Hi guys.

This may warrant a degree of "I told you so" and "what did you expect?" snarkiness, but, I am struggling with the food out here. In supermarkets I find it difficult to know what I'm buying due to the high level of kanji or hiragana, and even if I did know, I'm not really very big on Japanese food.

So my question is, does anyone know where I could find convenience stores, grocery shops or supermarkets where I could find Western food more easily? I'm asking this question specifically in relation to Tokyo. At the moment I'm eating very little, both due to jelag, stress, disorientation as well as a lack of desire for the food on offer.

I need to be able to take care of myself more effectively and I can't do that at the moment, so at least for now, I'd like to find some more familiar food. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

I'd appreciate an answer to this question, too. If I'm offered a job in Japan, this will be a problem I may encounter at some point.

mimimimi · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 53

Hello! Have you tried Costco? If you have a Costco membership from back home, you can use it in Japan. If you don't, the membership fee is 4200 yen for one year and a "family member" living at the same address can get one for free. Here's the link for the Tokyo Costco:

http://www.costco.co.jp/eng/whs_860.htm

I go every couple of months and load up. I've found that about 60% of items are imported (American, European, etc) while 40% are local. Most things are in English (signs, ingredient listings, cooking directions.)

Good luck!

kevin.sev7n · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

I had no idea they had Costco there. That's awesome!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

What kind of food do you eat when you are in your own country?

You can get plenty of meat and fresh vegetables in Japan (and other food such as eggs, rice, noodles, pasta etc etc) and cook whatever you like with it.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

An addendum to the Leo Palace internet thing - DON'T LOSE THE PAPER WITH YOUR INTERNET LOGIN. Put that thing in a place you'll remember and LEAVE IT THERE. Else email it to yourself or something. I don't know how many times I lost that stupid thing, because I never needed it until my wireless crapped out while I was at work once every couple months.

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Guys, all great answers but I'm in a rush so right now I'll just ask my burning question - Shiori and Bread, please expand upon your LeoPalace internet statements.

I will indeed be in a LeoPalace place and have no idea how the internet works there - is it automatically installed or do I need to set something up? How much would I be paying a month?

And Shiori, I'm not sure where my orientation is taking place - Shane have not been very clear. I know it's at the Higashi Tokyo head office, here's the address:

Higashi Tokyo District & SLS
Dai 2 Yoshida-Bldg 4F
5-1-2 Higashi Kasai
Edogawa-ku
Tokyo

I would be SO grateful if someone could tell me the nearest train station to this address - you would be helping me a great, great deal.

As yet I haven't got my Japanese phone from Shane either - I really hope I get given it on Monday when I move into my apartment. Agh. Day at a time I suppose.

I'll reply too all the posts about food later, but again, thanks to everyone.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

Are you staying in a hotel before you move in to your apartment?

Is there a "family restaurant" nearby? Denny's? Gusto? They often have semi-healthy Western food on the menu. And you can get the "drink bar" and load up on liquids. I would also recommend getting yogurt, fruit such as apples and strawberries, some All-Bran cereal, prepared food like salads, boiled spinach and pumpkin (most supermarkets have these in small containers), and a prepared grilled fish dish. Be careful about the junk food in convenient stores. Wander SLOWLY through a supermarket and see what's there.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

One more thing that I'd like to point out after reading this thread: I think you're not aware of it, but higashi means "east". So "Higashi Tokyo" is not very informative as to location.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Bread, pasta etc. don't appeal? Yoghurt and jam should be easily recognisable, and fruit and vegetables are of course available, although a bit expensive. What kind of western food exactly are you hoping for? I can't think of much I would eat at home that I couldn't easily identify just from the packaging here.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Unless you are willing to taste-test your pasta for doneness, learn to read the simple kanji for minutes, so you can tell how long to cook it. It seems that nearly every bag of pasta is different even if it has the same shape as one next to it on the shelf.

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This is the kanji for minutes (assuming your browser lets you read it; adjust the character code under View, if not).