Shopping at a Japanese supermarket is an adventure — colorful packaging, pristine produce, and beautifully arranged displays. But without kanji knowledge, it can also be overwhelming. This guide breaks down every section so you can shop with confidence, identify allergens safely, and understand exactly what you're buying.
Meat Section (精肉コーナー)
The meat section is typically one of the largest areas. Japanese labeling is detailed and consistent across all supermarkets.
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 牛肉 | ぎゅうにく | Beef |
| 豚肉 | ぶたにく | Pork |
| 鶏肉 | とりにく | Chicken |
| 国産 | こくさん | Domestic (Japanese) |
| 輸入 | ゆにゅう | Imported |
| 和牛 | わぎゅう | Japanese wagyu beef |
| 挽肉 | ひきにく | Ground/minced meat |
| 薄切り | うすぎり | Thinly sliced |
| 厚切り | あつぎり | Thickly sliced |
| もも | もも | Thigh/leg |
| ばら | ばら | Belly |
Fish Section (鮮魚コーナー)
Japan's fish sections are extensive. Two critical kanji tell you whether fish is ready to eat raw or needs cooking.
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 鮮魚 | せんぎょ | Fresh fish |
| 刺身用 | さしみよう | For sashimi (eat raw) |
| 加熱用 | かねつよう | Must be cooked |
| 生食用 | なましょくよう | For raw consumption |
| 養殖 | ようしょく | Farm-raised |
| 天然 | てんねん | Wild-caught |
| 解凍 | かいとう | Thawed (previously frozen) |
Vegetables & Produce (野菜・青果)
The vegetable section features organic and quality labels that are useful to understand.
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 野菜 | やさい | Vegetables |
| 果物 | くだもの | Fruits |
| 有機 | ゆうき | Organic |
| 無農薬 | むのうやく | Pesticide-free |
| 減農薬 | げんのうやく | Reduced pesticides |
| 朝採り | あさどり | Harvested this morning |
| 地元産 | じもとさん | Locally produced |
Allergen Labels (アレルギー表示)
Japan mandates labeling for 8 specific allergens. If you have food allergies, these kanji could save your life.
| Kanji / Word | Reading | Allergen |
|---|---|---|
| 小麦 | こむぎ | Wheat |
| 卵 | たまご | Egg |
| 乳 | にゅう | Dairy/Milk |
| 大豆 | だいず | Soy |
| えび | えび | Shrimp |
| かに | かに | Crab |
| 落花生 | らっかせい | Peanut |
| そば | そば | Buckwheat |
Nutritional Labels (栄養成分表示)
Every packaged food in Japan includes a nutritional panel. Here are the key terms.
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| カロリー | カロリー | Calories |
| 熱量 | ねつりょう | Energy (kcal) |
| 糖質 | とうしつ | Sugar/carbs |
| 脂質 | ししつ | Fat |
| たんぱく質 | たんぱくしつ | Protein |
| 食塩相当量 | しょくえんそうとうりょう | Salt equivalent |
| 食物繊維 | しょくもつせんい | Dietary fiber |
Date Labels (日付表示)
Understanding date labels prevents food waste and ensures safety. Japan uses two distinct label types.
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 賞味期限 | しょうみきげん | Best before (quality date) |
| 消費期限 | しょうひきげん | Use by (safety date) |
| 製造日 | せいぞうび | Manufacturing date |
Checkout & Bags (レジ・袋)
At checkout, a few key words help you navigate the process smoothly.
| Kanji / Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| レジ | レジ | Cash register / checkout |
| 袋 | ふくろ | Bag |
| レジ袋 | レジぶくろ | Plastic shopping bag |
| ポイントカード | ポイントカード | Point card |
| 割引 | わりびき | Discount |
| 半額 | はんがく | Half price |
| 税込 | ぜいこみ | Tax included |
| 税抜 | ぜいぬき | Before tax |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Japan mandates labeling for 8 major allergens. Look for 小麦 (wheat), 卵 (egg), 乳 (dairy), 大豆 (soy), えび (shrimp), かに (crab), 落花生 (peanut), and そば (buckwheat). These are listed in the 原材料名 (ingredients) section, often highlighted in bold or parentheses.
賞味期限 (しょうみきげん) is the "best before" date — food is still safe after this date but quality may decline. 消費期限 (しょうひきげん) is the "use by" date — food should not be eaten after this date. Fresh items like bento and sandwiches use 消費期限.
Look for 国産 (こくさん) meaning domestically produced, or 輸入 (ゆにゅう) meaning imported. Specific origins are shown as 〇〇産, like 北海道産 (Hokkaido) or アメリカ産 (USA). Domestic products usually carry a premium price.
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