If you’ve just moved to Tokyo, or you’re looking to stay for a while, it pays to become acquainted with some of the city’s ‘essential’ stores. If you’re hunting for something specific, but don’t know the right place to go, you can chew up a lot of time trawling the streets for something familiar or getting lost inside mega-departments stores. Doing a little homework is essential, so consider this your cheat sheet. 

Matsumoto Kiyoshi 

Speciality: Basic medical supplies, health, personal hygiene, cosmetics, snacks

The biggest of all of Tokyo’s drugstores, the Matsumoto Kiyoshi chain is hard to miss in its bright yellow, red, and blue glory. The store stocks everything from high-end Shiseido cosmetics, to ultra-cheap bathroom products as well as some more typically snacky food items. Because the stock here is so plentiful, most outlets are around two to three levels high, so if you’re on the hunt for something ultra-specific, be ready to work a little harder than usual to find it. If you’re looking for a few bargains finds, the chain has its own brand called MK, which sells your typical essentials like toothbrushes at low prices.   

Hanamasa

Speciality: Cheap bulk food, frozen food

Although throwing a house party in Tokyo is a bit of a rarity, if you were to do it, your first port of call would be Hanamasa, the budget supermarket that stocks all your grocery basics in bulk. Typically frequented by the city’s chefs, this supermarket chain sits in the strange middle ground between actually grocery store and wholesale outlet. It may not be the most beautiful of stores, by it gets the job done, and the professional chefs seem to love it. Plus the only thing more impressive than the discount prices is the sheer variety of items on offer!

Seijo Ishii 

Speciality: Fancier groceries, foreign food, cheeses, wine, bento boxes

Seijo Ishii is the first stop for Tokyo locals looking to impress dinner guests. This supermarket chain has a reputation for stocking snacks, groceries, bakery goods, and other supermarket basics that tend to lean towards the more ‘high-end’ side of the spectrum. If you’re missing your European luxuries like fine cheeses, imported wines, and antipasto essentials you’ll find it here on the international shelves of Seijo Ishii. As well as packaged goods, the supermarket has some of the diverse,ready-made bento lunch boxes available. But do be warned, it’s not ideal for those on a budget, because high class comes at a high price.  

Kaldi

 Speciality:  A taste of back home, international condiments, chocolate, coffee, 

Known more formally as Kaldi Coffee Farm, as the name suggests this chain’s bread and butter is coffee. You can buy internationally imported the beans in bulk and get them ground on-site, but that’s not all they do. Beyond coffee, Kaldi has a lot to offer, but to classify what type of store is difficult. Many of the stores sell what you may call “non-essential” international basics, like sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cheese, teas, and some fancy craft beers. They stock a lot of products sourced from around the globe, so if you’re feeling a little homesick, pop into Kaldi for a taste of home.

Tokyu Hands

Speciality: Everyday essentials, unique contraptions, homewares, clothing, outdoor goods

Lifestyle store Tokyu Hands is a one-stop shop for all your basic needs. The store sells everything from stationery to high-end watches and even bicycles; it's easy to lose half a day exploring all the weird and wonderful contraptions lining the shelves of this mega shopping complex. If you’re looking to furnish your house or invest in a state-of-the-art massage chair, then this is the place to go. There are Tokyu Hands outlets across Japan, but the flagship store is located in Shibuya. Even if you’re not in the market for anything, in particular, there’s a very high chance you’ll leave this place with full arms and a slightly depleted bank account, so be warned!  

Don Quixote 

Speciality: Everyday essentials, food, homewares, electronics, outdoor goods

Like Tokyu Hands if Tokyu Hands exploded on itself, ‘Donki’ (as the locals call it) is a lifestyle store that covers all bases. The main difference between Donki and Tokyu Hands is that the former sells food, and the latter is a little tidier and more organised. In terms of quality, Donki is a little cheaper and less on trend, but if budget is your primary deciding motivation it’s your best bet. The stores are ubiquitous, so if there are no Tokyu Hands in your area, chances are there will be a Donki.   

By Lucy Dayman 

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