Japan has a staggering number of shops. Particularly in major transit areas of big cities, it is not unusual to see multi-storey shopping malls and department stores. Pretty much everything you need for a comfortable life in Japan can be bought in stores here, with even more options available to you online. If you’re not sure where to look, here is an introduction to some of the shops present in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Contents:
- Groceries
- Clothing
- Second Hand Stores
- 100 Yen Stores
- Retailers, Department Stores, and Malls,
- Electronics
- Home Goods
- Online
Groceries
There are many different supermarket chains available to you in Fukuoka. Here are a few that you may come across:
- AEON MaxValu
- Sunny
- Sunlive
- HalloDay
- Direx
- Cosmos
- Mr Max
- Marushock
- Trial
- Youme Mart
Most supermarkets will sell pretty much everything you need. Some things are hard to find in general supermarkets (such as beans, tortillas, and filled pasta to name a few) but also, most large supermarkets have a small ‘foreign foods’ section where you may find ingredients for Chinese and Korean cuisine, other Asian cuisines, and some Italian pasta or French cheese selections.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, you could try an import shop such as Kaldi Coffee Farm. Kaldi sells plenty of imported foods, drinks, spices and supplements, and also has a line of coffee beans and blends.
If you’re ready to pull out the stops and stock up on bulk amounts of food that you can’t easily find elsewhere, consider a trip to Costco. There are two Costco warehouses in Fukuoka Prefecture:
You may only enter Costco if someone in your group of max. 4 people has a Costco Membership card. You can sign up for a memebership in store. Costco in Fukuoka only accepts cash, so make sure you bring enough with you!
Still can’t find what you’re looking for, or want it delivered to your door? Check out some online options.
Clothing
Japanese clothes are made for the Japanese market; there is no way around that. With an average male height of 172cm (5’8″) and an average female height of 158cm (5’2″), shopping for clothes may be a challenge if you do not match the Japanese market. Asian sizes run smaller than many Western sizes, so an American size M might be a size LL in Japan. Plus, every manufacturer will use its own arbitrary guidelines for sizes!
While it may take a bit of trial and error for those of us who don’t fit the market, don’t knock it until you try it! Larger sizes are available in many shops, and there are an abundance of clothing shops to choose from in Fukuoka.
Here are some popular clothing chains you may come across in Fukuoka:
- Shimamura: Cheap, fast fashion with a big selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories.
- Avail: Cheap, fast fashion with a big selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories.
- Honeys: Cheap, fast fashion with a big selection of feminine clothes, shoes, and accessories.
- WEGO: Youthful street fashion. Many teenagers and young adults shop here.
- GU: Cheap, casual fast fashion. Owned by the same company that owns Uniqlo.
- UNIQLO: Casual and formal fashion. Very popular among Japanese and foreigners alike.
- Muji: Minimalist fashion. Pricey, but quality.
- Aoki: Work-wear and formal-wear. Also offers tailoring services when you buy their products.
- Aoyama: Work-wear and formal-wear. Also offers tailoring services when you buy their products
- H&M
- Zara
As with most countries, the majority of Japan’s chain clothing stores sell fast fashion. However, there are many small boutiques and there are some shops which sell sustainable fashion. In addition, there are second hand shops where you can buy used clothes in excellent condition for a reasonable price. We encourage everyone to make sustainable choices whenever you can, so please give the smaller handmade and sustainable shops a try, too!
Size Guides
Women’s shoes
| Japan | 21 | 21 ½ | 22 | 22½ | 23 | 23½ | 24 | 24½ | 25 | 25½ | 26 |
| EU | 35 | 35½ | 36 | 36½ | 37 | 37½ | 38 | 38½ | 39 | 39½ | 40 |
| USA | 5 | 5½ | 6 | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ | 9 | 9½ | 10 |
| UK | 2½ | 3 | 3½ | 4 | 4½ | 5 | 5½ | 6 | 6½ | 7 | 7½ |
| AUS | 3½ | 4 | 4½ | 5 | 5½ | 6 | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ |
Men’s shoes
| Japan | 25 | 25½ | 26 | 26½ | 27 | 27½ | 28 | 28½ | 29 | 29½ | 30 |
| EU | 34 | 34½ | 35 | 35½ | 36 | 36½ | 37 | 37½ | 38 | 38½ | 39 |
| USA | 6 | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ | 9 | 9½ | 10 | 10½ | 11 |
| UK | 5½ | 6 | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ | 9 | 9½ | 10 | 10½ |
| AUS | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ | 9 | 9½ | 10 | 10½ | 11 | 11½ |
Lingerie
Brasserie is also generally produced for the less endowed, but large sizes are available. If you happen to be a busty belle, bring extra bras from home. The Japanese aesthetic tends towards the frilly and padded side so if you enjoy that sort of thing, there are many lingerie shops located in most shopping centers throughout the prefecture.
If you’re a “perfect t-shirt bra” kind of person, you may have a tough time finding a high quality piece that suits your tastes. You can usually find T-shirt bras in more general clothing shops such as Shimamura and supermarket brands.
Here’s a link to an international bra size converter. Some brands will use the “S/M/L” sizing system, but there generally should be a list of number-letter sizes that they encompass.
Tailoring
For those of you who need/prefer a custom fit, tailoring services are available in many retailers and most dry cleaning locations. The most common (and cheapest) alteration done is pant shortening but many places will also custom fit shirts, jackets, re-sew buttons etc.
Second hand stores
Often called “Recycle Shops”, the number, quality, and availability of second hand stores is slowly growing in Japan. There is a culture here of wanting to buy things fresh and clean and new, so second hand shops will usually only sell clothes which look like new. You can also find second ahnd furniture, utensils, appliances, instruments, sports equipment… almost anything! Some second hand stores will even sell their own line of clothes or home goods, unsold dead stock from cosmetics shops, or unused gift sets which were returned in full and ready to be given to a new recipient.
You can find small, individually owned, boutique style recycle shops, but here are some popular second hand stores in Fukuoka and what they buy/sell:
- 2nd Street: Clothes, accessories, home goods, cosmetics, electronics, furniture, instruments, sports equipment, etc. The smallers shops generally only sell clothes (eg: 2nd Street in Kokura Shotengai) but larger shops will sell an assortment of all different things.
- Book Off: Books (often for 100 yen!), DVDs, CDs, and some games. Larger stores also sell electronics, franchise merch, and musical instruments. Very large stores also sell clothes and accessories (eg. Book Off Super Bazaar in Tenjin).
- Hard Off: TVs, PCs, musical instruments, toys, sometime furniture.
- Off House: Clothing, accessories.
- GEO: DVDs, CDs, video games and games consoles.
- Mandarake: DVDs, CDs, video games, franchise merch, manga, cosplay, collectibles.
100 yen stores
Japan’s 100 yen stores are overpowered! They sell so many items which are incredibly helpful for everyday life at a super cheap price! With variantion in store size scomes variation in exactly which products are sold, but you will not be disappointed with these low-priced life-savers:
- Daiso
- Seria
- CanDo
Retailers, Department Stores, AEON Malls
Want to visit many shops at once? Large retail parks, department stores, and AEON Malls will let you do just that. Multi-storey and filled with shops, you will be spoilt for choice.
In department sotres, generally the basement is where all the food is. There will be plenty of omiyage for sale, and often a supermarket and some freshy-made ready-to-eat food filling the room with delightful smells. The other storeys will contain some self-contained shops, and some shops all sharing an open floor plan.
AEON Malls are shopping malls as you may imagine them. They come in varying sizes, but the larger malls will usually have an arcade and a food court as well as the shops. You may even have a cinema in your local AEON Mall!
Electronics
Japan is well known for its high quality electronics and the many places to pick up a new gadget. All stores offer a wide range of products and pricing.
NOTE: It’s fairly common knowledge that customers can haggle in electronics stores. If you’re on the market for a new television try your luck and ask for a discount. You could get 10%-30% off sticker.
Big electronics shops include:
- Best Denki
- BIC Camera
- Yodobashi Camera
- Edion
- Yamada Denki
Cameras
Home to some of the most famous cameras, the camera industry is big in Japan. There are plenty of places where you can buy new, and just as many where you can buy pre-owned.
You can find photography shops dedicated to Canon, Nikon, and various other DSLR cameras, lenses, and accessories all over the prefecture. As for video cameras, you can pick up a non-HD video camera from 25,000 – 40,000 yen from Best Denki. A good Sony HD camcorder will probably cost around 100,000yen, and top end models run up to 400,000yen. Most makers have instructions in English in the product’s menu system, the box, or can be sent as per your request in the post.
One area of possible confusion may be the flippant use of similar acronyms.
– HD = High Definition
– HDD = Hard Disk Drive camera (not tape or memory card)
A quick Google search should produce more specific tips and product recommendations.
Games consoles
Japan is the birthplace of many game companies including Sony, Nintendo, Sega, etc. Most current consoles will be available in bit multimedia stores (e.g.: Yodobashi; BIC). You can pick up second-hand games consoles for a very reasonable price, as well. Old handheld models can be found in impeccable conditions, if you want to dive into nostalgia!
New games which are huge international hits may have English options if you buy the hard copy in Japan. It isn’t always clear on the packaging so it is recommended that you research first. The same cannot be said for older games, so if your Japanese language level is low then you should buy games from abroad. RPG style games are extremely popular in Japan, and you may not find the selection of shooting or racing style games commonly available in the West.
You can access Steam in Japan. If you play on PC, you have the whole Steam marketplace available. The Xbox Game Pass also is available in Japan.
Apple Store
There are Apple servicing shops in Kitakyushu, Kasuya-gun, and Fukuoka City regions, but the main Apple store is in Tenjin. The Tenjin location is forever busy. If you need to get your computer serviced there, make sure to arrange an appointment before going to the store. Reservations can be made over the phone and on their website. They also have multiple full-time English speaking genius bar employees.
Home goods
You may have moved into an empty apartment, or inherited outdated furniture and appliances that need to be replaced. Furniture in Japan can be pricey. Luckily, most stores offer delivery service with the purchase and there are a quite a few retail options available to help save money. Here are a few locations with stylish and affordable home goods.
- Nitori: Standard priced and simple designs, many JETs will find themselves browsing a Nitori while they are in Japan. They also offer an online delivery service so if you can do card payment, you don’t even have to leave your house!
- Muji: Offers an array of minimalistic, muted/white/gray/pastel bedding, bath goods, cookware, small appliances, furniture and storage products. Prices tend to be mid-range and quality is generally considered better than most in a similar price point.
- Francfranc: Products tend to the higher end but the quality is quite good. This franchise store has multiple locations throughout the prefecture and all offer a selection of furniture, bedding, drapery, bath goods, kitchen utensils and home décor. Check the website for a location nearest you.
- IKEA: The first Kyushu location opened April 2012 and includes its standard food court and play area for children. IKEA, well known for its Scandinavian minimalist home interior products, offers goods scaled down for the Japanese consumer. There is one location in Fukuoka (Shingu), and it offers delivery and installation services for those without handy man skills or a car.
You can find second hand furniture shops all over the prefecture. Have a look at our list of large chains, and keep your eyes open for local shops!
Internet Shopping
With the rise of online outlets, I’m sure every person who reads this has at least browsed if not purchased multiple items via the Internet. It can truly be an asset especially in a country that tends not to have many international products. Beware, customs charges are somewhat high and shipping costs can almost double the price of your purchase.
Online Marketplaces
Amazon
You really can get a lot of things from Amazon. With Amazon Prime, which is about 500 yen per month, you get free next-day delivery on most items, as well as access to Amazon Prime TV, movies, an e-book rental service, and one free Twitch.tv subscription. For Amazon orders, you can pay via credit card, cash on delivery, convenience store, and au mobile customers may even pay via their phone bills.
Non-Prime delivery tends to arrive in a few days, and you don’t need to be at home to receive the parcel. If you give instructions on the website/app, the delivery person will leave your package where you specify.
Rakuten
Rakuten is the Japanese version of Amazon or eBay (without the bidding). There is a HUGE array of items on this site with incredible deals. There is also a travel section which is great for booking flight and hotel combinations. Know that the main site in Japanese has many more options than its English counterpart.
Note: eBay
eBay somewhat exists in Japan, but the Japanese market for it is very low. Sellers are usually overseas. There are many options that ship to Japan, but shipping prices can be rather high. If possible, we recommend using another online seller as you will probably have more success.
Cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and pantry items
iHerb
Tried, tested, and loved by many JETs around Japan, iHerb gives you access to foreign skincare, haircare, and other cosmetic products at an extremely good price. Shipping is fast and secure, and it is a lifesaver for people with sensitive skin or hair types that don’t match the Japanese market. You can easily find products with the specifications you require, as it’s all in English! They also sell some food, drink, and supplement products.
Clothes
It is possible that your favourite clothing stores from your home country ship to Japan. Be aware of shipping prices, but if you’re having a tough time finding clothing or you’re missing a taste of home, online is an option! Keep in mind that you may be charged customs tax on your order.
ASOS
ASOS is an online clothing retailer based in the UK. The site stocks designer brands, its own ASOS brand, accessories, shoes, and clothing. Prices range from dirt cheap to astronomical and they stock petite and plus sizes too. They also offer a small number of cosmetics that you may not be able to find here. They offer free shipping after a certain spend and regularly have sales.
Chain clothes shops in Japan
H&M and some other clothes stores offer an online store and will ship to your house. If the closest brand store from you is hours away, check for an online store first to make your life easier.