The declining yen and prevailing economic stagnation in Japan these days are a pretty potent combination that can wreak havoc on your social life and finances. For many teachers new to Japan who haven’t had time to build up a decent bank balance, those last few days before payday can be a real grind. So here’s a short guide to eating cheap in Japan as you await that eventual, life-saving paycheck.
1. Supermarkets
Photo: iStock/ Hakase_Believe it or not, supermarkets can actually produce some amazing bargains when eating cheap in Japan. The best time to go is, of course, in the evening after 8 p.m. or so. This is particularly useful for Eikaiwa teachers who may not even get off work until 9 or 10 p.m.
At this time, supermarkets are keen to get rid of all the sushi packs and bentos (lunchboxes) that will spoil overnight. It is not unusual to find some items discounting 50% or sometimes even as high as 70 or 80% off the regular marked price. Sushi, tempura (fried, battered fish and vegetables), and katsu (deep-fried pork, beef, or chicken cutlets) are especially popular at this time. Just make sure you eat it that same night, as these things will most likely spoil if left overnight.
2. Gyudon Restaurants
Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya. Most Japanese consider these restaurant chains, often with 24-hour openings, to be the salaryman’s best friend. A good hearty beef bowl (rice topped with shredded beef and onions) won’t set you back much more than about ¥600-700 and will certainly fill you up until the next mealtime.
If beef isn’t your thing, then these places also have a variety of cheap and cheerful, though certainly calorific, foods on offer. The hamburger curry from Sukiya is a personal favorite of mine, as is the yakiniku (grilled beef) set from Matsuya. Yoshinoya also does a very nice nabe (hotpot) set later in the year.
3. Street Stalls
While they may be more abundant in big cities like Osaka and Tokyo, even the lesser cities in Japan have their fair share of stalls and portable food wagons, usually stationed around train stations and other transport hubs. The fare on offer here is never expensive, and it can be a rare opportunity for the uninitiated foreigner to sample local delicacies.
Osaka has its famous takoyaki (squid balls), but other lesser-known treats can also be found, like satsumaimo (Baked sweet potato) or taiyaki (custard-filled dessert in the shape of a fish). Its soft, chewy texture is somewhere between mochi and shortcrust pastry. Inside, you can enjoy one of a variety of fillings. Most stalls offer a choice of chocolate, custard or anko (sweet red bean paste).
4. Get creative and cook it yourself
Photo: IStock/ petesphotographyIf you do some research, you will find that there are local fruit, vegetable,and meat markets that sell fresh produce at bargain prices. Some of these items will look exotic, perhaps even scary to newcomers. But the experimentation that comes with cooking with new flavors and textures makes it all the more worthwhile. It’s good for the soul, good for your health and most importantly, for this scenario, good for your bankbook.
5. Convenience Stores
This may be a shock to a few people, given that certain items can be notoriously more expensive in the konbini than they are in conventional supermarkets. However, as is also the case with supermarkets, to the eagle-eyed observer, there are always bargains to be had.
In particular, if payday is still a week away and you’re down to your last ¥10,000, then why not check out the ¥100 corner in certain konbini? The Lawson chain even has the “Lawson 100” stores. These are entire convenience stores that specialize in products of ¥100 or less. With a bit of creativity, you can get a week’s worth of dinners for not much more than ¥1,000.
Do you have any tips on eating cheap in Japan? Let us know in the comments.
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LOL. If people are having a hard enough time eating and paying rent, etc. on the salary they are being paid, they either need to re-evaluate where they are living or the lifestyle they are living or perhaps, what they call a job. The exchange rate has nothing to do with how much things cost you as long as you are not being paid in dollars or something.
What do you do for a living?
Not everyone have those privileges. Being a student in Japan without scholarship and having to pay everything means that you HAVE to be careful on your budget and sometimes when shit happens use some strategy to save even more.
Poor people are not a myth.
t. dumblr SJW
I’m going to Tokyo soon, can anyone give me some supermarket names? Are they easy to find throughout the city?
is everywhere Don’t have to look for it.
Yoshinoya has been my life for the past three trips I’ve taken to Japan ha ha. I remember beef bowl being as cheap as 300yen but it’s a bit nasty. Curry and rice from yoshinoya is a much better option, topped with a soft boiled egg and some ginger and you can’t go wrong !
I wanted to go to japan. aside from healthy environment and good salary deal. Why is it so hard to survive from your allowance until the next payday?
Yen has been inflating of late. It used to be stronger than the dollar not long ago, but they are intentionally inflating it. They had originally wanted to get it to 75 cents to the 100 yen by December, but the USD happened to inflate at the same time and kept up with it for awhile, but now it is 84 cents to the 100 yen
Inflation has nothing to do with the cost of living. This will only be of importance if they pay you in dollars which they normally don’t
This article just reminds me that wages are far too low in Japan.
I always thought they are much higher than in central europe. My girlfriend earns as much with baito as you would earn in austria or germany with fulltime
I worked only 6 days a month on that salary. I had one of the luckiest jobs there in Tokyo
Skilled workers make a ton. I used to make ¥636,000/mth, but I worked for a very hard to get to company in Shibuya. It comes down to how people spend their money. I lived in a 262sq ft apt., spent approx. ¥100,000/mth in rent in Taito, and refused to drink and eat like a fool. It made me healthier and kept me in check when the inevitable ¥500,000 tax bill came in at the end of the year. Just to keep this in perspective. I worked there in 2013 when the yen was at its lowest ever at approx ¥75/US $1
A Price is definitely the best for frozen meat.
I’m a big believer in A Price, kind of a cash and carry deal..
Cooking for yourself is definitely the cheapest way to get by in the long term. That’s if you can deal with the washing up! *yawn*.
Helpful article, 100yen stores have good toppings for flavoring your rice.
Spot on. Also want to add that Life supermarkets are cheaper than Tokyu Supa, etc
I fully agree 🙂 Have some experience in Tokyo 🙂 Ha ha ha
Pretty much everything is listed here.
But I remember that Matsuya’s normal size rice bowls are only 200-ish yen, no?
Very informative. Thank you.
Sweet! Thanks for writing this article. 🙂
I could eat anko with just about everything 🙂
Its rare here in the states unless you know exactly where to find it.
As long as it’s not unko!hehe