Kyoto Guide

Supermarkets

On your first visit to a Japanese supermarket you might be left scratching your head, wondering why there are so many odd vegetables and so few boxes of cereal. The language barrier could also add to your insecurity - it's frustrating not to be able to walk confidently up to a employee and ask for some Weetabix. However, Japanese supermarkets don't differ that much from those in the West. They are often a bit smaller, but they usually stock a good range of fresh vegetables, meat and household products. Most also have a wide selection of seafood.

If you are interested in trying your hand at Japanese cooking then the ingredients available in supermarkets are perfect. It may be worthwhile - it gives you an opportunity to try some homemade Japanese food and it is likely to work out cheaper. Increasingly, supermarkets are stocking Western food but some things are expensive, or hard to find. These could include fresh herbs and chillies, lamb, real sausages and good cheese, depending on the shop. Nishiki, a busy covered market street that runs perpendicular to TeraMachi street (in the centre) is worth shuffling through. It has a lot of fresh produce and a pleasant market atmosphere.

There will be further updates to the supermarket section but for now, Bob and Angie's site has some useful Japanese recipes. Yasuko-San's is good, too. This page also has some information on cooking classes in Kyoto. There is also a forum recipe page.

Foreign food

There are several shops that have an extensive range of foreign food. These include

- Jupiter, under Kyoto Station (opposite Subway) which has a good choice, but can be expensive.

- Meiji-ya, near Sanjo Kawaramachi. Like Jupiter, it is well stocked, but costly.

- Kanaato in Kitayama, near Mototanaka Station (Eizan line). It is smaller than the others, but prices are more reasonable.

- Doie Foods, a very small shop with lots of snacks and jam. This is opposite The Loft.

There is also a kitchen goods shop under the BAL building, next to JJ Club which stocks some food from overseas. It carries a lot of South East Asian ingredients.

Some foreign food can be found in the basements of department stores. Takashimaya, for example sells ciabatta bread and fresh chillies. Under Daimaru, Tavelt is excellent and like most department stores, it gives away free samples if you hit the store just before dinner time. If you want fresh herbs it is possible to grow your own. Herb plants, window boxes and soil can be bought from most home centres or garden shops. Again, see the relevant page in the forums.

Convenience stores

Japan has a huge number of convenience stores. The vast majority, conveniently, stay open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Amongst other things shops sell snacks, essentials and magazines. They also have cash machines, fax machines and photocopiers (not for sale). Lawson, Seven Eleven, Family Mart and Asoonas are the main chains and most, especially the larger stores are well stocked. Many sell alcohol （酒）, and cigarettes （タバコ) and will display the Japanese characters outside if they do.

Convenience stores offer a wide variety of services. A lot of bills (phone, gas, electricity, tax) can be paid in the shop. It is often easier to pay these there, than in a bank, ward or post office.

Cash machines are available for use in store - they are compatible with most major bank cards although there will be an additional charge for after hours withdrawals. However, at night or on Sundays some banks stop the service. UFJ cards, for example, may not work in some machines after around six o'clock.

Stores also sell tickets for domestic flights, concerts and sports matches. Advance cinema tickets are available at discount prices, too. Different chains will probably have rights to different events - information about this can be found in store, on posters or leaflets. Ticket machines are, like ATMs, supposed to be operated by customers but if you find it baffling the shop clerks should be happy to help.