I am moving to Japan next december from the US, and I was wondering is there any items or food or whatever that are hard to find in Japan? stuff that people want but cant find?
Not a japanese citizen, nor have I ever lived in Japan, but I’ve heard well working deodorant, since east asians are missing the ABCC11 gene, which produces body odour.
Lots of foods are hard to find, especially if you aren’t living by an international grocery store in Tokyo, and sometimes foods that are the same name and brand as in the US (looking at you nacho cheese doritos) do not taste the same at all.
As for non perishables I would say deodorant, bring extra when you come, there are options locally but they kind of suck. Also shoes/ bras can be hard to find in your size, especially if you’re a bigger man/woman. Most everything you can get here even if it’s not quite the same. I might also suggest if you are extra broad and or tall learn some basic tailoring ( hemming pants, bringing in waists- basic stuff) clothes may not be cut they way you are used to or easily come in your size. You may need to alter things. Good luck!
My japanese friend (who lives in Tokyo) always asks me to send her macaroni and cheese. I suppose its hard to find there.
omg DEFINITELY deodorant!!! haha. I will say the good stuff is easy enough to get on amazon tho, so it’s not like you won’t be able to find it *at all*, just not in stores.
And as others have said, larger size clothes/shoes are definitely a challenge.
Tokyo has a lot of really amazing food from all over the world, but for whatever reason, *good* Mexican food and also Greek food is pretty rare/hard to find.
Cheese (the good stuff is way more expensive than in the US, and the “regular” kind of cheese that you’d find in the grocery store is super plasticky processed kind of stuff). Also any kind of whole grain/whole wheat bread — most of what you get is that fluffy white shokupan, anything else is going to be more “specialty” and expensive.
Sliced turkey. When it comes to deli meat, like sliced for sandwiches, you’re mostly going to find ham and that’s about it.
I love how this is turning into mostly food … haha.
(Source: not a Japanese citizen but I lived there for 12 years)
dude yeah as everybody is saying take a lifetime supply of your favorite deodorant, Japanese ones don’t work on us foreigners and you simply won’t be able to find the ones we have in western countries
Honestly if push comes to shove, you can find most everything you need on Amazon JP, albeit for quite a bit more than you would pay for them back home. Deodorant, for example – you can get Old Spice online just fine.
DayQuil/ NyQuil
Authentic Mexican anything.
Knew this due to prior trip to Japan, so I came prepared when I studied abroad – brought tortillas (stored in freezer to last), taco sauce, and meat seasoning – one of the best ideas I had. Hooked up some other peeps in my dorm, too.
I still have distinct memories of eating my tacos in Japan due to how much of home was brought to my senses in those moments, it’s kind of funny/crazy how our brain works.
Porridge oats!
milk alternatives that aren’t soy. I’m a big fan of almond milk and oat milk and had a hard time finding any. my parents actually sent me two cartons of almond milk when I was doing exchange because they’re nuts lol but in luggage it would be quite heavy..
someone already mentioned mac n’ cheese. I’d say that’s a perfect packable comfort food.
From having a cold while on a trip there and finishing off the Sudafed I kept in my purse, I learned that it’s illegal in Japan. Whoops. There are other cold medicines, but if you’re like me and nothing else clears up your congestion like pseudoephedrine, prepare to suffer. 🙁
Can I ask how you’re able to move there? I thought they closed their borders again
Large size condoms
friends
Tony Chachere’s. If you’re from the Gulf Coast states you should probably just pack it with your luggage.
Also, weirdly, actual peanut butter is available in most stores, but expensive. Instead the Japanese seem to have an evil substance called peanut cream, which is way too sweet and doesn’t come with a chunky option. It tastes like that cheap peanut butter you get in Reese’s Pieces (not the cups, the stuff ET likes) which is fine in small doses coated in candy but if you try to make a PB&J it’s pretty horrid.
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Not a japanese citizen, nor have I ever lived in Japan, but I’ve heard well working deodorant, since east asians are missing the ABCC11 gene, which produces body odour.
Root Beer, deodorant/anti-perspirant, Popeye’s Chicken
Lots of foods are hard to find, especially if you aren’t living by an international grocery store in Tokyo, and sometimes foods that are the same name and brand as in the US (looking at you nacho cheese doritos) do not taste the same at all.
As for non perishables I would say deodorant, bring extra when you come, there are options locally but they kind of suck. Also shoes/ bras can be hard to find in your size, especially if you’re a bigger man/woman. Most everything you can get here even if it’s not quite the same. I might also suggest if you are extra broad and or tall learn some basic tailoring ( hemming pants, bringing in waists- basic stuff) clothes may not be cut they way you are used to or easily come in your size. You may need to alter things. Good luck!
My japanese friend (who lives in Tokyo) always asks me to send her macaroni and cheese. I suppose its hard to find there.
omg DEFINITELY deodorant!!! haha. I will say the good stuff is easy enough to get on amazon tho, so it’s not like you won’t be able to find it *at all*, just not in stores.
And as others have said, larger size clothes/shoes are definitely a challenge.
Tokyo has a lot of really amazing food from all over the world, but for whatever reason, *good* Mexican food and also Greek food is pretty rare/hard to find.
Cheese (the good stuff is way more expensive than in the US, and the “regular” kind of cheese that you’d find in the grocery store is super plasticky processed kind of stuff). Also any kind of whole grain/whole wheat bread — most of what you get is that fluffy white shokupan, anything else is going to be more “specialty” and expensive.
Sliced turkey. When it comes to deli meat, like sliced for sandwiches, you’re mostly going to find ham and that’s about it.
I love how this is turning into mostly food … haha.
(Source: not a Japanese citizen but I lived there for 12 years)
dude yeah as everybody is saying take a lifetime supply of your favorite deodorant, Japanese ones don’t work on us foreigners and you simply won’t be able to find the ones we have in western countries
Honestly if push comes to shove, you can find most everything you need on Amazon JP, albeit for quite a bit more than you would pay for them back home. Deodorant, for example – you can get Old Spice online just fine.
DayQuil/ NyQuil
Authentic Mexican anything.
Knew this due to prior trip to Japan, so I came prepared when I studied abroad – brought tortillas (stored in freezer to last), taco sauce, and meat seasoning – one of the best ideas I had. Hooked up some other peeps in my dorm, too.
I still have distinct memories of eating my tacos in Japan due to how much of home was brought to my senses in those moments, it’s kind of funny/crazy how our brain works.
Porridge oats!
milk alternatives that aren’t soy. I’m a big fan of almond milk and oat milk and had a hard time finding any. my parents actually sent me two cartons of almond milk when I was doing exchange because they’re nuts lol but in luggage it would be quite heavy..
someone already mentioned mac n’ cheese. I’d say that’s a perfect packable comfort food.
From having a cold while on a trip there and finishing off the Sudafed I kept in my purse, I learned that it’s illegal in Japan. Whoops. There are other cold medicines, but if you’re like me and nothing else clears up your congestion like pseudoephedrine, prepare to suffer. 🙁
Can I ask how you’re able to move there? I thought they closed their borders again
Large size condoms
friends
Tony Chachere’s. If you’re from the Gulf Coast states you should probably just pack it with your luggage.
Also, weirdly, actual peanut butter is available in most stores, but expensive. Instead the Japanese seem to have an evil substance called peanut cream, which is way too sweet and doesn’t come with a chunky option. It tastes like that cheap peanut butter you get in Reese’s Pieces (not the cups, the stuff ET likes) which is fine in small doses coated in candy but if you try to make a PB&J it’s pretty horrid.