One of the things I like to do while in a new country is go to the supermarkets and just wander around (and not just because I have no money to buy anything – but that's also true).

Japan has everything you might expect it to have in it's markets: copious amounts of rice, tofu, green tea, and fish. However, there's plenty that you would never think to find in the Land of Rising Sun's markets.

The following is but a small selection of the things I found to be interesting in Japanese supermarkets (as well as things that are not commonly found at supermarkets (in general) in the United States).

And before you find yourself saying, “Pfft, I see/eat that stuff all the time in the US”, please remember that you are not me and probably do not survive on tortillas, cheese, and beer (aka our experience at US supermarkets have been quite different).

Leave a comment and let me know what you think! (Or what I should try next.)

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