It's time to get you up to speed with the wonderful world of Japanese convenience stores, as well as the relatively low key supermarket offerings. What sets them apart? How do you ask the clerk for a fork or refuse a shopping bag? And why even care about supermarkets in the first place? Find out in this episode!

Supermarkets

-Aeon Group supermarkets (Aeon MaxValu, My Basket)

-Seiyu

-Ito-Yokado

-Life Supermarkets

-Co-op

Convenience stores

-7-Eleven

-Family Mart

-Lawson

-Ministop

-Daily Yamazaki

-New Days

-Seicomart

Common interactions

-Fukuro ni oire shimasu ka? / Fukuro wa irimasu ka? / Fukuro o tsuke shimasu ka?

-Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka?

-Obentō o atatamemasu ka? / O-atatame shimasu ka?

-Ohashi o otsuke shimasu ka?/ Fōku/Supūn o otsuke shimasu ka?

-Shīru de yoroshii deshou ka?

-Fukuro o owake shimasu ka?

-O-shiharai hōhō wa ikaga desu ka?

-Reshīto wa yoroshii desu ka?

-Otsugi no kata dōzo! / Otsugi no okyakusama dozo!

Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com

Music by

Dare to head away from the well trodden path and go into coastal Iwate for a different Japan! Find out how we did it on this episode of Japan Travel Smart!

Entry points by rail: Ichinoseki, Hanamaki, Morioka, Hachinohe

JR East ‘Joyful Trains’ https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/

Hinabi excursion train

POKÉMON with YOU Train

Tono City, Tono Furusato Village

Kamaishi City

Sanriku Railway Rias Line

Miyako City

Jodogahama Beach

Miyako Umineko Maru Jodogahama Boat Cruise

Kitayamazaki Cape

Iwaizumi Town, Ryusendo Cave

Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com

Music by

What is some travel advice applicable to Japan that no one is really bringing up? Find out in this episode!

Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com

Music by