SORABYCO | Life in Japan

When I first considered joining Costco in Japan, the annual fee made me hesitate. Paying every year just for the right to shop felt unusual, especially when regular supermarkets do not charge an entrance fee. Here is the easiest way to look at it. If you save around ¥1,000 each time you shop , visiting about six times a year could cover the standard Costco Japan membership fee. For the Executive Membership, spending about ¥264,000 per year , or roughly ¥22,000 per month , on eligible purchases is the point where the 2% reward can roughly cover the extra membership cost. That does not mean you should spend more just to earn rewards. Costco works best when it replaces part of your normal grocery shopping rather than creating extra shopping. Which Costco Japan Membership Should You Choose? Costco Japan offers two main personal membership options. The standard Gold Star Membership is the simpler choice for people who visit only occasionally. It gives you access to Costco warehouses withou...

After moving to Japan, I started noticing more people checking the prepared food section in the evening. Some shoppers seemed to know exactly when to arrive, while I was still wondering why everyone was looking so closely at the bento boxes. The reason was simple: they were checking for discount stickers. If you are wondering what time Japanese supermarkets mark down food, the most useful answer is this: small discounts often begin in the late afternoon, while larger markdowns usually appear in the evening or during the final hour before closing. However, there is no fixed schedule across Japan. Each grocery store follows its own routine, and food does not always reach half price. What Time Do Discount Stickers Usually Appear? Many supermarkets in Japan begin reducing prices on fresh and prepared food sometime between late afternoon and early evening. The exact timing depends on the store, but this is a general guide based on what I often see. Time Typical Markdown Pattern 3:00–5:00 PM...

During my first few years in Japan, I only went into a drugstore when I needed cold medicine, painkillers, or a box of masks. I would find what I needed, pay, and leave without looking around very much. Then, little by little, I started noticing everything else on the shelves. Laundry detergent, tissues, shampoo, toothpaste, snacks, drinks, skincare products, makeup, and sometimes even eggs, milk, and frozen food. These days, there are weeks when I visit a drugstore more often than a supermarket. At first, I assumed most Japanese drugstores were basically the same. Once I began comparing prices, though, I realized that each chain has its own strengths. Some are useful when I have a good coupon. Some are better for reward points. Others keep their prices simple and low from the start. I am not the kind of person who drives across town to save a few yen. Still, after living in Japan for many years, I have naturally developed my own little shopping routine. Japanese Drugstores Changed the...

When I first moved to Japan, I thought 100-yen shops were simply places to buy inexpensive household goods. I usually visited only when I needed something specific, such as storage containers, kitchen tools, or cleaning supplies. Over time, my visits became less about buying only what was on my list and more about discovering small products that quietly improved life at home. One of my favorite discoveries has been a silicone wet wipes case from Seria. It is the kind of item I barely thought about when I first picked it up. After using it for a while, however, I found myself reaching for it constantly. I live in Japan with three Bengal cats, so cleaning is never really finished. There are paw prints on the floor, cat hair on furniture, and small messes around food and water bowls. Wet wipes have therefore become something I keep in several rooms. This simple Seria case has made them much easier to store, carry, and use. Why I Keep Wet Wipes Around the House Living with three ener...