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Travel Japan without leaving the capital at Tokyo’s best prefectural satellite shops

Jessica Jan 18, 2015
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When it comes to regional cuisines, Japan has a lot to offer. But what if you are short on time and can’t make it to far-flung parts of the archipelago to sample artisan cheeses or gut-burning awamori? Not to worry, you can get a taste of most prefectures in the heart of Tokyo at so-called satellite shops, supermarkets which specialize in food and products from a particular region.

We’ve picked out five of our favorites for you to enjoy, with a not-to-be-missed item from each.

Hokkaido Foodist

Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, is a wonderland of seafood and dairy, and you will find both things in abundance at Hokkaido Foodist in iterations both familiar and obscure. What’s “wild milk”…? Of course, your average tourist probably doesn’t have the facilities to cook a whole crab or refrigerate a bunch of butter, but keep in mind that the shop also stocks several craft brews from up north too.

Must-have item: A bottle of North Island beer

Ginza no Kanazawa

Get your credit card ready, bub, because this place in the sparkly new Kirarito Ginza building ain’t cheap. The goods on offer are, however, worth the yen. The front of the shop is a gallery for well-known Kanazawa artists, with a particular focus on ceramics. If your budget doesn’t stretch to one of these chic souvenirs, have a seat at the attached restaurant with a rare Tokyo terrace for food prepared with meat and veg sourced from the prefecture, and as you go in, note the long line of sake bottles displayed on the bar. Those are all from Kanazawa too.

Must-have item: Sake tasting set, the staff will take you through three of their best sakes

Fukui Minami Aoyama 291

This hot little number in the back alleys of Aoyama is another great place to pick up souvenirs, as they have some lovely wood and laquerwork in addition to the usual food and bev. Grab yourself some lacquer plates and traditional wooden dolls for the folks back home and then reward your savvy shopping with one of the many sweets on offer.

Must-have item: Daifuku Anpan, a combination of sweet brioche bread and traditional bean paste that often tops lists of best local sweets

Washita

Washita sells items from the tropical southern islands of Okinawa. Tropical means fruit, fruit, fruit, and Washita has everything from fresh produce, jams, fruit-flavored snacks, fruit liquors, fruit vinegars and even fruity soy sauce. Brown cane sugar and salt, as well as all related goods using those flavors, are also popular. Popular Okinawan brewer Orion sells here, along with some lesser-known brews, and if you are feeling particularly brave, try a bottle of the fiery local booze, awamori.

Must-have item: Soft-serve ice cream. Staff will mix the ice cream on the spot with your choice of flavor, from classics like apple and mango, to more unusual tastes like Ishigaki salt.

Kagoshima Yurakukan

Meat lovers should head to Kagoshima Yurakukan, where you can taste the local specialities of Berkshire pork and black wagyu beef at the upstairs restaurant. The first floor shop has all kinds of goodies from this southern prefecture, including fresh satsumage, its famous fried fish paste dumpling. Shochu is another of the region’s big exports, and you’ll find bottles and bottles of it here to try.

Must-have item: Satsumage with lotus root, good both hot and cold

Bonus shop: Mura Mura Machi Kara Kan

OK, this isn’t technically a satellite shop because it doesn’t focus on one particular region. Instead, they sell very region-specific items from all around the country. If you want to get the most different tastes in one stop, Mura Mura Machi Kara Kan is the place. All of Japan’s various regional alcohols are represented in their selection of over 200 bottles, including sakes from all the major regions, naturally, and even some wines. There is also a wall of different curries from around Japan which make great souvenirs too.

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Image: Hokkaido Foodist (top and first), Ginza no Kanazawa, Fukui Minami Aoyama 291, Washita, Kagoshima Yurakukan, Mura Mura Machi Kara Kan