Where do people in Tokyo buy groceries?
Most Tokyo residents shop at a neighbourhood supermarket near their station or home, often several times a week and in small quantities. Traditional shopping streets known as shotengai, such as Togoshi Ginza and Sunamachi Ginza, still have greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers and tofu shops.
Ameyoko, near Ueno Station, is a busy market street for dried food, spices, fish and snacks, and the Tsukiji Outer Market is known for seafood and kitchen goods. Evening is the time for markdowns: from late afternoon many supermarkets put discount stickers on sushi, bento and prepared dishes.
How do you pay for transport and small daily spends in Tokyo?
Tokyo's trains, subways and buses charge by distance and are easiest to use with a rechargeable IC transit card, which you tap at the gates and can also use in many shops and vending machines. A growing number of lines also accept contactless bank cards. Subway day passes can help if you plan many trips.
Small spends are easy to manage: convenience-store coffee, onigiri rice balls and bakery items keep breakfast inexpensive, and set lunches at local restaurants are usually better value than dinner. Tipping is not part of life in Tokyo, and staff may return money left on the table.
How do Tokyo prices differ from the rest of Japan?
Supermarket prices in Tokyo tend to be a little higher than in many regional cities, and the gap grows for eating out and accommodation. Restaurants and cafés in central districts such as Ginza, Shibuya and Marunouchi charge more than those in residential areas further out along the train lines.
To stretch a budget, shop at supermarkets in residential districts rather than next to major stations, time grocery trips for the evening markdowns, and compare drugstore prices for drinks and snacks. The price table on this page shows what we read for the same items.
What things cost in Tokyo
| Product | Local product name | Price per unit | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk - 1 L | Fresh milk, pasteurized | ¥235.44 / 1 L | 1 L |
| Eggs - 10 pieces | Standard eggs | ¥321.84 / 10 pieces | 10 pieces |
| Rice - 1 kg | White rice, standard | ¥578.88 / 1 kg | 5 kg |
| Pasta - 500 g | Dried pasta | ¥192.24 / 0.5 kg | 500 g |
| Potatoes - 1 kg | Potatoes | ¥446.4 / 1 kg | 500 g, 600 g |
| Yogurt - 1 kg | Plain full-fat yogurt | ¥413.1 / 1 kg | 400 g |
| Drinking water - 1.5 L | Bottled drinking water | ¥87.48 / 1.5 L | 2 L |
| Shampoo - 400 ml | Shampoo | ¥858.35 / 0.4 L | 400 ml, 380 ml |
| Shower gel - 400 ml | Shower gel | ¥712.25 / 0.4 L | 480 ml, 400 ml |
| Bar soap - 100 g | Bar soap | ¥92.5 / 0.1 kg | 390 g, 510 g |
| Liquid soap - 500 ml | Liquid soap | ¥547.8 / 0.5 L | 500 ml |
| Toothbrush - 1 piece | Toothbrush | ¥157.3 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Toilet paper - 4 rolls | Toilet paper | ¥230.27 / 4 pieces | 12 pieces |
| Paper towels - 2 rolls | Paper towels | ¥158.4 / 2 pieces | 4 pieces |
| Dishwashing liquid - 500 ml | Dishwashing liquid | ¥310.59 / 0.5 L | 235 ml, 220 ml |
| Multi-purpose cleaner - 1 L | Multi-purpose cleaner | ¥1,281.5 / 1 L | 400 ml |
| Trash bags - 20 pieces | Trash bags | ¥217.8 / 20 pieces | 20 pieces |
| Basic cotton T-shirt - 1 piece | Basic cotton T-shirt | ¥1,045 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Jeans - 1 pair | Jeans | ¥2,990 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Trousers - 1 pair | Chino or cotton trousers | ¥2,990 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Shorts - 1 pair | Shorts | ¥1,990 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Socks - 3-pack | Socks | ¥870 / 3 pieces | 1 piece |
| Casual sneakers - 1 pair | Casual sneakers | ¥3,990 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Towel - 50 x 90 cm | Towel | ¥599 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Basic jacket - 1 piece | Padded winter jacket | ¥4,990 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Single bed linen set - 1 set | Single bed linen set | ¥2,999 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Pillow - 1 piece | Pillow | ¥549 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Blanket - 1 piece | Blanket | ¥749 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Frying pan - 24 cm | Frying pan | ¥1,299 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Cooking pot - 24 cm | Cooking pot | ¥1,499 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| LED bulb - 9W | LED bulb | ¥699.25 / 1 piece | 2 pieces, 1 piece |
| Potato chips - 1 pack | Potato chips | ¥138.24 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Shirt - 1 piece | Basic long-sleeve shirt | ¥2,490 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Gloves - 1 pair | Knitted or fleece gloves | ¥1,990 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Beanie - 1 piece | Knitted beanie | ¥1,500 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Boots - 1 pair | Ankle boots | ¥2,700 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Women's dress - 1 piece | Women's everyday dress | ¥1,290 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
Compared with the other cities
US dollar prices for 36 products that we also have in at least three other cities. The percentage shows the difference from the average of those cities.
Lower in Tokyo
- Women's dress - 1 piece$8.15-70%
- Boots - 1 pair$17.05-62%
- Bar soap - 100 g$0.58-57%
- Trash bags - 20 pieces$1.38-44%
- Shirt - 1 piece$15.73-40%
- Paper towels - 2 rolls$1.00-40%
Higher in Tokyo
- Potatoes - 1 kg$2.82+124%
- Multi-purpose cleaner - 1 L$8.09+116%
- Rice - 1 kg$3.66+64%
- Liquid soap - 500 ml$3.46+54%
- Single bed linen set - 1 set$18.94+42%
- Dishwashing liquid - 500 ml$1.96+36%
Local product types can differ between cities. The comparison tool only matches the same product type.
Compare Tokyo with another country
Same budget, same products: see where your money goes further.
Insights and guides about Tokyo
All articles →Travel and life in Tokyo
How these prices were read
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details. Data & methodology
Try your own budget
Pick a budget and two countries to see the same comparison with your own numbers.
Questions people ask
What is the price of milk in Tokyo?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was ¥235.44 per 1 L, about $1.49 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of eggs in Tokyo?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was ¥321.84 per 10 pieces, about $2.03 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of rice in Tokyo?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was ¥578.88 per 1 kg, about $3.66 at that day's reference rate.
How much is US$100 in Japanese yen?
At the reference rate of November 8, 2026, US$100 comes to about ¥15,832.
Which products cost less in Tokyo than in the other cities?
By dollar price, the clearest gaps are women's dress (-70%), boots (-62%), and bar soap (-57%).
Is tipping expected in Tokyo?
No, tipping is not customary in Tokyo, and staff in restaurants, taxis and hotels may politely refuse it or return money left behind. Some upscale restaurants and hotels in Tokyo add a service charge to the bill instead.
When do Tokyo supermarkets mark down food?
Many Tokyo supermarkets start reducing prices on fresh food, sushi, bento boxes and prepared dishes from late afternoon, with larger discounts as closing time approaches. The stickers show a fixed amount or a percentage off, and the timing varies from shop to shop.
Where do these prices come from?
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details.
