
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.
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
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
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 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.
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.
© RocketNews24
Image: Hokkaido Foodist (top and first), Ginza no Kanazawa, Fukui Minami Aoyama 291, Washita, Kagoshima Yurakukan, Mura Mura Machi Kara Kan






Tokyo’s hidden mall serves up Japan’s best regional ice creams
The 5 best Iwate foods and drinks to buy at the prefecture’s antenna shop in Tokyo
Japan’s top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】
Japan Travel: 17 Things to do in Oita, Japan’s onsen prefecture
Japan travel: Best things to do, eat and see in Iwakuni and Yanai in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Sanrio’s Little Twin Stars shine brightly in new themed rooms at the Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji
We traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Is 150,000 yen (US$1,389) a month enough to live on in Tokyo? Depends what kind of life you want
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
iOS Facebook Chat Update Includes Awesomely Disgusting Projectile Vomit Emoticon
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Our anime dreams come true as we operate a robot suit from Appleseed
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japan travel: Best things to see, eat and do in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture
International tourists travel to Japan, spend big at top tourist spots in Tokyo
Japan travel: Best things to do, see and eat in Hagi and Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture
24 Sweets Shop: New unstaffed store specialising in trendy Japanese sweets opens in Tokyo
This budget hotel near Tokyo Dome has one of the best breakfast buffets in the city
10 best rest stops in Japan ranked by customer satisfaction for 2018
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Don Quijote in Japan?
Leave a Reply