National Azabu Supermarket
Food/Drink | Avg price: ¥3000 | English Available: None (Unknown)
Reviews
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A rite of passage for the expat of yore!
There was a time when you couldn't come to Tokyo as an expat and not enter the almost scared grounds of the National Azabu Supermarket. But with the emergence of more stores selling overseas products its not as necessary as it once was to pay homage at the former international products mecca of Tokyo. They still have one of the better selections of alcohol, but a lot of what was once exclusive to the store, no longer is. Its still interesting to visit though and it still has a steady, loyal following from expats!
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on May 5
Here for the Drinks
I know that this place is expensive, very expensive with all their imported food and all. However, one reason that keeps me coming back again and again is their fridge. Their selection of beer is incredible. Full of things you will never find at other places, and somehow they will find enough to change things up every season or so. Seeing how each can is 500-700yen, this is not a place I can go crazy at, but when I have friends visiting and we do not feel comfortable out drinking and eating, we stock up here and party at home.
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on Mar 23
Expat supermarket, but prices definitely show that
If you find yourself craving a certain something from home, you may want to check at National Azabu. They're stocked like a normal supermarket - breads, meats, fresh produce, and cheeses – but with a LOT of international imports. They've even got things like laundry detergents from different countries. As Tomuu mentions in the previous review, though, you pay a premium for this stuff. Yes, it's definitely handy to have a supermarket like this in Tokyo if there's something you absolutely can't live without, but you're going to be shelling out for the privilege.
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on Aug 2
The 'go to' overseas food resource for expats in Tokyo
To be honest, I'm not sure why I'm writing a review about National Azabu Supermarket; if you haven't heard about this place already, you must have only just arrived in Japan, or never been to Tokyo. The import food specialist has taken on a reputation of almost mythic proportions. Anyway, for those who don't know National Azabu Supermarket stocks a great selection of those things you miss from back home. There's too many things to mention here, so I won't. Instead, I'll say that you're unlikely to come away from this place disappointed. What we will come away with though, it a much lighter wallet. This place isn't cheap. Part of this is down to the fact that most of the stuff here has to be imported. Another reason is location. The supermarket is in the heart of an area of embassies and consulates. Consequently, many of the expats that frequent the supermarket do so with salaries of a diplomat. The supermarket bit is on the ground floor. When you enter, the first impression is that it smells like a supermarket you go into when you're on holiday overseas; ie foreign. Odd really, given that you're here to shop for foods from back home. Outside the building there are usually some food stalls. At the last time of visiting there was someone selling cupcakes, and a Baskin Robbins. The second floor of National Azabu Supermarket is a bit random. There's a notice board displaying services aimed at expats (mostly written in English), so toilets, a kind of party goods corner, and a store selling books, magazines, detergents, stationary, and other odds and ends. Don't come here for the books, there are much better stores in Tokyo for this. The magazine selection is pretty good, but as with all overseas publications sold in Tokyo, expect to pay around 1,500 - 2,000 yen per copy. The store is useful for greetings cards, however. Japan know little about greetings cards, so this place is a good resource for them, where you can find cards or actual quality.
BigfamJapan
on Aug 25