What Japanese households are doing to cut down on grocery costs

Something that has been discussed here on City-Cost a number of times has been ways to cut down on grocery bills. It's not just an expat issue, though, with households across the country getting creative to keep their grocery budgets in check. A recent nationwide survey gathered insights from 500 men and women on how they save on food, and the things they're not willing to compromise on.

Average monthly food spending

The average food expense per person per month came out to ¥20,595, with many respondents falling into the ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 range. Variables like the size of a household, choice of supermarket, and personal preferences influenced this number, with some people reporting lower costs thanks to homegrown produce or food gifted by family. We are fortunate in that regard, with several neighbors giving us their excess of things like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and corn during the summer season. It goes a long way in helping our fresh produce budget!

Cost saving strategies

The most common tactic for cutting food costs was buying in bulk (45.6%). Shoppers found that less trips to the store meant less impulse buys, and by using freezers, bulk meat and ingredients stayed fresh for longer. Next in line was buying clearance items like discounted prepared foods in the evening, and shopping on sale days, often timed around weekly supermarket promotions.

Checking supermarket promotions was mentioned by respondents as one way of cutting down costs. Our local supermarket is good with promoting what's on sale!

Some other popular methods included walking longer distances to cheaper supermarkets, or batch-cooking meals in advance to avoid buying takeout during busy weeks.

Bean sprouts get the nod as the top yen saving item

Bean sprouts earned the top spot as Japan's key money-saving ingredient, thanks to their versatility, very low cost, and ability to bulk up meals. Tofu, mushrooms, and natto also featured prominently, with a lot of households relying on soy-based products as more budget-friendly protein alternatives.

Where people aren't cutting back

Despite people's best efforts to save, there were some food-related indulgences that remained sacred for respondents. Topping the list of non-negotiables were sweets (16.4%), occasional dining out, and coffee. Respondents said they were willing to cut corners elsewhere if it means still enjoying a good chocolate bar, drip coffee, or a meal out once in a while.

Staple foods like rice and seasonings also ranked highly as untouchable costs, with many feeling that good flavor and quality are worth the price, especially when they are eating similar dishes daily. Meat, alcohol, and seasonings also made the list of items people prefer not to compromise on.

What would be your "non-negotiables" in the grocery shopping realm?