Top 46 hard-to-find items in Japan

Teachers who have just moved to Japan often struggle to find certain foods, especially American foods not sold in Japan. They regularly struggle to find their favourite brand of something in the local shops, such as chocolate or drinks. Sometimes the reason is that these American and Western foods aren’t popular here in Japan, so they aren’t stocked.

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A lot of items on the list are food or drink based, with a few exceptions such as clothing. Our list shows each item’s ‘findability’ score, the easiest way to find it and a recommended substitute for the foods not sold in Japan.

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Here are the top 26 hard-to-find items in Japan, according to Interac teachers.

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1. Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a very American salad dressing, that isn’t sold in Japan. This western salad dressing hasn’t taken off overseas like it has in the USA, mainly due to Japanese cuisines not using salad dressings as condiments.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Import food stores in large cities

Substitute: Sesame “Goma” dressing

2. Licorice

Even though this is a popular sweet in mainly England and Australia, a large amount of the Japanese population consider the taste to be too ‘medicine like’. However, we wouldn’t recommend it as an omiyage gift for your friends!

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Japanese “gumi” candy

3. Root beer

Much like the licorice taste, Japanese locals aren’t a fan of Root Beer as it is very medicinal. There are some antiseptic gargles such as ‘Isojin’ which share a similar flavour to Root Beer, so it’s no surprise that it’s not a big hit in Japan.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Import food stores in large cities

Substitute: Plum “ume” soda

4. Poptarts

Toast and toaster foods are usually very popular in Japan, however Poptarts seem to be the exception. They’re hard to find in stores anywhere across Japan.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Sugary toast spreads found in supermarkets

5. Spices and Spice Mixes (Tex-Mex, Mexican)

As most Japanese meals mainly include ingredients such as salt, sugar, rice wine, soy sauce & vinegar, it’s difficult to find pre-packaged spices. Some teachers do get bored by these ingredients and want to branch out with different spices. It’s easy to Chinese and Korean spices, however Mexican and other spices will be harder to come by.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Import food stores in large cities

Substitute: Liquid mixes like “Cook-Do”

6. Egg Whites in a Carton

As a staple of body building diets and baking, it’s often impossible to find. Some mentions online about pasteurisation and sanitation requirements, but it’s not available anywhere. This item is usually seen as convenient in the west, but you won’t find it in Japan.

Findability Score: 0/5

Best way to find: Unfortunately this is one American food that isn’t available in Japan at all either in store or to ship online.

Substitute: Separate real eggs

7. Strong deodorant/Antiperspirant

There are lots of theories regarding this product, one being that Japanese people don’t sweat as much as the Western population or that the Japanese diet prevents bad body odour. These are definitely urban legends, as Japanese versions of these products do exist, however they are slightly lighter versions.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Lighter Japanese deodorant

8. Turkey

Turkey has never made it to Japan as a meat, only inside a Subway sandwich. This is a top American food not available in Japan. Around Thanksgiving & Christmas, when the Western population are eating Turkey, it’s still not a seasonal import to Japan.

Findability Score: 0.5/5

Best way to find: Subway, however, selected stores & butchers may stock them around Christmas.

Substitute: Chicken

9. Water Enhancers

Carrying around your own personal bottle of water flavouring is something that hasn’t caught on in Japan. With flavoured waters available, this is the preferred choice. However, the flavoured waters are only available cold and in bottles.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Bottled Flavoured Water

10. Gatorade

This band of sports drink from America never made it to Japan. The sports drink market in Japan is dominated by Coca-Cola ‘Aquarius’ and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals ‘Pocari Sweat’.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: online

Substitute: Aquarius or Pocari Sweat

11. Crackers – Cheezits, Goldfish, Triscuit, Wheat Thins.

This category of savoury, salty snacks seems like something that most Japanese people would like. As Ritz biscuits are also sold here and are a big brand, it seems that most of the crackers not available in Japan are American. For some unknown reason, these brands didn’t make it.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Import store in a large city or online

Substitute: Japanese salty snacks

12. Large Shoes and Large Clothing

The average height of a Japanese person is 5ft 7, so finding clothes and shoes for overseas teachers can sometimes prove difficult. There are some stores in the cities which have larger sized clothing and shoes, however online shopping may be easier for those teaching rural areas.

Findability Score: 1.5/5

Best way to find: Large-size clothing store in a large city or online

Substitute: N/A

13. High Fiber Items & Fiber Supplements

“‘Extra Fiber’ isn’t a label you will see on most Japanese foods. The ‘high-fiber food craze’ didn’t make it to Japan, so it’s not promoted here as an extra benefit. Lots of Japanese cuisine has plenty of high-fiber dishes and ingredients, which is why fiber supplements are seen as a ‘beauty product’ not a commonly used product.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Japanese cuisine diet

14. Medical and Health Items

Certain types of medical and health items aren’t sold in Japan as they are overseas. Mainly diabetic supplies are hard to find, such as syringes, test strips etc as they’ll be only available in clinics rather than over the counter. This applies to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) supplies also. It’s common for locals to get these supplies from a clinic rather than over the counter.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Clinic or a Doctor

Substitute: N/A

15. Grape Jelly

Jams, jellies and marmalades do exist in Japan with both domestic and import types available. However, grape jelly is not available. This may be due to most grape jelly being made with grape juice and not the actual fruit. Grape jelly is one of the most popular American foods that aren’t sold in Japan.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Strawberry or another similar jelly flavour

16. Pretzel Snacks

Similar to the Cheezits and other salty biscuits, Pretzel snacks are a popular American snack not available in Japan. There is a local type of pretzel snack called Pretz’ however it isn’t shaped like a traditional American pretzel and resembles a stick shape. Chocolate pretzels are rare in most imported food stores also.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Imported food stores in large cities

Substitute: Japanese Pretz

17. Applesauce

Japanese locals are fond of apple, however apple sauce is not sold anywhere. Apple sauce would compliment certain Japanese sweets or desserts, but it’s not a popular condiment. It’s easier to create this sauce at home, so you can sweeten it to taste.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Make your own

18. Protein & Protein Bars

Recently, the idea of taking protein powder to increase your intake has taken off in Japan, but it’s still not like overseas. Supplements and bars do exist, but their quality, flavour and variety aren’t like most other countries. Many Japanese ‘extra protein’ products have +5 grams more per servings than the normal version of the products. For advanced protein users, ‘sports’ versions are available, which are high in quality but very expensive.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Online or in sporting goods store

Substitute: Import from overseas

19. Fruit Roll-ups

One of the most popular American snack foods not available in Japan are, fruit rolls-ups. There are other fruit flavoured snacks in Japan, but this particular brand remains a Western firm favourite.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Dried or fresh fruits, other fruit flavoured snacks

20. High-Dose Vitamins & Supplements

High-quality vitamins and supplements exist in Japan, with most drug stores having a supply of the basics. For higher doses, it is tough to find suitable products in Japan.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online

Substitute: Import from overseas

21. Hot Sauce (Other than Tabasco)

Tabasco is very popular in Japan, as most Japanese don’t have experience with hotter condiments. Chinese and Korean spicy foods are more common than super-hot hot sauce. Spicy hot sauce lovers need to dig around to find their fix.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Import food stores in large cities

Substitute: Import from overseas

22. Peanut Butter

Jars of peanut butter started showing up a few years ago, but it’s far from being a universal item in every store. The typical size is a smaller jar, as the larger jars are usually found in America and not available in Japan. The smaller jars are often more expensive or if you do choose to import peanut butter then you will have to pay for the shipping.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Online or import food stores in large cities

Substitute: Use a blender and make your own nut butter

23. Egg Nog

This famous holiday drink is the hardest to source in this list. This is one of the most popular American foods that isn’t sold in Japan.

Findability Score: 0/5

Best way to find: Unfortunately this is one American food that isn’t available in Japan at all either in store or to ship online.

Substitute: Make your own egg nog

24. Candy

A lot of candy and sweets, sold in supermarkets and stores overseas, is not available. Basic products like ‘Hershey’s’ and ‘Mars’ chocolate products are available in some places however, some such as ‘Rolos’ and ‘Charleston Chews’.

Findability Score: 1.5/5

Best way to find: Online or import food stores in larger cities

Substitute: Import from overseas

25. Eucalyptus Drops

These are Australian favourites and are one of the more sought after products in this list. It seems to be anything with Eucalyptus is a rare find in Japan.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online or import food stores in larger cities

Substitute: Import from overseas

26. Beans

There are beans available in Japan, but the variety is limited. Lots of teachers have mentioned how hard the beans are to find, having to travel to other larger cities for lentils and kidney beans.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Online or import food stores in larger cities

Substitute: Import from overseas

27. Broccoli

Broccoli, while common in Western diets, isn’t a staple in traditional Japanese cuisine, leading to its scarcity in local markets. Its availability is often limited to international supermarkets, where it is priced higher due to import costs and lower demand compared to native vegetables.

Findability Score: 3/5

Best way to find: International supermarkets and select local grocery stores

Substitute: “Komatsuna” or Japanese mustard spinach, which are more commonly used in local dishes.

28. Chocolate & Cocoa Powder

Japan’s unique chocolate flavours often differ from classic Western-style chocolate in texture and sweetness, reflecting local taste preferences. Pure cocoa powder, essential for many Western recipes, is harder to find due to its lesser role in traditional Japanese baking.

Findability Score: 3/5

Best way to find: Specialty import stores and online retailers

Substitute: “Matcha” powder for baking and local Japanese chocolates for snacking, offering a distinct local flavour.

29. Cheese

The limited variety of cheese in Japan, focusing mostly on mild flavours, reflects the country’s historically limited exposure to and adoption of European cheese varieties. Strong or aged cheeses, common in Europe, are less prevalent due to differing culinary traditions and taste preferences.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International grocery stores and select Japanese supermarkets

Substitute: “Mochi” for a chewy texture or “Tofu” for a mild flavour, both aligning more closely with traditional Japanese tastes.

30. Pasta

While Japan is known for its rich noodle culture, Western-style pasta, especially varieties like whole wheat or speciality types, is less common. This is due to the prevalence and popularity of native noodle varieties like udon and soba, which are staples in the Japanese diet.

Findability Score: 3/5

Best way to find: Large supermarkets and import food stores

Substitute: “Udon” or “Soba” noodles, which are widely available and integral to Japanese cuisine.

31. Diet Coke

Diet Coke, or Coca-Cola Light, is less popular in Japan, where consumer preferences lean towards local soft drink varieties. The taste and branding may also differ to cater to local tastes, making the Western version less familiar to Japanese consumers.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Large supermarkets and some convenience stores

Substitute: “Oolong tea” or “Mugi-cha” (barley tea), which are popular low-calorie drinks in Japan.

32. Decaffeinated Coffee

Decaffeinated coffee is less common in Japan, where traditional caffeine-free options like tea are more popular. The Japanese market for decaf coffee is smaller, reflecting the country’s long-standing preference for tea over coffee, particularly in its decaffeinated forms.

Findability Score: 1/5

Best way to find: Online retailers and speciality coffee shops

Substitute: “Hojicha” or roasted green tea, a popular caffeine-free option in Japan.

33. Light Beer

Light beer, as known in the West, is less common in Japan, where beer preferences lean towards local brands with distinct flavour profiles and alcohol content. The popularity of brands like Asahi, which has a flavour profile comparable to some German beers, overshadows the demand for Western-style light beers.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Specialty import stores and some bars

Substitute: Japanese “Happoshu” or low-malt beer, which offers a lighter alternative within the local brewing tradition.

34. Cutlery

Western-style cutlery, particularly knives and forks, is less common in Japan due to the traditional use of chopsticks (“Hashi”). This cultural preference means that Western cutlery is not standard in most Japanese households or restaurants.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Home goods stores and international retailers

Substitute: “Hashi” or traditional Japanese chopsticks, which are ubiquitous in Japanese dining.

35. Sour Cream

Sour cream is not widely used in Japanese cooking, making it less common in grocery stores. Its limited use in traditional Japanese cuisine leads to its availability primarily in international supermarkets, catering to expats and those seeking Western ingredients.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International supermarkets and some large grocery stores

Substitute: Yoghurt or Creme Fraiche, which can be found more easily and offer similar textures and flavours.

36. Brown Sugar

Brown sugar, which is less processed and has a distinct molasses flavour, is less common in Japan, where refined white sugar is more prevalent. The unique flavour and texture of brown sugar are less integral to Japanese cooking and baking, hence its limited availability.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International grocery stores and speciality baking shops

Substitute: “Kokuto” or Okinawan black sugar, a local alternative with a rich, molasses-like flavour.

37. Quinoa

Quinoa, a nutritious South American grain, is not a part of traditional Japanese cuisine and thus often hard to find. Its absence reflects Japan’s rich variety of native grains and legumes, which are more commonly used in local dishes.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Health food stores and online retailers

Substitute: “Millet” or other local grains, which are integral to Japanese cuisine and offer similar health benefits.

38. Avocado

Avocado, increasingly popular in Western diets, is still gaining traction in Japan. Its limited availability and higher cost in Japan are due to import expenses and less established demand compared to more traditional fruits.

Findability Score: 3/5

Best way to find: Supermarkets and international grocery stores

Substitute: “Nasu” or Japanese eggplant, offering a similar texture and versatility in dishes.

39. Coriander (Cilantro)

Coriander, or Cilantro, is a staple in many international cuisines but is rarely used in traditional Japanese cooking. Its limited use in local dishes leads to its relative scarcity in markets, despite its popularity in other Asian cuisines like Indian.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International supermarkets and select local markets

Substitute: “Shiso” leaves or “Mitsuba,” which are more commonly used in Japanese cuisine and offer a fresh, herbaceous flavour.

40. Whole Grain Breads

Whole-grain or multi-grain breads are less common in Japan compared to white bread, reflecting traditional preferences for refined grains. The growing health-conscious market has led to an increased, but still limited, availability of whole-grain options.

Findability Score: 3/5

Best way to find: Specialty bakeries and international supermarkets

Substitute: Japanese “shokupan” or white bread, which is a staple in Japanese households.

41. Olive Oil

High-quality extra virgin olive oil, a staple in Western cooking, is often more expensive and less common in Japan. This is due to both import costs and a lesser role in traditional Japanese cuisine, which utilizes different oils.

Findability Score: 3/5

Best way to find: Specialty stores and international supermarkets

Substitute: “Sesame oil” or other locally available oils, which are more commonly used in Japanese cooking.

42. Greek Yogurt

Greek yoghurt, known for its thickness and high protein content, is less widespread in Japan. The preference for more traditional dairy products and the late introduction of Greek yoghurt into the market contribute to its limited availability.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International supermarkets and health food stores

Substitute: Regular yoghurt or “tofu” for a similar texture and health benefits.

43. Maple Syrup

Authentic maple syrup is less common and more expensive in Japan due to import costs and a lower demand compared to flavoured syrups. The distinct taste and use of maple syrup in Western cooking have not been widely adopted in Japanese cuisine.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Import food stores and some large supermarkets

Substitute: “Kuromitsu” or Japanese black sugar syrup, offering a similarly sweet flavour for local dishes.

44. Dried Herbs and Spices

A wide range of dried herbs and spices common in Western cooking is less available in Japan, reflecting the different flavour profiles and ingredients favoured in traditional Japanese cuisine. This results in a smaller market and lesser availability of such ingredients.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International grocery stores and speciality spice shops

Substitute: Local Japanese spices and seasonings, which are more prevalent and cater to local tastes.

45. Hummus

Hummus, a Middle Eastern spread made from chickpeas, is not a traditional food in Japan and can be hard to find. This scarcity is due to hummus not being a staple in Japanese cuisine, leading to lower demand and, thus, limited import or production.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: International supermarkets and some health food stores

Substitute: “Miso paste” for a similar umami flavour

46. Fresh Berries

While some berries are available, the variety and availability of fresh berries like raspberries and blackberries are limited compared to Western countries. This limitation is often attributed to Japan’s unique climate and agricultural focus, which does not favour the cultivation of such berries.

Findability Score: 2/5

Best way to find: Supermarkets and speciality stores, especially in season

Substitute: Domestic Japanese fruits like “yuzu” or “ume”

For every item on this list that you can’t find, there will be a Japanese substitute for you to try. When teachers find their way past periods of culture stress while living in Japan, they tend to pick up new items that they prefer just as much as the ones they left behind in their home country.

For more information about living and working in Japan as an Interac ALT, click here.