Tokyo Mothers Group
English-speaking support group for families in Tokyo
Food & Dining
Here you will find information regarding foreign supermarkets, child-friendly dining and organic food options. There are of course plenty of other great places in the city so if you find something you and your family love be sure to let us know. You can also find information on cooking classes available in Tokyo and the surrounding areas.
Supermarkets with Imported products
The following supermarkets carry a good selection of imported food and products:
Kinokuniya International
AO Building B1F, 3-11-7 Kita Aoyama, Minato-ku
03-3409-1231
National
Two locations
Azabu Store: 4-5-2 Minami Azabu, Minato-Ku
03-3442-3181
Den-en Store:
2-6-21,Tamagawa Den-en-chofu,Setagaya-Ku
03-3721-4161
Seijo Ishii
Locations all over Japan with over 100 stores.
Nissin
Located in Azabu Juban this supermarket also has a home delivery service and an online shop.
2-34-2 Higashi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-3583-4856
Cost Co
Various locations all over Japan with a lot of imported and discounted products sold in bulk.
Precce Premium Food Market
Precce Premium is located in Tokyo midtown and open 24 hours a day.
Tokyo Midtown, Gardenside B1, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-5413-5109
Peacock stores
Peacock , original part of Daimaru corporation is now owned by Aeon corp and has locations throughout Tokyo.
Carnival
Several locations in Tokyo including Kichijoji, Mitaka and Tama Plaza.
Kaldi Coffee Farm
Locations throughout Japan and also have an online shopping on Japanese page.
Jupiter Coffee
Similar to Kaldi Coffee Farm there are locations throughout Japan and they stock a lot of imported alcohol, tea, coffee and food.
Meidiya
Offers different imported foods as well as a good selection of imported wine and other alcohol
Various locations around Tokyo and surrounds including Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Omiya, Aobodai and Tachikawa.
Online shopping available (In Japanese)
The Garden
Several location in Japan including Jyugaoka, Kichijoji, Shibuya and Ueno. More like a supermarket that carries a lot of international food as well.
Motomachi Union
Part of Keikyu store this store also carried imported food.
4-166 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kangawa-ken
045-641-8551
Child-friendly Restaurants
There are plenty of child-friendly restaurants in and around Tokyo and in general most places are extremely child friendly. Below are a couple of places that we recommend.
Oyako Picnic Cafe
A Japanese baby/kid friendly restaurant located in Hanamecho station (exit 6) or just 10mins walk from Ikebukuro station (west exit ).
Ph : 03-5985-4719 (Booking by phone advised)
Address : 2F Chuou Building, 5-24-9 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Organic Cafe Lulu
Organic cafe in Kiba, Edogawa-ku is a large cafe with plenty for the kids to do and lovely meals for all.
Ph: 03-5809-9922
Address: 5-6-30 Kiba, Koto, Tokyo 135-0042
Some other places are listed on the following links but best to check through to their main pages so that you are sure they are still up and running.
http://metropolis.co.jp/dining/local-flavors/family-table/
http://www.bestlivingjapan.com/category/eat/family-eats/
http://www.tokyofamilies.net/2012/02/top-5-smoke-free-casual-dining-for-parents-with-small-children/
Organic Food
Your local supermarket may have an organic section (Check out this post by Surviving in Japan for all of the phrases you should look out for). Otherwise these supermarkets specialise in organic products.
Mother's Organic Supermarket
Several locations around Tokyo and Yokohama including the following:
Shogakukan Suzukrandoori Building Store:
Shogakukan Suzurandoori Building 1F, 1-15-2 Kanda Kanbocho, Chiyoda-ku
03-3294-4570
Tama Center Mitsukoshi Store:
Mitsukoshi Tama Center B1F, 1-46-1 Ochiai, Tama-shi
042-357-2858
Natural House
Natural house has 13 stores in Tokyo and 17 more in other areas and sells a lot of fresh organic produce including fruit, vegetables, fish and bakery goods.
Some online options include
http://www.iherb.com (US based with huge range of organic and health food options)
http://www.alishan-organics.com (Expat run, Japan based)
http://super-organic.jp (Japan based in Hokkaido specializing in seasonal fruit and vegetable)
Farmers Markets are also becoming more popular with more popping up all the time- this blog seems to outline most of the common ones in Tokyo - http://www.japanfarmersmarkets.com/
Cooking classes
Omayurved Institute
Avurveda cooking classes in Tokyo
Simply Oishii
Japanese style cooking classes in Tokyo.
Buddha Bellies Cooking School
Regular cooking classes including sushi-making.
Kurabiiki
Cookie decorating classes.
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