Want to Use Alongside Vietnamese Supermarkets in Akita Prefecture! 5 Local Supermarkets Loved by International Students & Locals

The Appeal of ‘Local Supermarkets’ That Enrich Local Life in Akita

To all international students, technical interns, and long-term residents living in Akita Prefecture. As your life in Japan lengthens, you might suddenly miss the taste of your hometown, right? Recently, Vietnamese supermarkets (Asian grocery stores) have opened in places like Yokote City within Akita Prefecture, making it easier to get authentic seasonings and vegetables. However, if you want to wisely and deliciously brighten up your daily meals, the presence of ‘local supermarkets’—the kitchens of local residents—is indispensable!

Local supermarkets are packed with deep charms that large chain stores lack, such as surprisingly affordable food courts, exquisite deli items filled with Japan’s ‘home cooking taste,’ and even warm community spaces where residents interact. This time, we carefully select and introduce 5 excellent spots in Akita Prefecture that support real local life and that you’ll definitely want to visit alongside Vietnamese supermarkets.

Super Center Amano Igawa Store

📍 Address: 90-1 Kitagawashirshinsaka, Ikawa-machi, Minamiakita-gun, Akita 018-1512, Japan

The strongest ally supporting the fresh start of long-term residents and international students is ‘Super Center Amano Igawa Store’. Opened in 1998 as the first Super Center (SuC) in Tohoku, its vast single floor, approximately 2,000 tsubo (about 6,600 square meters) in size, stocks everything from groceries to daily necessities, bedding, and bicycle parts. This is definitely the place to go if you ‘want to get everything you need all at once’ right after moving in.

What locals unanimously recommend is the extremely cheap food court inside the store. Even in this era of rising prices, soy sauce ramen and miso ramen are offered at an unbeatable price of around 400 yen, making it an oasis for students looking to save on food expenses. The onigiri (rice balls) are also large and freshly made. The local style of ordering at the counter instead of a ticket vending machine also gives it the feel of a traditional Japanese supermarket.

Maruichi Shoten Aniai Super

📍 Address: 132 Aniginzan Shimoshimmachi, Ani, Kitaakita-shi, Akita 018-4613, Japan

This is an indispensable food infrastructure that supports the area around Aniai Station on the Akita Nairiku Line. While its exterior may look like a small, old-fashioned shop, the interior is deep and boasts a wide selection of products, from fresh foods to daily necessities. Despite being a small, independent store in the countryside, it supports electronic money payments, which is a very convenient point for cashless foreign residents.

The local gourmet item you absolutely must buy here is the ‘handmade hamburg steak.’ These thick and juicy hamburg steaks boast an amazing cost performance, with two for 390 yen, and are praised by locals as ‘the most delicious hamburg steaks I’ve ever eaten.’ Additionally, the yakitori, with its exquisite meat and sauce, and simmered dishes that are thoroughly flavored, are also very popular. It’s a deeply renowned store perfect for mountaineers stocking up or as a companion for train journeys.

Shokuhin Store Shimofusa

📍 Address: 1-58 Josaimachi, Odate-shi, Akita 017-0865, Japan

This is a small, independently run ‘garden store’ in Odate City. It offers the convenience of quickly buying only what you need for daily cooking, without unnecessary items. However, its greatest charm is, without a doubt, the overwhelming deliciousness of its ‘deli items.’ You can encounter nostalgic and gentle Japanese home cooking tastes, as if made by your own mother.

From sweet and savory egg rolls with green onions, rich with dashi, to daikon radish stew packed with chicken and shiitake mushrooms, and large, refreshing sweet and sour meat dumplings—everything is impressively delicious. If you visit around 6 PM, many deli items are often discounted by 20% to half price, which is irresistible for international students looking to get dinner side dishes at a great deal. You can also buy white rice (Akita Komachi) self-service, making it possible to create your own ultimate original bento box.

Miseko Asaminai (Akita Prefecture Otagaisama Super 2nd Store)

📍 Address: 86-1 Uchikawa Asaminai Gota, Gojome-machi, Minamiakita-gun, Akita 018-1851, Japan

This is an ‘Otagaisama Supermarket’ (Mutual Help Supermarket) launched by volunteers in 2016 to help local residents who faced difficulties with shopping due to depopulation and the discontinuation of local bus routes. It’s not just a grocery store but also a warm community space unique to rural Japan, where the spirit of ‘mutual aid’ in a marginalized village takes form.

A small dining space is attached to the store, where you can enjoy handmade dishes prepared by kind local mothers. From curry rice and curry udon packed with potatoes and carrots to healthy yakisoba with plenty of meat and vegetables—all are cheap and voluminous. It also serves as a salon where local residents enjoy chatting, making it a must-visit spot for long-term residents who want to experience real local Japanese interaction.

Sasugaya Second-hand Purchase Store at AEON Super Center Odate

📍 Address: AEON Super Center Odate, 238 Otammen, Odate-shi, Akita 017-0041, Japan

Finally, as a useful spot for long-term residents, we want to introduce the second-hand purchase store located within AEON Super Center Odate. When finishing your life in Japan and returning home, or when organizing your belongings during a move, you can turn unwanted brand-name items, watches, accessories, and more into spending money.

It’s highly rated in reviews, with comments like ‘an old watch I had almost given up on sold for the full price’ and ‘the staff’s service was very polite,’ allowing foreigners using a purchase store for the first time to bring items in with peace of mind. Its location inside AEON Super Center is also appealing, offering easy access to drop by casually while shopping for daily groceries and necessities.

Summary: Wisely Use Vietnamese and Akita Local Ingredients

Akita Prefecture is home to many charming local supermarkets that are deeply rooted in their communities and continue to support the stomachs and lives of residents. The key to a fulfilling stay is to wisely purchase daily vegetables and delicious deli items from local stores like those introduced here, while also sourcing hometown flavors such as fish sauce and rice paper from Vietnamese supermarkets.

Enjoy cheap and voluminous local deli dishes, and take pleasure in small interactions with the store ‘mothers’ and local people. Surely, your life in Akita will become even richer and more memorable!