When you live in Perth, Australia for an extended period, you might suddenly miss the taste of Japan. Eating Aussie-sized Western dishes every day can sometimes tire out your stomach. For Japanese residents, locals, students, and long-term visitors in Perth, the ‘culinary oasis’ they turn to is Fuji Mart, an Asian supermarket located in Subiaco.
Opened in 2015 as a directly managed store by a group that distributes Japanese groceries across Australia, it has continually supported Perth’s demand for Japanese food with an overwhelming product selection. This time, we’re going beyond a mere supermarket introduction to delve deep into clever utilization tips unique to residents and real shopping insights.
Fuji Mart Perth
📍 Address: 13-14/29 Station St, Subiaco WA 6008 Australia
‘Fuji Mart Perth’ is a directly managed retail store operated by Jun Pacific Corporation, which handles wholesale and retail of Japanese ingredients in major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Since its opening in 2015, it has gained immense popularity among the local Japanese community and residents who frequent Asian supermarkets, establishing itself as one of Perth’s largest Japanese food specialty supermarkets.
The store boasts an excellent location, just a few minutes’ walk from Subiaco Station, which is easily accessible from Perth city center. It’s situated within Subiaco Square Shopping Centre, directly above the car park of the major supermarket ‘Woolworths’ in the same building, and right in front of you as you go up the escalator, making it very easy to find.
The store’s layout resembles a Japanese convenience store or a compact supermarket, with neatly organized shelves displaying so many Japanese products that you might forget you’re in Perth. Beyond food, they also carry cooking utensils, daily necessities, and even hold a liquor license, making it a one-stop shop for all your essential Japanese goods – that’s its biggest appeal.
From Specialty Seasonings to Frozen Foods: An Overwhelming Selection
While basic seasonings like soy sauce and mayonnaise are available at other general Asian supermarkets, Fuji Mart’s appeal lies in its pinpoint selection of ‘what Japanese people truly want.’ For instance, from specialty seasonings like organic soy sauce, high-quality miso, and yuzu salt, to Japanese rice such as Akita Komachi, grated yam (tororo), and even fukujinzuke pickles and mozuku seaweed, you’ll find a wide array of niche ingredients not typically seen in local supermarkets.
The frozen and chilled section is particularly highly regarded by long-term residents and students. Not only can you buy natto, which is a rare find in Perth, but also frozen foods perfect for bento boxes, pre-processed frozen fish, and even oden sets. It’s said that ‘expat families visit every weekend,’ and the extensive lineup supporting daily meals is truly impressive.
Not Just Food! Don’t Miss the Daily Necessities and Liquor Sections
Fuji Mart also boasts a very extensive selection of non-food items. They carry Japanese hair care and cosmetic products like shampoo, conditioner, and facial cleansers, stationery, and even miscellaneous goods such as takoyaki makers and back scratchers. Convenient items often found in Japanese 100-yen shops are also sold at reasonable prices, making it a valuable place to rush to if you suddenly need Japanese daily necessities while abroad.
Another significant feature is their liquor selection. Dozens of varieties of sake, shochu, whisky, and Japanese beers, directly imported from Japan, are available. This makes it incredibly useful for home parties or when looking for Japanese alcohol as a souvenir for Australian friends. (※Photo ID may be required for alcohol purchases)
Must-See for Students & Locals! Smart Shopping Hacks and Tips
Considering the high cost of living in Australia, imported Japanese groceries are certainly not cheap, but there are smart shopping tricks at Fuji Mart. First, don’t miss the discounts on items nearing their expiry date. If you’re lucky, you can get ingredients at a great bargain, and sometimes staff even throw in an extra. Also, if you visit frequently, definitely get a point card. Collecting stamps converts into store credit that can be used like cash, a very helpful system for students.
Furthermore, keep an eye out for regularly held ‘stocktake sales’ and ‘gratitude sales.’ In the past, there have been generous sales offering 20% off all items in the store, leading to many locals stocking up on rice and long-lasting seasonings during these times. If accessing by car, the Woolworths car park below offers 90 minutes of free parking, making it a common route for residents to load heavy items (like rice and liquid seasonings) into their cars.
As a unique aspect of local supermarkets abroad, if you expect the excessive customer service found in Japanese department stores, you might feel a disconnect with the staff’s straightforward approach. While there are some critical reviews regarding customer service, the overwhelming convenience of having ‘high-quality Japanese ingredients that can only be bought here’ outweighs that. Embracing it as part of overseas life and enjoying shopping like a treasure hunt is key to a fulfilling life in Perth.
