Kobe

1. Categories of Shopping in Kobe

Kobe offers a wide range of shopping options for daily life essentials, including:

• Groceries and Food: Supermarkets, convenience stores, and fresh markets.
• Clothing and Apparel: Department stores, fast-fashion outlets, and second-hand shops.
• Household Goods: 100-yen shops, home goods stores, and specialty shops.
• Electronics: Electronics stores and second-hand shops.
• Pharmacies and Personal Care: Drugstores and beauty shops.

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2. Estimated Costs

Here’s a breakdown of typical costs for daily essentials in Kobe:

Groceries

• Rice (5kg): ¥2,000–¥3,000
• Vegetables (e.g., cabbage, carrots, onions): ¥100–¥300 per item
• Meat (chicken, pork, beef): ¥100–¥500 per 100g, depending on the type and quality
• Milk (1L): ¥150–¥250
• Eggs (10-pack): ¥200–¥300
• Bread (loaf): ¥150–¥300
• Seasonal fruits: ¥300–¥1,000 depending on the type (e.g., apples, oranges, or premium fruits like melons)

Clothing

• Fast fashion (e.g., Uniqlo, GU): ¥1,000–¥5,000 per item
• Second-hand stores: ¥500–¥3,000 per item
• Department stores (e.g., Daimaru, Sogo): ¥5,000–¥20,000+ for branded items

Household Goods

• 100-yen shops (e.g., Daiso, Seria): ¥100–¥500 per item
• Home goods stores (e.g., Nitori, Muji): ¥500–¥5,000 depending on the item

Electronics

• Small appliances (e.g., kettles, toasters): ¥2,000–¥10,000
• Laptops and phones: ¥50,000–¥150,000 depending on the brand and model

Pharmacies and Personal Care

• Shampoo/Conditioner: ¥500–¥1,500
• Toothpaste: ¥200–¥500
• Over-the-counter medicine: ¥500–¥2,000

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3. Popular Stores and Markets in Kobe

Groceries

• Supermarkets:
  • AEON: A large chain offering a wide variety of groceries and household goods.
  • Life: Known for fresh produce and reasonable prices.
  • Kobe Oji Ichiba (Kobe Oji Market): A traditional market with fresh seafood, vegetables, and local specialties.
• Convenience Stores: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are everywhere and great for quick purchases.

Clothing

• Fast Fashion: Uniqlo, GU, and H&M are popular for affordable and stylish clothing.
• Second-hand Stores: Bookoff and Hardoff often have good-quality used clothing at low prices.
• Department Stores: Daimaru Kobe and Sogo Kobe offer high-end brands and seasonal sales.

Household Goods

• 100-Yen Shops: Daiso, Seria, and Can Do are perfect for affordable household items.
• Nitori: A Japanese version of IKEA, offering furniture and home goods.
• Muji: Minimalist and high-quality household goods and clothing.

Electronics

• Yodobashi Camera: A large electronics store with a wide selection of gadgets and appliances.
• Bic Camera: Another major electronics retailer with competitive prices.
• Second-hand Electronics: Check Hardoff for used electronics in good condition.

Pharmacies and Personal Care

• Matsumoto Kiyoshi: A popular drugstore chain for medicine, cosmetics, and personal care items.
• Sundrug: Known for affordable prices on health and beauty products.

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4. How to Shop for Essentials

Groceries

• Supermarkets: Bring your own reusable shopping bag (eco-bag) as plastic bags often cost extra (¥3–¥5).
• Markets: Cash is preferred, and prices may be negotiable in some traditional markets.
• Convenience Stores: Great for small quantities and ready-to-eat meals, but slightly more expensive than supermarkets.

Clothing

• Seasonal Sales: Look out for sales in January (New Year) and July/August (summer sales) for discounts of up to 50%.
• Sizing: Japanese clothing sizes may differ from Western sizes, so try items on when possible.

Household Goods

• 100-Yen Shops: Perfect for small items like kitchenware, cleaning supplies, and stationery.
• Nitori and Muji: Ideal for larger items like furniture or bedding.

Electronics

• Tax-Free Shopping: If you’re a tourist, you can shop tax-free at major electronics stores by showing your passport.
• Warranty: Check if the warranty is valid internationally if you plan to take electronics back to your home country.

Pharmacies

• Over-the-Counter Medicine: Staff can help you find what you need, but English may be limited. Learn basic Japanese phrases or bring a translation app.

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5. Local Customs and Tips

1. Cash vs. Card: While credit cards are widely accepted in department stores and large supermarkets, smaller shops and markets often prefer cash. Carry some yen with you.
2. Tax-Free Shopping: Tourists can enjoy tax-free shopping at many stores if they spend over ¥5,000. Bring your passport to claim this benefit.
3. Eco-Friendly Practices: Bring your own shopping bags to reduce waste. Many stores charge for plastic bags.
4. Store Hours: Most stores open around 10:00 AM and close by 8:00–9:00 PM. Convenience stores are open 24/7.
5. Seasonal Produce: Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are fresher and more affordable.
6. Politeness: Staff will often bow and thank you after a purchase. It’s polite to bow slightly in return.
7. Queueing: Japanese shoppers form orderly lines at checkout counters. Wait your turn patiently.

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6. Useful Phrases for Shopping

• "Kore wa ikura desu ka?" (これはいくらですか？): How much is this?
• "Kurejitto kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?" (クレジットカードは使えますか？): Can I use a credit card?
• "Fukuro wa irimasen." (袋はいりません。): I don’t need a bag.
• "Arigatou gozaimasu." (ありがとうございます。): Thank you very much.

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By following this guide, you’ll find it easy to shop for daily life essentials in Kobe while enjoying the city’s unique shopping culture. Let me know if you need more specific recommendations or assistance!