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How to actually eat healthy here?
Seems like they put additives in many things. Some pretty bad ones too. I don't eat conbini except once when i first got here, but I am scared to buy anything even at supermarkets because what if they have additives? I am pretty sensitive to these additives and at times things I thought had none actually had pretty bad ones.
How can I get nutritious food; meat, vegetables, fruits and carbs without worrying about additives? Is there any grocery stores or places you guys can recommend? Are grocery stores actually safe against these additives if you buy whole foods? (Fruits/meats/veggies)?
edit: Also do they use bad pesticides for fruits? should one avoid eating fruit skin?
ngl you might be overthinking this a bit. just stick to the "nama" sections at any supermarket and you're golden, the raw meat and unbagged veg are literally just from the farm. for fruit skin i wash with a little salt and water and eat everything domestic, japan's pretty strict on pesticides compared to most places. if you're really worried about additives in everything else, hit up a place like bio c'bon in azabu juban for the peace of mind, but honestly cooking from scratch with supermarket basics is already way cleaner than what most people eat
one thing nobody's really getting into is how much of the "healthy" stuff at normal supermarkets is actually just processed junk with a health halo. like those "genmai" brown rice balls at the store are loaded with sugar and preservatives. stick to the actual whole grains section and cook them yourself, it's way cheaper and you control everything.
for produce, i'd recommend finding a local yasaiya (greengrocer) instead of the supermarket. there's one near me in shimokitazawa called yasai no oka that sources directly from farms in chiba and kanagawa, they'll tell you exactly what was used on each batch. the markup is maybe 20% more but the quality is noticeably better and you can actually ask questions.
also worth mentioning that a lot of the "additives" people freak out about in japan are just natural flavor enhancers like kombu dashi or shiitake powder. not everything labeled as having "additives" is bad, some of it is just traditional cooking methods they have to list legally. if you're really sensitive tho, just buy from the organic section at bio c'bon and cook everything from scratch, that's the only way to be 100% sure.
yeah the health food myth is real but its more about portion control and variety than actually clean ingredients. if you're near any big station, check for a "mu" (organic) section in larger supermarkets like tokyu store or odakyu ox, they have dedicated zones with additive-free stuff. not everything is labeled well in regular aisles so sticking to those sections helps.
for fruit skin, i just peel everything from regular stores tbh, especially imported stuff. but if you go to a local greengrocer (yasaiya) the seasonal domestic stuff like apples from aomori or mikan from ehime is usually fine with a good rinse. the farmers market at unhcr or the one in azabu juban on saturdays is where i get my produce now, the farmers actually tell you what they used or didn't use.
one thing nobody mentioned is cooking oil. most restaurant and prepped food uses cheap vegetable oil blends that mess with some people. get a good bottle of rice bran oil or grapeseed oil from a place like kaldi or natural house, makes a big difference when youre frying your own meat and veg. and for salt, swap regular soy sauce for usukuchi or tamari, way less sodium but same flavor.
Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspec… 🗼 Iconic Landmarks
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspective, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck (2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya) for 2,000 yen, open until 10 PM. Both spots are less crowded on weekday mornings.
⛩️ Cultural Temples and Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito), Tokyo's oldest temple, open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM. For a quieter experience, explore the Meiji Jingu Shrine (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya), set in a large forested area and free to enter. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🍜 Must-Try Food Experiences
Sample authentic ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya), where individual booths let you focus on the tonkotsu broth, starting at 1,290 yen. For a unique twist, try conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya (1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya), with plates from 100 yen. Reservations are not needed, but expect short queues.
🏯 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Yanaka, a district that survived WWII bombings, with narrow lanes and traditional shops like Yanaka Ginza shopping street (3-11-1 Yanaka, Taito). For a bohemian vibe, wander Shimokitazawa (Kitazawa, Setagaya), known for vintage stores and indie cafes. Both areas are best explored on foot in the afternoon.
🚇 Getting Around
Use the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway networks, with a 24-hour pass costing 800 yen for unlimited rides on most lines. The Suica or Pasmo IC cards are rechargeable and work on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM and 5-7 PM) to travel comfortably.
🌃 Best Evening Spots
Watch the sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku), where the free observation deck is open until 10 PM. For nightlife, head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku (1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku), a maze of tiny bars with a cover charge of around 500 yen. Reservations are recommended for popular bars.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws crowds to Ueno Park (5-20 Uenokoen, Taito), with over 1,000 cherry trees. For autumn foliage, visit Rikugien Garden (6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo) in November, lit up at night for 1,000 yen. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast for peak dates.
🎁 Unique Souvenirs
Buy traditional crafts at Kappabashi Kitchen Town (3-18-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito), famous for realistic plastic food samples and kitchenware. For quirky gifts, explore Don Quijote stores, like the one in Shibuya (1-16-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya), open 24 hours and offering everything from electronics to snacks. Prices are reasonable, and tax-free shopping is available for tourists.
honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.
for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.
also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.