Tokyo grocery delivery for expats: apps, supermarkets, tips

Delivery boxes with Japanese grocery packaging stacked in a Tokyo apartment entryway

Yes — Tokyo has multiple grocery delivery options suitable for expats, including net-supermarkets run by Seiyu and Ito-Yokado, meal-kit services such as Oisix, and marketplace ordering via Rakuten/Seiyu that integrate with Rakuten IDs and points. Many services offer same-day or next-day delivery inside central Tokyo, but registration, payment, and address formats require some local setup.[1][2][3][4]

How grocery delivery works in Tokyo

Tokyo’s online grocery ecosystem breaks into three main types: net-supermarkets (ネットスーパー) operated by national chains for same-day/next-day local delivery; meal-kit and fresh-produce subscription services; and marketplace storefronts that let you buy groceries alongside general e-commerce. Net-supermarkets maintain local delivery areas and time slots tied to store locations, while meal-kit companies ship boxed kits on scheduled days.[1][2][3]

Major Tokyo services and apps to know

  • SEIYU Net Super — Seiyu operates a Tokyo-focused net-super with local delivery options and an online storefront; also appears via Rakuten’s Seiyu shop for Rakuten users [1][4].
  • Ito‑Yokado Net Super — Ito‑Yokado runs its net-super service with store-based delivery and pickup zones mapped by ZIP/postal code [2].
  • Oisix — a well-known meal-kit and fresh produce delivery service that offers boxed kits and one-off orders, popular with busy residents in Tokyo [3].
  • Rakuten × Seiyu — Rakuten’s Seiyu storefront lets customers use Rakuten IDs and points when buying groceries online in Tokyo [4].
  • Local government and expat resources — Tokyo Metropolitan Government pages and GaijinPot provide practical living information and tips for foreigners navigating services [5][6].

What different supermarkets and meal-kit providers deliver

Seiyu and Ito‑Yokado are examples of national chains offering net-super coverage across many Tokyo neighborhoods; they operate as store-based delivery services that list available delivery slots and area coverage on their sites [1][2]. Oisix specializes in meal kits and value-added produce boxes with traceability and scheduled deliveries; its product pages explain kit contents and ordering cadence [3]. Rakuten’s Seiyu storefront is useful if you already use Rakuten points or want a marketplace checkout flow [4].

How to register and place an order: addresses, phone numbers, and payment

  1. Create an account on the service website or app (Seiyu, Ito‑Yokado, Oisix or Rakuten). Each service requires an email and delivery address; net-super services validate delivery availability by postal code [1][2][3][4].
  2. Enter your delivery address in Japanese format: postal code, prefecture (Tokyo-to), municipality, ward/shi-ku (if applicable), chome/block, building name and apartment number. Ask your landlord or building manager for the official Japanese-format address if unsure — expat resources recommend this step [6].
  3. Provide a local phone number. Some services use phone for driver contact or delivery confirmation; GaijinPot notes that many Japanese delivery services expect a Japanese-format phone number [6].
  4. Choose payment: many net-super services accept credit cards; Rakuten integration allows card-on-file or Rakuten point payment. Some chains may offer cash-on-delivery or convenience-store payment depending on the storefront—check the specific payment options when registering [1][2][4][6].
  5. Select a delivery date/time slot. Net-super pages list available slots and any slot-specific fees; confirm substitutions and freshness options during checkout (many services let you accept or decline substitutes) [1][2][3].

Delivery fees, minimum orders, and common delivery windows in Tokyo

Fees, minimum-order amounts, and time slots differ by chain and by area. Seiyu and Ito‑Yokado publish delivery-area rules and time-slot availability on their sites, and Rakuten/Seiyu integrates pricing and slot information into its storefront [1][2][4]. In practice, central Tokyo addresses tend to see more same-day slots; suburban or fringe Tokyo addresses may have fewer slots or require next-day scheduling. Always check the service page for your postal code before relying on same-day delivery [1][2].

Language tips and tools for expats

English support varies: Oisix provides clearer English explanations for meal kits and some customer support resources, while Seiyu and Ito‑Yokado sites are primarily Japanese [3][1][2]. Practical workarounds recommended by expat guides include using browser translation tools (Chrome/Edge), copying store text into translation apps, or registering via Rakuten if you prefer some English interface elements in checkout [4][6]. If you live in a managed building, ask the building office or concierge to help confirm the correct Japanese address format for deliveries [6].

Smartphone showing grocery delivery app screens for Oisix and Seiyu in Tokyo

Practical tips: timing, substitutes, re-delivery and returns

  • Order earlier in the day for same-day slots; if a slot is full, check for next-day delivery. Net-super storefronts show real-time slot availability by postal code [1][2].
  • Decide on substitute handling at checkout. If you need exact items (brand or freshness-sensitive), choose “no substitutions” where available; otherwise accept substitutes to improve fulfillment success [1][3].
  • For missed deliveries or returns, follow the service’s customer center instructions on the website—each chain lists contact and return policies on its site. Keep order confirmation emails for reference [1][2][3].
  • Use convenience stores for urgent single-item needs — konbini remain the fastest local fallback for small purchases when grocery slots are unavailable (recommended in expat guides) [6].

Alternatives and complimentary options

If you need broader selection or English support, combine services: use Oisix for regular meal kits and Seiyu/Ito‑Yokado net-super for bulk staples, or order from Rakuten/Seiyu if you want to use Rakuten points [3][1][4]. For same-day instant needs, consider local quick-delivery apps (check app-store listings for Tokyo availability) or konbini for immediate essentials. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s English pages offer additional living guidance for newcomers navigating city services [5].

Bottom line

Tokyo’s grocery delivery is mature and workable for expats: start with Seiyu or Ito‑Yokado for local net-super coverage, add Oisix for structured meal kits, and use Rakuten/Seiyu if you want marketplace checkout with points. Confirm your Japanese-format address, local phone number, and payment method during registration, and rely on browser translation or Oisix/Rakuten interfaces when you need English help [1][2][3][4][6].

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Sources

  1. SEIYU Net Super (ネットスーパー) — SEIYU
  2. イトーヨーカドーネットスーパー (Ito-Yokado Net Super)
  3. Oisix (official) — meal kits and fresh delivery
  4. Seiyu shop on Rakuten Ichiba (Rakuten × Seiyu)
  5. Living in Tokyo — Tokyo Metropolitan Government (English)
  6. How to buy groceries in Japan: a guide for foreigners — GaijinPot Resources