Why Costco Japan Is a Shopper’s Dream, From Sushi to Appliances

Isle’s Aisles

With its vast warehouses, bulk products, and jumbo pizzas, Costco seems to follow the American maxim that bigger is better. Nevertheless, the wholesaler has thrived in 11 countries across a variety of cultures — though not without some adjustments. On the island of Japan, Costco shoppers enjoy fresh sushi, affordable wagyu beef, and popular Japanese electronics such as rice cookers. If that sounds like a dream, know that you’re not alone. Costco super fans are posting constantly about the superstore’s exclusive Japanese products on TikTok and Reddit. Here’s why Costco Japan is a shopper’s paradise that’s captivated the internet.

Affordable Sushi

For around $50, Costco shoppers in Japan can enjoy massive 50-piece platters of fresh nigiri, rivaling even the cheapest American sushi bars. Employees make the sushi daily using an automated rice dispenser and fresh salmon, tuna, halibut, and other popular cuts of fish.

Bulgogi Bake

This Asian take on the chicken bake, a food court favorite, has Costco fanatics drooling. While the exterior looks the same, Costco Japan’s version is stuffed with marinated slices of Korean-style beef. Other Japanese food court exclusives include a shrimp bisque and citrus smoothie.

A paradise for seafood lovers by Shih-Chi Chiang (CC BY)

Fresh Fish

Beyond its assembly line sushi, Costco Japan also sells an impressive assortment of fresh fish and seafood, much of which is difficult to find in the United States. Whether you’d like to pick up some sushi-grade tuna or a few octopus tentacles, Costco Japan looks like a fish market compared with its American counterpart.

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Wide Variety of Rice

Costco Japan sells bags upon bags of different types of rice. Given that the average Japanese person eats around 110 pounds of rice a year, that shouldn’t be a surprise.

Japanese Snacks

Sure, maybe Costco Japan doesn’t sell huge snack packs with Cheetos and Funyuns, but it does have a whole slew of unique treats including dried squid, rice crackers, and sweets.

Asian Vegetables and Greens

Costco offers plenty of fresh produce in the United States, but veggies such as daikon can be hard to find. That’s not a problem in Japan, where you can find the radish at Costco among other Asian greens and vegetables.

Japanese Appliances

From mini beer taps to rice cookers and portable grills, Costco Japan offers no shortage of unique appliances that aren’t common stateside.

Wagyu Beef

A pound of this world-famous marbled beef can easily cost hundreds of dollars — but not at Costco Japan. Japanese members can buy premium cuts of rich wagyu beef for around $5 to $7 per 100 grams (or $23 to $32 per pound).

Japanese Alcohol

Not only does Costco Japan offer well-known classics such as Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo, but the wholesaler also has aisles full of sake, shochu, and fruit wines that you’d struggle to find in the in the United States.