I've been wanting to ask... I hope I don't inconvenience anyone but I have searched for these specific answers and felt I had to just go ahead and start a thread of my own. I apologize if this is already somewhere on JB and just didn't find it. I'll go ahead and read other posts about people favorite places to shop for herbs, produce and stuff like that.

So... here's my question.... for those of you that have been here a while, speak Japanese or, better yet, are Japanese and definitely know the country favorites...

What are some good brands of these items to look for and how do you say them in Japanese? How does it look (written) in Japanese? The commissary often runs out and/or I like to do shopping of produce out in town anyway so I'd love to just be able to pick up these items too whenever we are out and about shopping.

Soy Milk
Organic 2% Milk
Beets (or the Japanese equivalent--we heard Japan doesn't have these)
Cinnamon Sticks
Chamomile (herb form, not powder)
organic (can this word just be added on to describe an organic product I may look for?)

I've tried googling a translation but I'm not sure which is correct or if it even translates. I even tried communicating with my old Japanese neighbors but I don't think we understood each other. If it is easier, please feel free to send me a private message. I appreciate any help anyone can give me if it's not too much trouble. 

A great big thanks!

As you know my limited Japanese, I cannot comment on the translation. But, I have been able to find some difficult to find spices in the marketplace in Sakaya Mall (about 2-3 minute walk from the Womble gate). If you go through the entrance, keep going straight past the make-up and luggage store. The market will be right in from of you.
For Organic produce, there is a service that delivers to the base. I think it is about 3500 yen a week and you just get a basket of what is in season that week. I can get info on it if you are interested. I would be interested in splitting a basket with someone (as Taylor and I don't eat enough produce to justify all that for ourselves).

there is a class the fleet and families readiness center does.u have to sighn up for it so call in /its a tour of a japanees grocery store.im sure they will teach a thing or 2.
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=392749410764637&set=a.146377368735177.21300.146358918737022&type=1&theater

Beets: Maybe you won't find these in a Japanese grocery. (Way) back in the '80s, I taught English to a great little group of Japanese housewives. We focused on foods/cooking/holidays/crafts. My mention of "beets" in the list of vegetables was met with very polite giggles. They finally explained that none of them had ever eaten a beet, because "only pigs eat beets."

Stuck_on_shore can you provide more information on the organic produce delivery service. Thanks!

Posted By BeenThere on 05-02-2012 11:42 AM
Beets: Maybe you won't find these in a Japanese grocery. (Way) back in the '80s, I taught English to a great little group of Japanese housewives. We focused on foods/cooking/holidays/crafts. My mention of "beets" in the list of vegetables was met with very polite giggles. They finally explained that none of them had ever eaten a beet, because "only pigs eat beets."

That's the same reason you won't find any corn on the cob in Germany.

Duval Diva, I will check this class out for sure! Thanks!

Stuck-on-shore, I'll have to talk to you about this next time we get together. Thanks, but yes, do provide more info...

Been There & Yokota, this is definitely some very interesting cultural info. Been There, I bet you blushed at this revelation from your students. :-)

Okay, so does anyone else know how to say at least "Soy Milk" in Japanese for me. This one is usually the more urgent one for me since the commissary runs out quite often and my daughter is "allergic" to regular milk.

Soy Milk is called Tonyu (pronounce like ToU-NyuU)

You can find by 2 Kanji letters (below).


I think most of Tonyu packages are labeled "Soy Milk" as well.

Here is the catalog for the veggie delivery company. This link is to their English catalog. I am not sure how to go about getting the veggie service, but I did hear that they deliver on base through Black Cat delivery. Not sure the specifics though.
http://gigaplus.makeshop.jp/warabem...201203.pdf

This article might help:
http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2012...ivery.html

I also noticed that there have been a few discussions on JB about vegan and vegetarianism that include how to tell if something is organic. This discussion might also prove helpful:
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/7661.aspx

JJAMS - if you are ever in need of soy milk, we always have some in the freezer. It doesn't look appealing when thawed, but T has never complained about the taste. If you are interested, I can make sure I keep an extra 1/2 gallon "in stock" for you.

Thank you so much, Okumura! This is so helpful. I will look for that when I go shopping this weekend.

Stuck-on-Shore, so you buy a whole bunch and just keep it frozen?!? I once froze (accidentally) a cup full of soy milk because I like it super cold, but when it thawed it looked so separated that I wasn't brave enough to try it. But if T didn't notice, then it should be good for S and J, too.
I'll have to do that. Otherwise, in a "toddler feeding emergency", I now know I can give you a call for a cup-full.

Here is a website I have been studying to learn how to read the food labels here:
http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2012...abels.html

Yes, I keep at least one vanilla and one regular in the freezer. I rotate it out about every 2 months for our fridge freezer and 4 months for our deep freezer. It does separate and look yucky, but T still drinks from a sippy cup so she doesn't notice. She has never complained and you know how picky she is. Please call if you need anything.

I would say 80 percent of the time the soy milk isnt stocked. Im seriously at the point of walking back there and loading my cart. When they do go back to get it for me I ask for 3 or 4 since we also go through several a week. There is also the option of the shelf soy milk. My daughter wont drink the other soy (not the silk) or the one out in Japan. Im not sure the texture or taste difference but she knows. Have you tried asking them to check in the back for you?

I just recently inquired about this produce delivery and I would love to have that delivered. If anybody has done it and know what produce they offer let me know. I would like fruit as well. Im going to check the links out now.

Also, if you have an iphone you can download a translation app. I have two and it helps a lot. the classes they are talking about ^ do not allow you to take children. Thats an issue for me but Ive badly wanted to take this course and its only offered every few months I believe.