Grocery Stores
One thing you'll be glad to know before you go is where are the nearest grocery stores. When I arrived, it was late in the evening, I had been awake for well over 24 hours and hadn't eaten since my last meal on the airplane. Simply put, I was starving. Luckily, there are several grocery stores surrounding the dorms and KGU, however all with varying operating hours and spread out. Each one seems to have its own little benefits, making it worthwhile to check them all out.
Top World
Located just minutes away from the east gate entrance of KGU, Top World resembles your typical neighbourhood grocery store and is great for grabbing a few things right after class. Offering your standard supermarket departments such as a well stocked deli and meats section, fresh bakery, and produce. Included inside is small restaurant/bakery, serving pizza by the slice, among other dishes. Additionally, there's also a Hyaku-en store (100 Yen Store) attached as well, carrying everything from chop sticks to clothes hangers, cleaning an school supplies. Watch for daily deals on the sushi in the evenings.
Overall price is pretty standard compared with other stores: $$$
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Sanko
One of my more preferred grocery stores, Sanko is situated closer to all seminar houses than Top World making it my go to for weekend grocery trips. Like Top World, Sank offers a variety of meats, vegetables and baked goods but frequently runs sales, especially during the evenings close to closing time. Typically you can find many premade meals heavily discounted by as much as 50%. Don't wait too late though as these items are quickly scooped up. Sanko also contains a hyaku-en and floral shop store as well.
Overall price seems to be pretty competitive: $$
Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. , Wednesdays are Holidays
Kansai Super
Top World • Sanko • Kansai Super • Lawson 100 • Edion
Lawson 100
Located about 10-15 minutes North of the seminar houses by bike, Kansai Super offers a wide selection of grocery items. I particularly like their produce section, which offers a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit. Additionally, Kansai Super also has a large butcher section containing quality meats of all cuts. Recommended if you're looking for a variety as it can be a nice change up from the other grocery stores. Prices are about average, maybe slightly higher for some items. but they tend to carry a greater selection, offering items you may not find elsewhere. $$$
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m
Similar to your typical Japanese convenient store, however, this one carries a small line of grocery food including, vegetables, dairies, meats, and of course all the other goodies found in Japanese combini's. The overall quality of produce here tends to be a bit lower than other supermarkets, though so does the price. Many items can be purchased for around the ¥100 - ¥ 500 range. Located about 5 minutes from the front gates of campus, this store is best visited on your way home if you live in the seminar houses. Prices, $
Hours of Operation: 24 hrs.
Edion
Welcome to Edion! You will likely visit this store several times, at least early on in the semester for reasons we'll touch on in the Staying Connected section. This store doubles as a grocery store on 1F and an electronics/home store on 2F. Like the other grocery stores, this one tends to most anything you're looking for and runs sales from time to time. It's a little of the way to get to but doesn't take long and can well worth it. You also have the option of check out the deals on electronics upstairs so can be well worth your time. Prices tend to be mid-range, though very reasonable when sales are on. $$$
Hours of Operation: 10:15 a.m. - 8 p.m.