Japan is chock-full of small groceries - called "やおやさん" (yaoyasan) - and they're…

Japan is chock-full of small groceries - called “やおやさん” (yaoyasan) - and they’re important for three reasons. First, many elderly are not able to transport themselves to larger supermarkets. Second, the staff will get to know you, making for a more personal shopping experience.Third, they tend to source products locally, providing more variety than a supermarket. For example, my local yaoyasan had these Kumamon-branded zuccini at 80 yen apiece. Can’t find that at a supermarket.

Support your local yaoyasan. - William