Japan Tip of the Day (Graphic illustration by Stripes Japan)
Only in Japan can I order fish that is about 800 kilometers (about 497 miles) away from Tokyo to be delivered fresh and ready to eat.
My fiancé Kotono and I enjoy traveling to try new foods, but flights, lodging and other costs can get expensive. We found Tabechoku, an app where we can order most specialty items like Aomori salmon sashimi or Kagoshima chicken sashimi to be shipped directly to our door. The food is a little expensive, but it has been a great way to save money on travel and still enjoy delicious eats from other prefectures.
(abechoku app)
When we made our first order, we were a bit skeptical. How could they get us sushi-grade sashimi through the mail while ensuring its freshness? In the States, it would seem too good to be true. But in Japan, it’s possible.
When Kotono heard of a special Aomori salmon farmed in perfect condition, we immediately wanted to go there to try it. Unfortunately, we calculated the costs and found that it was probably too expensive to travel just for some fish. We used Tabechoku and nabbed some tasty salmon straight from the source.
As a foreigner, navigating the app is difficult as it is all in Japanese. I used Google Translate and screenshots and was able to open an account and make an order. The struggle was worth it in the end! Yes, I could have my Japanese fiancé take care of it, but I want to show our military community that a foreigner could navigate the app.
To search for an item you’re interested in, make sure you translate the text to Japanese first, then copy/paste into the search bar.
For checking out and payment, you may have difficulty using a credit card, but the app offers conbinni payment at 7-Eleven stores through third-party biller Atone. Select Atone and then select convenience store. After you place your order, you will receive a message with a barcode within a few days (you must have a Japanese phone number). All you do is show the barcode to the 7-Eleven cashier and pay. This is a cash-only choice, so carrying yen is important.
It took a few days to receive our order, but it was worth the wait. Yamato Transport shipped the order in a Styrofoam container with frozen contents. There was no question about the freshness.
The hardest part was waiting for the chicken and salmon to defrost. Our meal arrived flash frozen so we had to leave it out for about two and half hours to thaw before we could enjoy our meal.
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
In addition to fresh catches and meats, the app also offers local produce like Niigata rice and premium seasonal fruits like Hokkaido melons and Okinawa pineapples. If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to make the effort to check out Tabechoku!
MORE INFORMATION
App details: Tabechoku (Japanese Only) is available for iOS and Android. Google Translator is needed if you can’t read or type in Japanese.
Shipping is through Yamato Transportation; shipping fees are added upon check out.
Desktop is available, but you will still need to use Google Translate to create an account and check out.
You will need to be at home or your desired pick-up location to sign for the delivery.
