WHERE TO BUY CEREAL IN JAPAN?

I’m asked this question a lot.
Is cereal as commonly eaten for breakfast in Japan as in other western countries in the world? No.
Is it sold in Japan? Yes.

Where to buy cereal in Japan?
Convenience stores usually have 1-2 options.
It’s not that uncommon to see one of these in the bigger city convenience stores too. The left is All Bran and the right is Fruit Granola.
You can also easily find cornflakes ( although they are often the frosted kind so you may want to bring a box in your suitcase. I have had luck finding the non-frosted kind in some Aeon supermarkets and My Basket supermarkets.)

Supermarkets
And if you’re willing to go to an actual supermarket – here is an example of a bigger range of granola and cereals. So many tourists forget that Japan has actual supermarkets. Google “supermarket near me” for all the closest options.

An example of the granola sold at this Max Valu supermarket. This photo was taken at the 24 hour Max Valu supermarket near Tokujiro no Yado (a beautiful Japanese house I recommend for families in Osaka.)
Top shelf: “Freshly picked large pieces of strawberries granola”, ”The New Otani Granola 70% reduced fat” , “Fruit Mix All Bran”
Second shelf: “Strawberry filled chunky granola” “Luxury fruits chunky granola” “Choc nut chunky granola” “Choc strawberry chunky granola”
Third shelf: “Tropical Coconut Fruit Granola Aloha De Mele” ”Kinako Soybeans chunky granola””Uji matcha chunky granola”
Bottom shelf (on top of the boxes) “Fruit Granola”, “Reduced Sugar Fruit Granola””Choc Banana Fruit Granola”

An example of the cereals sold at Maruetsu Petit. Top shelf is Crunchy Granola with Almonds, Wholegrain unsweetened Corn Flakes. Second shelf: All Bran Fruit Mix, All Bran Choc Bran Flakes, All Bran ”Take a Moment” Chocolate Third shelf from the top: Fruit Granola Choc Banana Flavour, All Bran Bran Flakes, All Bran Bran Rich Bottom Shelf: Unsweetened Corn Flakes, Corn Frosties, Chocowa (Chocolate Hoops), Choc Krispies.

These are the cereals sold at a supermarket called Cook-Y in Shinjuku.

The cereals sold at Cook-y Shinjuku. Top Shelf: Fruit & Nut Mueslli ( contains raisins, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts) Second Shelf: Kellogg’s Choc Krispies, Kellogg’s Corn Frosties, Kellogg’s Choc Rings, Organic Deluxe Muesli, Organic Jumbo Oats. Third Shelf: Plain, Wholemeal Flakes, Unfrosted Corn Flakes, Nissin Ciscorn Milk Choc Flakes, Nissin Ciscorn Frosted Cornflakes, Oatmeal. Bottom Shelf: Natural Yeast Cracks. Crackers with Calcium for strong boes, Crackers with Iron and Collagen.

Larger drugstores
Larger branches of drugstores such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi often have a decent cereal selection.

Cereals sold at Matsumoto-Kiyoshi, Minami-Horie (Osaka) store. Top shelf: Chunky Choc Nut Granola, Chunky Hazelnut Chocolate Granola, Granola with large strawberry pieces Second shelf: Kinako Soybeans Chunky Granola, Luxury Fruits Chunky Granola, Uji Matcha Chunky Granola, Reduced Sugar Berry Cacao Fruit Granola. Third Shelf: Granola with zero dried fruits, Fruit Granola. Second from the bottom shelf: Frosted Corn Flakes, Reduced Sugar Fruit Granola. Bottom shelf: Sugary Corn Flakes, Milk Cocoa Flavoured Corn Flakes, Fruit Granola.

Can I buy gluten free cereals in Japan?
Yes. But options are limited so it is best to pack your own. I speak about gluten free options in Japan here (and in my area guides eg. Kobe with kids I mention gluten free options as much as I can.)

Also -if you choose a hotel with a manned front desk – did you know that can have different types of milk and gluten free and vegan food options delivered anywhere in Japan via the National Azabu website? This international supermarket is located in Hiroo, Tokyo (you can also, of course, visit in person). You can also order online and have them deliver groceries to you if you are staying in Minato-ku, Tokyo (aka the Minato ward, Tokyo) OR you can have these items delivered anywhere in Japan using the Yamato delivery service (price is from 1200 yen per box of food delivered.) This is one of many reasons to stay at a hotel and not an airbnb in Japan – so that a hotel can accept parcels on your behalf -if you’re super clever, you can order ahead and have a box of low-allergen foods for you arrive the day you check in to your hotel (if you email the hotel ahead – they will put cold items in the fridge for you.) National Azabu in Tokyo stocks almond milk, oat milk, walnut milk, soy milk as well as pistachio milk. Here is my general advice on buying different types of milk in Japan.