My Basket — Supermarket in Shin-Okubo, Tokyo

This is a branch of My Basket, the small-format supermarket, set in Shin-Okubo a few minutes from the station. What you notice first is how compact it is: a tight run of shelves and a chilled section, sized for a basket rather than a week's provisioning.

The prepared foods are the reason to walk in. Ready-made dishes are stocked in quantity, and they cost less than the equivalent at a convenience store, which makes them the practical buy for lunch or a late dinner. Meat is the thinner part of the range, so plan the meal around the deli case rather than the butcher counter.

Checkout is self-service: you scan and pay at the machine, and staff stand near the registers so you can flag someone down if a screen confuses you. The one snag is the split lines, with cash on one side and cards on the other and the separation not always obvious, so check which queue you are joining before you commit.

Spending stays modest, roughly ¥1,000–3,000 for a basket of prepared dishes and everyday goods. Doors open at 7 AM and close at midnight every day of the week, so an early breakfast run and a late snack run both work.

The shop suits a quick, cheap fill rather than a full pantry restock, and the morning crowd at the registers is the moment to avoid if you can shift your visit later.