Yoshimi Sugawara's page

Local supermarket expert

Yoshimi Sugawara

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3 Feb 2024

Head to Local Supermarkets If You Want to Experience Japanese Food Culture!

When searching for souvenirs on your travels, you definitely want to stop by a supermarket. Local supermarkets, in particular, are packed with the region's unique food culture, offering a variety of local ingredients. The person who can best introduce the attraction of these local supermarkets is Yoshimi Sugawara, a supermarket researcher who runs the National Local Supermarket Association. What does this supermarket expert have to say about enjoying local supermarkets?

PROFILE

Yoshimi Sugawara is a supermarket researcher. She travels around the country visiting local supermarkets, introducing the lesser-known everyday foods of each region. She gained fame as a trendsetter for local supermarkets and regional deli foods after appearing on a TV program where the everyday dish “agezuke” from Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, became a huge hit. She frequently appears in various media, including TV, radio, magazines and newspapers.
Currently, she drives her own camper van, traveling around the country to visit local supermarkets.
Among her many published works are “Hidden Gems of Local Supermarkets Across Japan” (Kodansha) and “47 Prefectures: A Nationwide Local Food Encyclopedia of Japan” (Heibonsha). She serves as the representative director of the General Incorporated Association National Local Supermarket Association.

The websites she helps operate:

Yoshimi Sugawara's page