Family Dining · Practical guide
Roger's
Shopping at a Discount-Store Pioneer Founded in 1973
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | ロヂャース (Roger's) |
| Brand Name | Roger's / ロヂャース (北辰商事株式会社 / Hokushin Shoji Co., Ltd.) |
| Store Type | Japanese discount supermarkets and smaller neighborhood formats; the company uses the slogan "Everyday Same Low Price" |
| Best For | Travelers shopping for groceries, prepared foods at selected branches, Japanese snacks, and everyday supplies in Saitama or western Tokyo |
| Shopping Style | Self-service retail with checkout at each branch; equipment, checkout arrangement and product range vary by location |
| Membership Required? | No membership or Japanese resident ID required for general shopping |
| Prices & Tax-Free | Prices and promotions depend on the item, store and date; check shelf labels and store-specific flyers. Tax-free participation is not established for all Roger's stores; ask the branch before shopping. |
| Language | Official store listings are in Japanese. Product labels and available assistance may vary; use a translation tool if needed. |
| Payment Methods | Roger's Koshigaya and Kichijoji 1 list major credit cards, transit IC cards, iD, QUICPay and mobile payments including PayPay. Options can differ at other branches; bring cash as a backup. |
| Store Network | The official directory lists 23 store entries in Saitama and Tokyo, including Roger's 1 and Roger's 3 in Kichijoji. Those 23 entries represent 22 branch names when the two Kichijoji units are grouped by name (checked November 12, 2026). Formats include Roger's, Roger's Smart and Mykai Mart. |
What it is
Roger's (ロヂャース), run by Hokushin Shoji, opened its Urawa store in Saitama in January 1973. The company describes this as Japan's first discount store. Its long-running “Everyday Same Low Price” slogan captures its low-price approach; today the official directory includes large Roger's stores and smaller Roger's Smart and Mykai Mart locations.
For travelers staying in Saitama or western Tokyo, Roger's offers a look at everyday Japanese discount shopping. Larger branches such as Koshigaya stock fresh food, prepared dishes, household goods and more, while Kichijoji 1 is close to the railway station. The company's mykai (マイカイ) private-label range is worth looking for. Exact dishes, prices and stock vary by branch and visit.
How to order
Step 1: Arriving at a Landmark Saitama or Tokyo Branch
- Roger's Kichijoji 1 is about a three-minute walk from JR Kichijoji Station's north exit. Larger Roger's stores are scattered across Saitama; check the official branch page for the route and store hours before traveling.
- Take a shopping basket or large wheeled cart at the entrance.
Step 2: Browsing the Famous "mykai" Brand Aisles
- Look for the "mykai" (マイカイ) name on the company's private-label groceries.
- The brand covers everyday foods; actual shelf selection changes by store. Browse for:
- Bottled drinks or tea, if stocked.
- Sauces and seasonings, if stocked.
- Noodles, canned foods and other pantry staples, depending on the branch.
Step 3: Checking the Bento and Prepared-Food Section
- At a store with a prepared-food section (惣菜), browse the day's selection. Koshigaya and Roger's Smart Iruma both list prepared foods.
- Roger's Smart Iruma says it prepares deli items on site and sells freshly made dishes daily. Check the shelf label for today's meal, price and ingredients; availability at other branches is not guaranteed.
Step 4: Checkout & Payment Process
- Use the staffed checkout or follow the branch's displayed instructions for any alternative checkout equipment.
- Payment Tip: Koshigaya, Kichijoji 1 and Roger's Smart Iruma officially list major credit cards, transport IC cards and several smartphone-payment services, including PayPay. Check the chosen branch's official payment listing; cash is useful as a backup.
- If buying a ready-to-eat meal, ask "Ohashi wa arimasu ka?" ("Do you have chopsticks?"). The store will tell you whether they are available.
Step 5: Tax-Free Policy Notice
- Check Participation First: The official store pages do not confirm a chain-wide tax-free service. Ask the specific Roger's branch whether it is a participating tax-free shop before expecting any refund.
- Do not assume that tax-free sales are limited to shopping complexes or that any shared tax-free counter is available. A store must confirm its own service and purchase procedure.
- If a specific store confirms it offers tax-free sales, Japan's refund system effective November 1, 2026 works as follows:
- Eligible tax-free purchases must total at least ¥5,000 excluding tax at the same store on the same day. Goods claimed for refund must leave Japan; foods and drinks consumed in Japan cannot qualify.
- Pay the tax-inclusive price at checkout.
- The participating retailer processes your tax-free purchase with your passport details and explains its refund arrangements. Follow the retailer's instructions; a particular payment or refund service is not guaranteed.
- Within 90 days of purchase, complete customs export confirmation before checking your luggage at the international airport or port, using your passport at a tax-free terminal or Visit Japan Web where supported. Keep all goods included in the refund purchase accessible; show them if customs inspection is required.
- After customs confirms the goods will leave Japan, the participating store or its authorized refund provider handles the tax refund under the method arranged for that purchase. Do not assume cash is available at the airport.
What to order first
1. Bento and Prepared-Food Meals (惣菜・弁当)
- Japanese Name: 惣菜・弁当 (prepared dishes and bento, where stocked)
- Price: Check the shelf label or the official flyer for the chosen branch and shopping date.
- Why Try It: Koshigaya lists a prepared-food section, while Roger's Smart Iruma says its deli prepares dishes on site every day. These can be convenient meals if you are staying nearby. Check labels for ingredients, allergens and current prices.
2. "mykai" (マイカイ) Private-Label Groceries and Seasonings
- Japanese Name: マイカイ (mykai private-label foods; selection varies by branch)
- Price: Compare shelf prices for the exact products available on your visit.
- Why Try It: Roger's describes mykai as a private-label line intended to combine everyday food quality and affordable pricing. Browse the range for sauces, pantry staples or snacks as stocked at your branch, and compare the actual shelf labels.
3. Instant Noodles and Pantry Staples
- Japanese Name: インスタントラーメン・麺類 (instant noodles and noodles)
- Price: See the displayed price for each pack; brand, pack size and stock vary.
- Why Try It: If your branch carries multipacks, compare the price per serving with single packs. These shelf-stable groceries may be useful for self-catering or as gifts; check the ingredient label and your destination's import restrictions.
4. Japanese Tea and Bottled Drinks
- Japanese Name: お茶・飲料・ミネラルウォーター (tea, beverages and mineral water)
- Price: Check the bottle size and shelf price at the store.
- Why Try It: Bottled drinks can be useful for a self-catering stay or a day out. Compare the price per liter for different sizes; take any drink you plan to consume in Japan out of a tax-free purchase.
5. Japanese Rice Crackers and Sharing Snacks
- Japanese Name: 米菓・おかき・スナック菓子 (rice crackers and snacks)
- Price: Check the posted price and package weight; promotions vary.
- Why Try It: Look for soy-flavored rice crackers and other packaged Japanese snacks in the confectionery aisles. Sizes and brands vary; review allergen labels before buying for yourself or others.
Payment & practical info
- Accepted Payment Modes: At Koshigaya, Kichijoji 1 and Roger's Smart Iruma, official pages list major credit cards, Suica/PASMO, iD, QUICPay and multiple QR payments including PayPay. The accepted options at other branches or individual lanes must be checked on site; keep cash as a backup.
- Tax-Free Notice: Tax-free availability is not established across the chain. Ask the specific branch whether it is registered for tax-free sales and what refund arrangement it uses before purchasing.
- Operating Hours: Koshigaya: Mon–Sat 09:30–21:00 and Sundays/holidays 09:00–21:00; Kichijoji 1: 10:00–21:00; Roger's Smart Iruma: Mon–Sat 09:30–21:30 and Sundays/holidays 09:00–21:30. Check the selected branch for changes.
- Payment Backup: Bring cash if convenient, but do not assume all checkouts are cash-only; several branches explicitly accept cards and mobile payments.
- Bring Reusable Bags: Take your own reusable tote to avoid paying for a bag if the branch charges for one; ask at checkout for the current price.
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. Check the Branch's Payment Options
Koshigaya, Kichijoji 1 and Roger's Smart Iruma list several credit cards, transport IC options and smartphone payments. Before you visit another branch, check its payment information. Cash is a useful backup, not the only practical choice.
2. An Easy Stop in Kichijoji
Roger's Kichijoji 1 is roughly three minutes on foot from JR Kichijoji Station's north exit, inside the Daiya-gai shopping arcade. It lists ordinary hours of 10:00–21:00 and has no customer parking.
3. Check Tax-Free Eligibility Before You Shop
Do not assume a Roger's branch offers tax-free purchases or that everyday low prices make a tax refund unnecessary. If a branch offers the service, eligible goods must meet Japan's export and customs requirements; meals or drinks consumed during your trip cannot be claimed for a refund.
FAQ
Q1: When did Roger's open?
A: Hokushin Shoji dates the opening of the first Roger's store in Urawa, Saitama, to January 1973. The company describes it as Japan's first discount store; its published history does not explain the English name.
Q2: What is the "mykai" brand?
A: "mykai" (マイカイ) is Roger's own private-label product line. The company says it developed the range to combine quality with accessible prices for everyday goods, especially food. Check your chosen store for current items and prices.
Q3: How does Japan's tax-free refund system work if a Roger's branch offers it?
A: First ask the specific branch whether it offers tax-free sales. For a participating shop, eligible items must total at least ¥5,000 excluding tax at that shop on the same day. You pay the tax-inclusive price and complete the retailer's purchase procedure. Within 90 days, obtain customs confirmation before checking your luggage at departure while keeping all items in the registered purchase available. The retailer or its refund operator then arranges the refund; the method varies. Goods consumed in Japan, including food, cannot be refunded.
Sources
- Hokushin Shoji: Company History and 1973 Opening (Checked: 2026-11-12)
- Roger's: Official Store Directory (Checked: 2026-11-12)
- Japan Tourism Agency: Tax-Free Refund System from November 2026 (Checked: 2026-11-12)
- Hokushin Shoji: mykai Private-Label Background (Checked: 2026-11-12)
- Roger's Koshigaya: Store Hours, Payment and Departments (Checked: 2026-11-12)
- Roger's Kichijoji 1: Station Access, Hours and Payment (Checked: 2026-11-12)
- Roger's Smart Iruma: Fresh Deli, Hours and Payment (Checked: 2026-11-12)