There is a popular Brazilian supermarket, Super Mercado TAKARA, in Oura, Gunma Prefecture. Brazilian people come to this supermarket from as far away as Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures where many Brazilians and Japanese-Brazilians live and work. The supermarket’s wide range of products also attract Japanese, Filipinos, Chinese, Thais, Indians, Indonesians, Sri Lankans and Africans.
An added convenience is that the store offers Seven Bank’s money transfer service.
About 1,000 people visit the supermarket on weekends, while on weekdays, 200~400 shoppers come in daily. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama once visited the supermarket too.
Araujo Wagner, the friendly manager of Super Mercado TAKARA, is often on hand to welcome customers.
There are imported products from Brazil and other countries, as well as a clothing store and cell phone store in the supermarket.
One of the most popular products in Super Mercado TAKARA is reasonably priced meat. There is a big window between the meat-selling area and the meat-processing area (see picture below), so customers can request customized cuts and see it being prepared. If a customer wants the fat taken out of the meat, it is done quickly. Customers and staff can chat through the big window.
Halal meat for Muslims is sold here, too, so many Muslim people in Japan come here to shop. Halal meat packages have a special mark like the picture below.
Naturally, the supermarket is well stocked with popular Brazilian food such as Feijão (rice and beans) and Feijoada. There are many canned Feijão and Feijoada items (see picture below) . You can buy beans to cook Feijão at home.
If you get hungry while shopping, there is a Brazilian restaurant in the supermarket. RODEIO Grill serves delicious Brazilian foods buffet style — choose from salads, meat, french fries and, of course, Feijão and Feijoada too.
The restaurant provides not only great food but friendly staff who’ll come to your table and cut the meat for you. This style of dining is called Churrasco (see below).
The Seven Bank money transfer service is another drawcard. Twice a month on Sundays, customers can register for the service. Once a customer registers and receives an ATM card, he or she can send money from ATMs in Seven Eleven conveniences stores, airports and stations to about 200 countries. Users can send 10,000 yen for only 990 yen and 50,000 yen for only 1,500 yen, with no payment due on the receiving end. Receivers do not need to open a bank account.
You see more details about Seven Bank’s money transfer system at Seven Bank Japan money transfer service – The complete overview.
It’s easy to register. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, don’t worry. Friendly Seven Bank staff who speak English, Portuguese and Spanish are on hand to help customers with the registration procedures.
Super Mercado TAKARA is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.
You can see more information about Seven Bank’s money transfer service from Seven Bank Official Website.