MaxValu Izuhara Review 2026: Tsushima Shopping Guide

Before traveling to Tsushima Island, I heard rumors that shopping here is expensive and that the selection is quite limited.

To see if that was actually true,

I decided to visit the largest supermarket in Izuhara:

MaxValu, located right inside Tiara Mall.

I arrived around 7:30 PM, and while the ready-to-eat bento boxes and sushi were mostly gone,

the aisles were still packed with snacks, instant ramen, local spices, and desserts.

They had almost everything I was looking for!

If you are planning a day trip to Tsushima or a quick 1-night, 2-day getaway,

this is the perfect supermarket to explore while checking out Tiara Mall.

MaxValu Tsushima Izuhara
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Parking: Underground parking available (90 minutes free)
Payment: Cash and Credit Cards accepted

MaxValu Izuhara is located directly inside Tiara Mall.

It is incredibly close to the historic Kaneishi Castle Ruins,

and with both Matsumoto Kiyoshi Store 1 and Store 2 right next door,

the layout is extremely convenient for quick day-trippers.

Is it Tax-Free?

Please note that MaxValu Izuhara does NOT offer tax-free shopping.

On the other hand, the Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore right next door

offers tax-free shopping plus extra discounts for purchases over 10,000 JPY (approx. $64).

I highly recommend doing your cosmetics and health shopping at Matsumoto Kiyoshi first,

and then heading over to MaxValu for your grocery haul.

Interestingly, I found that alcohol prices here at MaxValu Izuhara

were actually cheaper than at the Ooura branch in Hitakatsu for several items!

In-Store Experience & Shopping List

I browsed the fruit section first.

Depending on the variety, some fruits were cheaper than back home, while others were a bit pricey.

Since you can't bring fresh produce across international borders anyway,

I just took a quick look and moved on! :)

Natto is a must-buy for me whenever I visit a Japanese supermarket.

Back home, a simple 4-pack of imported natto easily costs around ~$2.

Even though Tsushima has a reputation for slightly higher island prices, it is still way cheaper than importing it.

I brought an insulated cooler bag specifically to pack some of these to enjoy during my stay!

They also had plenty of fresh seafood like octopus, shrimp, and crab,

along with a decent variety of whole fish.

However, since most of it was raw and unprocessed, it would be difficult to prepare and eat at your hotel unless you have a full kitchen.

They do have a dedicated sushi and bento section,

but because I visited late in the evening, it was completely cleared out.

If you are hoping to grab a cheap bento or a fresh sushi platter for dinner,

make sure to visit much earlier in the afternoon!

Since Izuhara doesn't have a ton of late-night cafes, grabbing desserts at the supermarket is a fantastic alternative.

Most local cafes close quite early, so buying a sweet treat at MaxValu

to enjoy back in your hotel room is highly recommended.

I also checked out the seasoning aisle.

I always make sure to stock up on Gaban black pepper whenever I'm in Japan.

MaxValu had a great selection of spices and seasonings,

making it a perfect spot to grab some culinary souvenirs.

While Tsushima doesn't have a Kaldi Coffee Farm,

this supermarket still has a solid variety of popular jams and sweet spreads gathered in one convenient aisle.

The popular Donbei Kitsune Udon and curry noodles

were grouped together in a massive display.

Since these are absolute staples on any Japanese grocery shopping list,

they had them stacked in bulk for easy grabbing!

They also had Konnyaku jelly, though the price was slightly cheaper at the Matsumoto Kiyoshi next door.

The candy aisle was packed with variety, including Kororo gummies, Puré Premium gummies, and Hi-Chew.

Since this store welcomes a lot of travelers, they make sure to keep all the crowd-favorite snacks well-stocked.

I usually can't finish massive bags of chips, so I love buying these single-serving, mini snack packs.

They are perfect to pair with a cold beer back at the hotel.

You'll find all the classics here, from Toppo to Pocky!

For chocolate lovers, stocking up on Japanese chocolates is a must.

If you love a satisfying crunch, grab some Black Thunder Mini Bars.

If you prefer a rich, smooth milk chocolate, I highly recommend GABA chocolate.

Even though MaxValu Izuhara isn't tax-free, its massive scale makes it the most convenient and reliable supermarket on Tsushima Island.

Just remember: if you're hunting for fresh bentos and sushi, make sure to visit early.

If you're just looking for snacks, ramen, seasonings, and desserts, an evening visit is perfectly fine!

If you're planning a day trip or a quick weekend getaway, definitely combine your Tiara Mall exploration with a stop at MaxValu. :)

Share this article