Today we interview the staff at MUJI Tokyo Ariake, which opened in December 2020. It is located in the Gulf Area in Ariake Garden & Spa, an indispensable shopping center to this popular residential area.

It is only 3 minutes from Ariake Tennis Park Station on the Yurikamome Line, and 4 minutes from Ariake Station.

The Tokyo Ariake branch aims to be a "department store that surpasses all department stores", and offers every daily necessity item one could need, from food and small household items to partial remodeling.

They even sell tiny homes and engage in community revitalization activities. MUJI also provides original services such as interior consultation and cleaning services.

MUJI is actively engaged in tackling social and environmental issues. One recent issue is that of food waste, which has been especially emphasized by the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

This concerns the issue of food being discarded due to exceeding expiration dates, or people taking more than they can eat. To help curb this problem, the Tokyo Ariake branch has begun to sell foods by weight.

Because different people eat different amounts at any given time, this initiative aims to cut waste by selling foods in smaller units so that individuals can purchase the appropriate amount of food for them.

In addition to sweets, there are over 50 other foods you can purchase in the amount of your choice, from basic grains and pastas, to coffee, nuts, and dried fruits.

At Café & Meal MUJI, you can enjoy healthy meals. There's a juice and tea stand where you can enjoy your favorite drink, and MUJI Bakery where you can enjoy breads freshly baked in-store.
(*In-store drinking and dining currently suspended)

The Tokyo Ariake store has also introduced new services in response to our new daily normal, including no-contact self-checkout (available in Japanese, English, and Chinese), and a dedicated locker for picking up online orders.

The food department is on the first floor by the front entrance. From cooking ingredients to sweets, teas, and coffee, there is an abundance of food products.

The Tokyo Ariake store boasts the largest space in terms of the size of their seasonings sales floor (where you'll find curries and more) and the amount of frozen foods they sell! They arrange their sales floors daily to make it easier to see and purchase what you want to bring to your dining table!

With more people staying home to eat, sales in refrigerated foods and curries have skyrocketed.

At the same time, people have also developed an increased interest in diet, body shape, and health, as well as the need for body-conscious foods such as those low in carbs. Such foods are described as "guilt-free," or foods one can eat without feeling guilty.

"There are three concepts behind the 'Sweets and Breads with Under 10g of Sugar' Series: a delicious taste, a wide selection, and transparency of sugar content. These products were developed for those who want to follow a well-balanced diet, but don't want to give up sweets. They're delicious, and manage to stay under 10 grams of sugar," explains the staff.

The rich lineup includes about 30 types of bread, semi-perishable confectioneries, baked goods, and chocolates. The breads in particular can be stored for more extended periods of time, and are recommended to keep as emergency food stock or take with you when traveling.

1. Pain Au Chocolat (7.5g sugar/150 yen) - A Guilt-Free Treat for Bread and Chocolate Lovers

Bread is a particular concern amongst high-sugar foods.
"The bread used for the Under 10g of Sugar Series uses a reduced amount of wheat flour and replaces that with soybean flour instead. This Paun Au Chocolat has just 7.5g of sugar."

When it comes to breads, the combination of a Danish pastry with chocolate certainly gives the impression of a high-sugar product. However this is one pastry you can enjoy without feeling guilty!

It's slightly smaller than the palm of your hand, the perfect size for breakfast and snacks. While we wondered how a reduced-flour bread would taste, it was moister than expected. The fragrant almond toppings pleasantly accent the taste.

The center is stuffed with soft, bitter chocolate.

Heat the bread in a toaster just enough to avoid melting the chocolate for an even tastier treat! Of course, you can eat it as-is, but we recommend trying it warm.

2. Cinnamon Roll (7.4g sugar/150 yen) - Mildly Sweet & Delicious

This cinnamon roll also gives the impression of a high-sugar treat. Yet while it is quite sweet and sizable, the sugar content is a mere 7.4g!

This product is sold at room temperature, but MUJI also offers frozen cinnamon rolls (250 yen). A normal cinnamon roll typically has 498 calories and 62.3g of carbohydrates. But this 'Under 10g of Sugar' product only has 187 calories and 16.2g carbohydrates! The difference is clear.

By the way, carbohydrate count includes sugar + dietary fiber. Sugar content includes carbs minus dietary fiber.

It's smaller than the average cinnamon roll, with a modest sweetness and cinnamon taste, so it's easy to eat. We especially recommend it for those who find ordinary cinnamon rolls too sweet, or those who simply enjoy the taste of cinnamon.

There are plenty of fragrant walnuts inside which add a nice texture and go great with the cinnamon. You won't believe it's under 10g of sugar! The moderate sweetness will satisfy your stomach and soul.

Heat lightly it in the microwave to soften the bread and enhance the sweet cinnamon glaze.

3. Walnut Cheese (150 yen) - Popular Side Dish with a Delicious Cheese Flavor!

Walnut Cheese is a popular combination of cheese and walnuts. The sugar content is only 6.4g, the lowest among all products introduced today.

"It's not only about low-carb. Every product is also reduced in sugar content, so these are popular for controlling intake," explains the staff.

You don't even have to read the ingredient label, as the sugar count is clearly displayed on the packaging in grams, making it easier to select.

One package includes two pieces, each about half the size of your palm. The fragrant cheese flavor gently covers the surface and the delicious walnuts inside add texture.

Heat it lightly in the microwave to enhance its cheesy aroma, soft bread, and flavor. It also tastes good dipped into a cup of soup. We recommend this one for those who don't like sweet breads, and those who enjoy bread as a side dish.

4. Pasta Snack (Curry Flavor/Cheese Flavor/490 yen each) - For Those Who Can't Stop Snacking!

This pasta snack is made by adding wheat protein and reducing the amount of flour. People tend to avoid pasta and snacks, but one bag contains only 7.78g of sugar for the curry flavor, and 8.2g for the cheese.

Many people on a diet or watching their sugar intake tend to avoid snacks. However, that can be stressful. In that case, low-sugar products like these are the perfect treat!

The size is just right for snacking, so don't worry if you want to eat the entire bag by yourself.

This is the curry snack, with its particular spicy taste. It makes a perfect beer snack, too.

Here is the cheese snack, with its bold, cheesy flavor.

The powder completely covers the twisted pasta shape for a crispy snack. They're easy to eat, but don't worry if you want to eat them all. They're safe as long as you don't overdo it!

5. Hitokuchi Lemon Madeleine (150 yen) - Authentic Baked Confectionery that Looks Anything but Low-Carb!

Baked confectioneries are another type of sweets that cause concern for high sugar content. But this excellent sweet product is a savior for such people, with only 8.2g of sugar for 5 pieces!

It is made with reduced flour and almond powder for a firm texture. It has a strong lemon flavor with an overall modest sweetness making it very easy to eat.

They come in adorable shell shapes!

These bite-sized snacks are perfect to keep on hand for cravings.

The snacks are rather thin, but the flavor is condensed accordingly. Eating five bags of this is more satisfying than eating one ordinary madeleine.

Even foreign customers love the 'Under 10g of Sugar' Series as souvenirs for those who have never tasted MUJI sweets. They are perfect in taste and size.

6. Banana Baum (120 yen) - The Gentle & Satisfying Sweetness of Banana

The Uneven Banana Baum (150 yen) is one of MUJI's most popular sweets. This is the reduced-sugar version. The sugar content is only 6.4g, same as the Walnut Cheese.

Enjoy the faint aroma of bran and the flavor of banana. The addition of the sweet banana makes this one more satisfying than other sweets. When you're craving something sweet, but also want to watch your intake, this is the perfect treat for you!

Cut in half, it's about this size. Not too big, not too small - the perfect size for a good snack!

We recommend enjoying it chilled for the coming season. The fluffy cake texture will stand out even more! When you're really craving cakes and baked goods, this is the snack that will satisfy you completely.

Food is meant to be enjoyed. When you diet frequently or limit your sweets, it's easy to feel frustrated. Why not try something new? Pick your favorite treat to satisfy your body and soul.

Supported Languages
Japanese, English, and Chinese-speaking staff available

Health & Safety Measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests requested to wear masks and undergo temperature checks

Other notes
Increase in the number of self-service cash registers - Use of cash registers for bakeries that use image recognition for automatic payment - Use of product pickup lockers to reduce direct contact and make shopping more convenient - Installation of a new type of contactless play area for children

* Information as of April 23, 2021.
* Product lineup may vary by store.
* Prices and contents subject to change.
* All prices include tax.
* Proper prevention measures were taken during the interview.