Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Ship? When Will I Receive My Order?
We ship Monday through Friday (excluding national holidays) and generally use USPS Priority Mail or FedEx. When your item has shipped, you will receive a shipping confirmation email that includes tracking information. Shipments generally arrive within a week after shipping (longer to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico).
Please note that orders for overnight shipping must be placed by 12 noon Pacific (Monday through Friday) to go out that day. Orders placed after 12 noon Pacific are not guaranteed to go out the same day.
What Is The Best Way To Store These Ingredients?
Optimal storage methods are listed on the individual product pages on our website and also on the English labels on our products.
Do You Ship Internationally?
Not at this time.
How Do I Use A Discount Code?
If you're on a computer, you can enter a discount code on the Checkout page, which comes up when you click the "Checkout" button on the Shopping Cart page. You'll see a box with the words "Gift card or discount code" in the upper right of your screen. Enter the discount code here, then click the "Apply" button just to the right of that box.
If you're using a mobile device, when you get to the Payment page, you'll see the "Gift card or discount code" box. Enter the discount code in this box and click the "Apply" button.
How Do I Use A Gift Card?
If you're on a computer, you can enter a gift card code on the Checkout page, which comes up when you click the "Checkout" button on the Shopping Cart page. You'll see a box with the words "Gift card or discount code" in the upper right of your screen. Enter the gift card code here, then click the "Apply" button just to the right of that box.
If you're using a mobile device, when you get to the Payment page, you'll see the "Gift card or discount code" box. Enter the gift card code in this box and click the "Apply" button.
What Is Your Return Policy?
We accept returns for damaged items only.
What If I Received A Damaged Item?
Please take pictures of the damaged goods and contact us as soon as possible by email at shipping@thejapanesepantry.com. We will do our best to make the situation right.
A Word About Best By Dates
We often get questions about the "best by" dates on our products, especially when products get closer to these dates. A "best by" date is not an expiration date. The "best by" date indicates when a product will be at best quality/flavor, as determined by the producer. And our Japanese producers take these dates very seriously because they want their customers to experience the best their products can offer. As such, our Japanese producers sometimes have relatively short "best by" dates...often only 12 months from the date of production. And since we import most of our products by sea (a process that takes a few months at the best of times), this leaves us with an even shorter time until the "best by" date.
But knowing that as long as the product has been stored correctly, it should be good until the time spoilage is evident. Which means that what you may experience as a product passes the "best by" date is a slight dulling of flavor or perhaps darkening in color (for, say, our white tamari or Liquid Shio Koji) over a period of time.
We promise you will be satisfied with the taste and quality of our products. If anything does not meet your expectations, please contact us immediately via email at shipping@thejapanesepantry.com and we'll make it right.
All sales for marked down products are final.
Do you have a brick-and-mortar store?
We do not.
What forms of payments do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, PayPal and The Japanese Pantry Gift Cards.
I'm sending a gift - will the prices appear anywhere in the box?
No. We do not include prices on our packing slips (or anywhere in the box).
Can I include a gift message with my order?
Yes. In the Shopping Cart you will see “Is this a gift? Enter a special message for the recipient here (not for gift cards):”. Please include your name if you would like the recipient to know it’s from you.
Where can I send inquiries and suggestions?
We love hearing from you. Please send your inquiries or suggestions to info@thejapanesepantry.com
Do you sell to wholesale accounts and restaurants?
Yes. The Japanese Pantry offers wholesale options to all types of food service professionals. Click on this link and tell us a little about yourself and we will contact you.