The Canned Mackerel With a Safe Lid: What I Found While Stocking Up for a Beach Trip

We’re getting ready for a beach trip, which means one thing: snack shopping. I headed to the drug store — not the supermarket, not the convenience store. The drug store. The prices are lower, and the loyalty points add up fast. Once you hit a certain threshold, the points automatically take yen off your bill. It’s the kind of small win that keeps you coming back.

The canned goods aisle was fully stocked. Rows and rows of options, and as usual, I had no idea where to start.

The Easy Decision

Hagoromo’s Shichiken Mild tuna — three cans for ¥398 — went into the basket immediately. No deliberation needed. It’s a bento staple in our house, reliable and endlessly useful. Done.

The Unexpected Find

While looking for something to bring as a snack, I spotted a can I hadn’t seen before. Nissui’s miso simmered mackerel — ¥268 — with a lid design I didn’t recognize. On closer inspection: a pull tab with a smooth, safe edge. No sharp metal. No risk of cutting yourself opening it.

I’d never seen this on a can before, and I immediately wanted it. Safe enough for kids to open on their own? That alone sold me. Our whole family loves saba miso, so it felt like an easy yes.

How It Tasted

I opened one at home to test before the beach trip. The miso flavor was light and clean — not heavy or overpowering. The bones were completely soft, easy to eat without thinking about it. No fishiness at all. It was the kind of thing that disappears before you’re ready for it to be over.

Canned food keeps for ages, so it’s perfect for the pantry. And in summer, when you’re sweating outside all day, the salt content is actually a bonus for staying hydrated and avoiding heat exhaustion.

The Verdict

Both cans are going on the beach trip. Next time, I’ll bring the family along to pick — because with an aisle that full, I’m going to need backup.