Japanese supermarkets have a surprisingly good spice aisle. With a few powders and a can of tomatoes you can make most everyday curries and dals.
The spice aisle (ในใใคใน) of any large supermarket has cumin, turmeric, coriander and garam masala. KALDI and Gyomu Super sell chickpeas, lentils and basmati rice. Indian grocery shops (for example around Nishi-Kasai in Tokyo) and online shops have the rest.
Cumin, turmeric, coriander, chili powder
Spice aisle at large supermarkets (ใฏใใณ, ใฟใผใกใชใใฏ, ใณใชใขใณใใผ)
Garam masala (ใฌใฉใ ใใตใฉ)
Spice aisle at most supermarkets
Chickpeas (ใฒใใ่ฑ / ใฌใซใใณใพ)
Canned or in pouches near the beans; KALDI, Gyomu Super
Red lentils (ใฌใณใบ่ฑ)
KALDI, some large supermarkets, online
Paneer
Rarely sold
If not: Firm tofu (ๆจ็ถฟ่ฑ่ ) pressed and pan-fried
Ghee
KALDI or online
If not: Butter with a little oil
Plain yogurt
Dairy section; choose unsweetened (็ก็ณ / ใใฌใผใณ)
Kasuri methi
Indian shops or online
If not: Leave it out, or a pinch of dried fenugreek seeds
Fresh coriander (ใใฏใใผ)
Herb section at most supermarkets
Basmati rice
KALDI, Gyomu Super, online
If not: Japanese rice cooked with a little less water
Lazy Recipe sees that you're in Japan, picks swaps from Japanese supermarkets, and your shopping list shows each item's Japanese label and aisle. Type a dish or snap a photo.