The 100-yen shop in Japan 100円ショップ
All 1 euro stores in Japan
The "100-yen shop" is an institution in Japan. They cover the needs of daily life for only 110 yen! You can also find very inexpensive stationery and souvenirs to bring back from Japan. Discover everything you need to know about these stores!
The concept of the 100-yen shop
100-yen shops are very popular one-price-for-all retail stores in Japan. All products on the shelves are sold at a fixed price of 100 yen (or rather 110 yen, with tax), there are no pricing labels. The few rare and more expensive items have their prices indicated.
" All at a low price", is the motto of these 100 yen stores which abound in the country. There are said to be over 5,000 stores. The originator of this type of store goes to Hirotake Yano, the founder of the company Daiso Industries. A visionary and business leader, he quickly understood the needs of the Japanese population during the economic recession of the 90s. Since then, more followed and several other franchises arrived in the market. These inexpensive and convenient stores are most often located in shopping malls adjacent to stations in major Japanese cities.
Who comes to the 100-yen shop?
The 100 yen shop is not just a discount store for penny savers! All the shops regularly, like konbini, are open 24 hours a day, which act as a convenience store. And, contrary to what one might think, many products are "Made in Japan". The 100 yen shop is a good option for you to stock up on drinks or snacks, but also to find small typically Japanese gifts and souvenirs sure to please. In tourist towns, these stores attract a high proportion of foreign customers, naturally.
What can you buy in the 100-yen shop?
The richness of the assortments is truly impressive. There are many everyday items there, often of equivalent quality to that of ordinary retail stores, for a price of 2 to 5 times less!
The most popular products, especially among tourists:
- Japanese souvenirs: sushi keyrings, Japanese chopsticks, Japanese fingered socks, mugs bearing the image of Mount Fuji, manekineko (beckoning cat figure), Hello Kitty, fans, etc.
- stationery: erasable ballpoint pens, 270 ° stapler, pretty little notebooks, etc.
- beauty products: face masks, false eyelashes, eyebrow lacquer, lightening products ...
- Japanese glass or earthenware tableware: plates, rice bowls, tea and sake cups, etc.
Usual products:
- electronic products and accessories: batteries, headphones, phone chargers, etc.
- kitchen utensils: kitchen knives, cutlery, plastic containers, aluminum foil, coffee filters, etc.
- cleaning products and laundry accessories: soaps, detergents, scouring brushes, "magic sponges", products for washing makeup sponges (very popular) but also mini-dryers, etc. The creativity of these products is just amazing!
- small items of clothing: underwear, tights, ties, slippers, flip-flops, etc.
- food (taxed at 8%): cup noodles, chocolate bars, Japanese crackers, candies, drinks, etc.
- tools: hammers, adhesive tapes, pliers, screwdrivers, anti-theft devices, etc.
- gardening: watering pot, potting soil, plant pots, fertilizers, etc.
Just a few examples of the store to Jack of all trades!
- Read also: The 10 best gifts to bring back from Japan
Selection of 100-yen shops not to be missed
- DAISO
The pioneer of 100 yen stores is also the most prolific: more than 3,000 stores in Japan and around 1,900 overseas in 26 countries. In all, around 23,000 people per hour shop in Daiso!
The offer is also the largest with 70,000 different items! The firm would produce 700 new products per month. Enough to spend hours in its biggest stores, such as Daiso Harajuku its signature location. A full-fledged cultural experience and a real bargain beckons!
TOKYO - Daiso Asakusa ROX
Address: 1-25-15 Asakusa, Taitō-ku
Access: Asakusa Station, in Asakusa ROX Mall
TOKYO - Daiso Biz
Address: 1-26-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Access: Nishi-Shinjuku station , in the Nomura Building
TOKYO - Daiso ABAB Ueno
Address: 4-8-4 Ueno, Taitō-ku
Access: Ueno station , in the AbAb shopping center
If you are visiting Osaka, don't miss Daiso Shinsaibashi-suji which is full of items popular to tourists!
Address: 2-2-19 Shinsaibashi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka
Access: The store occupies the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors in a building on the famous Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street, one minute from Shinsaibashi station.
CAN *DO
Another big sign among the 100-yen shop, which has around 1000 shops throughout the Archipelago. The brand has its own brand 'Do! STARS' is very popular with customers (like the microfiber hand towel). Each week, new articles are put on the shelves.
TOKYO - Can * Do Takadanobaba
Address: 1−35−3 Takadanobaba
Access: Takadanobaba station
TOKYO - Can * Do Shibuya Inokashira Dori
Address: Udagawachō, 36−6 World Udagawa Building, Shibuya-ku
Access: Shibuya station
SERIA
The third major 100-yen shop brand. Here, we focus on more chic or kawaii products (cute). Glass and earthware crockery, materials for handicrafts, baking utensils, handicrafts, and more give a chic touch to this inexpensive chain of products. At the entrance of each store, seasonal items are highlighted: Christmas decorations, for Halloween or the many Japanese holidays, not to mention the theme of cherry blossoms in spring and maple trees in fall!
TOKYO - Seria Asakusa Ekimise Shop
Address: 1−4−1, Taito-ku,
Access: g are d'Asakusa
TOKYO - Seria Ikebukuro Marui Shop
Address: 3−28−13 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro Marui
Access: Ikebukuro station , in the Marui department store
TOKYO - Seria Daikanyama 17 Dixsept: a chic 100 yen shop in a chic neighborhood.
Address: Daikanyamacho, 17−6, 17Dixsept Shibuya-ku
Access: Daikanyama station