The Best Products at 100 Yen Shops in Japan!
What comes to mind when you think about dollar stores? Cheap, low-quality products that will break after being used one time? Chaotic stores with no organization that make it difficult to find what you are looking for?
If so, you'll be happy to know that 100 yen shops, the Japanese equivalent of an American dollar store, are popular with Japanese people, foreign expats, and tourists precisely because they eschew these stereotypes and are a fantastic place to shop on a budget.
At 100 yen shops, you'll be able to find all kinds of high-quality goods ranging from tableware to party decorations to kitchen utensils and more, all for incredibly reasonable prices. That's why you will find 100 yen stores crowded with people shopping for their daily needs every day in Japan.
Though in recent years inflation and the rising costs of production have forced 100 yen shops to raise some of their prices, you'll still find a wide selection of their goods priced at 100 yen. When it comes to household necessities and daily supplies, 100 yen shops are one of the best spots to shop in Japan. So let's take a look at the most popular 100 yen shops in Japan, what kind of products are worth buying there, and also take a quick look at the more upscale version of the 100 yen shop: the 300 yen shop.
The Most Popular 100 Yen Shops in Japan
While generally speaking most 100 yen shops carry the same kinds of items, the various 100 yen shop companies may have different selections of goods available, and many overlapping products will have different designs or collaborations with other brands. If one shop doesn't have exactly what you're looking for, it's likely that another one will.
Let's take a look at the three most popular 100 yen shops in Japan.
・Daiso
The king of 100 yen shops, Daiso is the most popular and well-known chain of 100 yen shops in Japan. There are more Daiso shops in Japan than any other 100 yen shop, and the chain has opened stores in other countries such as China, the US, and Thailand.
Daiso sells a wide variety of goods, including small items that can make good souvenirs like chopsticks, tableware, and so on. They also have a variety of items that can make travel and packing more convenient, such as vacuum-sealable clothing bags.
Daiso stores can be found all over Japan, from big cities to smaller towns.
・Can Do
Can Do is another popular chain of 100 yen shops that sell a good variety of food, such as snacks and sweets, along with the usual products you can find at 100 yen shops.
Can Do was also the first 100 yen shop to open an online store, so you can browse the online store to find goods you need if you can't or don't want to head out to a physical store. They also regularly make and sell products in collaboration with other brands.
Can Do stores can be found Japan-wide.
・Seria
Seria has set itself apart from other 100 yen shops by focusing on having more stylish and visually attractive products compared to some of the other 100 yen shop chains. Seria is especially popular with young people, particularly young girls since it has a wider range of "kawaii" (cute) products and designs compared to other 100 yen shops.
As with the other shops on this list, Seria can be found all over Japan.
Learn more here. (Japanese only).
Popular Items at 100 Yen Shops
While the raw selection of goods at 100 yen shops might seem overwhelming, certain kinds of goods are especially worth buying from these stores. Here are our recommendations for some of the best kinds of goods to buy at 100 yen shops.
・Tableware
100 yen shops carry just about all of the tableware you could possibly need, including ramen bowls, chopsticks, chopstick rests, sake glasses, cups, plates, and more. 100 yen shops carry plastic, glass, and wooden tableware, so there is always a wide variety of materials and styles to choose from.
If you've moved to Japan and need to stock up on tableware for your home, buying everything from a 100 yen shop is often the most economical option.
The tableware from 100 yen shops also make great souvenirs, since many of them feature designs that are uniquely Japanese, such as plates or bowls decorated with images of Mt. Fuji, and will definitely be a hit with family and friends you gift them to back home.
If you're looking for goods or souvenirs that are very "Japanese," then tableware from 100 yen shops will be perfect for you.
・Character Goods
Most 100 yen shops often have collaborations with popular anime or movies, like Pokemon, Demon Slayer, or Disney. You'll be able to find everything from stationary to magnets to toys to lunchboxes decorated with your favorite characters, so 100 yen shops are great places to buy things for kids (or yourself!)
Different 100 yen shops will have collaborations with different brands, so be sure to check out all of the 100 yen shop chains we mentioned earlier in this article to see what character goods they have available.
・Kitchen Utensils and Supplies
Like with tableware, 100 yen shops carry a wide range of high-quality kitchen utensils and supplies. If you need spatulas, graters, knives, baking pans, or even a boiled egg maker that lets you make soft-boiled eggs in a microwave, you'll be able to find them at 100 yen shops. You'll probably discover kitchen goods you never thought you needed but will make your life in the kitchen much easier.
You can also find all the disposable supplies you'll need, such as aluminum foil, garbage bags, sink drain nets, and so on at 100 yen shops. You should absolutely buy all of these kinds of daily household goods at 100 yen shops since doing so will work out much cheaper than buying them at grocery or drug stores.
・Japanese Sweets
100 yen shops usually also carry a huge variety of Japanese sweets and snacks. From chocolate to traditional Japanese sweets that people grow up eating, you're sure to find something you like. If you've been interested in trying some Japanese snacks or sweets but felt a bit hesitant, buying them from a 100 yen shop is a cheap way to give them a try.
300 Yen Shops in Japan
In recent years, 300 yen shops have been becoming more and more popular in Japan. As the name implies, the prices of products at these stores are usually 300 yen or more, but still tend to be very reasonable compared to regular shops.
What sets 300 yen shops apart from 100 yen shops is that there is a much bigger focus on the aesthetics of the products you can find there. While goods at 100 yen shops are functional and high quality, the design of goods at 300 yen shops tends to be much more stylish and attractive, while also being even higher quality than 100 yen shop goods.
300 yen shops offer a wide range of items, including interior decor and accessories specifically targeted towards women. They also boast many baby products, children's toys, and even stylishly-packed food that you won't believe came from a budget store. The emphasis on style and function at 300 yen shops makes them a go-to shop for a variety of needs.
One particularly popular 300 yen shop is 3COINS. If you're looking for affordable yet stylish items, be sure to check out this store! It can be found in cities all over Japan.
The Best Places to Shop on a Budget
Whether you're buying tableware for your new apartment in Japan, picking up some plastic bags and dish soap, or buying souvenirs to bring home for family and friends, the 100 yen shop is the place to go if you want to buy high-quality products in Japan that won't break the bank.
Be sure to check out some of the shops we recommended and pick up some great, reasonably priced goods while you're in Japan!
