Moving to Japan or visiting for the first time can feel overwhelming — costs pile up, daily needs appear out of nowhere, and even simple items can seem expensive if you don’t know where to shop. That’s where Japan’s famous 100 yen stores come in. Chains like Daiso, Seria, and Can Do are more than just bargain shops — they’re lifesavers for travelers on tight budgets and new residents trying to set up a home.
Unlike U.S. dollar stores, where quality often feels “cheap,” Japanese 100 yen shops consistently surprise visitors with well-designed, durable, and clever products. And with ¥100 equaling roughly $0.70 USD, you’re getting impressive value on everything from daily essentials to souvenirs.
What Makes 100 Yen Stores Different
At first glance, Japan’s 100 yen stores look like their Western counterparts: aisles filled with inexpensive items stacked floor to ceiling. But the comparison stops there.
- Quality: Products are built to last. A ¥100 sponge or utensil often feels sturdier than items three times the price back home.
- Design: Japanese attention to detail shows up everywhere — simple storage bins that actually fit standard Japanese closets, or kitchen tools that solve very specific problems.
- Consistency: Whether in Tokyo, Osaka, or a smaller city, you’ll find similar standards across Daiso and other chains.
With tax, most items are about ¥110 (~$0.75 USD). Even when products are slightly higher (¥200–¥500), they still offer excellent value compared to big box stores or convenience shops.
Essentials for New Residents
If you’ve just landed in Japan and need to furnish your apartment, a trip to Daiso or Seria will save you both time and money. Instead of spending thousands of yen at home goods stores, you can pick up the basics for pocket change.
Kitchen Basics
- Chopsticks, utensils, and flatware
- Bento boxes and lunch containers
- Plates, cups, and mugs
Cleaning Supplies
- Sponges, microfiber cloths, and dish brushes
- Mop heads and broom sets
- Bathroom cleaning sprays and scrubs
Storage Solutions
- Stackable bins and baskets
- Shoe racks and laundry hampers
- Drawer dividers
With ¥2,000 (~$14 USD), you can set up most of a starter kitchen and cleaning kit in one trip.
Travel Hacks: How 100 Yen Stores Save Visitors Money
Even if you’re only in Japan for a short trip, these stores can help you stretch your budget and avoid pricey last-minute buys at airports or hotels.
Traveler-Friendly Items
- Compact umbrellas: Sudden rain is common — why pay ¥700+ at a convenience store when Daiso has sturdy umbrellas for ¥100?
- Travel bottles: Refillable containers for shampoo, soap, or sanitizer make packing lighter.
- Phone chargers and cables: Perfect for emergencies if you forgot yours at home.
- Neck pillows and eye masks: Budget-friendly comfort for Shinkansen or overnight buses.
- Snacks: Cheap Japanese candies or rice crackers for long train rides.
A traveler could easily save ¥2,000–¥3,000 ($15–$20) by grabbing these items at a 100 yen store instead of convenience stores or airport kiosks.
Niche Ingenuity: Everyday Problems Solved
One thing that sets Japanese 100 yen shops apart is the creativity behind many products. They’re not just cheap versions of basics — they’re often innovative tools that solve small but common problems.
Clever Finds
- Bento accessories: Tiny sauce bottles, rice ball molds, and dividers to keep food fresh.
- Foldable hangers: Great for drying clothes in small apartments or while traveling.
- Stationery: Magnetic bookmarks, multi-use clips, and high-quality pens — Japan’s stationery culture shines even at the ¥100 level.
It’s this mix of practicality and design that makes shopping at Daiso feel less like bargain-hunting and more like discovering clever life hacks.
Souvenirs Without Breaking the Bank
For travelers, 100 yen stores double as souvenir shops. Instead of overspending in tourist districts, you can pick up affordable, authentic items that friends and family will love.
Great Souvenir Options
- Stationery: Washi tape, notebooks, origami sets
- Seasonal goods: Cherry blossom trinkets in spring, festive decorations in winter
- Ceramics: Simple mugs, bowls, and chopstick sets
- Fans and accessories: Lightweight, traditional-style gifts that fit easily in luggage
For under ¥1,000 (~$7 USD), you can leave with a bag full of thoughtful gifts that look far more expensive than they are.
Wide Access Without Overkill
100 yen stores are everywhere in Japan, but you don’t need a map to find one. Daiso alone has thousands of branches nationwide, often near train stations, shopping arcades, and malls.
For new residents, this means you’ll almost always have one in your neighborhood. For travelers, it means you can duck into a store in almost any major sightseeing area and pick up what you need without going out of your way.
The key point: they’re widely available, but not overwhelming — just convenient enough that you’ll likely stumble across one naturally.
Conclusion
Japan’s 100 yen stores aren’t just cheap shops — they’re lifesavers for anyone living in or visiting the country. With products that punch above their price in quality, clever solutions for daily life, and souvenirs that won’t drain your wallet, stores like Daiso and Seria embody the best of Japanese practicality.
For travelers, they mean comfort on the go without overspending. For new residents, they’re the easiest way to set up a home without financial stress. And for everyone, they’re proof that good design doesn’t have to cost much at all.
Want a bigger picture of what it costs to live here? Check out our guide to the Cost of Living in Japan 2025.