Have you heard of Japanese 100 yen stores? It’s the equivalent of dollar stores in the United States, and as its name implies, Japanese 100 yen shops are exactly that: shops that sell items at only 100 yen. The largest 100-yen stores in Japan are Daiso and Can*do, but you might be surprised to learn that even a convenience store like Lawson has its own 100-yen store called Lawson 100. Read on to find out what 100 yen shops are in Japan, what you can get at these shops, and what the best things to get are.
What is a 100 yen store?
In Japan, 100 yen shops are called “百均 hyakkin”, also displayed as “100均”. As its name suggests, 100 yen shops sell products at 100 yen only. They’re a great way to budget for living costs in Japan, which are notoriously high. Note that this price excludes tax. At a 10% consumption tax rate, each item is 110 yen, as Japan has had a 10% consumption tax since 2021.
Aside from 100-yen items with tax only, many 100-yen shops in Japan also sell limited “premium” items at higher prices. This can range from 200 yen to 600 yen. These items are usually marked with a special price sticker to alert customers to the price difference.
Which 100-yen stores are there in Japan?
Daiso is the most famous 100-yen store in Japan. Daiso stores are located throughout Japan, particularly in major city centers. There are also neighborhood, smaller-scale Daiso stores, but their number is declining as they are forced to close, reflecting the economic suffering Japan is facing post-COVID.
Aside from Daiso, other popular 100 yen shops in Japan include:
Each has its own charm and product design. It is not unusual for someone to have a favorite 100 yen shop, which offers higher-quality, better-designed items and spacious, classier stores than other stores.
Besides the 100 yen stores, 300 yen stores exist!
Following the same concept as 100-yen shops, Japan also has several 300-yen shops. The most popular is 3 Coins. Compared to 100 yen shops, the quality and make of products are higher, as they should be, and there is also a wider range of products available. Likewise, the 10% consumption tax also applies, so the final price will be 330 yen for 300 yen items.
Aside from 3 Coins, other 300 yen shops in Japan include:
What can you buy at a 100 yen store?
As noted above, a wide range of products is available at 100 yen shops. Most 100 yen shops sell similar items, but some offer unique offerings compared to their 100 yen counterparts.
The most classic example is Lawson Store 100, operated by Lawson, one of Japan’s major convenience store chains. Lawson Store 100 stands out for selling primarily food and groceries, including fresh vegetables, meat products, canned goods, bread, and snacks, priced at 100 yen plus tax.
Here are the common categories of products you can buy at 100 yen shops:
1. Kitchen and household goods
Japanese 100-yen shops are the best place to buy essential kitchen and household goods, especially when you have just moved to Japan or to a new place.
For kitchen items, you can find everything from chopsticks, forks & spoons, bowls & plates, glasses & mugs, pots & pans, spatulas, and spice containers.
As for household goods, they have everything you need, and even stuff that you did not know you needed but must get now! There are trash bags, fridge magnet hooks, storage containers, dehumidifiers, cleaning supplies, bathroom supplies, drain nets, etc.
2. Stationery and office supplies
100-yen shops stock notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, and other common stationery items. Office supplies, including files, folders, paperweights, Post-it notes, and paperclips, are also available. Please note that buying these items at 100-yen shops is not necessarily cheaper. Depending on the brand, there may be cheaper options at retail stores, such as pens and pencils. However, if there is a 100-yen shop near your home, school, or workplace, consider the extra cost a price for convenience.
3. Gardening supplies
Gardening is quite a popular hobby in Japan. Walking around the neighborhoods here, you can come across houses with beautiful flowers and sometimes even fruits, or a mini vegetable plot run by the neighborhood community. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that gardening supplies are sold at 100 yen shops. Aside from gardening tools like spades, trowels, shears, and gardening gloves, you can also find vegetable and flower seeds, garden hoses, and storm protection covers for the typhoon season.
4. Hobbies and DIY
Many 100 yen shops have a section dedicated to DIY and hobby products. Colorful yarn & thread for knitting & sewing, beads & crystals for jewelry making, cupcake molds & pie pans for baking, soft clay and playdough for sculpting, and more. They also sell sports equipment, including hand grips, fitness balls, and badminton racquets, as well as games such as Trivial Pursuit, Othello, and chess sets.
5. Beauty and cosmetics
Recently, there has been an increase in beauty and cosmetic products in 100 yen stores. Hair ties, scrunchies, and hairpins are available, and beauty products such as eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, and nail polish are also available, including at Daiso. Many people are, with good reason, concerned about the quality and safety of such cheap cosmetics, but they actually have good reviews! We do recommend that people with sensitive skin do an allergy skin test first. Other items in this section include cushion puffs, makeup brushes & cleaners, compact powders, and nail art stickers.
6. Food and drinks
Snacks, sweets, and drinks are common at 100-yen shops. You may think 100 yen is too expensive for a small chocolate bar, which is why 100 yen for 3 sweets or 100 yen for 2 drinks are common at 100 yen shops. Bigger-sized shops may also sell household staples such as soy sauce, mirin, sake, miso paste, and spices.
Going to a supermarket is usually preferred, but if you only need one item and just happen to drop by a 100 yen shop, it is very convenient. As noted above, in the case of Lawson Store 100, many nearby residents would frequent it as they would a regular supermarket. Some Lawson Store 100s even sell hot food items like yakiimo (roasted sweet potato) and croquettes, reminiscent of its convenience store counterpart.
7. Seasonal items
And saving the best for last, seasonal items are one of the best charms of 100 yen shops. Whether it is the changing of Japan’s four seasons or the celebration of events, the front of a 100-yen shop is a great way to signal that something fun and exciting is approaching. When passing by a 100 yen shop and noticing that something has changed, one cannot help but enter to explore.
Here are some examples of seasonal items throughout the year at Japanese 100 yen shops:
- Spring: Lots of cherry blossom-themed items appear, of course, but 100 yen shops will also stock up on picnic mats and picnic-related goods (paper cups, paper plates, disposable chopsticks, etc.) because it is the season for cherry blossom viewing, aka hanami.
- Summer: Products to help you cool down (cool wipes, handheld fans, cool handkerchiefs, etc.), products to ward off bugs (bug spray, bug repellent, mosquito coil and its holder, etc.), and classic Japanese summer decorations (windchimes, etc.)
- Autumn & Winter: Products to keep you warm (gloves, warm socks, warm hats, scarves, earmuffs, etc.)
- Celebrations: For Halloween, wear masks or headbands and use spooky Halloween decorations. For Valentine’s Day, ingredients to make homemade chocolate and cute wrapping for it, there are also easy DIY chocolate sets with instructions to make homemade chocolate for a special gift filled with love. For Christmas, festive decorations include Santa hats, shiny tinsel, Christmas trees, and wreaths.
What are the best things to buy at 100 yen stores?
Here are some recommendations for the best items to buy at 100 yen shops.
Character goods
Sanrio (Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll), Peanut (Snoopy), Disney (Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse & Friends), and other corporations frequently collaborate with 100 yen shops. It can be notebooks, scrunchies, pouches, calendars, stickers, bento boxes, really anything goes! Official merchandise for these is usually quite pricey, so it is a great opportunity to get your favorite character merch for cheap, only 100 yen plus tax!
If you know someone who loves a particular character and spots something here, it will make a wonderful surprise gift!
Microwave and cooking utensils
Cooking can be a hassle, but not with a microwave! Daiso, in particular, has designed a line of microwave cooking utensils. The line includes tools for cooking pasta, udon noodles, perfect onsen tamago (soft-boiled eggs), rice, vegetables, and sunny-side-up eggs with only a microwave! It is recommended for people who are too busy to cook but want to eat healthy, or those who want to reduce cooking time.
Camping goods
Yes, 100-yen shops sell camping gear, especially in summer. Camping gear can be expensive, especially branded items you hope will last a long time, especially if your goal is to go glamping in Japan. For frequent campers, investing in high-quality camping gear is an excellent long-term decision. For first-time campers who are unsure whether it will be a recurring activity or an occasional one, something inexpensive that works is probably good enough.
Do not expect full-blown tents and sleeping bags. By camping goods, we mean camping chairs, foldable compact tables, barbecue grates, cooking tools for camping, water tank, bonfire stands, hammocks, and camping ropes.
Bento-making items
Bento is a part of everyday life in Japanese culture. It is common to see students bringing bento to school, and adults bringing bento to work. To prepare a classic Japanese bento, the essential items required include a bento box, a bento bag or furoshiki (cloth to wrap goods or bento for travel), and utensils, all of which you can acquire at a 100 yen shop. But is that all?
Those may be the basic essentials for bento-making, but there is more to bento culture than meets the eye. Bento accessories include food cups for separating ingredients (available in different shapes and sizes), seasoning or sauce containers for condiments, lunch box belts to ensure your bento and its contents arrive intact, and food dividers, some of which have antibacterial and antimold properties. 100-yen shops also sell handy bento tools to help make cute bento; for example, seaweed-shaped cutters, food molds, and cute food picks.
Practical everyday items
These are everyday household items you can find at supermarkets and 100-yen shops, often at lower prices.
- Fridge Deodorizer
- Cling Wraps and Aluminium Foil
- Antibacterial Floor Wet Wipes and Dry Wipes
- Trash Bags
- Cleaning Rags
- Vacuum Seal Storage Bag (for travel or storage)
- … and more!
Japanese 100-yen shops are found everywhere in Japan. Not only do they provide affordable goods, but it is also a great place for some window shopping. Be careful when entering a 100-yen shop; the prices are so good that you may end up buying more than you intended.
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What’s the difference between 100 yen stores and 300 yen stores?
100 yen shops focus on budget-friendly daily goods, while 300 yen shops (such as 3COINS or THREEPPY) offer trendier, higher-quality items, including home décor, fashion accessories, and gadgets.
Can I buy food at 100 yen store?
Yes! Most 100 yen shops sell snacks, instant noodles, and drinks. Lawson Store 100 is unique for offering fresh groceries, including vegetables, meat, and ready-to-eat meals.
Are 100 yen stores cheaper than supermarkets or drugstores?
It depends. Everyday goods like cleaning supplies and bento accessories are often cheaper, but some stationery or cosmetics may cost the same or more than at specialty stores. The main appeal is convenience and variety.
Where can I find 100 yen stores in Japan?
Daiso, Seria, and CanDo are available in most city centers and shopping malls. Lawson Store’s 100 locations are common in residential areas, especially in Tokyo and Osaka.
