100 Yen (Dollar) Store in Japan — Affordable Souvenirs and Must-Buys
Last Updated on November 12, 2024 by Kay
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100 yen stores, called hyakuen shoppu in Japanese but shortened to hyakkin, are the equivalent of a dollar store in Japan. But after living here in Japan over a decade, I’ve found that they are far superior to anything in North America.
The quality and variety of the products they carry can’t be beaten, so it’s somewhere that locals shop frequently. And if you’re visiting Japan, then the various 100 yen stores in the country should absolutely be on your list of places to visit.
In this article, I’ll share the top 100 yen stores in Japan and products that I think would make great, affordable souvenirs (and I use myself!).
Table of Contents
Popular 100 Yen Stores in Japan
Before we dive into popular souvenirs from 100 yen stores, let’s look into the 100 yen stores you’re most likely to find in Japan.
To find a store near you, type the name in Google Maps.
Seria
Seria is probably one of the most popular among all the different dollar stores in Japan. Their products are generally higher quality than other 100 yen stores and they have lots of character goods. And fun fact, the name Seria comes from the word “serious” in Italian! And considering the amazing selection of products they offer, Seria definitely means business.
This is my personal favorite among all the different 100 yen stores in Japan.
Their stores are on the smaller side, though.
In Tokyo, easy-to-find Seria stores include Shinjuku’s Marui and Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City. Those are just a fraction of the many, many locations of Seria in Tokyo.
In Osaka, check out the branches in Tempozan, Umeda, and Namba.
DAISO
I believe this is the only 100 yen store with branches worldwide, and it’s no surprise. DAISO is incredibly popular in Japan and has the most stores out of all 100 yen stores.
DAISO is usually massive and you can find almost anything you need here, ranging from household goods to even food. It’s very easy to spend considerable time here and walk out with 5000 yen worth of goods (or is this just me and my family when they visit Japan?).
Some items cost more than 100 yen so keep that in mind when shopping.
Some popular places to find DAISO in Tokyo include Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, and in Osaka LINKS Umeda and Shinsaibashi.
Can Do
These stores are not as common as Seria or DAISO and are smaller but they still carry nice products, including character products like Sanrio and seasonal products. Their selection is limited, though.
Watts
I’ve found that these are less common than the other three 100 yen stores in Japan and their stores tend to be smaller.
Similar to the other stores, they carry a range of items for almost everything!
The Best Souvenirs from 100 Yen Stores — Japan’s Dollar Store
100 yen stores can be overwhelming because they have so much stuff. So if you’re wondering what kind of souvenirs to get, here are my personal favorites. These are things that I bring back to my family and friends in Canada, and are a hit!
Children’s Toys
If you know someone with a young child, or you have one yourself, then you’ll want to stop by a 100 yen store to check out their toys.
Growing up in Canada, toys from the dollar store weren’t exactly the greatest quality. Even though we were very poor and on welfare, my mother refused to buy them (and I don’t blame her).
However, the toys at 100 yen stores are surprisingly good quality for the price.
Personally, I like the toys at Seria and Watts over the ones at DAISO.
Note that Seria also has a lot of great character-themed cups and plates for kids, such as Kirby, Disney, and Sanrio. I have a few for my daughter and I have no complaints!
I’ve written an article about my favorite products from the 100 yen store for kids so make sure to give it a read!
Stickers
There are so many cute stickers at 100 yen stores in Japan and they don’t take up that much room in your luggage. So if you have a stationary fan to shop for, this would be a budget-friendly hit.
Stationery
Speaking of stationery, 100 yen stores are a great place to stock up on cute things for the office or school.
For instance, I’m a big fan of these cute sticky notes, which not only look adorable but stay where they’re put without damaging pages.
They also carry kawaii and pretty notebooks (as well as simple ones if that’s what you prefer).
And check out their pens! Below is only a fraction of what they carry, and I feel you can’t have enough pens, especially when you’re traveling and need to fill out forms at the airport.
Washi Tape
This can be categorized under stationery as well.
There are a lot of adorable kinds of washi tape at 100 yen stores in Japan, you could easily fill an entire basket (or two)! You can find rolls featuring popular characters like Sumikko Gurashi and Pokemon as well.
Hair Accessories
If you’re looking for some cute, budget-friendly hair accessories for yourself or a loved one, the 100 yen store has got you covered.
They sell cute clips, hair ties, scrunchies, and more in different colors, so you can buy something that will match any outfit!
Dishcloths / Dishtowels
I think these dishcloths/dishtowels, called fukin in Japanese, are a wonderful gift or souvenir. They’re practical and some come with Japanese patterns on them.
Note that these are handwash only — they will turn wrinkly in the washing machine (speaking from experience). You can still use them but they won’t regain their former shape.
Dishware
Pretty much all 100 yen stores in Japan carry a variety of dishware that is good quality. They come in various styles and shapes, including super cute small ones that are always a hit with my family and friends.
In fact, I still have a set that I’ve been using for about ten years now! At 100 yen a dish, the price can’t be beat. And if it breaks while you’re taking it back home, it’s not too bad of a loss because it’s so cheap.
Miso Soup Bowls
My family loves these bowls and always asks me to bring them new ones whenever I go back to Canada.
Make sure to check whether they’re microwave and dishwasher-safe before purchasing! There should be a sticker on it with this information. For instance, the bowls in the image above with the red, gold, and black labels are both microwave and dishwasher-safe.
Look for the following words in Japanese to see whether a product is microwave and/or dishwasher-safe.
Microwave-safe: 電子レンジあたため OK
Dishwasher-safe: 食器洗浄乾燥機 OK, 食洗機 OK
Lunch Bags
I love the lunch bags sold at 100 yen stores in Japan, and admittedly all of my lunch bags are from here. I’ve found that the designs have become cuter over the years, as shown by the bags from Seria pictured above. Daiso also carries Sanrio lunch bags, which are a must-buy for any fan.
These are usually lined with aluminum so it keeps food hot or cold. However, keep in mind that these cannot be cleaned in the washing machine.
Cutlery
If you need some cute spoons and forks, look no further than the 100 yen store. I love how Seria in particular carries ones with Shiba Inu and cat designs.
Tea Filter Bags
Tea filter bags, called ocha pakku (お茶パック) in Japanese, are something I buy not only for myself but for my tea-loving friends as well. It’s especially nice to pair with a bag or box of Japanese loose-leaf tea.
(If you’re wondering what’s my favorite brand of tea in Japanese, read this article.)
Hard Boiled Egg Timer
This is another gift I like to get people when I go back to Canada, and it’s something I use myself!
Just pop the timer into a boiling pot of water with eggs and the timer will change color according to how cooked the egg is. When it turns completely white, your egg is hard-boiled. The orange apron-like part means soft-boiled.
Chopsticks
There is a ton of variety when it comes to chopsticks so you’re likely to find something for anyone, including kids. And these are light and don’t take up much room in a suitcase.
You can also find cooking chopsticks, including some with cute designs on them. We have purchased a few of these and they work great.
Note that many of these chopsticks are not dishwasher safe. However, we have found that plastic ones have survived our Bosch dishwasher.
Bento Supplies
100 yen stores in Japan have no shortage of cute bento supplies, from onigiri molds to picks and cutters in various shapes.
Cards
I think every dollar store worldwide carries cards, but if you’re traveling in Japan, why not stock up on cards from the 100 yen store? They’re unique, cute, and some even play music!
Socks
If you want to get some cute socks, check out the selection at any 100 yen store. They have Disney, anime and manga characters, as well as more simple socks, so you can find a gift for anyone.
I’ve bought socks from 100 yen stores several times and the quality is quite good since these socks have lasted for years.
Nail Decals/Stickers
This would make the perfect gift for someone in your life who loves to do their nails. I have a ton of these and use them when doing my own gel nails. Make sure to put a top coat on it!
Tiny Measuring Cups
I absolutely love these measuring cups, which allow you to measure in both teaspoons (小さじ, kosaji) and tablespoons (大さじ, oosaji).
I have the Made in Japan one pictured in the middle of the image above and I couldn’t be happier with using it to measure both liquid and dry ingredients. I have also put it in the dishwasher many times and it’s still as good as new!
Rice Paddles
Called shamoji (しゃもじ) in Japanese, 100 yen shops carry plenty, including ones that have adorable designs like Sanrio or cat handles!
Coin Purses
Japan loves coins and when you’re traveling, you will likely need a coin purse. So why not buy one from the 100 yen store as a memento of your trip?
They have a lot of adorable and unique designs, such as whale sharks (which I may or may not have myself).
Food Clips / Bag Clips
These are great for closing small bags and look nice as well.
Don’t expect them to have the same strength as the non-so-cute ones you might find in your own country, though.
Pocket Tissues
Sure, you can probably get pocket tissues in your home country, but do they look like a package of Japanese chips? These are compact and light as well, so they won’t take up much valuable space in your luggage.
Keep in mind that the quality of these tissues will not be as great as Kleenex.
Sanrio Goods
Every Seria and DAISO will carry Sanrio products, which are also pretty good quality. So if you know a Sanrio fan or you’re one yourself, definitely take a look! (And prepare yourself because there is a lot.)
Keychains
The 100 yen store carries a number of keychains that you might want to consider as a souvenir. I find that these make great “just in case” gifts, just in case there’s someone you might have forgotten to buy something for and don’t remember until you’re back home.
Reusable Totes
A majority of stores are now charging for bags and I find that you can’t have enough reusable totes, called eco bag in Japanese. I try to keep two in every purse and several in the car, and yet sometimes I still don’t have enough.
So I think whoever you give one of these to will be very grateful if they’re anything like me.
You’ll probably want a few for yourself as well when you shop in Japan.
Anime Goods
Believe it or not, 100 yen stores sell goods for popular anime such as Haikyu, Oshi no Ko, Tokyo Revengers, and Kimetsu no Yaiba.
These are usually cards, badges, keychains, or small acrylic figures.
They also have character goods like Chiikawa and Sumikko Gurashi.
Japanese Candy
There’s a lot of great Japanese candy for sale at 100 yen stores in Japan. These are not specific to the 100 yen store or low quality — my family always asks me to bring several packages back whenever I go to Canada!
Folding Japanese Fans
Folding fans, called sensu in Japanese, are probably one of the most popular souvenirs to get people. Of course, the quality of sensu from the 100 yen store isn’t the greatest but it works for the price.
I like to keep one in each of my various purses during the summer because I don’t feel bad if they get destroyed from all the things I throw in there!
Uchiwa
If you’re traveling during the summer, consider buying an uchiwa. These make great gifts that don’t take up much room in a suitcase. Just be careful when packing it because they can break.
Japanese Workbooks
If you’re studying Japanese as a beginner or know someone who is, then you might want to consider these workbooks. Targeted for preschool and elementary school children in Japan, these will help you with practicing hiragana, katakana, and vocabulary.
Gift Wrapping Bags
These little bags are great to pack with Japanese snacks or other gifts for your loved ones. I have several at home and always bring some back with me when I go to Canada with souvenirs.
Wrap-up: What to Buy from the Japanese Dollar Store (100 yen)
I hope this look at what I think are the best products to buy from Japan’s version of dollar stores, 100 yen stores, has been helpful to you.
Keep in mind that these shops are always changing their stock, so you will likely find something new every time you go! That’s one key reason why I can easily end up spending about an hour in a store. And I’m glad to report that it’s not just me, my husband and kid do as well!
So if you’re visiting Japan, make sure to dedicate some time to shopping at one (or all) of these stores. I guarantee it will be worth it.
Happy shopping!