It sounds like an oxymoron but there are bargains from Japan. My friends Linda and Karen (the gals from the Korean market excursion) turned me on to shopping at Daiso, a Japan-based chain of five-and-dime stores. Don’t think that you’ll get things for pennies here. Those days are long over.
Daiso is among Japan's class of "100-yen" stores (about 1 USD), so it's similar to the American concept of 99 cents stores. But it's been years since I've scored anything awesome at 99 cent stores. The 99 cents and up ones have better selection. At Daiso, there are $1 items but for the most part the good stuff is at least $1.50!
There are about 2,500 Daiso stores in Japan, and the chain has 60 percent of the market share there. There are Daiso stores in other parts of the world, including the Middle East, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia (even Vietnam!), Canada, and the United States. (The 9 Daiso stores in America are in the Bay Area and around Seattle.)
The one that I shop at is in Daly City, conveniently right off the 280 freeway near a Target at Serramonte Mall. I’ve found all kinds of great kitchen tools (a Japanese scum skimmer, for example), measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and the goodies at the top of this post. Okay, I paid $2 for each of the larger melamine trays, but the smaller one and the ceramic dishes were $1.50 each.
This stuff isn’t super tough and built to last forever, but it will last for a number of years. Maybe forever if well taken care of. Everything is lightweight and smallish, made for Japanese households. They’re also functional. Toys for kids, stationery, tabletop, false eyelashes, socks, all kinds of stuff, but none of Daiso’s inventory is junky. On my last trip, there was a sale on small nabe (Japanese hot pots) for $2, and a Chinese customer bought 6 of them!
My sister Tasha, who lives in the San Gabriel Valley, mentioned that there’s one of these kinds of Japanese discount stores near her house but it’s not called Daiso. But it sounded like the same concetp. So look for Daiso and Daiso-type stores in areas where there are lots of Asian people. Or, shop online at the Daiso site.
Do you have Daiso experiences or good finds to report?
Or, want to share the address of your favorite Japanese discount store?
Tuty says
I really like this store... I have to restrain myself from going nuts and buy everything. They even have Japanese mayo and it is cheaper than 99Ranch Market 😉
Andrea Nguyen says
You mean the Kewpie mayo -- but a knockoff?
Tuty says
Not sure if it is a Kewpie knockoff... I have to go back and check :-))
Annie N says
Oh Andrea,
Daiso is sooooooo dangerous for me. To get candy molds and cupcake liners, piping bags for $1.50 when other retailers will charge you $3+. I was like a kid in a candy store on my first visit. Sewing supplies are great too. $1.50 for crochet needles is mind blowing. Then there's the supplies for scrapbooking and crafting. You can see how I racked up $100 on the first visit. We go to the one in Cupertino and I thank my lucky stars that it's a bit out of the way for me (in San Jose), or I would always (ALWAYS) be there.
Andrea Nguyen says
Annie, it's okay to be bad at Daison. It's not like you're shopping at Bloomingdales or Dean and Delucca...
Jackie @ PhamFatale.com says
Agreed with all the comments above. Whenever I go there, the amount of $1.50 pieces adds up and end up being a longer bill. Check out their tumblers, lemonade stirrer, laundry bag, everything for so cheap. Thanks for posting!
online coupons says
Hyakuen shops are Japanese discount dry goods stores that sell everything from kitchenwares and household goods to stationery and gifts, all at one price: 100 yen (hence the name, hyakuen). In Japan the largest chain is run by Daiso, and they have had many copycats here and abroad — the one in Metro Manila even laid claim to the name “Daiso”
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Agony Aunt says
Hi! I have visited the Japanese Dollar Store and I agree it is an excellent resource, not just for newlyweds but for anyone who would prefer a bargain to spending lots of $$.
Go Dave says
I toured south east asia with some tupperwear I bought from Daiso. They are great products.
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