Photo: Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
Japan's 100 Yen Shops: Everything for $0.70 (Daiso, Seria & More)
100 yen shops are Japan's best-kept budget secret. Find amazing travel essentials, souvenirs, and snacks for about $0.70 each.
Imagine a store where almost everything costs just ¥100 ($0.70) — and the quality is actually good. That's Japan's 100 yen shops, and they're an absolute game-changer for travelers on any budget.
Use our Japan Trip Cost Calculator to plan your complete trip budget.
The Major 100 Yen Chains
- Daiso (ダイソー): The king of 100 yen shops. Over 3,000 locations across Japan. Massive selection of everything.
- Seria (セリア): More stylish, Instagram-worthy items. Great for cute stationery and home goods.
- Can★Do (キャンドゥ): Solid selection, often found in shopping malls.
- Watts (ワッツ): Smaller chain but good quality basics.
Note: With tax, items are actually ¥110 ($0.76). Some premium items are ¥200-500, but they're clearly marked.
Best Things to Buy as a Tourist
Travel Essentials
- Foldable shopping bags, packing cubes, and travel pouches
- Umbrellas (transparent ones, just like locals carry)
- Phone charger cables and adapters
- Compression bags for packing
- Mini toiletry bottles
Souvenirs & Gifts
- Chopstick sets with beautiful designs
- Japanese fans (sensu), tenugui (cotton towels)
- Cute stationery — pens, notebooks, washi tape
- Japanese snack assortments
- Small ceramic dishes and sake cups
Food & Snacks
- Japanese candy and snacks (matcha Kit-Kats sometimes appear!)
- Instant miso soup packets — great to bring home
- Rice seasonings (furikake)
- Green tea bags
Why It's Amazing for Travelers
Forgot your umbrella? ¥110. Need a phone cable? ¥110. Want to buy 10 small souvenirs for friends? ¥1,100. Compare that to tourist shop prices where a single fan might cost ¥1,000+.
Budget tip: Hit a 100 yen shop on your first day. Stock up on snacks, a water bottle, wet wipes, and any travel supplies you forgot. You'll save significantly compared to buying these at tourist-area shops or your hotel.
Where to Find Them
They're everywhere. Search "Daiso" on Google Maps near any major station and you'll find one within a 5-minute walk. The massive flagship stores (like Daiso in Harajuku or Shinsaibashi, Osaka) have 4-5 floors with tens of thousands of items. They're a key part of any budget Japan trip. Budget at least 30 minutes — you'll want to explore.
🏷️ Make Every Yen Count
100 yen shops + smart planning = incredible Japan on any budget.
Try the Calculator →For more savings, check our Tokyo budget guide and find out if Japan is really expensive.