Daiso: 100 Yen Store (Dollar Store)

Frances tipped me off to the 100 yen store closest to me: Daiso. Thanks Frances! She said it's similar to most dollar stores but that they have higher quality merchandise. I'm a dollar store fan, at least I am of some of the ones in the south (I haven't found any I like in SF even though I'm sure there are some I'd like), so I thought I'd check it out. The one I went to was in Harajuku, and more specifically in Takeshita Dori, a very popular shopping area for the young and hip, and conveniently located right by the train station (the main shopping strip is pictured above). Daiso was the best dollar store I've ever seen, of course, because it's in Tokyo! Three (or was it four?) floors of cheap stuff goodness! A lot of what they carry is made in China, but you can find some made in Japan things as well. Not everything was 100 yen, but close. These pictures are a very small sampling of what they have. I spent most of my time in the craft section, but they have kitchen goods, garden supplies, hardware supplies, stationery, toys, candy, and a whole lot of other things. Daiso, I will miss you when I go home. Check out their web site to see a little more.


These are coasters, but really they're just felt cutouts without any backing. I thought they'd make cute magnets for kids.

Felt leaves. They had other shapes too. This leaf is big--about the size of a placemat.

More felt! Different shapes and sizes and kits too.

Cute boxes.

Cute socks, and they're fresh!

Lace, or crochet, cup holders.

They had all kinds of dishes, most of which were really nice with pretty and interesting designs. And they seemed like they were made well.

Baking supplies. Cute cupcake / muffin cups.