What Is Daiso Japan? Everything You Need To Know About Japan’s Most Famous 100 Yen Chain Store

Have a trip to Japan coming up soon? You definitely shouldn’t miss out on making a stop at Daiso Japan then! In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Daiso Japan so that you can know what to expect whenever you visit. Read on to learn more about one of Japan’s most famous retailers!

What Is Daiso Japan?

Daiso Japan is a retailer famous for its super inexpensive 100 yen offerings. There are more than 4,360 stores throughout Japan as well as approximately 990 stores overseas spread across 26 countries. Daiso Japan is just over 50 years old, is family-owned, and carries a wide array of products suitable for daily life. They are most famous in Japan for their household goods, but they also carry skincare, makeup, snacks, stationery, and so much more. 

What Does Daiso Mean In Japanese?

On another note, you may be wondering what “Daiso” means in Japanese. Its name is made up of “dai” which means “big” and “sou” which means “to create”. Its name is commonly written as ダイソー in Japanese, but it can also be written as 大創 which combines “big” and “to create”. 

History Of Daiso Japan

Daiso Japan was established by entrepreneur Hirotake Yano in 1977. Five years before its official establishment, Yano began by selling affordable home goods for 100 yen at a street stall-style store in a parking lot called 'Yano Shoten'. In 1977, Daiso was formally established as Daiso Industries Co., Ltd., and it would go on to become the mega 100 yen chain store that many of us know and love.

After building a strong reputation in Japan, Daiso Industries expanded internationally. Its first international store opened in Taiwan in 2001, and just three years later, in 2004, the company expanded to the United States, Canada, and Singapore. Today, Daiso has locations across Japan and around the world in 26 different countries.

What Kind Of Items Is Daiso Japan Famous For?

Daiso carries literally anything you can imagine, and for a cheap price too! Here are some types of items you’ll be able to find at Daiso Japan. 

• Household goods: The category that started it all. You can find kitchenware, unique kitchen gadgets, storage solutions, and home decor items.
• Stationery: Perhaps Daiso Japan’s most famous category. They sell notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, stickers, and more. Daiso is a Japanese student’s dream store.
• Beauty products: Surprisingly, Daiso Japan carries a wide range of beauty products, including skincare, makeup, body care, and hair care. You can learn about a lot of these items here.
• Health and personal care: You’ll also be able to find some toiletries and hygiene products at Daiso Japan.
• Food, snacks, and beverages: Another super famous category for Daiso Japan. They carry a range of snacks, both sweet and savory, instant noodles, sodas, bottled tea, and more.
• Cleaning supplies: You’ll be able to find various cleaning sprays, sheets, and more for around the home.
• Gardening supplies: Gardeners will find Daiso to be quite a paradise! They sell seeds, pots, and other gardening supplies.
• Toys and games: You can find children’s toys, stickers, puzzles, and games.
• Electronic accessories: While you won’t find any electronics at Daiso, you’ll be able to find chargers, phone cases, screen protectors, and more.
• Holiday and seasonal items: Daiso Japan is a great place for holiday and seasonal items—both Japanese and Western.

And the list goes on!

How Much Do Items At Daiso Japan Cost?

Most items at Daiso Japan cost 100 yen, but with a 10% tax, they actually come to 110 yen. However, there are also items at Daiso that range from 200 to 500 yen. Items priced above 100 yen will have their price indicated on the price tag.

What Are Daiso Japan’s Best-Selling Items?

While the items that are popular at Daiso Japan can change frequently, here are some of the company’s most popular items:

• Seasoned Egg Maker
• Cutting Board Sheets
• Removable Double-Sided Adhesive Tape
• Stackable Storage Boxes
• Peeled Sweet Chestnuts
• Onigiri Maker
• Flushable Toilet Cleaner
• Hoshi Imo Sticks (Dried Sweet Potato)
• Heat-Resistant Glass Bowl
• Tote Bag

Many of these items are useful everyday items, but there are some interesting unexpected items like the seasoned egg maker and sweet peeled chestnuts!

Where Can I Find Daiso In Japan?

You can find Daiso across Japan in every single prefecture. Whether you're in the city, the suburbs, or even the countryside, you're bound to find a Daiso somewhere.

However, it’s important to note that not all Daiso stores are created equally. Daiso locations in more touristy areas, like the one in Osaka Umeda that we visited, for example, tend to be much larger and offer a wider range of items, including souvenirs. In contrast, Daiso stores in less prominent areas or the countryside are often smaller and may have a more limited selection.

To check the size and range of a Daiso store you want to visit in Japan, you can use the store locator on the Daiso website.

What Is The Difference Between Daiso Japan And Daiso Abroad?

Daiso in Japan may differ from Daiso stores in other countries. While the company strives to provide an authentic Daiso Japan experience, perfect replication is challenging. Here are a few differences between Daiso Japan and Daiso stores abroad:

• Price: This is probably the biggest difference! While Daiso stores overseas are still relatively inexpensive, they are not as cheap as the 100 yen price in Japan. For example, Daiso in the US has prices starting at $1.75 or $1.99, depending on the state. This is more than double the price in Japan. Prices will vary by country.
• Selection: Daiso stores abroad stock many of the same items as Daiso Japan, but they cannot stock everything. For instance, Daiso Japan offers sunscreen and other products with UV filters approved only in Japan, which cannot be legally sold overseas. Similarly, some snacks available in Japan may not be permitted for sale internationally due to regulations.
• Store Size: Some Daiso stores in Japan are quite large, even multi-story. In contrast, Daiso stores abroad are usually smaller.

To learn more about the differences between Daiso and Daiso Japan, we recommend checking out this article.

Is Daiso Japan Popular?

Based on Daiso Japan’s affordable pricing and nationwide presence, it’s safe to assume that it is popular. In fact, Daiso Japan is so popular that it has gained recognition overseas, resulting in the creation of many international stores. I mean who could go wrong with their pricing, selection, and innovation? 

Other Daiso Brands

Daiso Japan also has some other brands that fall under its corporation. Here are Daiso Japan’s other affiliated brands:

• Standard Products: This brand focuses on more minimalist and eco-friendly products. For example, their kitchenware products are made in Tsubame, Niigata, which is famous for metal processing, while their knives are made in Seki, Gifu, known for its rich history of producing knives and even swords. Their items are priced higher than Daiso's but are still reasonably priced.
• Threeppy: A slightly higher-end version of Daiso. The items from this brand start at 300 yen. They also carry a lot of character-related goods.
• Cou Cou: Similar to Threeppy, their goods are also priced at 300 yen, but their product range is more catered towards females or a feminine audience.
• Daiso Publishing: They publish a variety of books for educational purposes and leisure. They even have their own manga!

Note: These stores tend to be located in bigger cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and may not be available nationwide.

Where Is Daiso Japan’s Headquarters?

Daiso Japan's headquarters is located in Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The full address is:

Daiso Industries Co., Ltd.

1-4-14 Saijo Yoshiyuki Higashi,

Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8501,

Japan

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about Daiso Japan. Have you ever been to Daiso Japan? Do you have a Daiso in your country? Let us know in the comments.