Shopping in Japan is a joyous experience and there are so many Japanese chain stores to choose from. From cool and Kawaii gifts at Donguri Republic to marvellous manga merchandise in Mandarake, Japanese chain shops are retail heaven – sugoi!
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Everywhere in Japan, from the shopping streets of Ginza to the bright night lights of Dotonbori in Osaka, you’ll start to see the same Japan retail brands and store chains.
Some famous Japanese shops like Don Quijote have hundreds of branches plus even their own fan-clubs and social groups.
And some of the Japanese 100 Yen chain stores are so cheap, like 100 Seria and Daiso, where you get lots of gifts and souvenirs for not many Yen – just remember to pack light or buy another suitcase to bring it all home in!
From cool cameras at BIC Camera to retro gaming at Super Potato, here is guide to the best chain stores in Japan.
Japan checklist
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Tax free shopping in Japan
Most big Japanese chain stores have tax free shopping in place for visitors from overseas. International customers who do not live in Japan can purchase items without consumption tax on items they take back home as souvenirs.
You must present your passport or landing permit in store to get tax free shopping.
One of the key criteria for tax free shopping is that specially packaged consumable products must not be opened until you have left the country.
Tax free purchases in Japan for overseas visitors only apply to a total purchase amount of 5,000 Yen or more (excluding tax/after discount has been applied), or 5,500 Yen (including tax).
Many Japanese stores like Don Quijote, Daiso, BIC Camera and UNIQLO also have Tax Free counters – so get shopping in Japan and enjoy some cash back!
Try this – Top 10 shopping tours in Tokyo with Viator >
Best Japanese Chain Stores
1. Don Quijote (Donki)
There truly is no other Japanese chain store like Don Quijote – no visit to Japan is complete with a visit to one of the hundreds of stores in Japan.
No two Don Quijote stores are alike in Japan and each city has its own unique Donki stores and features, like the Osaka Don Quijote ferris wheel or the unique Don Quijote Susukino, Japan’s first Night Donki in Sapporo.
As of 2024, there are now over 600 Don Quijote stores in Japan plus around 50 MEGA Donki stores, many of which are open 24 hours.
From the Don Quijote characters to some of the more unique branded merchandise (a Donpen drone anyone?), here is our guide to experiencing Don Quijote in Japan >
Do you love all things Don Quijote and Don Don Donki? Join our Donki Fans Facebook group!
2. Donguri Republic – the official Ghibli store
Donguri Republic is Japan’s official Studio Ghibli store chain, comprising around 40 stores plus mountains of Princess Mononoke merchandise, shedloads of Spirited Away souvenirs and tonnes of Totoro gifts.
As of summer 2024, there are approximately 40 Donguri Republic Stores across Japan – the full list of current stores can be found here via their retail partner’s site, Benelic >
Each Donguri Republic store has thousands of different Studio Ghibli items to buy and take home, often with exclusive and seasonal merchandise. So popular are some of the limited edition gifts, people have been known to queue for hours.
Better still, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets from glorious Studio Ghibli gachapon to huge plushies. Some stores even have huge recreations of the My Neighbour Totoro bus stop and cat bus which you can pose with.
Here is our guide to visiting Japan’s Donguri Republic Studio Ghibli with more photos >
3. UNIQLO
Perhap Japan’s biggest and best known fashion export, there are over 800 Uniqlo stores in Japan as of summer 2024
As well as affordable fashions and choice clothing, UNIQLO stores in Japan take it to the next level. Some of the bigger stores even have a UNIQLO coffee shop, UNIQLO customisable labs and personalised clothing (UTme!) plus Uniqlo Flower stalls – blooming marvellous!
UNIQLO is one of the most popular fashion store chains in Japan but if you only go to one, make it the world’s biggest UNIQLO in Ginza, Tokyo with 12 floors of fashions.
From the moment you walk in, you can tell this is a Uniqlo Tokyo cool concept store with immersive installations (kinda like a Uniqlo Museum) with (tote) bags of character plus a whole floor dedicated to unique T-shirt designs.
Check out our Plan My Japan guide to the world’s biggest UNIQLO here or our guide to Ginza >
4. BIC Camera
BIC Camera is big in Japan – one of the most popular electronics and department stores across the country, most BIC Camera stores have several floors of goods, services and tax free shopping.
Despite the name, BIC Camera isn’t just about photography equipment – they sell everything from pharmaceuticals to phones, gachapon capsule toys to Japanese Kit Kats.
It is also one of the best places to buy tourist SIM cards in Japan and as of 2024, there are over 260 Japanese BIC Camera stores making it one of the biggest electronic chain stores and photography shops in the country.
So from products to promotions, check out our guide to BIC Camera in Japan >
Love cute and ‘kawaii’ stores in Japan?
Check out our shopping guides!
• Tokyo Character Street stores
• Studio Ghibli stores
• Don Quijote stores
• Doraemon Future Department store
• B-Side Label stores
• Mandarake stores
• Best Gachapon Capsule toys
• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
5. B-Side Label
B-Side Label is a Japanese sticker and stationery company with nationwide stores, selling sublime high quality stickers with thousands of different designs (they in fact have over 5,000 different stickers to choose from).
B-Side Label has shops in Tokyo neighbourhoods like Shimokitazawa and Harajuku or in cities such as Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya.
Working with established and up and coming Japanese designers and artists, the B-Side Label range is huge. They license hugely popular anime and comic characters like Pokémon or One Piece.
B-Side Label Japan began in Osaka in 2003 as a market stall selling stickers to passers-by and has grown to seven stores across Japan by 2024, with concession stands and pop-up shops in numerous other department stores and shopping malls.
From merchandise to locations, here is our guide to B-Side Label Japan >
You might like – Things to do in Dotonbori, Osaka >
6. Mandarake
Mandarake stores in Japan are otaku heaven – from second hand games to retro toys, Mandarake is one of Japan’s most famous second hand and used good shops, with 15 branches.
Mandarake (まんだらけ) has second hand stores in all the big Japanese cities including Kyoto, Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka plus flagship Mandarake stores in Shibuya and Akihabara.
From vintage manga toys to retro vinyl LPs or second-hand dolls, Mandarake has you covered for all kinds of cute and kitsch kawaii, from Ghibli to Gundam.
Check out our guide to visiting Mandarake stores in Japan >
You might like – Otaku Japan: 20 Anime and Weeb Activities in Japan >
7. Daiso Japan
Daiso Japan is one of the best lifestyle and discount shop chains in Japan, with branches now popping up all over the world.
Of their 6,000 worldwide shops, there are 3,000 Daiso stores in Japan, with over 100,000 different products across their range.
With many Daiso products costing around 100 Yen (£0.50 / $0.65 USD equivalent) and upwards, Daiso Japan makes it easy to fill your home, garden or school-bag with affordable items and budget buys.
Daiso was founded in 1972 and basically sells nice household items at very low prices – at Daiso Japan you can buy everything from cute cat outfits to epic egg timers.
But what to buy? We’ve rounded up the most weird, wonderful and best products to buy in Daiso Japan here >
8. Matsumoto Kiyoshi
One of Japan’s biggest chemist and pharmacy chains (plus pretty cheap too), Matsumoto Kiyoshi has around 3,500 branches across Japan, plus also some stores in other countries.
This is a great place to stock up on Japanese cosmetics, skincare and health products plus they often have overseas toiletries if you are looking for say a specific toothpaste or face cream – Korean K-Beauty items are common too.
And it isn’t just skin and body products too – Matsumoto Kiyoshi also seems to be a great place to buy Japanese confectionery and snacks. We found it was one of the best places to get cool Japanese Kit Kat flavours at low prices.
You might like – Our guides to Japanese convenience stores, including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson and our guide to konbini egg sandwiches
9. Super Potato
Japan is renowned for its vintage video game shops and retro arcades and is a gamer’s heaven.
One of Japan’s most famous retro video games shops and chains is Super Potato, with locations in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya including their flagship store in Akihabara.
From classic video game consoles like Nintendo NES and Neo Geo to lesser known video games systems like MSX 2 and WonderSwan, Super Potato Japan is a treasure trove of vintage video games and awesome arcade machines from the last few decades.
We’ve visited most of the Super Potato stores (including the Tokyo Akihabara branch) and loved exploring these retro video game palaces, almost akin to living museums of games and consoles.
Read more in our guide to Japan’s Super Potato stores >
10. Village Vanguard
Another cute and Kawaii stall selling a vast range of anime and cartoon merchandise, Village Vanguard is a kind of a cross between Mandarake meets Don Quijote.
Usually vast shops selling everything from cutesy character collectibles through to the most random of stationery, Village Vanguard really is a cavern of collectibles and cool stuff.
From Funko Pop to Mofusand, Hangyodon to Ultraman, Village Vanguard has got you covered. They also have gachapons galore instore.
At the time of writing, there are 15 Village Vanguard Japan stores in Tokyo (including a huge store in Shimokitazawa) and many more across the country including Yokohama.
You might like – Our guide to Japan’s coolest gachapon capsule toys >
11. Hard-Off Japan
Head to ‘Hard Off’ for second-hand hardware, from vintage VHS to used ukuleles (yep, they even sell musical instruments).
With 915 stores across Japan in 2024, Hard-Off is one of the biggest resale stores, and is a treasure trove of old phones, Manga toys, trading cards and more. Basically, Hard-Off have what you want, but at low prices (especially in their blue bargain bins).
Instantly recognisable in Japanese shopping areas, Hard-Off also have several speciality sub brands including Book-Off, Hobby-Off and Liquor-Off.
You might like – Top 20 Japanese restaurant chains >
12. Can-Do
Similar to Daiso and Seria 100, Can Do is one of Japan’s biggest 100 Yen chain shops, with over 1,000 Can Do stores across Japan.
Selling everything from miniature furniture to super-cute stationery, Can Do has over 20,000 products all of which cost just 100 Yen (excluding tax).
Can Do’s biggest selling items include Tenugui Hand towels (traditional Japanese patterned cloth), microwave cooking equipment and health and beauty products like stick-on nail art.
You might like – The best 100 Yen chain stores in Japan >
13. Animate anime speciality store
One of Japan’s largest anime chain shops, Animate has around 130 comic stores and Manga merchandise shops across Japan, some of which even have special Animate cafes, which get taken over by cute kawaii brands.
One of the biggest and best animate stores is Animate Ikebukuro main store – there are lots of other cool things to do in Ikebukuro the Mega Pokémon Center and Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store – Japan’s biggest gachapon store.
Animate in Japan are also known for their special “Only Shops,” which are pop-up shops dedicated to specific anime brands or Manga merchandise.
You might like – Our guide to 40+ Japanese Kit Kat flavors or the cult of Mister Donut
14. Muji Japan
Perhaps one of the best known Japanese brands overseas, MUJI’s first store opened in 1983 in Tokyo and now operates in 29 countries around the world. MUJI in Japan has around 570 stores, plus there are even MUJI hotels including MUJI Hotel Ginza.
The name MUJI translates as ‘no-brand quality goods’ in Japanese and their design philosophy is minimalist with an emphasis on useful products, simple packaging, reliable quality and good value for money.
Specialising in no fuss furniture and fashion, you can shop for office bits, stationery, storage, clothing, bedding, kitchenware, travel accessories, cosmetics, diffusers plus many other things you never knew you needed! Mosey on down to MUJI in Japan!
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to 45 things to do in Tokyo at night >
15. The Loft Japan
With around 120 The Loft Stores in Japan, it is easy to spot with its bright yellow logo and plush modern stores.
The Loft sells lots of cute character stationery, Kawaii souvenirs, health and skincare products plus a wide variety of fun fashions aimed at all ages.
It is a great place to get children’s school bags, lovely lunch boxes and epic erasers – it is almost impossible to visit The Loft without at least buying something small.
You might like – Things to do in Tokyo with kids >
16. Tsutaya Books Japan
Japan is renowned for its incredible bookshops and libraries and one of the biggest and best known bookstore chains is Tsutaya Books – it has over 1,200 stores across Japan (plus several hundred more across the world in countries like Malaysia).
The two flagship Tsutaya Books stores in Japan are the Daikanyama T-Site branch in Tokyo (which as won numerous design awards and is known as the “ Library in the Woods”) and Ginza Tsutaya Books, billed as the “The World’s Best Art Bookstore”
One of the most beautiful bookshops we’ve ever been to in Japan, Tsutaya Books Ginza is located in Ginza Six shopping mall on the sixth level and is AMAZING!
You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku
Also check out our
Where to stay in Tokyo guide
17. Hands (formerly Tokyo Hands)
A big round of applause for Hands (once known as Tokyu Hands), a hobby and lifestyle store where you can buy crafts, capsule toys, calligraphy sets and more.
We also think it is one of the best place in Japan to get cute stickers (and a bit nicer than the ones you get in Daiso).
There are over 50 Hands stores in Japan, plus shops overseas in Taiwan and Singapore (‘Hands’ across the ocean eh). Most of the branches we went to in Japan had several floors plus so many nice souvenirs and gifts.
You might like – Our guides to going to a Tokyo baseball game or a Fukuoka baseball game
18. 100 Seria
When talking about Japan’s famous 100 Yen shops, most people think of Daiso but Seria is a serious contender to the best 100 Yen shop in Japan crown.
Whilst the Seria stalls are usually much smaller, the quality of products seems to be a bit better and you’ll usually find them tucked away in Japanese shopping centers.
Bargains include dog hats, chair protector socks shaped like cats plus loads of useful household items like glasses repair kits or USB connectors – and yep, they also sell lots of sublime stationery and pretty pencil cases.
19. Sanrio Stores
You may well have already seen some of the Sanrio stores in Japan on social media – for instance, Asakusa’s famous Sanrio Gift Gate shop has tonnes of TikTok and Instagram videos about it. It is easy to spot as there is a huge Hello Kitty welcoming you outside.
Most Sanrio stores are saturated with superb souvenirs and you’ll find all your favourite cute and kawaii characters from Kuromi to Keroppi, Pompompurin to Pocaccho.
It is also one of the best places in Japan for Gudetama gifts – eggs-cellent stuff!
Some of the best Sanrio store branches in Tokyo are located in Asakusa, Shibuya, Ginza and Shinjuku.
You might like – Our guide to Doraemon Future Department Store or Tokyo Character Street
20. Kiddyland
A top toy shop chain in Japan, Kiddyland has floors of fun and is a carnival of cute kawaii goods and comic book characters like Doraemon, Studio Ghibli and Sanrio.
Kiddyland has around 30 stores all over Japan including a very famous one along Takeshita Street in Tokyo. With a dedicated Snoopy Town in the basement and fourth floor Hello Kitty shop and Rilakkuma, this toy shop really is a ‘Marvel’ (plus LEGO, Tomica and more).
You might like – Weird Japanese vending machines or immersive 3D billboards in Japan
21. Bandai Namco Cross Japan
If you are a gachapon fan, be sure to visit one of the official Bandai Namco Cross stores in Japan – join all the cool-kids browsing hundreds of different gashapon toy capsule machines. Be sure to bring lots of 100 Yen coins (thankfully they have change machines too).
There are over 100 Bandai Namco Cross gachapon stores in Japan but many of these are small concessions and pop-ups in department stores. However, they do have a few big Bandai Namco Cross stores in some cities like at the Fukuoka Canal City Mall.
The Bandai Namco Cross store in Ikebukuro (Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store) is Japan’s biggest gachapon store.
The Ikebukuro store has between 3,000 and 4,000 gachapon machines at any one time.
Check out Plan My Japan’s Ikebukuro area guide or Tokyo’s 30+ best shopping malls & districts
Our final Japanese chain shop
22. Ikea Japan
A little bit of Sweden in Japan, the world’s favorite cut-price furniture store IKEA currently has 13 stores in Japan, including 3 in Tokyo. The huge multi-level IKEA Harajuku store is a cool place to visit (more so for the cheap restaurant).
As you are likely travelling, we obviously won’t recommend buying any furniture at IKEA Japan (unless your hotel room is sparse) – but there are some cool little bits here like plushies and travel mobile phone stands.
However, if you’re tired of Japanese food, IKEA Japan is a great place to grab some budget bites and Swedish style snacks.
You might like – Things to do in Harajuku, Tokyo >
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