Figuring out where to buy certain items in Japan can be tough. Look through this list of the most popular home goods stores in Japan and the type of merchandise they carry. You can also find information on drug stores and second-hand goods shops.
Home Goods Stores
Nitori
Nitori is a large chain home goods store with locations throughout Japan, a convenient online shop, and nationwide shipping in store and online. Nitori offers a wide variety of build-it-yourself products and ready-made products, from various price ranges. Nitori stores are generally (but not always) far away from train stations, so it may be best to drive or have a friend drive you.
Recently, however, a number of shopping malls have opened Nitori Deco Home stores, which are small shops that sell a limited variety of Nitori goods. Nitori Point Cards available. Shipping services are available.
Japanese source: https://www.nitori-net.jp/ec/
The following product categories are available at Nitori:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Bed Bath Living Dining Kitchen Office |
Auxiliary Storage Appliances Fixtures Cleaning supplies Textiles |
Ikea
There are 9 Ikea stores in Japan. Unfortunately, Ikea Japan does not have an online store, but you can browse their entire catalogue in English, make a list of products you want to look at in person, and print direct from the website. Ikea offers a wide variety of build-it-yourself and ready-made products.
No point cards available. Shipping services are available.
English source: https://www.ikea.com/jp/en/
The following product categories are available:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Bed Bath Living Dining Kitchen Office |
Auxiliary Storage Appliances Fixtures Cleaning Supplies Textiles |
Mujirushi Ryouhin
Mujirushi Ryouhin (Muji for short) is a variety home store that sells furniture, textiles, clothing, dining ware, and food. The chain is known for clean, modern designs, high quality, and logo- and label-free products.
Muji stores accept point cards of the mall or department store they are inside (ex. Seibu Department Stores). If they are stand-alone stores, they do not accept point cards. Shipping services are available. Muji also has an online shop.
Japanese source: https://www.muji.com/jp/
The following product categories are available:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Stationery Bags Shoes Accessories Furniture Health and Beauty Travel goods Bed |
Men's and Women's clothing Bath Kitchen Dining Bed Food & beverages Auxiliary Storage |
Franfranc
Franfranc is an interior design store focused on high-end goods for your home. This is a popular place to buy gifts.
Japanese source: https://www.francfranc.co.jp/
The following product categories are available:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Rugs Dinnerware Furniture Bags |
Bedding Cushions Cushion Covers Kitchen accessories |
Tokyu Hands
Tokyu Hands is a variety store with a comprehensive set of product categories in the Greater Tokyo Area. They carry everything from stationery to tools and sporting goods.
They sell a lot of unique things that typically cannot be purchased at other stores, so it is a popular place to buy gifts. Tokyu Hands Point Cards available. Shipping services are available.
English source: https://info.hands.net/en/
The following product categories are available:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Stationery Design Tools Health & Beauty Kitchen and Cooking Bath Cleaning & Laundry Home Décor Bags |
Wallets Travel Rain Gear Cycling Variety Goods Mobile Phone Accessories Crafts Tools & Small Building Materials |
Loft
Loft is another variety store, similar to Tokyu Hands, but with a higher emphasis on Stationery, Character Goods, and Health & Beauty. Loft is also a very popular place to buy gifts.
Loft stores accept point cards of the mall or department store they are inside (ex. Club ON card for Seibu Department Stores). If they are stand-alone stores, they do not accept point cards. Shipping services are available.
English source: https://www.loft.co.jp/en/
The following product categories are available:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Health & Beauty Stationery Character goods Cellphone accessories Seasonal decorations Travel |
Art and Craft supplies Kitchen and Cooking Travel Jewelry (large stores) Laundry |
Costco
Costco is an American bulk retail chain that requires a paid membership to shop at. While Costco is mostly known for its bulk food, it also carries furniture and outdoor fixtures like swing sets and pools. There are Costco stores throughout Japan, but the highest concentration of stores is in the Greater Tokyo Area.
They are often far from stations, so you will need to drive, ask a friend to drive, or take a taxi. Shipping services are also available.
Japanese source: https://www.costco.co.jp/
The following product categories and services are available:
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Produce Meat & Fish Bakery Deli Beverages & Alcohol Toiletries Sports Outdoor Gardening Small Appliances Auto/DIY Office Supplies |
Baby & Kids Fashion Domestics Housewares Health & Beauty Pharmacy Hearing Aid Optical Photo Tire Center Food Court Gas Station (Petrol Stand) |
Bic Camera
Bic Camera is a huge chain of electronics retailers. They have a huge array of product categories. Shipping is available at in-store locations, and an internet shop is also available. If you shop at Bic Camera, it is recommended to get a point card for instant discounts at checkout.
The following product categories and services are available (other electronics stores like Yodobashi Camera or Yamada Denki have similar product selection, but Bic Camera has the largest, in general):
English source: https://www.biccamera.co.jp/language/forec/english.html
| Categories | |
|---|---|
| Appliances Lighting Computers & Monitors Peripherals Cameras Sound Systems Health & Beauty Games |
Movies Music & Instruments Toys & Hobby Sporting Goods Glasses & Contacts Cell-phones & accessories Tablets & Accessories Liquor & food gifts (some locations) |
Drug Stores
Drug Stores
Drug stores are where you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) medications, cosmetics, personal care items (menstrual products, shampoo, cleansers, lotions, condoms, etc.), cleaning products, baby care items, and a limited selection of food.
The most popular large chain drug stores include Matsumoto Kiyoshi (Matsukiyo for short), Sun Drug, and Seims. There are countless smaller chain stores, and depending on where you live, even the popular large stores may be different.
If you are ever unsure if a store is a drug store or not, look for a large 薬 (kusuri) somewhere on the storefront. This means 'medicine'.
Sun Drug
Welcia
Seims
Daikoku Drug
Second-hand Stores
Book Off, Hard Off / House Off, and Hobby Off
Popular resale shops for a wide range of used goods:
- At Book Off, you can buy used books, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, games, and game systems and peripherals.
- At Hard Off you can buy used audio equipment, games, musical instruments, DVD, TVs, monitors, cameras, mobile phones, computers, watches, and tools.
- At Hobby Off you can buy used figurines, collectibles, cards, and other memorabilia.
Tax-free info: https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/