100 Yen Store = Dollar Store

100 Yen equals $1(for the most part). The exchange rate changes daily, but this is the typical conversion. So, it's pretty easy to figure out how much stuff costs. 1000 Yen is $10, 2500 Yen is $25, 50000 Yen is $500 etc. So many people talk about these 100 Yen stores, which can be found in many places in Okinawa. This particular one was not my first one I have ventured into, but it was probably the most amazing and the largest. It was recommended to me by our house inspector, an Okinawan native. He even drew a map for me! Thankfully he did draw the map because it's not called the 100 Yen store, like ours back in the states say "99 cent store" or "the dollar store." I have learned that this particular one is called Daiso (after accidentally walking into the wrong store that was in the same parking lot as the map he drew). Haha ;)

Daiso has some great items for 100 Yen, better than those in the states. Not all items are 100 Yen and will be marked accordingly - some are 200 or 300 Yen. I was probably in the store for about an hour and picked up some things for the house - miscellaneous baskets, a magnetic dry erase board, ice cube trays, a picture frame for our name in Kanji drawing, candles, a grill lighter, a cheap beach bag, and tons of Japanese drinks and snacks that I thought we could try!

Daiso!

Where to start?

School supplies

An aisle dedicated to glue and tape

Party supplies

Flowers for arranging

The language barrier can be fun at times. This was in the closet section - super thrust pole can use to erect too. Haha!! Awesome. I wonder what they see when the translation goes the other way?!

Chair socks so they don't scuff the wood floors ;)

Slippers galore!

Tools

Tableware

Gift boxes and bags

Fans!

Don't go the 100 Yen store when you're hungry or you'll come back with all of this! I love buying snacks, candy, and Japanese drinks from the 100 Yen store! There's always something new to try. If there is a local Okinawan in the same aisle as me, then I will secretly watch what they buy and will then buy one of them too. Haha! Sometimes you think you're getting one thing and it's completely different - I once bought Pretzels and they ended up being mini garlic breadstick crackers. Nonetheless, they were delicious.

And, the 100 Yen store sells dehumidifiers for cheap. This was the main reason I came to the 100 Yen store, recommended by our house inspector. Because it is very humid here in Okinawa, you must have some sort of dehumidifying device in each room, or else you will get mold! So we bought tons of these and put them all around the house in the closets and under things. They are not the best looking thing, so we try to keep them discreet.

That concludes my trip to the 100 Yen store…For now. I'm sure I will find many more things in this treasure chest ;)