Hundred Yen Stationery and Craft

Japan's hundred yen shops put pens, notebooks, origami paper and craft supplies in easy reach, and they are a joy for budget-minded creative visitors.

Published October 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan's hundred yen shops, led by chains such as Daiso, Seria and Can Do, are a joy for stationery and craft lovers. They sell pens, notebooks, origami paper and washi designs at friendly prices. The best tip is to check price tags, since many items cost multiples of 100 yen.

Step into a hundred yen shop in Japan and it can feel like a miniature department store for everyday life. Rows of neatly arranged goods stretch from the front door to the back wall, and among them are some of the most satisfying aisles for anyone who loves paper, pens and handmade things. Stationery and craft supplies are a particular strength, with a variety that surprises many first-time visitors. This guide explains how these shops began, which stationery and craft goods are worth browsing, and how to shop with confidence.

The Story Behind the Hundred Yen Shop

The idea of selling goods at a single low price is older than the modern shop, but it became a retail phenomenon in Japan in the late twentieth century. The best-known chain, Daiso, was founded in December 1977 in Takamatsu, in Kagawa Prefecture, by Hirotake Yano. Before that he ran a mobile vending business selling items priced at 100 yen, which helped him test the idea that shoppers enjoy the fun of picking up useful things at a clear, simple price.

The concept grew steadily, and today hundred yen shops appear in shopping streets, station buildings, malls and suburban roadsides. Daiso itself operates a very large number of stores in Japan and also overseas. Other chains with the same basic idea, such as Seria and Can Do, are also popular, and each tends to have its own personality in design and product selection. Over time, many shops have expanded beyond the single price and now sell some goods at multiples of 100 yen, such as 200 or 500 yen, which has made room for higher quality items and larger products.

Stationery Aisles Worth Exploring

If you enjoy notebooks and pens, the stationery section is a good place to begin. Expect to see ballpoint pens, gel pens, markers, highlighters, mechanical pencils, erasers, sticky notes, index tabs, glue sticks, tape, scissors and rulers, usually displayed in tidy rows and sold in multiple colors. Notebooks come in many sizes, from pocket memo pads to larger lined or grid books, and the quality of the paper is often better than many visitors expect for the price.

Japan has a reputation for thoughtful stationery design, and you can see that approach here. Everyday items often show small improvements, such as grip shapes that are comfortable for long writing sessions, clear plastic cases that keep things organized, and slim pen cases with simple closures. For students, office workers and journaling fans alike, a few browsing trips can fill a pencil case with practical favorites. Look for items that fit your writing style, such as fine-point pens for small handwriting or thicker markers for lettering.

Organizers are another quiet highlight. Small trays, clips, file folders, binders and desk accessories help bring order to travel notes, receipts and tickets. A sturdy clear folder is useful for keeping your boarding passes and rail tickets together, and a compact notebook can serve as a travel diary.

Craft Supplies and Paper Play

Craft lovers will find even more to enjoy. Paper is a natural starting point, since paper craft has a long place in Japanese culture. Origami, the art of paper folding, takes its name from ori, meaning to fold, and kami, meaning paper. Origami paper, also called kami, is sold in colorful packs of squares, often colored on one side and white on the other, and it is lighter than ordinary copy paper. The paper crane is the best-known model, and many shops sell sets with patterns or instructions so that beginners can get started right away.

Beyond origami, you may find decorative paper, stickers, stamps, gift wrap, ribbons, tags, beads, felt, thread, buttons, sewing tools and small kits for making simple objects. Some shops also stock materials for calligraphy practice, drawing and coloring, as well as seasonal craft items for festivals and holidays. Traditional washi paper, known for its strength and beauty, appears in many designs as patterned sheets or decorated tape, and it makes a lovely way to add a Japanese touch to cards and journals.

Craft shopping is also family friendly. Children enjoy choosing colorful paper, stickers and activity sets, and parents appreciate that these items are inexpensive enough to experiment with. A folded crane or a small handmade card can become a charming souvenir, and a few supplies tucked into a suitcase can keep young travelers busy on a train ride.

Practical Tips for Shopping Well

Start by checking the price on the tag. Although the name suggests a single price, many items are priced in multiples of 100 yen, and the register total may include consumption tax. Bring a small basket or use the one provided at the entrance, since it is easy to pick up more than you planned. Many shops accept cash and, increasingly, cards and electronic payments, though it is wise to carry some coins just in case.

Pay attention to size and weight before you buy. Notebooks, craft kits and tapes add up quickly in a suitcase, so keep your luggage allowance in mind. If you are choosing gifts, look for sets of items that are easy to pack flat, such as postcards, stickers and washi tape. Check that pens and markers are sealed and have caps that close tightly, since changes in air pressure on a flight can make some pens leak, and a small sealed bag helps contain any mess.

Stores are often busiest in the afternoons and on weekends, so a weekday morning is a calmer time to browse. The biggest shops sometimes span multiple floors in station buildings and shopping complexes, and each floor may focus on a different theme. Staff are usually busy stocking shelves, but they will help if you ask politely and use simple gestures or a translation app.

Quick Takeaways and a Friendly Close

In short, a hundred yen shop is one of the best places in Japan to indulge a love of paper and craft without spending much. Look for pens, notebooks and organizers in the stationery aisles, origami paper and washi designs in the craft section, and small seasonal items that make charming gifts. Check price tags, travel light and give yourself time to browse, because the joy of these shops is in the discovery.

Whether you leave with a fresh notebook, a pack of origami paper or a handful of colorful stickers, the experience offers a glimpse of everyday Japanese creativity. It is a friendly, affordable stop that fits easily into any trip, and it may well inspire a new hobby when you get home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Daiso and when?

Daiso, the best-known hundred yen chain in Japan, was founded in December 1977 in Takamatsu, in Kagawa Prefecture, by Hirotake Yano. Before opening the shop, he ran a mobile vending business selling items priced at 100 yen, which helped him test the idea of a clear, simple price.

What stationery and craft items can I find in a hundred yen shop?

A hundred yen shop in Japan stocks ballpoint and gel pens, markers, notebooks, sticky notes, glue, tape and organizers. The craft aisles offer origami paper, washi designs, stickers, ribbons, beads, felt and small kits. Notebook paper quality is often better than many visitors expect for the price.

Is everything really 100 yen in a hundred yen shop?

Not always. Many hundred yen shops in Japan now sell some goods at multiples of 100 yen, such as 200 or 500 yen, which makes room for higher quality and larger items. Checking the price tag is wise, and the register total may include consumption tax.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Japanese Stationery: Pens, Notebooks and Washi Tape, Japanese Department Stores, Harajuku Street Fashion.