Daiso: AWESOME Japanese Goods Store in the US! | Retail Archaeology

In this episode of Retail Archaeology, we check out Daiso, an awesome Japanese goods store in the US.
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#RetailArchaeology #daiso #japan

[@otakubullfrog1665]

I've been to Daiso stores both in Japan and in the United States and one of the main differences between Daiso and American dollar store chains is how they keep their stores so much cleaner and neater. Every Dollar Tree or Dollar General I visit seems to look like a hurricane just blow through it.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

This was my concern in my comment, wondering about how well kept the stores were. I hope American Daiso stores don't fall into disorganization like the dollar stores have done and barely care to resolve.

[@rra7490]

I dont think so, people tend actually put things back as well in Daiso stores, everything is very neat and organized too.

[@tehrinny7031]

Many Dollar Trees will only have 2 employees working at a time, a manager and a cashier. Unless it's a special circumstance, a delivery day or a larger / busier store. It's impossible for two people to both attend to customers and keep the stores clean and orderly. I also think Daiso gets more Asian customers and tend to be placed in areas where there's a higher Japanese and Korean population. They'll generally care a lot more about keeping things tidy while shopping.

[@Napsteraspx]

Yeah, it's annoying that here in the USA dollar stores are associated with poverty a depression, while in other places, its just regarding basic items that everyone needs for day to day.

[@JH-pe3ro]

Daiso's stationary section is a treasure. Japanese stationary is well-regarded among writing/journaling enthusiasts, and the art supplies are decent too. If you've never had a 2mm lead holder or a fude brush pen, Daiso can give you your first taste of those for not much money.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

I’ve seen Daiso stores in Sydney. They’re pretty good too!

[@og1885]

I'm from Taiwan, DAISO stores can be found every where, sometimes I find Muji style products at DAISO but with much lower prices, and their snack section is awesome. That spiral thing is called "narutomaki", a type of fish cake.

[@inannashu689]

it's far more clean and organized than any of the other dollar stores.

[@pitterpat4561]

I love daiso! It's more aesthetic than the traditional dollar stores in the states. They have new stuff in stores pretty often. The curry that is in a taller box has the sauce already made with small chunks of potatos/carrots. The shorter/wider box is just cubes of the roux, you will have to cook your own veggies/protein, add water and the roux cube and the sauce is made. The spiral is called naruto :)

[@lainiwakura1776]

Probably should include that naruto is fishcake.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

As an anime weeb, I feel proud to have known about the naruto 😂

[@andysorensen1737]

I absolutely get the Five Below comparison both in the variety and prices. Also a pretty cool idea to ENCOURAGE filming/photos, especially to post cool/wacky stuff you find in there on social media.

[@colebearden95]

I've been living in South Korea for a few years, and DAISO stores are everywhere here. The products are very similar to what you found in your DAISO. But the main difference with the DAISOs in South Korea is the presentation. The stores here are usually very "extra" with an incredibly modern and clean looking architecture, interesting displays, seasonal sections of products, etc. I hope you can come and experience a DAISO in Korea or Japan someday. It's a completely different experience!

[@jasleinei744]

The daiso in korea sells totally different things I realised, the logo is different and the price points are different and everything is in Korean or mostly produced in Korea with many products I did not see in other daiso outlets outside korea. i think daiso korea is a franchise which didn't follow the global brand

[@Mtom0789]

I use to live around the corner that shopping center changed

[@tinyminizone1275]

​@@jasleinei744I definitely agree!!

[@TheOneFreeMan77]

Those currency conversion charts really highlight the markups. I guess that's to be expected especially if it's imported stuff.

[@Markimark151]

I have Daiso stores in Texas, they’re really clean and organized! I just hate making a long trip with my sister because they’re pretty far, but they’re worth buying from, since they have really affordable stationery products and they’re made in Japan! And yes, people still use CDs, DVDs, Blu Rays, because they’re shareable with friends.

[@zl2071]

Idk if you are near San Antonio but we are getting on in the summer! I am jumping with joy

[@Markimark151]

@@zl2071 we have few already in northern Texas, they’re fun to shop.

[@Napsteraspx]

Wow, I thought my local Daiso here in California was like the first experiment store here in the USA or something lol.

[@Markimark151]

@@Napsteraspx Daiso started in Seattle, WA in its American expansion, then they expanded in CA few years later, because I remember the first location I went to on vacation was in L.A. county over a decade ago.

[@rolfathan]

I wish more discount stores were like daiso. They sell a lot of stuff that I actually need, less of a focus on stuff that is just excess that some other store couldn't sell.

[@Wotvr]

I actually just got back from a two-week trip to Japan the other day and man I wish one of these was in my state. I miss Japan's convenience stores already and this seems like a small taste of it. If they have any Boss canned coffee as well, I highly recommend it!

[@rogambite]

So happy to have gotten Daiso here in my hometown, I'd been comparing prices for Walmart, Amazon, Target to find a clear bag suitable for sportsgames stadiums, and found one for under $3 here at Daiso!

[@blue387]

4:11 the fan is labeled Showa style, the Showa era was the reign of Emperor Hirohito of Japan from 1926 to 1989

[@Gia_Marie]

DAISO is great. When I visit my family in Japan, I go there to bring snacks back. They have more international items (not just Japanese) and as become my kid's kawaii headquarters to shop for Sanrio items that is usually overpriced elsewhere. I don't see a comparison between Five Below and or Dollar Tree. DAISO is in it's own world.

[@JoeinSeattle.]

I love your channel. When you drop a video it always brings my day up. You have impeccable taste in music too. 👏

[@eplwash3582]

A follow-up video on Miniso would be interesting. They're a Chinese chain that very closely resembles Daiso in branding, presentation, products...it's basically a knockoff but it's spreading even farther out.

[@AmethystLeslie]

Rumi Life is more like Miniso than Daiso, but yes, also a good place.

[@jpendowski7503]

Thanks for the run through. I live in the Midwest and was curious about Daiso.

[@AmbientWalking]

What an amazing way to see the world. I really had so much fun looking at everything that you're seeing. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@user-lt7kj5wx4l]

Five Below video please! I just got a location here in Vallejo, Ca earlier this year and I’ve been obsessed ever since!

[@cyberi4a]

There is a store near me and you can spend hours in there exploring all they have to offer. Japan seems to have more unique products than we have in the USA that you didn't know existed and didn't know you needed until you saw it.

[@SeiferA2001]

You absolutely need to get that curry mix next time. I personally recommend the packet version, as it’s easier to set up compared to the cube version. Also, you left us hanging on how good that ramen was XD

[@m.m.i.9586]

DAISO looks like an awesome shop. There aren't any near where I live, so for me, this tour was pretty exciting and novel. Thanks for bringing us along on your nifty explores!

[@maxevocal]

Im drooling over that origami paper aisle

[@jamesarguello7560]

Wow, so Daiso is basically importing most of the stuff they usually feature in their stores in Japan to the US. Smart move on their part. The prices are definitely higher than they are in Japanese stores, but they are more reasonable than places like Mitsuwa which tend to be pricey. Good to see they keep the US stores as clean and well-organized as the ones in Japan. Did they sell those Black Thunder mini-chocolate bars? Those are awesome. You can get three of those for 110 Yen here in Japan.

[@Keykatriz]

I love Daiso! I lived in San Francisco and then Seattle so I've been frequenting them for like a decade and it's exciting to see it expanding. I love cute stickers and stationery so Daiso is a nightmare for me, way too much cute stuff!! I also always go to Daiso when I move, it's great for grabbing all those little things for your kitchen and bathroom for really cheap. (I remember you looking at Bed Bath and Beyond and commenting how expensive a lot of it was, Daiso is my alternative!) I also had a small business for a while and used those character bags for fun packaging. My house is basically completely full of rainbow Daiso stuff. The only thing I think is strange is the one near me has no sort of baby section? I wasn't expecting anything crazy, but bottle, bibs, hats, binkies...it seems like an oversight! Can't wait for my daughter to be a little older so I can take her on Daiso shopping sprees 😂 And I love those curry bases, they're great and not too difficult to make! It makes a LOT of curry too (I think one pack is usually at least two meals worth)

[@yoshikobayashi7643]

OMG! You are covering Daiso! I am in heaven!! Will have to get popcorn and get ready! Love your channel!!!

[@FlynnApollo]

I just moved to Anaheim and because of this video discovered there are THREE of them near me with one being half a mile away! Definitely going to go check mine out. thank you for this fantastic look into it!

[@mewregaurdhissyfit7733]

Daiso is pretty nice. They literally have a little bit of everything. I've gotten some nice pottery pieces there, as well as some nice trays you eat on (while watching TV). The ones near me carry a lot of Japanese snack foods and a lot of stationary supplies and art/crafting supplies. I usually go there for my dried Wasabi Peas, as they are a lot cheaper there than the grocery stores. And I've gotten some nice kitchen gadgets for cheap, along with some nice small silicone spatulas for jars and cans. Not to interested in 5Below. The ones I've been in are more of just either candy stores, or extremely cheap tech junk that doesn't work.

[@lainiwakura1776]

Sometimes they have cool T-shirts. I got like 3 from there, they're holding up pretty well. At Five Below I mean.

[@williamharris8367]

Ketchup flavour potato chips are widely available here in Canada.

[@Isaac-ul8yz]

Daiso is awesome, highly recommend those curry packets, get some nice meat cooking and rice and you got yourself a nice warm meal

[@Larry]

Did you ever have a Japanese shopping mall chain in your neck of the woods called, Yohan? We had one near me in the 90s, great place, bit it was always dead inside. Place closed, became abandoned for a few years and ended up being a movie set for the second Judge Dredd movie!

[@ariannasv22]

Heading you get excited over noodles is so cute and wholesome

[@draff1662]

Daiso stores in Japan look very cool. I avoid dollar stores here because they are mostly messy, dirty and it’s tough to shop in them - some are depressing. Daiso has amazing selections from what I can see. Have you ever seen a Don Quixote store from Japan? Check out some of the video walking tours, they have everything, I wish they would come to the States. Great video, thanks.

[@segaofmyhouse]

Different flavored snacks and drinks are always a treat to try out whenever my wife and I visit an asian shop. The curry packs are just like stock cubes but to make Japanese curry sauce, you dissolve it in hot water and it thickens up.

[@TheRalphie2020]

A Dollar Store from Japan, whaaaaattttt?!!!! 😍😱 Thanks for the video!

[@PixelatedH2O]

I watch a lot of Japanese content here on KZbin and always thought Daiso looked neat. It's nice that they're now in the US, though they're not in my state yet unfortunately. At least we are getting Hmart soon.

[@RetailArchaeology]

I love H mart! We got one here a few years ago.

[@ronmckenna5962]

What's Hmart?

[@PixelatedH2O]

@@ronmckenna5962 a massive Korean supermarket

[@lainiwakura1776]

@@ronmckenna5962 And Asian grocery store. They got Turtle Chips, which is Korean, and I hear they're really good.

[@giselletorres4156]

@@ronmckenna5962 Asian grocery store, really great, the one we have in Mesa has a nice food court section. They got the boxed taiyaki fish cakes there.

[@HondaWagovan]

I been to two Daiso's in southern california, and those two are very very organized and clean and very very full of things that are very useful.

[@Zzyzx--]

The Golden Curry is good stuff. It looks like a solid brick when you take it out of the package; you supply your own protein and vegetables. You start with a pound of any meat - my Japanese friends favor beef - and typically at least potatoes and carrots. Brown the meat, braise the veggies for a few minutes, add water and cook until the veggies are tender. Then break up the curry brick into pieces and add, stir and cook for a few more minutes, serve with rice and you've got a great lunch or supper.

[@AmethystLeslie]

Daiso's just a really cool place, I love it there. I only really go there for the stationary and I'm rarely ever disappointed there.

[@hankhillsnrrwurethra]

Live in NorCal and our house is full of things from Daiso, love it!

[@LeannsAdventures]

Those curry packs are so easy for making meals. Just stirfry any meat and veggies you like, throw in those curry cubes with water, and eat over rice. It's like one of those meals that taste like you took a long time to make but you didn't. ❤😋

[@chris_is_here_oh_no]

Awesome video, glad you got to review a Daiso!

[@giselletorres4156]

So glad you covered Daiso! Before they opened the ones in AZ I went to the San Francisco one in Little Tokyo and goodness nothing will ever compare the giant wall of pink cherry blossom stationary, I noticed the San Francisco one was slightly larger than the other locations I went to in AZ and Houston TX. In terms of japanese groceries I can get some at both Daiso, Lams Supermarket, and at the Mesa Asian District. Back when I was in school in the early 2010's it was only Hello Kitty that was popular and nobody had ever heard of Kuromi, My Melody, or Cinnamoroll, now all the children know them and collect their merch! I love the knockoff Sanrio merch at the swap meets and mexican-owned shops which back in the day they only had Hello Kitty. The Arizona Matsuri used to be the only place for me to get UCC coffee and Ramune, with so many pop-up stores selling Asian snacks and stationary I mostly go to Matsuri for the food stands and cosplay. Check out the MiniSo that opened up at the Chandler and Arrowhead mall! It's similar to Daiso but with more of the Sanrio merchandising.

[@firestick4991]

I really miss them. We used to go all the time in San Francisco. They are not here in Reno. Just Vegas. We have 5 Below. Do them!

[@Leahi84]

Oh God, I so hope they will open one up here in Colorado! Please DAISO, please!

[@arondyte318]

I grew up going to Daiso stores every now and then as a kid. If you look hard enough, you can pretty much find anything you need in there AND for a great price. (I’m also obsessed with Hichew LMAO)

[@kevin-jd5rj]

a good portion of the 90 daiso US stores must be here in California, because we have maybe 6 or 7 all within 1 hour of me. I love daiso! they have tons of cute stuff. CDs are still hugely popular in Japan, so daiso still carries accessories and stuff related to CDs.

[@cyclopswrangler9830]

Oh man, I've gotta give it a visit sometime! It looks like a very fun place to explore and check out. I keep a stock of fun stationary at work so I'd love to pick some up from here :) Some boxed curries come with veggies but others it's just the roux - you add it to meat and veggies with some water and you've got yourself a cheap and tasty curry. I really like the Vermont Curry brand (I didn't see it in the video but I'm pretty sure most Asian grocers carry it), though I've found that the "spiciness" levels don't matter as I've tried all three and none of them are spicy, and I'm the kind of person that thinks sriracha is sometimes too much for me lolol

[@kelsmister]

I LOVE daiso!! I'm so glad AZ finally got one!!

[@Lively_1185]

I never knew this store ever existed. It's so cool to have a Japanese stocked store in the States! So colorful and cheerful, very inviting compared to all other dollar stores combined. I live in Arkansas, and there's no store here, so I'll need to visit Texas again to find one there. This store looks like a dream come true.

[@LawrenceSeetoh]

Daiso is always fun to visit and you have a large outlet too, thank you for the store visit, I can't wait to see your return video

[@onecleangti]

It’s actually kind of ironic you posted this video. A coworker and myself were locked in this store against our will while searching for Daiso in phoenix. They happened to be doing inventory and wouldn’t allow us to shop. Haha. We wound up going to 3 of them before finding the 4th one actually open in Glendale. Man your style of video on this one reminded me of the old Mr roger’s stuff.

[@belletobell]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours! I loved the ending with your new fan cooling off the noodles 😂

[@Sb129]

When this location opened, it was insanely busy, the line to get in was super long. It is really cool in there! The stuff may be inexpensive but it was too easy for me to rack up the bill, Lol.

[@bolobo1913]

Another great video! Always wanted to visit one of these places

[@TheBorderGeek]

Cool! Never heard of this store before. Hopefully they're in 🇨🇦 too.

[@JeremyLeePotocki]

The spiral things is fish sausage (sliced). I wish they would open one up closer than Plano, TX (5 hour drive one way) maybe NW Arkansas, Tulsa OK, or even Springfield MO would be nice. I know they won't open one in my though unless they really go nationwide. I would like to buy some of the food they carry without the need to order from Amazon.

[@NottyGurlStyle]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Daiso! I wish they had more shops in the US closer to me. There's one in Brooklyn and another one in Manhattan. I could stay in there for hours. They all look the same inside. Very neat and organized Also yes, please do Five Below. Love going there all the time. The spiral things are called Narutomaki fish cake

[@NineteenEightyFive]

actually just went to the one in NY for the first time recently! picked up a cheap travel pouch and some snacks for an upcoming trip. will definitely go back there at some point.

[@clintcountryman4849]

That place looks real nice. Great video as always!

[@AVEXentSUCKS]

Daiso is fantastic they have such a well respected reputation for quality products at a cheap price. I'd rather spend my money there than Dollar Tree or 99 Cents or whatever discount store that's filthy and disgusting. I've been to multiple Daiso stores and they all have the same quality and appearance. Always well stocked shelves, clean, good quality products for sale at a cheap price.

[@tpatrickl9539]

I lived in Japan for several years. Daiso was my go to store. I love the petite blocks. They were ¥100 and that was just about a dollar at the time. Anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half of entertainment they are quality products, very well crafted. They come in dozens of varieties. Well worth the investment. I’ll see used to like to get sunglasses and reading glasses. The latest styles for a buck. They have really good scissors. You can’t go wrong on anything. Most of their locations in Japanare lease purchases of an empty property. It is an awesome organization, all of the stores in Japan are spotless. I won’t do the dollar stores in the USA, they are filthy. Never a problem at Daiso.

[@firestick4991]

I love Diaso! Japanese designs made in China, but sold in America.

[@imnotvaeri]

Some Jewel-Oscos in my city sell the UCC coffee. They're SOOOOOO good! I'd take those over Starbucks any day.

[@nerv007]

Nice retro-reference to the Starchild Label for your opening

[@sushicat.3707]

Ok. So the curry packs. The one on top that says “sauce with vegetables” is a ready-to-eat single serving that you can heat in the packet in a pot of hot water. The one on bottom that you picked up are roux blocks. You would be cooking several servings with that. You would need vegetables, meat, and tomato product (ketchup works, but paste is better) to complete that meal. Both are eaten with rice.

[@KonaSuba]

Great video!

[@PepperTreeVilla]

We love our local Daiso store. Our stores are decorated in the same manner. We like the selection of products available. The food selections aren’t bad either.

[@MrDan708]

The bright paint on the walls reminds me of those ONE - Ocean Network Express shipping containers.

[@MyDreamIsAStory]

I have seen Japanese people use those curry bricks and they love it. I love those instant noodles. Bought some at my local Asian store. They don’t have it anymore. But I put Miso broth on it.

[@kurisu7885]

Man, the closest one to me is in New York, and I live in Southeastern Michigan. I did email them telling them I'd be VERY interested in seeing their stores in my area, citing your channel no less.

[@blackroseknight77]

a 5 below video would be great! Also those spiral things are called Naruto's,or fishcakes

[@BGwControlStop]

If you ever get an oportunity to visit japan there is an 8 floor Daiso in the east of Tokyo in Chiba Its Called Giga Daiso, That place is the mother of all Daiso's

[@eljefecom]

Good timing for this video, a Daiso store is about to open in my town.

[@idontwantayoutubechannel1670]

I lived in Asia for 14 years and shopped at Daiso often, in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and in Hong Kong (in HK it's now called Living Plaza but it's the same company and same products). I miss it so much since leaving! The "spiral things" on the instant noodle pack are narutomaki, a fish "cake" very similar to imitation crab meat. And the Golden Curry: it's a solid block of curry, scored for individual servings. You cut off however many servings you need and then cook it in a pot with water. I like to serve it over rice with an omelet and either chicken or a hamburger patty.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Yeah do 5 Below, as they are expanding much faster than Daiso, also pOpshelf might be something to look as well if you have any out your way as they are Dollar General's test market offering answer to 5 Below trying to capture the tween to early 20's mostly female crowd from what I could tell when I went into the stores in my area. Also if you have a new Dollar General Market it might be worth giving it a look as Dollar General is also upping its game there, and trying to clean up their image some it seems by not being rundown waste lands of stores.

[@southwestAZ]

Yes go to five below i just came back from daiso !

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I'm so jealous! I live in Alabama, and my city has a trillion frickin Dollar Trees. Which, I do like them...but I would LOVE for there to be a Daiso! I've heard a lot of good things about them. My hopes though are that they're not run as lazily as Dollar Trees (And Dollar General/Family Dollar) which have almost no staff and become messy and disorganized because of it. I think this would be especially important with so many things being in Japanese, where if things become disorganized, you're now not only confused on where to find something but what you're even looking at as you sort through a pile of random items. I also saw a lot of Campus notebooks in your video and as one who has recently bought a few of the Kokuyo Campus packs of paper, I cannot recommend them enough. The quality is better than your normal loose leaf paper (I would say similar perhaps to the brand Five Star, but maybe better because Campus also has notebook paper of different textures to fit different writing utensils and to be considerate of how it feels when your hand is brushing along the paper. Yes, Japan can be rather "extra", but we all probably know this already 😅). To be able to get that stuff without having to shop online would be a dream, though my wallet will quickly hate me 😂. Thank you for showing us the inside of your local store!

[@GreyMailMare33]

I say yes to a "Below 5" video. I'd never heard of them, then it seemed like they were suddenly popping up everywhere!

[@cppctek]

I wish we had something like that in Georgia ! That store is like sooooooo cool! I would probably go absolutely broke in there lol.

[@AndyS52]

Daiso is awesome

[@snnystarscout]

We have Daiso in NZ and they have quality stuff! Really great storage solutions, cleaning stuff and stationary. Their stuff costs 3.50NZD each but thats cos of currency conversion lol

[@BennyTheAzn]

I bought a non-stick pan over a year ago at Daiso and I've use it nearly every day. It's still non-stick and my go to pan lol.

[@polaroidjay]

Daiso is awesome! I love shopping there!

[@Harvesterain]

I live only a few minutes from here! Definitely going to check it out, could be good for Christmas presents for my daughter!

[@xyzrandom3981]

Nice review! These stores are great - I’ve been going to them around southern CA for about a decade. Great place for stationery and kitchen stuff

[@randolpho-]

The first thing I noticed was how clean the store was. I hope one opens near me pretty soon.

[@jasburger]

There's another Japanese dollar store I've been to called Cuties. It's in a sketchy plaza so they have some bizarre rules but they have this chocolate I really like and can't find at grocery stores.

[@hands_of_stone]

Gotta get the curry next time! Delicious, quick and easy meal. I think I'd be awesome if you did a video on Lee Lees next. Continue the Asian theme!

[@blackvampiira]

I used to go to the Daiso in Hawaii all the time! It was always so crowded too. There was usually a line of people before it opened

[@romieabel2629]

Daiso is very underrated in America

[@dindog22]

grab those ginger chews. very good for a sore throat

[@drno-xc1yt]

What a cool dollar store. Plus, it's tidy and organized! Also, Golden Curry is some good stuff.

[@michaelseguramusic7150]

Your bowl of ramen came out looking really good and close to what the picture on the package was!

[@ffenixrising]

I appreciate your StarChild homage in your intro logo. :D

[@quito787]

Daiso is awesome… have been to several… always a great time

[@alyxgraff9121]

I didn't know thay Daiso existed until now but after finding that there's one in the city nearest to me, I know where I want to take a road trip too. Thanks for the neat video Mr. Eric. I hope you & your loved ones had a great Thanksgiving/Black Friday & I wish you a happy Small Business Saturday. Also yes, please do an episode on 5Below. They have to be my favorite retail store since they are nicer than a dollar store but not as expensive as a big bix retail store. They also have a really interesting history since they are basically a reboot of the old 90s stores NoodleKidoodle & ZainyBrainy, especially since all 3 stores were founded by the same people.

[@Muertenoir]

There is a Daiso near where my mom lives and it's really neat. I love their ceramic dishware.

[@michaelsloan9085]

I love Daiso...been there in Japan and the Philippines!

[@tehzerp]

A Daiso just opened in Glendale, Az might go just to see it.