Hyaku-en-guins
Walk into any 100 yen shop in Japan and you’re bound to find a penguin or two.
Much like America’s dollar stores, 100 yen shops offer a wide variety of home goods for, you guessed it, 100 yen— or in Japanese, hyakuen. Half of my apartment is furnished with hyaku en goods; storage bins and boxes, wash rags and sponges, ladles, whisks, and other kitchen tools. And quite a few of these items feature penguins.
It’s to the point that I have to use considerable restraint whenever I enter these stores — do I really need another penguin bag? Luckily (?) Japan doesn’t have “penguin season” in winter like in America— here, Penguin goods peak in the summertime, when our South Pole pals represent a desire to keep cool. That said, you can still find a fair share of warm blankets, hats, gloves, and thick socks festooned with penguins. It’s truly an exercise in willpower.
There are many different 100 yen stores and chains in Japan. The three I regularly visit are Daiso, Can Do and Flets. Some stores sell items for more than 100 yen, but they’re clearly marked. There are also 300 yen stores such as 3Coins where you’re sure to find penguin goods. I recommend them all!
