This past weekend, I stood in line for 40 minutes to shop at the Grand Opening for the Daiso store in Olathe, Kansas, located at 14673 W 119th Street. As someone who teaches Japanese to adults and self-learners, I couldn’t wait to see what kinds of real-life reading opportunities it might offer. I’m happy to say—it did not disappoint!
A Japanese Retail Experience
Daiso, often referred to as the “Japanese dollar store,” offers a wide array of affordable products ranging from household items and stationery to beauty products and snacks. Everything from the packaging to the store layout felt like a mini trip to Japan, for me. I used to love browsing hyaku-en (￥100) shops in Japan, and this little shopping trip brought back so many memories.
I honestly felt a need to get something in every aisle—but thanks to my daughter’s firm “you don’t need that” mantra I kept my basket to only teacher-y things and calligraphy supplies. The store’s layout and product offerings mirror those found in Japan, providing an authentic shopping experience.
Language Learning Opportunities
What makes Daiso particularly exciting for language learners is the abundance of Japanese text on product packaging. Nearly all items feature labels in Japanese, offering learners the chance to practice reading kanji, hiragana, and katakana in real-world contexts. There’s English too, which is great if you’re working on katakana recognition—you can check your understanding and build confidence as you go.
For example, I spotted お弁当箱 (obentō-bako, lunch box) 箸 (hashi, chopsticks), and so much katakana just walking down the aisle. These real-life examples can reinforce vocabulary and reading skills outside the traditional classroom setting.
Cultural Insights
Beyond language practice, Daiso provides cultural insights through its product selection. Items such as traditional Japanese ceramics, calligraphy tools, and seasonal decorations offer a glimpse into everyday life in Japan. They even had a great classroom map of Japan and play yen money—perfect for my in-person lessons this fall.
They also had a whole section of kanji practice notebooks with various “masu” box sizes. I’ll be buying all my calligraphy paper there from now on—the same brand I normally use was half the price! While there were no calligraphy brushes this time, they did have a great selection of shikishi boards for calligraphy and art pieces as well as fudepens (brush pens), which are perfect for portable practice..
Engaging with these products can spark discussions about cultural practices and traditions, enriching the language learning experience.
How to Use Daiso for Language Learning
If you’re a teacher or parent, or even just learning on your own, a trip to Daiso can turn into an easy and memorable learning moment. Consider organizing a scavenger hunt where students find items based on Japanese descriptions or create assignments that involve translating product labels. You might even challenge yourself to write a short shopping list in Japanese before you go! Activities like these make language learning interactive and contextually meaningful.
And here’s a tip for fellow Japanese educators: Daiso is also fantastic for classroom organization. I found containers that actually fit my Japanese paper sizes—like A4, A5 and B4—which are nearly impossible to find locally where I live in the USA. If you teach Japanese or practice brush calligraphy, these are incredibly useful.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re just starting to learn Japanese or looking for a creative way to bring more Japanese into your everyday life, Daiso is a great stop. The new Daiso store in Olathe is more than just a shopping destination; it’s a valuable resource for Japanese language learners. By immersing oneself in an environment rich with authentic materials, learners can enhance their reading skills and cultural understanding.Such a great day—and for her trouble, my daughter treated herself to some Ramune and Pocky.
Have you shopped at Daiso? I’d love to know—what do you like to get there?
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