Truth to tell, during my first (and only) visit to Tokyo in ’05, budget constraints forced me to visit the 100-yen stores as my only option for buying ‘pasalubong.’ They were huge, housed in three to four-storey buildings with all kinds of stuff available.
Fast forward to 2009, one need not fly as far because the real 100-yen (hyaku-en) shop named Saizen opened its first branch at the Robinsons Galleria last April 29. Everything at 85 pesos each! I have to admit: the extent of their offerings makes Japan Home Center a poor cousin. Must-buys here, in my opinion: beauty aids, home organizers and kitchen tools, including bento accessories that I’ve been looking for. And of course, things related to Japan!
I just wish Saizen would go forth and multiply soon, and not limit its store to faraway Ortigas.
Some interesting items:
French fries container, almost like the way it looks in McDonalds. Bought a pack, so kids will think it’s the real thing 😀
Multi-colored, brightly-designed chopsticks.
I look at these, and if I were the copywriter, I’d say: “Hayden Kho-inspired banana holders.” 😀
Seven Dwarfs home ornaments ~ complete them all!
My Saizen loot netted me P3,060. Aaaargh! And they say 100-yen shops are cheap? Hehe.
My favorites from this batch are the bento picks, lunch cloth, the polka-dotted hair turban, gold-colored bracelets, the magnetic dolls as well as the kikay accessories like nail art and eyelashes. They’re all the height of cute!
The sales clerk told me celebrities like Judy Ann, Chynna and Carmina have been flocking to the store too…. so we’re definitely not in the wrong company.
My next post will tell you all about shopping wisely in this Saizen. Mata ne!
Super cuties nga yung mga puchases mo. Ang they have fake eyelashes. Teka, makapunta nga dyan. i love the chopsticks too.. ^_^
I’ve been there last saturday! their stuff were great, more then what the other Japanese stuff stores sell. You’re right so many bento making stuff & accessories to choose from. Saw stuff from eBay that they sold there in Saizen, for a fraction of the price! Would be definitely dropping there within the week for more shopping.
So this is the store you told me about last week! Why do the Japanese have the cutest urban-esque interiors and not to mention, quirky but highly interesting product packaging? Do they really sell the oddest things? I can’t wait to check it out! 😀
LOL! Ang dami mong nashopping!!!
Out of curiosity, I went there to see if this store can compete with the real HYAKU YEN shops from Japan.Sure enough,the items were authentic products from Japan and has a wide range of stuffs for the kitchen,garden,office,school,and cute stuffs you wont see elsewhere in the Metropolis.
The only setback that I see is the price of 85 pesos.How come in Japan its only 100 yen (50 pesos)…in US $ 1 (50 pesos) then in the Philippines where minimum wage is so low, the dollar shop is 85 pesos per item? Di ba dapat mas mababa? Fair sana kung 50 pesos din di ba? yun lang….
I was browsing the internet for affordable gifts to buy and luckily, I saw this post. Thanks for the info. I’ll read your shopping tips next. 🙂