Yen time

While I was in Japan I often frequented 100 Yen Shops. In Japanese: hyaku en shop. They sell a wide range of products for 107 Yen per item (100 Yen plus tax). This is roughly one US dollar per item. 1.15 Yen = $1

There are thousands of 100 Yen Shops across Japan, ranging in size from multi-level "department stores" to small corners in shopping malls.

One of the largest 100 Yen shops I visited had 4 stories. It had everything you could ever want. I would compare these shops to Wal-Marts but with better merchandise and the lowest prices ever.

"Who cares", you're thinking, "Japan isn't the only country with dollar stores selling useless crap." Well it may be hard to believe but dollar stores in Japan actually sell good stuff, useful items that you can use more than once and aren't ashamed to have bought. A new shop called the 99 Yen Shop actually sells food! (For kicks check out their website)

Imagine the fun of shopping in a grocery store where everything is only a buck. Not only that but they have almost everything you could want, plus the staff is hardworking and polite. They always welcomed me by saying, "Konnichiwa giazimus." None of their products are junk, and most importantly, you get to listen to their theme song. Kyu, Kyu-Kyu, Kyu-Kyu, Kyu-Kyu-Kyu! (kyu means 9). To the theme of knick nack paddywack give a dog a bone: It was only slightly annoying after they played it constantly.

Now I can't even fathom what I would have done in Japan without their 99 yen 1 litre carton of low fat milk, or their 99 yen orinji rice sandwiches. You rock 99 Yen Shop!