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Daiso Japan
Categories: Shopping Department Stores Shopping Fashion Department Stores Shopping Discount Store Department Stores, Discount Store
El Mercado Shopping Ctr1785 Decoto Rd
Union City, CA 94587
(510) 477-9441
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
273 reviews for Daiso Japan
Review Highlights
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"You get the best school supplies for college ha." In 18 reviews -
"I love the Japanese fabric they're made out of." In 84 reviews -
"Tons of great little knick-knacks." In 19 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: 20- and 30-somethings both posse up at this place. See more places they like.
273 reviews in English
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Review from Natasha L.
Hayward, CA
4/3/2012
This store is pretty much my whole life. I'm a kandi kid and in addition to that a sucker for cute small Asian stuff, and every time I walk in here I come out with some adorable find. First off, their fake eyelashes are my #1 choice for falsies. Really good quality and they come in a variety of unique styles that I love wearing for going out. There's more demure, simple styles too for every day. I've reused pairs up to 3-4 times and keep coming back for more because sometimes they bring in new designs.
My most recent favorite find here is a bright bubblegum pink wig for 4 BUCKS. A wig like that would easily cost me upwards of 20 bucks at Party City or online or at any halloween/costume store. I can't wait to wear it for EDC and other events- for one of the days I'm gonna be a little girl in a pastel pink outfit and my homie is going as Pedobear. The wig was just the perfect finishing touch for our pedobear + girl costumes and I am in love with it. If you spot us at EDC come up for a picture or we'll trade kandi. Or both. I'll be so down.
Daiso has cute kitchen wares, containers, cosmetics, art supplies, and so many other random adorable things that are good quality and so unique. And only 1.50, how can you go wrong with that?? For Christmas I filled my best friends' stockings with goodies from this store- fake eyelashes, makeup bags, and other random cute shit. For Valentine's Day I got my friend a fuckin heart-shaped pasta strainer and some bunny ears. ONLY AT DAISO DUDE. I LOVE THIS STORE. -
Review from Nadeem A.
2/28/2012
Need a pair of house slippers with 70's print? A set of chopsticks with jingle bells on the ends? How about a lovely set of mugs with dancing pandas? You can find all this and more at your local Daiso.
The Japanese dollar store is a pack rat's dream come true, with the most random collection of knick knacks. Most things are more than one dollar, so beware if you're running through the store filling your basket with odds and ends you won't ever use.
Buried amidst the useless (but fun!) junk are some useful items like plastic baskets to organize your collection of musical chopsticks and colorful notepads to make lists of stuff you "need" on your next Daiso visit. The store also has a great collection of Asian inspired cookware and serving dishes. I can't attest to their durability (because it's hard to take anything seriously in a store that sells scarves with pictures of Elvis on them), but they look nice and I'm guessing would hold up for a couple os uses at least.
I am also a fan of the area by the checkstands where you can find all manner of Asian snacks and candy, including Pocky sticks, seaweed crackers, and jellies. So if you find yourself with a free Saturday afternoon and want a taste of Asian inspired kitsch, Google map your nearest Daiso and go nuts! -
Review from Yvonne K.
2/16/2012
Every time I walk into Daiso, I always, ALWAYS walk out with something. I just can't resist the huge selection of cute yet useful things that they sell -- and at only $1.50 for most of those items, how can you resist?!
If you ever have a need for any random item, whether it's school supplies, cooking supplies, random containers, kitchen stuff, or just plain old cute Japanese things, you have to check out Daiso. You'll be surprised at what you can find there -- and you'll be surprised at how easily you can fill up a basket with items. -
Review from Rupesh P.
Fremont, CA
5/19/2012
Fantastic store. Everything is discounted (majority of items cost $1.50) because it's imported from Asia, but it's amazing how much .50 can get you in design and quality compared to the $1 store across the street. Favorite place. Wish I could buy it and take it nationally.
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Review from Melinda Y.
San Leandro, CA
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's like an Asian dollar store but items cost more than a dollar usually and some of very good quality like their ceramics. There were 2-plate sets on sale for $7, which were really pretty. The store is huge and clean...big inventory of everything you can think of. I always find things there -- oftentimes, things that are cute and cheap, that I may or may not need.
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Review from Jan P.
1/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Screw Ikea if you need cheap-yet-cool-looking plates/cutlery. Daiso is better in my opinion. My favorites are the soup spoons and the stationary.
It's also fun to buy one of the CD's every once in awhile...I can't read the packaging, it's in Japanese...so it's always a surprise when I first listen to them!
Yay Daiso! -
Review from Cindy L.
San Jose, CA
4/10/2012
Huge store, so more selection than other Daisos. Love it!
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Review from Kat C.
Fremont, CA
1/1/2012 11 Check-ins Here
Great place to buy cheap cute Japanese stuff - most of which is made in China, but some of which is made in Japan or Korea. We really love the cute dishes there, the Bento stuff, and the cheap office supplies.
It's hard to walk out of this store without buying something you absolutely don't need....why why why must everything be so cute and cheap? -
Review from Teresa P.
iPhone screen protector, $1.50
Bag of assorted flavor hi-Chews, $1.50
Men's disposable underwear, Priceles$$!
(they actually *do* have them, and you do still need to pay for them, but no once can really put a value on the endless laughs you get out of that one.) -
Review from Ken K.
8/30/2011 1 photo
Look at the Yelp photo I uploaded
What exactly is that thing for?
Something like this?
http://www.youtube.com...
"Hey girl, I got somethin real important to give you. So just sit down, and listen!"
\
O
/ | \ // O~ - whoo hooo!
| =// / | \
/ \ / \
No no no... you don't put your junk in THAT box.
It's a plastic case to hold a banana, so it doesn't get squished in some kid's backpack.
First natto soap (Mountain View location from 4 years+ ago), and now a banana shaped case that can give people big ideas.
For only $1.50 each. -
Review from Anne M.
Fremont, CA
3/7/2012
Bigger than the one in newpark mall. You can find everything you need here. The most important is these stuffs are all cute :p
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Review from Clarissa Y.
Union City, CA
8/22/2011
Don't lynch me: Daiso is a bit overrated. And quite frankly, I don't understand...
This store is pretty big compared to other Daisos I've seen which is pretty cool. I guess. Several reasons why I don't like Daiso:
1. Smells like imported goods. Mayyyybe it's just me, but I really hate that smell.
2. I don't speak Japanese. I can't tell what something's for, especially when you have Japanese import stuff. And we all know Japan and how it's famous for weird shit. I don't mind it being weird, I like eclectic things. I just also like to know what they are at the same time.
3. Pretty crappy quality stuff. Then again, it is a cheap dollar store type place. I just don't see the point of buying from them if that's the case? I bought an umbrella because it was pouring heavily and I didn't have one. Broke during the 20 minute walk home. Wat.
I've had friends drag me to Daiso to hang out and look at all the stuff. I just ended up walking around bored. -
Review from Ana G.
Alameda, CA
9/17/2011
I HATE THIS PLACE.
Why??? I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON UNNECESSARY ITEMS BECAUSE I JUST GOTTA HAVE EM!!! Only, $1.50? Why not! A billion items later: how the heck did I spend so much money?
Yep. If you're looking to waste your money on awesome items this is the right place to be. Daiso, I love you, but you're bad for me. -
Review from Thanh N.
8/22/2011
This store is huge! I usually go to the New Park Mall location, but decided to try this one out to see the difference.
I ended up buying little glass spice containers and larger glass jars for larger things such as my bread crumbs. Every container was only $1.50! What a steal! I have been trying to organize my spices for awhile and the cheapest decent looking containers I could find were at the container store for $3 each!
There are tons of neat gadgets and random things here. I've bought a few cake/cupcake decorating things here as well as nice cheap chopstick sets. They have really cheap wrapping options like boxes, gift wrap, bags, etc. -
Review from Mona C.
Berkeley, CA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow! They have 1001 you don't need and probably never thought existed, but for $1.50 for mostly everything, who can resist?!
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Review from Margo G.
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This one is HUGE!
I spent hours in there and bought stuff I didn't need but desperately had to have. I lost my hubby up in here too. He was busy walking around checking things out like I was. It takes time to pick things up to see what the heck they are and hoping there is some sort of layman's English translation for it.
I bought a partial eyelash curler, clear mascara and some driving gloves at this joint. The hubby bought a sickle for his mom. For reals. A sickle. She gardens so I guess it's an acceptable gift.
If we had more time, we would have bought more. I was craving some new pens, lashes, cute lunch trays, utensils and a tea set. I have no need for them, I just want them. -
Review from Steven B.
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Daiso is an awesome store to get products that normally would sell for quite a lot more in other stores. Most items are $1.50. They sell everything from desktop accessories to snacks. There's a few locations throughout the bay area, but I have to say... this is their largest store that I have seen.
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Review from Ari S.
Fremont, CA
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Everything you need and more for Pennies on the Dollar... like Literally its Cheap as heck!
Its a clean store not messy and stuff is easy to find.
I will def come back here the next time I need a house hold item or some school stuff :D -
Review from Jon H.
CA
6/10/2011
Cheap Japanese Crap. It sounds teribad. But let me be frank, the Japanese are one of the greenest people on the planet. Most of their energy is nuclear, everyone lives in urban metropolitan green buildings and they sort their garbage 11 ways every freaking day for pickup. That said, the Japanese have transplanted a slice of their culture to the states in the form of this Daiso market. Want a toothbrush/floss pick/razor in one implement? The Japanese are super efficient and this store reflects that. Plus you can buy 10 gilette razors for a dollar.
Sucker Punch Target.
BOOM HEADSHOT! -
Review from Amy L.
7/31/2011 4 Check-ins Here
After seeing this store all the time [when I go to Marina/Tap/etc], I finallyyyyy got to spend some time in it when the boy&I were waiting for our to-go order from Little Shen Yang. We were told it'd be a 25-30 minute wait, so I asked to go explore Daiso.
It's soooooo cute!!! Everything is so reasonably priced [most stuff is $1.50], and there's so much to look at! I love how cutesy everything is. Oh and their Asian snacks. Nomnomnom! We easily spent 30 minutes in there without getting bored. Teehee. So cute. Definitely coming back whenever I'm in the area! -
Review from Kathleen N.
Fremont, CA
3/29/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is like the dollar toy store for adults.. and a little more than a dollar. There's a whole spectrum of things that they carry here but I'm always here for the cosmetic and nail art section. They sell things you wouldn't find anywhere else such as the Japanese nail art utensils and decals. I used to buy the nail gems online on ebay and wait a month to get them but now I can bring them home right away from here. They also have cool boxes for presents or for whatever reason. I always find things I don't need and usually only come in to buy one thing but end up walking out with 20. The staff are super friendly too. I've never dealt with anyone here that didn't have a smile on their face!
Impulse buyers beware! -
Review from Wendy Z.
San Francisco, CA
This one has been the biggest one I've seen so far. A good spot for location, Asian business around it.
This place kept me business for at least an hour, went around isle to isle. This daiso had a little more things to show for than some of the ones in bay area.
I'ved been to most of the stores around, serramonte, san Francisco . So far so good. This place keeps me occupied -
Review from lisa t.
Oakland, CA
5/27/2011
Out of all the Daiso's I've been to all around the bay and I believe I've been to ALL of them in Alameda County, Santa Clara County, San Mateo County & San Francisco County, this is my favorite one. This location seems to have their items restocked well, because when I go to other locations, they usually have a lot of items missing with a lot of empty spaces & the employee's seem to never know when they restock. This Daiso is very organized, so it was pretty easy to find the items I needed. This will now be my to go to Daiso if I need something. :)
$5 Minimum for credit/debit charges. -
Review from Hevad Y.
Fremont, CA
7/26/2011 13 Check-ins Here
All the little cute and cheap stationary and cookware is what this place is all about.
Everything else is there to distract you from your main purpose of acquiring useless items to fill the void in your life left from your recent heartbreak or lack of heart. This is why the Japanese are so successful with acquiring currency from young asian girls! -
Review from po d.
San Jose, CA
9/19/2011
I always end up with an unneccesary knick-knack from this place. Most recent purchase was the "Don't Cat!" anti cat spiked plastic mat. They appear to be working.
The store is always clean when I visit. The only problem is that the parking lot gets crowded. -
Review from Connie W.
Fremont, CA
9/6/2011
There is a large selection of cute, inexpensive knick knacks that may be useful. Most things are $1.50 but there are things that're $10+
The store is generally very clean and bright, better than the Newpark Mall Daiso Japan. I distinctly remember a lady rudely telling me off because of a drink I had, otherwise the employees there are nice. -
Review from Anna C.
San Lorenzo, CA
1/13/2012
this store is filled with cuteness from shelf to shelf. They have a lot of random knick knacks, and i could spend hours looking at every aisle. they have things like laundry meshbags, soap, brooms, rugs, underwear, pens, makeup, air fresheners, notebooks, dishes, cups, dog toys... everything! i like buying home decor items from here, and school supplies. some of their items are funny, like false boobies. or a giant rubber ear.
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Review from Ellen C.
Hayward, CA
7/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I absolutely love this store!!!
HI-CHEW!!! oh yeah!! I love their snacks. & this store is huge!
It's pretty well maintained. It's not dirty or a mess like the Dollar stores. I could spend hours in here just looking around. It's affordable. I would say I spend more on the snacks than I do anything else.
The only things they didn't have was the pen selection. I remember going into the San Jose one & they had a variety of pens. I guess I just like pens.
I bought some of my christmas gifts here lol shhhhhh but hey the quality is good. -
Review from Risa S.
Bay Area
8/11/2011
I decided to go for a nice drive today and I wanted to check out Daiso in Union City, which I loved the area a lot. I've been to another Daiso location in Cupertino, CA before, but I thought this Daiso carried more merchandises.
I ended up picking up a few Planting trays, which I thought would be good to grow Wheat grass in and I've been looking for the same/similar type Planting trays just yesterday at Home Depot, Walmart and Lowe's in Dublin/Pleasanton area, which they didn't carry. I know right? But, I was able to find perfect sizes here at Daiso, which was awesome!! And, for a good price at $1.50 per tray.
I bought some dishes here good to serve ice cream, souffles and custard fruit tarts in. And, I also picked up a cute shirt, which is black and has a bird on the front for $7.00.
The store was clean, organized and the staff were friendly.
I'll definitely come back if I am in the area or decide to go for another drive.
Daiso accepts Credit cards if your purchase is over $5.00, which is the minimum. -
Review from Olivia W.
6/1/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Daiso is the Asian version of Dollar Tree, except things cost $1.50 and up at Daiso and it's not ghetto.
Short and simple:
You can basically find anything you need here. From socks to pans, they have it all. They even sell dog beds and dog clothes. Tons of goodies. Since it's BBQ season, I recommend that you come here for supplies such as disposable table clothes, plates, cups, etc. Also, it's a very well kept store.
Finding an employee to help find something is rather difficult. I think they're low on staff, best bet is to ask the cashier for help. -
Review from Tina C.
Updated - 1/17/2011
I am so happy that this place closes at 9pm. I recently discovered a section to purchase netbook sleeves for $1.50 a piece. I thought I grabbed a great deal at Crate & Barrel outlet for a $5.00 sleeve, but this place rocks!
While I was there, I saw that they had more inventory for office supplies and organization (so colorful!). If I didn't have 2011 calendars already, I would've bought some. They are so cute especially the hanging one. They also have great standing ones for your cubicle.
Some cool stuff I've seen at the store recently or purchased include the below. All are $1.50 a piece.
+ 2011 Standing/Hanging Calendars
+Clear color magazine holders
+Individually wrapped chocolate/strawberry waffle rolls (per box)
+Over 1 dozen medicine/pill boxes (and so colorful!)
+Desk/Standing Mirror (granted the quality isn't as good as IKEA which sells it for $14.99+tax or Bed Bath and Beyond one for $19.99/lowest you can't really beat it at this price!)
+Several types of cutting boards
+Dozens of double sided tape (I know I have a rant about this...but I love the stuff)
+Several types of netbook sleeves (less than 12")
+Several types of shelf organizers for the kitchen (they use to only have 1)
+A Valentine's Day section
+Year of the Rabbit section
+Chinese New Year section
+Bags of wheat and dry noodle
+New selection of plastic garbage bins
and the list goes on... I love Daiso!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/23/2009
I recently fell in love with their tape section. I swear any type of tape you can think of in… Read more »
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Review from Lester B.
Union City, CA
9/21/2011
Daiso Japan has everything you need from specific groceries, cosmetics, everyday items, etc. There is nothing I can't find here in Daiso, and everything is so cheap! I love Daiso for the fact that they have good quality imported products and in vast variations of selections too. I love buying bamboo or wooden products here like wood soap platforms or bamboo table mats. Great place to shop and even greater prices; 5 stars!
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Review from Eva Y.
5/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
So much better than dollar stores. There are so many goodies here including food! From Japanese restaurant signage to arts and crafts... you can find it here! I love their plastic goods section as well as kitchenware. I bought a knife here over 2 years ago and it's still sharp as heck. They also carry measuring instruments in the kitchenware area that only measures in grams, liters and such. This was helpful when I make food from Asian recipes.
Overall, love this place! Wish there are more of them! -
Review from Michelle L.
Oakland, CA
12/1/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I've wasted many an hour at Daiso looking at cute knick-knacks I probably won't ever use or need. However, none of this deters me from buying/wanting aforementioned cute knick-knacks.
It's my nerdy Asian ritual to peruse the well-organized shelves of this store with my newly purchased Tap-Ex drink in hand. Things I've purchased : cotton squares/rounds, oil blotter sheets, containers in all shapes and sizes, fake eyelashes, combs blah blah blah - all for $1.50! Yes!
Their fobby product names are so entertaining - Lube Sheep, Monotone Lunch...all copyrighted of course, in case anyone else tries to name their lunch boxes "LUBE SHEEP".
My wish list for Daiso - car accessories. Air freshener, fuzzy steering wheel covers?! No Asian store is complete without car accessories. -
Review from Eileen M.
San Francisco, CA
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
You are a wonderful time killer for an impulse buyer Daiso.
From your various stock of cute finger puppets, hand painted china bowls, adorable heart shaped gift boxes, friendly employees, paper lanterns, endless supplies of Asian candies, fuzzy slippers, terrible English-translated stationaries, and the rest of your endless inventory of $1.50 marked semi-useful Japanese goods you sell - you are forever the shit.
I thank you for all the days you made me momentarily happy, and forever $20 poorer with each visit. -
Review from Jeannie J.
Hawthorne, CA
4/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Tons of cute stuff for cheap. What's not to like? The cupcake/muffin liners are absolutely adorbs!
A word of caution- if you find something you like, buy it right away. You may not see it several months later during your next visit. -
Review from Kat V.
Concord, CA
2/21/2011
I Love Love Love this Place...
SO Many Fun little items & Totally Reasonably Priced... Like a Cultural Dollar Store.... Great Place for Cheap yet Interesting Gifts.... I go CRAZY over thier Bento / Sushi Stuff.. Makes Lunch So Fun!
The Make-Up / Toiletries are always fun too!
& The Candy / Sweets!
I have gotten everything from Cooking Pans to Computer stuff!
Everytime I go here... I leave w/ SO much Stuff!
Matter of Fact.. I am overdue for a Visit!
The Only thing I would say Bad... Is we Need a Daiso in Contra Costa County... til then.. I make the Drive!!!
Domo Arigatō Diaso -
Review from Meuy S.
Oakland, CA
2/2/2011 3 Check-ins Here
It's like a well organized dollar store, with things that you'd actually want!
Suprisingly it's not over run by Walmart shoppers so the store stays in decent shape making it so much easier to find the things. Stop by, I'm sure you won't leave empty handed. -
Review from Albert L.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2011
Lots of stuff to buy here.
+ Plenty of parking and Easy to find off of Alvarado Niles.
+ Inexpensive, no hassle, and full of useful "stuff" aka "junk"
+ Most stuff is garbage but somehow you still can't walk out without buying it! -
Review from Saunders C.
San Francisco, CA
3/12/2011 2 photos
I suspect that you'd be able to spend hundreds of dollars at this store and cart out a truckload of stuff that's only vaguely useful. It's like a Pic N Save (remember those?) but a lot of the things have cute little animals printed on them. I have yet to figure out what everything they sell here does. But $3 for a tie, $4 for a dress shirt. Move over, Calvin Klein. Well, I'm not positive that they won't dissolve off your back in the rain, but they seem like solid threads.
I think since apartments in Japan require efficient use of every single square inch, they like to pack things away in small plastic bins, and they are on proud display at Daiso. You can find bins/containers of all shapes and sizes. You can also find Calpico drink. I milky yogurt-flavored drink. Yum?
Oh yeah, and a lot of the stuff is $1.50. So go get your pocket change and head to Daiso for a packet of... stuff.
