Sleep, wash, eat and charge
- Futon or bed, pillow and bedding
- Towel, toiletries and toilet paper
- Drinking water and an easy first meal
- Phone cable, wall charger and light
JAPAN SETUP MAPSee the whole journey
VIEWINGDaily essentials and 100-yen shops
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FIRST HOME · DAILY SHOPPING · 100-YEN STORESSet up daily life.
Set up daily life.
Buy in the right order.
Many rentals in Japan are unfurnished. Start with what you need to sleep, wash, eat and charge a phone, then choose furniture and appliances after measuring the actual room.
A PRACTICAL ORDER
Do not buy the whole home on day one.
Use the first night to learn the space. Large purchases are easier after you know the measurements, delivery route, utility type and routines of the household.
Build a working home
- Table or desk and a suitable chair
- Rice cooker, microwave and refrigerator
- Dishes, chopsticks, pot and cooking tools
- Laundry, hangers, rubbish and cleaning supplies
Buy for the actual space
- Bed frame, storage and larger furniture
- Washing machine or additional appliances
- Floor cushions, curtains and seasonal items
- Bulk food, refills and emergency supplies
ROOM-BY-ROOM CHECKLIST
Everything needed for a basic home.
The Japanese terms help when reading signs, searching a store or asking staff. Choose quantities for the household instead of treating every line as mandatory.
寝具・家具
Sleep & furniture
- Bed frame / mattress
- Futon set
- Sheets / duvet / pillow
- Desk or table
- Chair
- Zabuton floor cushion
Check: Measure the room, doorway, lift and delivery route. Confirm whether the rental includes any furniture.
台所・家電
Kitchen & appliances
- Refrigerator
- Rice cooker
- Microwave
- Gas stove if not built in
- Pot / frying pan
- Knife / cutting board
- Cooking utensils
Check: Confirm space, socket, gas type, ventilation and whether cookware matches gas or induction heating.
食器・食品
Tableware & food
- Bowls / plates / cups
- Chopsticks / cutlery
- Food containers
- Rice
- Miso
- Soy sauce
- Salt / sugar / oil / dashi
Check: Start small. Storage space, diet, allergens and cooking habits determine what is actually useful.
洗濯・収納
Laundry & storage
- Washing machine
- Detergent / laundry net
- Hangers / clothes pegs
- Drying pole
- Laundry basket
- Storage boxes
Check: Measure the washer space, tap, drain pan and door route. Confirm whether a balcony drying pole is already installed.
掃除・ごみ
Cleaning & rubbish
- Vacuum, broom or floor wiper
- Sponges / cloths / brushes
- Bathroom and toilet cleaner
- Rubbish bags / bins
- Mould-control items
- Indoor slippers
Check: Use the bags, separation categories, collection days and disposal point required by your municipality and building.
電池・充電
Power & charging
- AA / AAA batteries
- Phone charging cable
- Wall charger
- Power strip
- Light bulbs
- Torch / emergency radio
Check: Use products intended for Japan. Read the voltage, frequency, connector, output and maximum-load labels before connecting anything.
LARGE OR POWERED ITEMS
Measure first. Check the rating label second.
For a bed, desk, chair, rice cooker, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine or gas stove, the cheapest listing can become expensive if it does not fit, cannot be connected or is difficult to return.
- 01Room and route
Width, depth, height, doorway, stairs, lift, delivery time and assembly space.
- 02Utilities and installation
Outlet, voltage and frequency label, city gas or LP gas, water tap, drain, ventilation and landlord permission.
- 03Total ownership cost
Delivery, installation, old-item removal, warranty, return conditions, energy use and moving-out disposal.
WHERE TO BUY
Match the shop to the item.
Small tableware, chopsticks, hangers, pegs, storage, cleaning tools, stationery and simple consumables.
Rice, miso, seasonings, toiletries, detergents, batteries, rubbish bags and repeat purchases.
Bedding, desks, chairs, shelves, curtains, cookware, tools and items where dimensions or durability matter.
Rice cookers, microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines, chargers and appliances needing installation or warranty support.
Furniture and appliances at lower prices; confirm age, condition, included parts, delivery, warranty and return terms.
Useful for comparison and delivery. Confirm seller, total price, arrival date, installation, returns and removal service.
100円ショップ · HYAKU-EN SHOP · 百均
Japan’s small-budget home setup.
100-yen shops are often the fastest way to equip a kitchen, bathroom, desk and laundry area. Not every product costs 100 yen, tax may be added and the same chain can carry different stock at each branch. Check the shelf and product price before paying.
Light, simple and replaceable
- Plates, bowls, cups and chopsticks
- Basic cooking tools and food containers
- Hangers, clothes pegs and laundry nets
- Sponges, brushes, cloths and floor-wiper sheets
- Storage trays, stationery and rubbish-bin accessories
Heat, power, weight and daily use
- Chargers, power strips and electrical accessories
- Cookware compatibility and heat limits
- Furniture, step stools and load-bearing items
- Products for babies, medical needs or emergencies
- Anything where fit, durability or a warranty matters
CHAIN & STORE-FINDER DIRECTORY
Find a 100-yen shop anywhere in Japan.
This is a chain directory, not a static copy of thousands of branches. Use each company’s live store finder for the current address, opening hours, facilities and product information.
DAISO
Large general range; the locator also identifies store size and available services.
Open official store finderSeria
Household goods, kitchenware, storage, craft and everyday consumables.
Open official store finderCan Do
Search by prefecture or current area and check each store’s hours and facilities.
Open official store finderWatts group
Includes Watts, Meets, Silk, FLET’S and Hyakuen Ryohjikan brands in the official search.
Open official store finderLawson Store 100
A grocery-led format useful for food and immediate daily supplies; operating areas are limited.
Open official store finder100-yen House Lemon
A regional chain with a prefecture-based official store directory.
Open official store finderSearch tip
Try the Japanese phrases 100円ショップ, 百均 or 100均 together with your station, city or postcode. Confirm the branch on the chain’s official site before travelling.
FUTURE PRODUCT COMPARISONS
How commercial offers will be handledRead the site policy Affiliate links will follow the checklist—not replace it.
No affiliate product links are active on this page yet. When verified Amazon, Rakuten or other offers are added, large items will be compared by room fit, essential specifications, delivery, installation, warranty, returns and total cost before commission.